How to Make a Linux Bootable USB Drive

A bootable USB drive allows you to install, test, or troubleshoot Linux without altering your existing operating system. This method is widely used for trying out new distributions, repairing systems, or setting up fresh installations.

 What You’ll Need

• Linux ISO file: Download from the official website of your chosen distribution (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian).
• USB flash drive: Minimum 4 GB capacity; 8 GB or more recommended. All data will be erased.
• Image-writing software: Options include Rufus (Windows), balenaEtcher (cross‑platform), or the dd command (Linux terminal).

 On Windows (Using Rufus)

1. Download Rufus from rufus.ie.
2. Insert your USB drive and launch Rufus.
3. Select the ISO file: Click “SELECT” and choose your Linux ISO.
4. Partition scheme: Choose MBR for BIOS or GPT for UEFI systems.
5. File system: Leave as FAT32 (default).
6. Click START and confirm when prompted to erase the USB.

 On macOS (Using balenaEtcher)

1. Download balenaEtcher from balena.io.
2. Insert your USB drive.
3. Open Etcher and select your Linux ISO.
4. Choose your USB drive as the target.
5. Click “Flash!” and wait for completion.

 On Linux (Using Terminal)

1. Open Terminal.
2. Identify your USB device using: lsblk
3. Run the command (replace /dev/sdX with your USB device):
   sudo dd if=/path/to/linux.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync
4. Wait for the process to finish. Do not remove the USB until the prompt returns.

 Post-Creation Tips

• Boot from USB: Restart your computer, enter the BIOS/UEFI menu (F2, F12, DEL, or ESC), and select the USB drive.
• Try or Install Linux: Most distributions offer a Live environment to test before installation.
• Persistent Storage: Some tools allow you to create persistent USBs that save changes across sessions.

 Troubleshooting

• USB not recognized: Format the drive first or try another port.
• Boot errors: Verify the ISO file is not corrupted and matches your system’s architecture (32‑bit vs 64‑bit).
• UEFI/BIOS mismatch: Ensure the partition scheme (MBR/GPT) matches your firmware settings.