How to Make a SLAX Bootable USB Drive ▷ Pendrive Linux

How to Make a SLAX Bootable USB Drive: Running Linux from a USB drive provides flexibility, portability, and a great way to test or troubleshoot systems without altering your main hard drive. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to create a SLAX bootable USB using YUMI Multiboot USB Creator on Windows or via WINE on Linux.

What is SLAX Linux?

SLAX is a compact, modular Linux distribution based on Slackware. Designed for speed and efficiency, SLAX can run from a USB flash drive without installation. Its lightweight footprint and persistence feature make it ideal for system rescue, privacy, or portable productivity environments.

SLAX Specifications

Official Website: slax.org
Developer: Tomas Matejicek
Minimum USB Drive Size: 256 MB
Persistence: Yes, SLAX supports saving changes and files between reboots
First Released: 2003

Why Use SLAX from a USB?

Lightweight: Runs fast on minimal system resources
Portable: Carry a full Linux OS in your pocket
Modular: Easily add or remove features and software modules
Persistent: Save files, browser settings, and system changes to the USB
Great for: Testing Linux, repairing systems, secure browsing, or learning Linux

Requirements for Making a Bootable SLAX USB

To create your SLAX USB, you’ll need:

A USB flash drive (minimum 256MB; faster drives recommended)
The latest SLAX ISO file
YUMI Multiboot USB Creator (for Windows or Linux with WINE)
A Windows PC (or Linux with WINE) to run YUMI

How to Create a SLAX Bootable USB Using YUMI

Download and Launch YUMI

Download YUMI Multiboot USB Creator from the official site.
Insert your USB drive (back up any important data).
Run YUMI and follow these steps:
- Select your USB drive from the drop-down list.
- Check the box to format and prepare the USB (optional but recommended).
- In the distribution list, choose SLAX.
- Browse to and select your downloaded SLAX ISO file.
- Click Create to begin the installation.

Boot SLAX from USB

Safely eject the USB and insert it into the computer you want to boot.
Restart the computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI menu (usually by pressing F2, DEL, ESC, or F12 during startup).
Set the USB device as the primary boot option.
Save changes and exit BIOS (typically F10).
At the boot menu, select SLAX.
SLAX will load and run directly from your USB drive.

SLAX Persistence: Save Your Changes

Unlike many lightweight Linux distros, SLAX includes built-in persistence. This means:

You can save documents, system settings, browser preferences, and software installations.
Persistence is automatic when you use the standard boot option from the YUMI-created USB.
No need to set up custom partitions or manual overlays.

Additional Tips for SLAX USB Usage

Use a USB 3.0 drive for faster load times and performance.
You can add more Linux distributions alongside SLAX using YUMI’s multiboot functionality.
To install new modules in SLAX, just download the module file (.sb) and place it in the /slax/modules/ folder.

Common Use Cases for SLAX on USB

Portable Linux OS: Carry your system with you across different computers
System Rescue: Boot into SLAX to recover files or troubleshoot systems
Education: Use SLAX in classrooms or workshops without modifying host machines
Secure Browsing: Use SLAX as a clean, isolated environment for privacy

Troubleshooting SLAX USB Boot Issues (FAQ)

If you're having trouble getting SLAX to boot from your USB drive, you're not alone. Here are common questions and solutions to help you troubleshoot SLAX boot issues effectively.

Why doesn't my computer detect the SLAX USB drive?

This typically happens if:

Your system doesn't support USB booting (especially older PCs)
The USB drive isn't formatted correctly
The USB port used may be faulty or incompatible

Solution:

Enter BIOS or UEFI settings and ensure that USB boot is enabled
Reinsert the USB into a different port (preferably USB 2.0 or directly into the motherboard)
Recreate the bootable USB using YUMI and verify correct formatting (FAT32 recommended)

SLAX doesn’t show up in the boot menu. What should I do?

If the SLAX entry is missing from your boot menu:

Check if the USB drive was created using the correct SLAX ISO and distribution entry in YUMI
Make sure you selected the correct drive in YUMI and that the USB was successfully written

Solution:

Recreate the USB with YUMI, ensuring that SLAX is selected from the distribution list
Double-check that Secure Boot is disabled in BIOS/UEFI
Try a different USB drive in case the current one has hardware issues

Missing operating system or black screen after selecting USB boot

This usually means the bootloader was not correctly installed or the ISO image was corrupted.

Re-download the SLAX ISO to ensure it’s not corrupted
Reformat the USB before using YUMI again
Ensure the USB drive has a Master Boot Record (MBR), not GPT (YUMI prefers MBR)

SLAX boot screen appears, but then the system freezes or reboots

This could be due to hardware compatibility issues or insufficient system resources.

Try booting with the “safe mode” or “text mode” option if available
Verify that your system meets SLAX's minimum requirements
Remove or disconnect external devices that may be interfering

SLAX USB boots, but changes are not saved after reboot

This means SLAX may not be running in persistent mode.

Ensure you selected persistent storage when creating the USB in YUMI
When booting, select the SLAX Persistent or default boot option (not “fresh” or “copy to RAM”)

How do I access BIOS/UEFI to change boot order?

On most systems, press one of these keys during the startup splash screen:

DEL or F2 for BIOS
F12, ESC, or F10 for one-time boot menu

Look for the "Boot Order" or "Boot Priority" setting and move your USB drive to the top of the list. Be sure to save and exit.

Still not working?

Try your USB stick on another machine. If SLAX boots there, the issue may be specific to your PC’s BIOS, hardware compatibility, or USB port.

Alternatively, test another Linux distribution to rule out SLAX specific problems.

Conclusion: Why SLAX is a Great Portable Linux OS

Creating a bootable SLAX USB drive gives you access to a fast, reliable Linux system wherever you go. Its modular architecture, persistence support, and compact size make it one of the best lightweight Linux distributions for portable use.

Whether you're a Linux enthusiast, a technician, or just someone who wants a private and portable OS, SLAX delivers a powerful punch in a tiny package.

Related Guides: Top Lightweight Linux Distros for Old PCs