How to Install Ubuntu from USB Drive

Installing Ubuntu, a popular and versatile Linux distribution, from a USB drive is a fundamental skill for anyone looking to explore the world of open-source operating systems. This method offers flexibility, allowing you to try Ubuntu without altering your existing system, perform clean installations, or even set up multi-boot configurations. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from preparing your USB drive to booting from it and initiating the installation.

Preparing Your Ubuntu USB Installation Media

The first crucial step is to create a bootable Ubuntu USB drive. This involves downloading the Ubuntu ISO image and then using specialized software to “burn” this image onto your USB drive, making it recognizable by your computer’s BIOS/UEFI as a bootable device.

Downloading the Ubuntu ISO Image

The Ubuntu operating system is distributed as an ISO (.iso) file, which is essentially a disc image containing the entire operating system and its installer.

Visit the Official Ubuntu Website: Navigate to the official Ubuntu download page (typically ubuntu.com/download).
Choose Your Ubuntu Version: You will generally have a choice between the latest Long Term Support (LTS) release and the newest, non-LTS release.
- LTS (Long Term Support): These versions are designed for stability and receive updates for five years, making them ideal for most users, especially for production environments and servers.
- Latest Release: These versions offer the newest features and software but have a shorter support cycle (typically nine months). They are great for users who want the latest innovations.
Download the Desktop Image: Select the “Desktop” version. Ensure you download the correct architecture for your computer (usually 64-bit, or AMD64). The download will be a large file, so ensure you have a stable internet connection.

Selecting and Preparing Your USB Drive

You’ll need a USB flash drive with sufficient capacity.

Capacity: A minimum of 8GB is recommended. 16GB or larger is preferable for future use or if you plan to use persistent storage.
Data Backup: Crucially, all data on the USB drive will be erased during this process. Back up any important files from the USB drive before proceeding.

Choosing and Using a USB Bootable Media Creation Tool

Several free and reliable tools can transform your downloaded ISO image and USB drive into a bootable installer. The choice of tool often depends on your current operating system.

For Windows Users: Rufus

Rufus is a popular, lightweight, and highly effective utility for creating bootable USB drives.

Download Rufus: Visit the official Rufus website (rufus.ie) and download the latest version. It’s a portable application, meaning it doesn’t require installation.
Launch Rufus: Run the downloaded executable file.
Configure Rufus:
- Device: Select your USB drive from the dropdown menu. Double-check that you’ve chosen the correct drive to avoid accidental data loss on other devices.
- Boot selection: Click “SELECT” and navigate to the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded.
- Partition scheme: For modern systems (UEFI), GPT is usually the best choice. For older systems (BIOS), MBR might be necessary. Rufus often auto-detects this based on the ISO.
- Target system: This will usually auto-configure based on the partition scheme.
- File system and Cluster size: Leave these at their default settings, which are usually FAT32 or NTFS.
Start the Process: Click “START.” Rufus will likely warn you that all data on the selected USB drive will be destroyed. Confirm this.
ISO Hybrid Image Prompt: If prompted about writing in “ISO Image mode” versus “DD Image mode,” the recommended “ISO Image mode” is usually fine. For some specific ISOs or advanced troubleshooting, DD mode might be an alternative.
Completion: Wait for Rufus to complete the process. It will indicate when the USB drive is “READY.” Close Rufus.

For macOS Users: Etcher (BalenaEtcher)

Etcher is a cross-platform tool known for its simplicity and reliability, making it an excellent choice for macOS users.

Download Etcher: Visit the official BalenaEtcher website (balena.io/etcher) and download the macOS version.
Install Etcher: Open the downloaded DMG file and drag the Etcher application to your Applications folder.
Launch Etcher: Open Etcher from your Applications folder. You may need to grant it permissions.
Select Image: Click “Flash from file” and select your downloaded Ubuntu ISO image.
Select Target: Click “Select target” and carefully choose your USB drive. Ensure you select the correct drive to avoid data loss.
Flash: Click the “Flash!” button. You will be prompted for your administrator password.
Completion: Etcher will verify the write process. Once it’s finished and shows “Flash Complete,” you can safely remove your USB drive.

For Linux Users: Startup Disk Creator (Built-in) or Etcher

Most Ubuntu-based distributions come with a built-in tool for creating bootable USB drives.

Search for “Startup Disk Creator”: Open the application menu and search for “Startup Disk Creator” (or a similar name like “USB Image Writer”).
Launch the Tool: Open the application.
Select ISO: Click the “Other…” button under “Source disc image (.iso)” and browse to your downloaded Ubuntu ISO file.
Select USB Drive: Under “Disk to use,” select your USB drive. Again, verify you’ve chosen the correct drive.
Make Startup Disk: Click the “Make Startup Disk” button. Confirm any warnings about data erasure.
Enter Password: You’ll be prompted for your administrator password.
Completion: Wait for the process to finish.

Alternatively, you can use Etcher on Linux, following the same steps as for macOS users.

Verifying the USB Drive

After the creation process is complete, it’s a good practice to ensure the USB drive is properly created. Many of these tools perform verification automatically. If yours doesn’t, you can often safely eject the drive and re-insert it. Your file manager should show a new partition labeled “Ubuntu” or similar, containing the installation files.

Booting from the USB Drive

Once your bootable Ubuntu USB drive is ready, the next step is to instruct your computer to boot from it instead of its internal hard drive. This is achieved through your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings.

Accessing the BIOS/UEFI Boot Menu

Every computer manufacturer uses different key combinations to access the boot menu or BIOS/UEFI settings.

Restart Your Computer: Ensure your bootable Ubuntu USB drive is plugged into a USB port.
Press the Boot Key: Immediately after the computer powers on (before the operating system starts to load), you need to repeatedly press a specific key. Common keys include:
- F2, F10, F12, DEL (Delete), ESC (Escape)
- Some manufacturers, like HP, might use the ESC key to bring up a startup menu, from which you can then select the boot options.
- You will usually see a brief message on the screen during startup indicating which key to press (e.g., “Press F12 for Boot Menu” or “Press DEL to enter Setup”). If you miss it, restart and try again.
If You Missed the Key: If your operating system loads, you missed the window. Restart and try again, pressing the key more rapidly.

Selecting the USB Drive as the Boot Device

Once you are in the BIOS/UEFI settings or the boot menu, you will see a list of available boot devices.

Boot Menu: If you accessed a dedicated boot menu (often by pressing F12 or ESC), you will see a list of bootable devices. Look for your USB drive, which might be listed by its brand name (e.g., “Kingston DataTraveler”) or as a generic “USB HDD,” “Removable Device,” or “UEFI USB Device.” Use your arrow keys to select it and press Enter.
BIOS/UEFI Setup: If you entered the full BIOS/UEFI setup (often by pressing DEL or F2), you will need to navigate through the menus. Look for a section labeled “Boot,” “Boot Order,” or “Boot Priority.”
- You will see a list of devices in order of priority. Your goal is to move your USB drive to the top of this list.
- The interface varies greatly. You might use arrow keys, plus/minus keys, or specific function keys indicated on the screen to change the order.
- Ensure you are selecting the correct USB device. If you see both a UEFI and a non-UEFI option for your USB drive, and your system supports UEFI, choose the UEFI option.
- Once you have set the USB drive as the first boot device, save your changes and exit. This is usually done by pressing F10 and confirming, or by navigating to an “Exit” menu and selecting “Save Changes and Exit.”

Your computer will then restart, and this time it should attempt to boot from the USB drive.

The Ubuntu Installation Process

After successfully booting from the USB drive, you will be presented with the Ubuntu installer. This is a user-friendly, graphical interface that guides you through the entire setup.

The GRUB Bootloader and Ubuntu’s Welcome Screen

Upon booting from the USB, you will typically see the GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader) menu. From here, you’ll have a few options:

Try Ubuntu: This is a fantastic option. It loads a fully functional Ubuntu desktop environment directly from the USB drive without making any changes to your computer’s hard drive. This allows you to test hardware compatibility, explore the Ubuntu interface, and even connect to the internet to download updates or additional software. You can launch the installer from the desktop if you decide to proceed.
Install Ubuntu: This option starts the installation process directly.
Other options: You might see options for checking the disk for defects, testing memory, and other troubleshooting tools.

For this guide, we will assume you choose either to “Try Ubuntu” and then launch the installer, or to “Install Ubuntu” directly.

Initial Setup Steps

Once the installer or the live environment launches, you will be guided through a series of configuration steps.

Welcome Screen:
- Language Selection: Choose your preferred language for the installation process and for your installed Ubuntu system. Click “Continue.”
Keyboard Layout:
- Detect Keyboard Layout: The installer will attempt to detect your keyboard layout. You can also manually select it from the list.
- Test Your Layout: Type in the provided text box to ensure all your keys (especially special characters and accents) are working as expected.
- Click “Continue.”
Updates and Other Software:
- What apps would you like to install to start with?:
  - Normal installation: Installs a web browser, utilities, office software, games, and media players. This is suitable for most desktop users.
  - Minimal installation: Installs a web browser and basic utilities. This is ideal for users who prefer to install software manually or for servers.
- Other options:
  - Download updates while installing Ubuntu: This is highly recommended if you have a stable internet connection. It ensures you start with the latest security patches and software updates.
  - Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats: This is also very important. It installs proprietary drivers and codecs that might be necessary for your Wi-Fi card, graphics card, and for playing common media files (like MP3s, certain video formats, etc.). Without this, some hardware might not work correctly out of the box.
- Click “Continue.”

