The BUGCODE_USB_DRIVER error (often with a Blue Screen of Death, code 0x000000FE) during Windows 11 installation typically indicates a problem with USB drivers, firmware, or a connected USB device. On small PCs (like your Asus AcePC) or custom builds, it often appears when setup can't initialize USB properly during boot or device enumeration.

Let's fix this methodically:

Immediate Steps to Try First

1. Unplug All Unnecessary USB Devices

Only keep:

• Keyboard


• Mouse


• USB installer (if you're booting from it)

Remove: Wi-Fi dongles, hubs, external drives, etc.

2. Change USB Port

• Try plugging your USB installer into a USB 2.0 port, not 3.0 (3.0 ports can cause compatibility issues during setup).


• If all ports are 3.0, try using a different USB stick created with a different tool.

3. Recreate Installation Media

Use Rufus to create the installer. Choose:

• GPT partition scheme (for UEFI)


• Windows 11 (no TPM / no Secure Boot) if hardware is borderline


• File system: NTFS

Rufus is better than the standard Media Creation Tool if you're seeing USB errors.

4. BIOS Tweaks

Enter BIOS (usually DEL, ESC, or F2 on boot):

• Disable XHCI Hand-off


• Disable Legacy USB Support


• Disable Fast Boot


• Enable UEFI-only mode


• Update BIOS if available

If Installing from USB, but Error Persists:

• Try installing from a DVD (if supported)


• Or try setting up Windows via PXE Boot or network, to bypass USB entirely


• Or open the installer on another PC, apply the image using DISM or dism /apply-image, then move the disk back

Advanced Option (Driver Injection):

If you're on a device with non-standard USB drivers, try this:

1. Get USB 3.0/3.1 drivers for your motherboard/CPU (Asus or Intel site)


2. Use NTLite or DISM to inject those drivers into the Windows 11 ISO


3. Recreate the USB installer with these added drivers

Still Stuck? Here's a Plan:

If the AcePC has onboard eMMC or soldered SSD, and your USB setup keeps failing:

• Remove the internal drive (if possible) and prep it from another PC


• OR install Windows 10 first, then upgrade to 11 (10 has better legacy driver support)


• OR boot into Linux, wipe partitions, and let Windows recreate them

Would you like help creating a pre-patched ISO or step-by-step injecting the drivers? If you can tell me the exact model of the AcePC, I can find the right USB chipset drivers for it.

Thanks - that helps a lot. The HP Pro 3500 Microtower (MT) is a bit older (typically ships with 3rd-gen Intel CPUs like i3/i5-3xxx), and doesn't officially support Windows 11 due to:

• No TPM 2.0


• No Secure Boot


• Legacy BIOS (non-UEFI by default)

But you can still install Windows 11 on it - with a few tweaks.

The BUGCODE_USB_DRIVER error during install on this machine usually comes down to one of three things:

Fix Strategy for HP Pro 3500 MT

Step 1: Rebuild USB Installer (Bypass TPM & USB bugs)

Use Rufus to create a compatible installer:

1. Download the latest Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft:
   https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

   
   



2. Run Rufus Insert USB stick (8GB or more)

   
   



3. Set options:

   
   
   
   
   • Partition Scheme: MBR
   
   
   • Target System: BIOS (or UEFI-CSM)
   
   
   • File System: NTFS
   
   
   • Image Options: Remove requirement for TPM/Secure Boot
   
   
   • Enable the "bypass checks" when Rufus prompts you
   
   
   
   

This avoids errors that occur because the HP 3500 lacks TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.

Step 2: BIOS Settings

Enter BIOS on boot (F10):

• Legacy Boot: Enable


• UEFI Boot: Disable (this machine often can't do full UEFI)


• Secure Boot: Disable


• USB 3.0 Configuration: Set to Auto or Legacy


• Fast Boot: Disable

Save and exit.

Step 3: Try USB 2.0 Port

The 3500 MT has both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. Use one of the rear USB 2.0 ports for your installer. Avoid the front or blue-colored USB 3.0 ports.

Step 4: Temporarily Remove USB Devices

During installation, only leave:

• USB stick


• Keyboard & mouse (preferably wired)

Unplug:

• Any USB Wi-Fi dongles


• Printers


• USB hubs


• External hard drives

Optional (if it still fails):

If you're still hitting the USB driver BSOD:

• Download Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller drivers for Windows 10/11 (can help)


• Use NTLite or DISM to inject them into the install image


• Or install Windows 10 first, then do an in-place upgrade to 11

Final Tip

You can always try installing Windows 11 via command line (DISM method) to avoid USB issues:

1. Boot into a WinPE stick or live Windows 10


2. Use dism /apply-image to apply the install.wim from the Windows 11 ISO onto the disk manually


3. Add bootloader using bcdboot

Would you like a pre-built, TPM-bypassed ISO or a driver injection template? I can walk you through either path.