How To Install Ubuntu From A Usb Drive

Before diving into the installation process, it’s crucial to understand the system requirements and gather all necessary components. Ubuntu is known for its compatibility with a wide range of hardware, but ensuring your system meets the minimum requirements will provide a smoother experience.

System Requirements: A minimum of 4GB RAM, 25GB of free storage space, and a 2 GHz dual-core processor or better.
USB Drive: At least 4GB in size for the standard Ubuntu Desktop image or 2GB for other minimal images like Ubuntu Server.
Internet Connection: While not mandatory, an internet connection can be helpful for updates and third-party software installations during the setup.

Creating a Bootable Ubuntu USB Drive

The first step in installing Ubuntu from a USB drive is creating a bootable media. This involves downloading the Ubuntu ISO file and using a tool to write this image onto the USB drive.

Selecting the Right Ubuntu Version

Ubuntu releases new versions every six months, with LTS (Long Term Support) releases every two years. LTS versions are typically recommended for stability and extended support.

Downloading the Ubuntu ISO File

Visit the official Ubuntu website to download the latest version of the Ubuntu ISO file. Ensure you select the appropriate architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) based on your computer’s capabilities.

Preparing the USB Drive

Formatting the USB drive to FAT32 is recommended for compatibility. Be sure to back up any important data before proceeding as this process will erase all contents on the drive.

Using a Bootable USB Creation Tool

There are several tools available for creating a bootable USB drive such as Rufus, UNetbootin, or the Universal USB Installer. For this guide, we’ll use Rufus as an example:

Download and open Rufus.
Insert your USB drive into the computer.
Select the device within Rufus.
Choose the downloaded Ubuntu ISO file.
Click ‘Start’ and wait for the process to complete.

Booting from the USB Drive

With the bootable USB ready, you need to restart your computer and boot from the USB drive. This usually involves pressing a key like F12, F2, ESC, or DEL to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings or the boot menu.

Immediately after powering on your machine, press the designated key repeatedly until the BIOS/UEFI settings or boot menu appears.

Changing the Boot Order

Navigate to the boot section and change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive. Save changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI setup. Your computer should now boot from the USB drive.

Installing Ubuntu

Once booted from the USB, you will be greeted by the Ubuntu installer. Here’s where you’ll make critical decisions about your installation.

Choosing Installation Type

You can either try Ubuntu without making changes to your computer or install it directly. Select ‘Install Ubuntu’ to proceed with the installation.

Installation Prerequisites

The installer will check for internet connections and available disk space. You can also choose to download updates and third-party software during the installation.

Disk Partitioning and Allocation

Decide how you want to allocate space on your hard drive for Ubuntu. You can install it alongside another operating system (dual-boot), replace the existing OS, or use something else to manually partition your drives.

Setting Up User Account and Region

Fill in your name, computer’s name, username, password, and choose your time zone. These details set up your user account and ensure that your system clock is accurate.

Completing the Installation

After configuring all settings, click ‘Install Now’. The installer will begin copying files and installing Ubuntu onto your hard drive. Once completed, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Remove the USB drive when instructed, and press Enter.

Post-Installation Steps

Upon rebooting, you should be welcomed by the Ubuntu login screen. Log in with the credentials you created during installation.

Updating and Upgrading System Packages

It’s good practice to update your system immediately after installation. Open the terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

This ensures that all your packages are up-to-date.

Installing Additional Drivers

Some hardware may require proprietary drivers for optimal performance. Access ‘Software & Updates’ and navigate to the ‘Additional Drivers’ tab to install any necessary drivers.

Customizing Your Ubuntu Experience

Explore the Ubuntu Software Center to find and install applications. Customize your desktop environment through system settings to match your preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Ubuntu on a Mac using a USB drive?

Yes, you can install Ubuntu on a Mac using a similar process, but you might need to use different tools like Etcher to create a bootable USB drive compatible with Mac hardware.

How do I create a persistent live USB that saves my changes?

To create a persistent live USB, use a tool like UNetbootin or mkusb that offers a persistence option, allowing you to allocate space on the USB drive to save changes across reboots.

What if my computer doesn’t boot from the USB drive?

Ensure that the boot order prioritizes the USB drive in the BIOS/UEFI settings. If it still doesn’t work, try recreating the bootable USB or using a different USB port.

Is it possible to run Ubuntu entirely from a USB drive without installing it?

Yes, you can run Ubuntu in ‘Try Ubuntu’ mode from the bootable USB without installing it on your hard drive. However, changes made in this mode are not saved after reboot unless you’ve created a persistent live USB.

Can I revert back to my previous operating system after installing Ubuntu?

If you’ve installed Ubuntu alongside another OS, you can choose which one to boot into. If you replaced your previous OS, you would need to reinstall it from its original installation media.

References

Ubuntu Official Website: https://ubuntu.com/download
Rufus – Create bootable USB drives: https://rufus.ie/
UNetbootin – Homepage and Downloads: https://unetbootin.github.io/
Ubuntu Documentation – Installation: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation