Boot from USB Linux

TL;DR

This guide shows you how to boot your computer from a Live USB drive running Linux. This lets you try Linux without installing it, fix problems with your computer, or run specific tools.

Steps

1. Download the Linux ISO file: Choose a distribution (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora etc.) and download its ISO image from their official website. Make sure you get the correct version for your computer’s architecture (usually 64-bit).
2. Create a Bootable USB Drive: You’ll need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage. Use a tool like Rufus (Windows), Etcher (Windows, macOS, Linux) or the Startup Disk Creator (Ubuntu/Linux Mint).
   • Rufus (Windows):
   1. Download and run Rufus from https://rufus.ie/.
   2. Select your USB drive in the ‘Device’ dropdown.
   3. Click ‘SELECT’ and choose the Linux ISO file you downloaded.
   4. Leave most settings at their defaults (Partition scheme: MBR or GPT depending on your system – see step 3). File System: FAT32 is usually best.
   5. Click ‘START’. Rufus will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be erased – confirm if you’re happy to proceed.
   • Etcher (Cross-Platform):
   1. Download and run Etcher from https://etcher.balena.io/.
   2. Click ‘Flash from file’ and choose the Linux ISO file.
   3. Click ‘Select target’ and choose your USB drive.
   4. Click ‘Flash!’ Etcher will verify the write after flashing.
3. Determine Your Boot Mode (BIOS or UEFI): This is important for creating the bootable USB correctly.
   • Windows: Press Win + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. Look for ‘BIOS Mode’. It will say either ‘Legacy’ (BIOS) or ‘UEFI’.
   • Linux: Open a terminal and run

     sudo dmidecode -t 0 | grep BIOS

     . If it shows information about the BIOS, you’re using BIOS. If it shows UEFI, you are using UEFI.

   If you’re unsure, try creating the USB drive with both MBR (for BIOS) and GPT (for UEFI) partitions in Rufus and see which one works.

4. Access Your Computer’s Boot Menu: Restart your computer. As it starts up, repeatedly press a key to enter the boot menu. Common keys include F2, F12, Delete, Esc or F10. The exact key varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer – check your computer’s manual or search online for your specific model.

   The boot menu will list the available devices to boot from.

5. Select Your USB Drive: In the boot menu, use the arrow keys to navigate and select your USB drive. It might be listed under its name or as ‘Removable Device’. Press Enter.

   The computer will now boot from the Live Linux environment on the USB drive.

6. Try or Install Linux: Once booted, you’ll usually have options to ‘Try Linux’ (run it without installing) or ‘Install Linux’. Choose the option that suits your needs.