This post describes the process of creating Ubuntu Operating System bootable USB. Once you are satisfied with the Integrity and Authenticity of Ubuntu ISO file that you have downloaded, it’s time to proceed with creating a bootable media. If you have a 4 GB Flash Drive then check the process below to create Ubuntu bootable USB on Linux and Windows machines. Else if you have a DVD then check out the next chapter on how to create Ubuntu DVD.
A. Ubuntu bootable USB on Windows
On windows, there are two prominent software tools to create a bootable flash drive with an ISO file. The tools are “Rufus” and “Etcher”. You may use any one of the two tools as per instructions given below.
A.1. Ubuntu bootable USB in Windows using Balena Etcher
Navigate to Balena Etcher official web site to download Balena’s Etcher Flashing Software Tool. The etcher download page will automatically detect your native Operating System to choose the suitable download file for your system. In case automatic detection does not work, you can choose the native operating system by clicking on the drop-down arrow in right corner of download button. Choose the Operating System as Windows and click on the download button to proceed with Download.
Save the executable file on your computer and wait for the download to complete. Go to download location and run Balena Etcher’s setup file to install Balena Etcher Flashing Tool with default options. Open Balena Etcher Tool upon successful installation.
Balena Etcher software tool works in three steps:
Step 1: Click on “Select image” button, browse to the download location and select Ubuntu ISO file.
Step 2: Insert a Flash Drive in to USB slot of your computer. The Flash Drive will be will automatically detected by Etcher and displayed below drive icon.
Step 3: Once, the flash drive is detected and displayed by Etcher, click on “Flash” button.
The flashing will start. Wait for the flashing to complete. The flashed drive will be validated by Etcher after successful flashing.
Once, the flashing will successfully complete, Balena Etcher will display a message “Flash Complete” Close Balena Etcher tool.
If there is some error during the process and success message is not displayed, you shall repeat this process till success message is received.
A.2. Ubuntu bootable USB in Windows using Rufus
Open web browser and navigate to Rufus tool’s official website. Scroll down the page to check out for download link for latest version of Rufus tool under Download Section.
Click on the download link (as shown in figure) and save latest version of Rufus tool on your computer. Close the browser once the download is complete. Go to Download location. Execute the Rufus tool. Click on “Yes” if prompted to look for updated tool. Rufus tool will open but with empty Destination “Device” box and a status ‘0 device found’.
Thus, insert a Flash Drive in to USB slot of your computer. The Flash Drive will be automatically detected by Rufus and displayed in destination “Device” box (1). The status will be changed to ‘1 device found’ (2). Now, click on “Select” button to browse for Ubuntu ISO file (3).
Browse to download location (1), select Ubuntu ISO file (2) and click on “Open” button (3) to load the ISO file as source file.
The ISO file will be loaded as a source file in “Boot selection” (1). You may change the label or proceed ahead with default label as picked from the name of ISO file (2) and click on “Start” (3) to begin flashing process.
Rufus will prompt to download supporting system files before flashing the drive, click on ‘Yes’ to continue.
Select “Write in ISO image mode (recommended)” and click on ‘OK’. In ISO image mode, you will be able to use your flash drive for other purpose also. The free space available on flash drive can be used to copy and transfer files to other systems.
Note: If you face problem with flash drive during installation process, you shall rewrite flash drive in DD image mode. In DD image mode the flash drive will not be usable for any other purpose. The details are provided in “Restore Flash Drive” chapter later.
Rufus will display a warning that all data on the Flash Drive will be lost during flashing process. If you are sure that there is no important data on the flash drive, click on ‘OK’ to continue.
The flashing process will begin. Wait for flashing process to finish.
Once, the flashing will successfully complete, Rufus will return to “Ready” state. The device name will be changed as per label provided by you. You can close Rufus tool now.
If there is some error during the process and Rufus displays some error message before returning to Ready state, you shall repeat this process till Flash drive is successfully flashed.
B. Ubuntu bootable USB on Linux
B.1. Ubuntu bootable USB on Ubuntu
Click on the nine dots in left hand bottom corner to show Ubuntu applications.
Open ‘Startup Disk Creator’ Application which is available by default with Ubuntu Operating System.
The Ubuntu ISO File may be automatically detected by Startup Disk Creator application and displayed in Source image disk panel (option 1). Otherwise, you may click on “Other” button, browse for the location of Downloaded ISO image file (option 2). Select the Ubuntu ISO file and click on Open to load the ISO file in Startup Disk Creator application.
The “Device” Box will be empty under “Disk to use” panel. Now, insert a Flash Drive in to USB slot of your computer. The Flash Drive will be detected and displayed in the “Device” box (Step 1). Once, detected, click on “Make Startup Disk” button (Step 2).
The Startup Disk Creator application will read the ISO file from the “Source disk image (iso)” path and write it to “Disk to use” path. Startup Disk creator will start flashing the image to the disk.
Once, the flashing will successfully complete, Startup Disk Creator will display a message “Installation is complete. You may now run Ubuntu on other computers by booting them with this drive inserted.”. Press ‘Quit’ button to close Startup Disk Creator.
If there is some error during the process and success message is not displayed, you shall repeat this process till success message is received.
If you are ready with Ubuntu bootable USB you can proceed ahead installing Ubuntu on your PC. If you do not have a USB, you can even create a Ubuntu DVD for installing Ubuntu on your PC.
Note: This article is a part of Ubuntu Desktop – The Complete Installation Guide series. You need to visit Previous (verify Ubuntu ISO) and Next chapters to understand the topic in entirety.
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