Installation Type and Disk Partitioning

This is perhaps the most critical step, as it determines how Ubuntu will be installed on your hard drive. You will be presented with several options.

Erase disk and install Ubuntu: This is the simplest option for a new installation or if you want to dedicate the entire disk to Ubuntu. WARNING: This will delete ALL data on the selected disk. If you have Windows or other operating systems on the disk, they will be removed.
Install Ubuntu alongside Windows (or other OS): If the installer detects another operating system (like Windows), it will offer to install Ubuntu in a separate partition, allowing you to choose which OS to boot into at startup (a dual-boot setup). This option often provides a slider to adjust the space allocated to each OS.
Something else: This is the “manual” partitioning option. It gives you complete control over how your disk is partitioned. This is recommended for advanced users who want to create specific partitions (e.g., separate /home for user data, /boot for the bootloader, and a swap partition) or for setting up complex multi-boot systems.

Manual Partitioning (for advanced users)

If you choose “Something else,” you’ll see a list of your hard drives and their existing partitions.

Create Partitions: You’ll need to create at least two essential partitions:
- Root Partition (/): This is where the Ubuntu operating system files will reside.
  - Size: At least 20-30GB is recommended, but more is better if you plan to install many applications.
  - Type: Primary or Logical.
  - Use as: Ext4 journaling file system.
  - Mount point: /
- Swap Area: This acts as virtual RAM when your physical RAM is full.
  - Size: Traditionally, it’s recommended to be equal to your RAM size, or 1.5-2 times for systems with less than 4GB of RAM. For modern systems with ample RAM (8GB+), a smaller swap partition (e.g., 4GB) or no swap partition at all might be sufficient, especially if you plan to hibernate.
  - Use as: swap area.
Optional Partitions:
- Home Partition (/home): Separating your user data (documents, pictures, music, settings) into a dedicated /home partition is highly recommended. This makes it much easier to reinstall or upgrade Ubuntu in the future without losing your personal files.
  - Size: Allocate the remaining space here.
  - Use as: Ext4 journaling file system.
  - Mount point: /home
- EFI System Partition (ESP): If your system uses UEFI booting (most modern computers do), you’ll need an EFI System Partition. This is usually created automatically if you choose “Install Ubuntu alongside…” or if there’s already an ESP for another OS. If you’re partitioning manually and using UEFI, you’ll need to create one:
  - Size: Around 100-500MB.
  - Use as: EFI System Partition.
  - Mount point: /boot/efi (this is crucial for UEFI systems).
Device for Bootloader Installation: This is very important. You need to specify where the bootloader (GRUB) should be installed.
- For UEFI systems: Ensure the EFI System Partition (which you’ve mounted at /boot/efi) is selected. The installer will usually handle this correctly if you’ve set up the ESP.
- For BIOS systems: You generally want to install the bootloader to the master boot record (MBR) of your main hard drive (e.g., /dev/sda, NOT a specific partition like /dev/sda1). If you have multiple hard drives, choose the primary one.

After configuring your partitions, click “Install Now.” The installer will warn you about the changes that will be made to your disk. Review them carefully and confirm.

Configuring User Settings

After disk partitioning, the installer proceeds with creating your user account and setting up system details.

Where are you? (Location): Select your time zone by clicking on the map or typing your city’s name. This sets your system clock and regional settings. Click “Continue.”
Who are you? (User Account Creation):
- Your name: Enter your full name.
- Your computer’s name: This is the hostname that will be used on the network (e.g., my-ubuntu-pc).
- Pick a username: This is the username you’ll use to log in and for your home directory (e.g., johndoe).
- Choose a password: Create a strong password.
- Confirm your password: Re-enter your password.
- Login options:
  - Log in automatically: Bypasses the password prompt at startup. Convenient but less secure.
  - Require my password to log in: The standard and more secure option.
- Click “Continue.”

Installation Progress and Completion

The installer will now copy files to your hard drive and configure the system. This process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour, depending on your computer’s speed, the number of packages being installed, and whether you chose to download updates.

Progress Bar: You will see a progress bar indicating the installation status.
Slideshow: While waiting, Ubuntu usually displays a slideshow of its features and benefits.

Once the installation is complete, you will see a message indicating that the installation is finished and that you need to restart your computer.

Restarting and First Boot

Restart: Click “Restart Now.”
Remove USB Drive: The installer will prompt you to remove the installation media (your USB drive) and press Enter. Do this promptly! If you don’t remove the USB drive and your BIOS/UEFI is still set to boot from it first, you’ll simply boot back into the installer.
First Boot: Your computer will restart and should now boot from your hard drive into your newly installed Ubuntu system. You will see the GRUB menu if you have a dual-boot setup, or it will proceed directly to the Ubuntu login screen.
Login: Enter your username and password to log in.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Ubuntu from a USB drive. You can now explore your new operating system, connect to the internet, install software, and customize it to your liking.