diff --git a/docs/unraid-os/getting-started/set-up-unraid/create-your-bootable-media.mdx b/docs/unraid-os/getting-started/set-up-unraid/create-your-bootable-media.mdx
index f64810faf4..4d74579d7c 100644
--- a/docs/unraid-os/getting-started/set-up-unraid/create-your-bootable-media.mdx
+++ b/docs/unraid-os/getting-started/set-up-unraid/create-your-bootable-media.mdx
@@ -1,46 +1,166 @@
---
sidebar_position: 1
-sidebar_label: Create your bootable media
+sidebar_label: Create an Unraid USB drive
---
-import FlashDriveGuidance from '../../partials/flash-drive-selection-guidance.mdx';
+import FlashDriveGuidance from "../../partials/flash-drive-selection-guidance.mdx";
-# Create your bootable media
+# Create an Unraid USB drive
-Unraid OS is installed on a USB flash drive, which acts as the boot device for your server. You can create this bootable media using our recommended [Automated install method](./create-your-bootable-media.mdx#automated-install-method) with our [USB Flash Creator](https://unraid.net/download) tool or by following the [Manual installation method](./create-your-bootable-media.mdx#manual-install-method). In both cases, you will need a high-quality USB flash drive (between 4 and 32 GB) that has a unique %%GUID|guid%%.
+Unraid OS can boot from a USB flash drive or, in Unraid 7.3 and later, from a supported internal boot device. This page explains how to create a USB drive for a new server. You can keep using the USB drive for flash boot, or use it to start the server before you select internal boot during onboarding. See the [Internal Boot FAQ (7.3+)](./internal-boot-faq.mdx) for more information.
+
+For USB boot, use a high-quality USB flash drive of any size with a unique %%GUID|guid%%. The %%GUID|guid%% identifies the USB device for licensing.
:::tip[Choosing reliable boot media]
-For typical USB installs, that means a quality USB flash drive; licensing depends on a unique %%GUID|guid%% on the boot device. See [Choosing a boot device](#choosing-a-usb-flash-drive) in the manual install section for brand guidance and how to avoid counterfeits.
+For USB boot, choose a quality USB flash drive with a unique %%GUID|guid%%. See [Choosing a boot device](#choosing-a-usb-flash-drive) in the manual install section for guidance about reliable media and counterfeit drives.
+
+If you plan to use internal boot, you still need this USB drive to start a new server. After the first boot, the onboarding wizard lets you choose flash boot or internal boot.
:::
## Automated install method {/* #automated-install-method */}
-The automated installation method is the best way to set up Unraid OS. It simplifies the process, reduces errors, and ensures your USB flash drive is ready for most hardware configurations. This method offers the quickest and most reliable path to a successful installation for most users.
+The Unraid USB Creator prepares the drive, downloads or uses the selected Unraid OS image, and writes the image to the USB drive. Use this method for most new installations.
+
+:::caution[Writing erases the USB drive]
+
+The **WRITE** action erases the selected USB drive. Disconnect other removable drives before you start. If you are replacing an existing Unraid boot device, [back it up first](../../system-administration/secure-your-server/secure-your-boot-drive.mdx).
+
+:::
+
+### Download the USB Creator
+
+Download and install the USB Creator for your computer:
+
+- [Windows](https://releases.unraid.net/dl/stable/usb-creator.exe)
+- [macOS](https://releases.unraid.net/dl/stable/usb-creator.dmg)
+- [Linux](https://releases.unraid.net/dl/stable/usb-creator.appimage)
+
+Insert the USB drive into your computer. Close any application that has the drive open.
+
+### Select the language
+
+1. Open the USB Creator.
+2. Select your language.
+3. Select **NEXT**.
+
+
+ 
+
+
+### Select an Unraid OS release
+
+1. Select the Unraid OS release to install.
+2. Select **NEXT**.
+
+For a production server, select the latest stable release. Use a development image only when you are testing that image.
+
+
+ 
+
+
+### Select the USB drive
+
+1. Select the USB drive that you want to prepare.
+2. Check the drive name, size, and %%GUID|guid%%.
+3. Keep **Exclude system drives** selected.
+4. Select **NEXT**.
+
+The %%GUID|guid%% must be unique for the drive to work with Unraid licensing. Do not select a drive that contains data that you want to keep.
+
+
+ 
+
+
+### Configure the new server (optional)
+
+The **Customisation** section lets you set these options before the first boot:
+
+- **Server name** sets the name that Unraid uses on your network.
+- **Wi-Fi** stores the Wi-Fi network settings for a server that uses a wireless connection.
+- **Network** sets automatic addressing with DHCP or a static IP address.
+
+Skip these sections if you want to configure the server after the first boot. If you configure Wi-Fi, treat the USB drive as containing the Wi-Fi password until the server starts for the first time.
+
+### Review and write the image
+
+1. Review the operating system and storage device in the summary.
