How to Install Linux from a USB Drive (Ubuntu Guide)

To install Linux from USB, download an official Ubuntu Desktop ISO, write it to a flash drive with an image tool (not copy-paste), boot that USB in UEFI mode, then run the installer. The shortest reliable path on a modern PC is: get the ISO → flash with Rufus/Etcher/Disks → open the firmware boot menu → Try or Install Ubuntu → choose erase or alongside → reboot without the USB.

Critical rules: imaging erases the USB; picking Erase disk wipes the target hard drive; wrong dd device names can wipe your running system. Success means the PC boots the Ubuntu installer from USB, finishes install, and starts the new Linux desktop after you remove the stick.

If you already know your blocker, jump to: USB won’t boot, Rufus UEFI settings, Linux dd safety, or Windows still boots instead of Ubuntu.

For the full PC install overview with Ubuntu, start with how to install Linux on a PC.

What You Need

• A PC or laptop (UEFI is the modern default)
• USB stick 8 GB or larger (Canonical’s current docs)
• Another working computer to download and flash the ISO
• Backup of important files on the target PC and on the USB stick

This guide uses Ubuntu Desktop as the Linux example because it has clear official USB docs. Other distros follow the same pattern: official ISO → image writer → boot → install.

Step 1: Download the Official Linux ISO

1. Open the official Ubuntu Desktop download page (or your distro’s official site).
2. Download the Desktop ISO for your CPU (usually amd64 for Intel/AMD PCs).
3. Save it to Downloads on the hard drive—do not download straight onto the USB stick.
4. Wait until the download finishes completely.

Optional but smart: verify the checksum when the project publishes SHA256SUMS files.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB (Do Not Just Copy the ISO)

Canonical is explicit: converting a USB into install media is not the same as copying the .iso file into a folder. You must rewrite the stick with an image writer.

Back up anything on the USB first—this process destroys existing USB data.

On Windows: Rufus (official Ubuntu path)

1. Download Rufus from the official rufus.ie site.
2. Insert the USB stick and launch Rufus.
3. Confirm the correct Device.
4. Click SELECT and choose the Ubuntu ISO.
5. Leave defaults unless a previous attempt failed to boot. If it failed, set:
   • Partition scheme: GPT
   • Target system: UEFI (non CSM)
6. Click START.
7. Prefer Write in ISO Image mode when Rufus says the image is ISOHybrid.
8. Confirm the data-destroy warning only after checking the device name.
9. Wait until status shows READY, then close Rufus safely.

On macOS: balenaEtcher

1. Insert the USB stick.
2. Download Etcher for your Mac (Intel vs Apple Silicon builds differ) from balena’s site.
3. Flash from file → select the Ubuntu ISO.
4. Select target → your USB stick.
5. Click Flash! and authenticate if asked.

Note: Ubuntu’s docs say a standard Ubuntu USB works on PCs and older Intel Macs. Running Ubuntu on Apple Silicon is a different, community project path—not this generic USB install.

On Ubuntu/Linux Desktop: Disks or Startup Disk Creator

Disks (GNOME):

1. Open Disks.
2. Select the USB in the sidebar (not your system disk).
3. Drive options (⋮) → Restore Disk Image…
4. Choose the ISO → Start Restoring…
5. Eject when finished.

Startup Disk Creator works well for Ubuntu-based images (sudo apt install usb-creator-gtk if missing). Ask Ubuntu users also commonly recommend Etcher as a Rufus alternative on Linux.

Advanced: dd on Linux (high risk)

Ask Ubuntu’s high-traffic dd threads warn that success depends on targeting the whole disk, not a partition.

lsblk --scsi
sudo umount /dev/sdX*    # replace sdX with your USB name
sudo dd if=~/Downloads/ubuntu-XX.XX-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M conv=fsync status=progress

Use /dev/sdX (example: /dev/sdb), not /dev/sdb1. A wrong of= can destroy your internal drive. Prefer Disks/Etcher unless you are comfortable with block devices.

Step 3: Boot the PC from the USB Stick

1. Insert the bootable USB into the target computer.
2. Restart (or power on).
3. If Ubuntu does not start automatically, open the one-time boot menu:
   • Common keys: F12, F10, Esc, Del, or F2 (watch the splash screen / OEM manual)
4. Select the UEFI USB entry if both UEFI and Legacy/CSM appear.
5. On Intel Macs, hold Option/Alt at startup and choose the gold EFI Boot USB entry.

