Eeasily put Xubuntu on USB Flash Drive

☰

Install Xubuntu on USB: Create a bootable Xubuntu Live USB drive using Windows or Linux. In this guide, you'll learn how to easily install Xubuntu onto a USB flash drive using YUMI Multiboot software, Etcher, or the dd command. The YUMI USB boot method also supports persistence—allowing you to save changes between sessions by selecting a persistent file size during setup.

Xubuntu Live Bootable USB

What Is Xubuntu?

Xubuntu is a lightweight Linux distribution based on Ubuntu and Debian. It uses the Xfce desktop environment, known for its simplicity and efficient resource usage.

With a simple desktop and lower hardware requirements, it is ideal for older systems or users seeking a fast, responsive desktop. It comes with pre-installed applications and allows access to additional software through Ubuntu's repositories. Regular releases, including long-term support (LTS) versions, provide stability and flexibility.

Official Website: Project Home Page
Minimum USB Drive Size: 2 GB
Persistence Supported: Yes

What You'll Need

Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11
Xubuntu ISO file
Fast USB flash drive
YUMI, dd for Windows, or Win32 Disk Imager

Methods to Put Xubuntu on USB (Windows & Linux)

Here’s a comparison of common tools used to create a bootable USB for Xubuntu:

Tool	Platform	Ease of Use	Persistence	Best For
YUMI	Windows	Beginner friendly	Yes	Multiboot setups and persistent storage
dd (Windows)	Windows	Command line, advanced	No	Experienced users needing raw ISO write
Win32 Disk Imager	Windows	Simple GUI	No	Straightforward ISO-to-USB flashing
dd (Linux)	Linux	Command line, advanced	No	Linux users comfortable with terminal
balenaEtcher	Linux / Windows / macOS	Very easy GUI	No	Cross-platform users seeking simplicity

Creating a Xubuntu Live USB with YUMI

Download and open YUMI.
(1) Select your USB drive.
(2) Choose "Xubuntu" as the distribution.
(3) Locate your ISO file.
(4) Choose a persistent file size if desired, then click Create.
Once done, reboot and select your USB drive as the boot device from BIOS or boot menu.

Using dd for Windows to Make a Bootable Xubuntu USB

Download the Xubuntu ISO file.
Insert a USB drive and back up any important files—it will be erased.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type:
```
diskpart
```
Then list connected drives:
```
list disk
```
Identify the USB drive number.
Unmount and clean the USB drive using:
```
select disk X
```
```
clean
```
Download dd for Windows.
Write the ISO to the USB using:
```
dd.exe if=path\to\xubuntu.iso of=\\.\PhysicalDriveX bs=4M
```
- if= Path to your ISO file
- of= USB drive number (e.g., PhysicalDrive1)
- bs=4M sets block size for performance
Wait for completion, then safely eject the USB drive.

Make an Xubuntu Live USB Using Win32 Disk Imager

Download Xubuntu.
Get Win32 Disk Imager.
Insert the USB and launch the application.
Select your ISO and USB drive, then click "Write".
Confirm any overwrite warnings, and let it complete.
Once finished, eject the drive safely.

Create a bootable USB Xubuntu on Linux

If you're already running a Linux distribution, there are native tools you can use to create a bootable USB Xubuntu. Below are two popular methods—one using the terminal and another using a graphical interface.

Method 1: Using dd from the Linux Terminal

Download the ISO:
Get the latest Xubuntu ISO from the official download page.
Insert and Identify the USB Drive:
Open a terminal and run:
```
lsblk
```
Find your USB drive (e.g., /dev/sdX). Be very careful to identify the correct device, as this process will overwrite it.
Write the ISO to the USB:
Use the dd command to write the image:
```
sudo dd if=path/to/xubuntu.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress conv=fsync
```
- if= path to your ISO
- of= your USB device (not a partition, no number)
Wait for completion (it may take a few minutes). Once done, run:
```
sync
```
Then safely eject the USB drive:
```
sudo eject /dev/sdX
```

Method 2: Using balenaEtcher (GUI)

Install balenaEtcher. It's available as an AppImage or from Snap:
```
sudo snap install balena-etcher-electron
```
Launch Etcher, then:
- Click "Flash from file" and select your Xubuntu ISO
- Insert your USB drive and select it
- Click "Flash!" to begin the process
Once done, Etcher will validate and automatically unmount the drive. You can now boot from the USB stick.

Optional: Making a Persistent Xubuntu USB on Linux

Standard `dd` and Etcher methods do not support persistence out of the box. To create a persistent Xubuntu Live USB on Linux:

Use tools like UNetbootin or Live USB Creator.
Alternatively, manually create a casper-rw partition after writing the ISO and configure the bootloader.

Note: Persistence setup can be advanced on Linux. For ease, YUMI on Windows offers a simpler setup for persistent storage.

Booting and Troubleshooting

USB Not Detected

Ensure the drive is visible in BIOS/UEFI. Try another port or update boot order.

Failed to Boot

Verify ISO integrity or recreate the bootable USB using a different method.

Slow Performance

Use a USB 3.0 flash drive or SSD-based stick for faster load times.

Installing Xubuntu from the USB

To install Xubuntu on a hard drive, boot from your USB and select "Install Xubuntu" from the desktop. Follow the guided installer.

Final Thoughts on USB Xubuntu

Creating a Xubuntu bootable USB is quick and flexible using tools like YUMI, dd, or Win32 Disk Imager. With support for persistence and broad hardware compatibility, this small Linux distribution offers a fast, Live, portable USB Xubuntu booting experience perfect for older PCs or testing a lightweight OS without installation.