+2. Make sure that the storage device is the USB drive that you want to erase.
+3. Select **WRITE**.
+
+The USB Creator writes the selected image to the drive.
+
+
+ 
+
+
+### Finish the USB setup
+
+When the write is complete:
+
+1. Review the choices shown on the completion screen.
+2. Select **FINISH**.
+3. Remove the USB drive only after the USB Creator ejects it.
+
+UEFI systems can boot from the drive without any extra step. For an older BIOS-only system, run the boot script from the root of the USB drive:
+
+- **Windows:** Right-click `make_bootable.bat` and select **Run as administrator**.
+- **macOS:** Double-click `make_bootable_mac` and enter your administrator password when prompted.
+- **Linux:** Unmount the USB drive. Then run `sudo bash ./make_bootable_linux`.
+
+
+ 
+
+
+### Boot the server from the new USB drive
+
+1. Insert the prepared USB drive into the server.
+2. Open the server's BIOS or UEFI settings.
+3. Set the USB drive as the first boot device.
+4. Save the BIOS settings and restart the server.
+
+On Unraid 7.3 and later, when Unraid starts for the first time, the onboarding wizard lets you choose the boot method:
+
+- **Flash boot** keeps Unraid on the USB drive.
+- **Internal boot** moves Unraid to one supported internal boot device or two mirrored internal boot devices.
+
+For internal boot details, see the [Onboarding](./deploy-and-configure-unraid-os.mdx#onboarding) section and the [Internal Boot FAQ (7.3+)](./internal-boot-faq.mdx).
+
+After Unraid OS starts, continue with [Deploy and configure Unraid OS](./deploy-and-configure-unraid-os.mdx).
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### The USB drive does not appear
+
+1. Disconnect the USB drive.
+2. Close the USB Creator.
+3. Connect the USB drive directly to the computer.
+4. Open the USB Creator again.
-1. **Prepare your USB Device:**
- Insert a high-quality USB flash drive into your computer.
+The Unraid USB Creator only lists USB storage devices for this workflow. Make sure that your computer detects the drive before you open the USB Creator.
-2. **Download the Unraid USB Flash Creator and install Unraid OS onto the drive.**
- [Windows](https://releases.unraid.net/dl/stable/usb-creator.exe) | [Mac](https://releases.unraid.net/dl/stable/usb-creator.dmg) | [Linux](https://releases.unraid.net/dl/stable/usb-creator.appimage)
+### The server does not boot from the USB drive
-3. **Complete Setup:**
- Customize your server name and network settings.
+1. Open the BIOS or UEFI settings.
+2. Make sure that the USB drive is the first boot device.
+3. For a BIOS-only system, run the platform-specific `make_bootable` script described in [Finish the USB setup](#finish-the-usb-setup).
+4. Save the settings and restart the server.
-4. **Eject and Install:**
- Safely remove the USB drive and insert it into your server.
+If you chose internal boot and the server does not boot after onboarding, move the selected internal boot device to the top of the BIOS/UEFI boot order. If the server still does not boot, use the [Manual install method](#manual-install-method) to prepare the USB drive again.
-5. **Configure your server's BIOS settings**
- - Set the boot device to the USB flash drive.
- - Enable %%hardware virtualization|hvm%% features, including %%IOMMU|iommu%%. (See [HVM & IOMMU configuration](../../using-unraid-to/create-virtual-machines/overview-and-system-prep.mdx#hvm--iommu-what-they-enable) for details.)
+### The USB drive cannot register a license
-6. **Boot into Unraid OS:**
- Save your BIOS configuration, then exit to boot into Unraid OS.
+USB boot and USB licensing require a unique %%GUID|guid%%. If the drive has no unique %%GUID|guid%%, use a different USB flash drive. If you use internal boot with TPM-based licensing, see the [Internal Boot FAQ (7.3+)](./internal-boot-faq.mdx#internal-boot-flash-license).
## Manual install method {/* #manual-install-method */}
-The manual installation method is designed for situations where the USB Flash Creator tool is either unavailable or incompatible with your hardware. This approach provides complete control over the formatting and setup process, making it ideal for advanced users or for troubleshooting specific issues with a USB device.
+The manual installation method is for situations where the USB Creator is unavailable or incompatible with your hardware. This method gives you control over the formatting and setup process.
### Choosing a boot device {/* #choosing-a-usb-flash-drive */}
@@ -54,7 +174,7 @@ The manual installation method is designed for situations where the USB Flash Cr
:::important
-On Windows, drives larger than 32 GB cannot be formatted as FAT32 using the built-in formatting tools (they default to exFAT). For drives larger than 32 GB, you'll need to use a third-party tool like [Rufus](https://rufus.ie/en/) to format as FAT32.
+On Windows, the built-in formatting tools cannot format drives larger than 32 GB as FAT32. They default to exFAT. For a larger drive, use a FAT32-capable tool such as [Rufus](https://rufus.ie/en/).
:::