How to create MX Linux Bootable Flash Drive on Windows 10 using Balena Etcher software?
In order to install MX Linux on a computer, you will need a Bootable media of MX Linux. The MX Linux bootable media can be a Flash Drive. The Flash Drive should be bootable and have MX Linux setup files too. Such Bootable Flash drive can be used to install MX Linux on a Laptop or Desktop. There are many methods to make a Flash Drive MX Linux Bootable. One of the ways is to create a MX Linux Bootable Flash Drive on Windows Operating System using Balena Etcher software. You shall follow the below given easy steps to create a MX Linux bootable Flash drive from an existing Windows Operating System using Balena Etcher software:
Step 1: Download MX Linux ISO File
Login to an existing Windows Operating System Computer. Open a web browser and navigate to MX Linux Official website https://mxlinux.org. Click on “Download MX Linux” button on MX Linux Home Page.The same is shown below as an illustration:
Under “How to get it” section look out for Direct Download option and click on mirrors to navigate to ISO Download Mirrors page. As shown in below image as an illustration:
Click on the map to navigate to new interactive and up-to-date version of download page on google maps. On the Map click on a download bubble nearest to your geographical location. Certainly, this will ensure fastest download experience. A left pane will open with ISO mirror download link. Click on the link to open navigate to geographically nearest download mirror. As shown in below image as an illustration:
Click on “MX” directory link on FTP links page. Then, click on “Final” directory link. A list of files will be displayed as shown below:
Move your cursor on file name mentioning latest version of MX Linux and the Architecture supporting your Computer. For example, “MX-18.3_x64.iso”. It represents 18.3 version of MX Linux with 64-bit architecture. Click on the file and download will begin.
Step 2: Download Balena Etcher Flashing Tool
Meanwhile the MX Linux ISO file is downloading, navigate to Balena Etcher official website https://www.balena.io/etcher/. Wait for the web page to detect you operating system. Additionally, you can choose from Download drop down button. Click on the download button. Balena Etcher setup file will start downloading. Wait for the download to Finish and close the web browser. The download button is shown in below image as an illustration:
Step 3: Install Balena Etcher Software
Go to download location. You will find two files downloaded. One will be Balena Etcher setup File. Another will be MX Linux ISO file. Execute Balena Etcher setup file. Accept Balena Etcher License terms by clicking on “I Agree”. The installation of Balena Etcher Flashing tool will begin. Wait for the installation process to finish. On successful installation, the setup will close and Balena Etcher Flashing Tool will open. Alternatively, you can open it from Balena Etcher executable icons crated on Desktop and Windows Start Menu.
Step 4: Make Flash Drive as MX Linux Bootable Media
Balena Etcher will make the Flash Drive MX Linux bootable in following 3 basic steps:
a. Select MX Linux ISO File from Download location
Click on “Select Image” button. Browse to download location. Select MX Linux ISO file.
b. Insert a Flash Drive
Insert a Flash Drive for flashing. The Flash Drive will be automatically detected by Etcher. Ensure that there is no important data on it. Etcher will erase all partitions and any existing data on the Flash Drive.
c. Flash the Flash Drive while copying MX Linux setup files from the selected ISO.
Click on “Flash”.
The above steps are shown in below image as an illustration:
The flashing process will begin. Wait for the flashing to complete. Etcher will Validate Flash Drive after flashing is complete. Wait for Validation to complete.
Finally, after flashing and validating, Etcher will un-mount and Eject the Flash Drive.
You can use this Flash Drive to install MX Linux on any Computer.
Important Note: After flashing with etcher, the flash drive may become unusable on Windows due to Linux file system. Windows may display a flash drive with a capacity of merely few Mega Bytes or may not detect it at all. You will need to delete the Linux Partition form the Flash drive on a Linux system to re-use it on Windows. For complete process read the article Repair Flash Drive which started malfunctioning after flashing with Balena Etcher to make your flash drive re-usable on Windows.
Watch the practical demonstration of the process of creating bootable MX Linux Flash Drive in following video:
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