You should reach the Ubuntu boot/installer menu (for example Try or Install Ubuntu).

Secure Boot

Current Ubuntu Desktop releases generally support Secure Boot. You usually do not need to disable it. If the stick never appears, fix USB imaging/UEFI mode before turning Secure Boot off as a first resort.

Step 4: Install Linux from the Live USB

1. Choose language, accessibility, keyboard, and network.
2. Prefer Try Ubuntu first if you want to confirm Wi‑Fi, disks, and display before committing.
3. Start Install Ubuntu.
4. Pick interactive install for a normal desktop setup.
5. On installation type:
   • Erase disk and install Ubuntu — wipes the selected drive (destructive).
   • Install alongside… — keeps another OS when detected (free space required).
   • Manual partitioning — advanced only.
6. Confirm the summary carefully—drive model and size must match the disk you intend to change.
7. Create your username and strong password.
8. Let install finish → Restart Now → remove the USB when prompted → press Enter.

Then update:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Optional: Keep Ubuntu on the USB Only (Live / Persistent)

A bootable USB can also:

• Try Linux without installing
• Repair broken systems
• Act as portable install media for many PCs

A normal ISO write is usually a live installer, not a full “installed OS on USB” with persistence. Persistence/full-install-to-USB is a separate advanced topic—do not confuse it with the standard install-from-USB flow above.

Fix Common “Install from USB” Failures

PC ignores the USB and boots Windows

Use the one-time boot menu (not only Boot Order changes). Pick the UEFI USB device. Try another USB port (prefer rear motherboard ports on desktops).

Rufus stick won’t boot on a modern laptop

Recreate the stick with GPT + UEFI (non CSM) per Ubuntu’s Rufus note.

You only copied the ISO file to the stick

That will not boot. Re-flash with Rufus, Etcher, Disks, or a correct dd command.

dd finished but USB is empty/unbootable

Wrong device, too-small stick, or you targeted a partition. Re-check lsblk and flash the whole disk node.

Installer can’t see the disk / Intel RST

Some laptops need storage-mode changes before Ubuntu can install. Follow Ubuntu’s RST guidance for your model—back up first.

After install, firmware still boots the USB or old OS

Remove the USB, set the internal disk / ubuntu entry first in UEFI, or use the boot menu once to enter the new install, then run sudo update-grub if dual-booting.

Ventoy multi-ISO sticks

Ventoy can work, but Ubuntu’s docs warn that some Ventoy releases have broken Ubuntu installs. If autoinstall/boot fails on Ventoy, switch to Rufus/Etcher for a single ISO write.

After Install: Everyday Documents on Your New Linux Desktop

Once Ubuntu is installed from USB, the next job is usually practical: checklists, first-day notes, office attachments, and PDFs that still need to work with Windows users.

WPS Office for Linux covers that post-install handoff with Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools on the new desktop.

What you need next	What WPS gives you
Open and create Office-style documents right after install	Strong .docx / .xlsx / .pptx layout fidelity when files move between Linux, Windows, and macOS
One place for notes, sheets, slides, and PDFs	Free core suite: Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, plus PDF view/edit/convert tools
A familiar desktop UI for switchers	Ribbon-style apps with a lighter footprint than many heavy suites
A trusted install path	Official DEB (Ubuntu/Debian/Mint) and RPM packages from the vendor

Use the official WPS Office for Linux download page and install the downloaded file with sudo apt install ./wps-office_VERSION_amd64.deb. After your first reboot, you can move setup notes and shared documents into DOCX, spreadsheets, or PDF instead of staying in plain text only.

FAQ

How do I install Linux from USB in one sentence?
Flash an official ISO to USB, boot that USB in UEFI mode, then run the installer to your hard drive.

What size USB do I need?
Ubuntu’s current desktop docs call for 8 GB or larger.

Is Rufus or Etcher better?
On Windows, Ubuntu documents Rufus. Etcher is the simple cross-platform choice and a common Ask Ubuntu recommendation. On Ubuntu itself, Disks/Startup Disk Creator are fine.

Do I need to disable Secure Boot?
Usually no for current Ubuntu Desktop. Fix GPT/UEFI flashing and boot-menu selection first.

Can I install Linux from USB without deleting Windows?
Yes—choose install alongside Windows and free disk space first. Erase disk only if you want Linux alone on that drive.

Why did copying the ISO to USB fail?
Install media must be written as a disk image. File-copy leaves a non-bootable stick.