Creating a bootable USB drive for Linux is a common task and can be done using various methods and tools. One of the popular methods is to use a tool like “Rufus” on Windows or “dd” on Linux to create the bootable USB drive. Here, I’ll provide instructions for both Windows and Linux.
Requirements:
- A USB drive with sufficient capacity (usually 8 GB or more).
- A Linux distribution ISO file. You can download this from the official website of the Linux distribution you want to install.
Creating a Bootable USB Drive on Windows (Using Rufus):
- Download Rufus: If you don’t already have Rufus installed, download it from the official website: Rufus Official Website
- Insert Your USB Drive: Plug in the USB drive you want to use for creating the bootable Linux USB.
- Run Rufus: Run the Rufus application on your Windows computer.
- Configure Rufus Settings:
- In the “Device” dropdown, select your USB drive.
- In the “Boot selection” section, click the “Select” button and browse to the Linux distribution ISO file you have downloaded.
- Leave the “Partition scheme” and “File system” options as is, as they are typically set correctly for Linux distributions.
- Give your bootable USB drive a label if you wish.
- Create the Bootable USB: Click the “Start” button in Rufus. A warning will appear that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Make sure to back up any important data on the USB drive before proceeding. Click “OK” to start the process.
- Wait for Rufus to Complete: Rufus will create the bootable USB drive. This may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the ISO file and the speed of your USB drive.
- Completion: Once Rufus displays “READY” at the bottom of the window, the bootable USB drive is ready for use.
- Safely Eject the USB Drive: Before removing the USB drive from your computer, make sure to safely eject it using the operating system’s eject option.