Updated By - January 5, 2021

Make a USB SUSE Bootable Flash Drive from CD

Create a USB SUSE Bootable Flash Drive Using the OpenSUSE Live CD: This tutorial explains how to install OpenSUSE on a USB flash drive using the OpenSUSE Live CD. Unlike simply creating a bootable live USB, this method performs a **full installation** of OpenSUSE on the USB drive.

Thanks to a custom Portable SUSE script originally created by James Rhodes, this process has become more accessible. Please note that installing OpenSUSE this way may reduce the lifespan of your USB drive, so it’s recommended to use a high-quality SSD-based flash drive or external SSD.

OpenSUSE Running from a Bootable USB

OpenSUSE on USB

Requirements to make a USB SUSE

  • USB flash drive (minimum 4GB)
  • OpenSUSE Live CD
  • Portable SUSE conversion script

How to Create a Portable SUSE Bootable USB

Warning: **Backup any important data on your USB flash drive** before proceeding, as this process will wipe the drive. Additionally, to avoid accidental installation to the wrong device, **disconnect any internal hard drives** during this process.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Download OpenSUSE Live CD (KDE, 685MB), burn it to a CD, and boot from the CD.
  2. Once OpenSUSE is running, insert your USB flash drive.
  3. When prompted that a new medium has been detected:
    • 1.) Select the option to Do Nothing
    • 2.) Check the box to Always do this for this type of media
    • 3.) Click OK

    Disable Removable Media Prompt

  4. Click the My Computer icon on your SUSE desktop.
    1.) Locate your USB device in the Disk Information section.
    2.) Right-click the device and select Properties.
    Removable Device Properties
  5. In the Properties window, click the Mounting tab:
    • 1.) Uncheck the Mount automatically box.
    • 2.) Click OK.

    Uncheck Mount Automatically

  6. In the Disk Information section,
    1.) Right-click your USB device again.
    2.) Select Safely Remove.
    Safely Remove the USB Device
  7. Unplug and reinsert the flash drive. You may be prompted again that a new medium has been detected:
    • Select Do Nothing
    • Check the box to Always do this for this type of media
    • Click OK
  8. Start the installer by clicking the install icon on your desktop, and follow the onscreen instructions.
  9. Once you reach the Live Installation Settings page, click Partitioning.
    Partitioning
  10. On the Suggested Partitioning page:
    • 1.) Select Base Partition Setup on This Proposal
    • 2.) Click Next

    Base on Suggested Proposal

  11. In the Expert Partitioner page:
    • 1.) Select your FAT32 partition
    • 2.) Click Resize

    Select to Resize FAT

  12. In the resize popup:
    • 1.) Reduce the size of your Windows partition to around 200MB or less
    • 2.) Click OK

    Resize FAT

  13. Click Yes when prompted to allow the Linux partition to use the new empty space.
    Allow Linux Partition to Use the Empty Space
  14. Complete the installation and reboot. Remove the CD and boot from the USB device.
  15. Proceed with the user setup (create user accounts, set passwords, etc.). Skip the Online Update Configuration step by selecting Configure Later.
  16. Once you’re back in the system, press Alt + F2 and type konsolesu, then press Enter.
  17. In the console, type: 
    wget pendrivelinux.com/downloads/portablesuse.tar.gz
  18. To extract the archive, type: 
    tar -zxvf *.tar.gz
  19. To install, type: 
    ./installation
  20. After installation completes, reboot the system by typing: 
    reboot

That’s all! You should now have a fully functional **SUSE Bootable USB** that can run on any PC capable of booting from a USB drive. Reconnect your internal drives, and you’re ready to run **Portable SUSE** wherever you want.