Make a bootable USB from an ISO file. Easily USB boot from Windows or Linux. Multiboot ISO files from one flash drive, thumb drive, jump drive, sd card or memory stick. Pendrive Linux can also help you run Linux on Windows as a VirtualBox (VM) Virtual Machine. Install Proxmox to create a portable virtual OS environment, learn Linux commands, and more.
On this site you'll find simplified tutorials, software, and media creation tools to help you easily make a bootable USB drive from ISO images. Build portable Linux Live USB sticks, install or create a bootable USB for Windows 10 or 11, run antivirus programs, backup utilities and system diagnostic tools from a flash memory stick or SD card, perform virtual machine (VM) or kernel-based (KVM) emulation, cloud computing, etc.
Additional information is also provided to help you learn how to enter BIOS and set a computer system to startup and boot from a USB flash drive. Several articles have been created to help you setup, configure, and customize Linux. Along with various tutorials providing Linux shell script commands and coding examples to assist you in making full use of the power of Linux.
How to Create a Bootable USB
To create a bootable USB drive from ISO files for Linux or Windows, you can use one of the following Pendrive Linux utilities. Both tools provide a categorized list of example bootable distributions, information on where to download the ISO files, and links to each corresponding project page. If you are just getting started, we recommend using YUMI exFAT as it supports multibooting from both BIOS and UEFI systems and is the most frequently updated. It can also be run from within most modern Linux environments using WINE.
Bootable USB Tools
Here are two of our most popular USB boot tools, long regarded as some of the best software you can use to make USB bootable drives:
YUMI Multiboot USB Boot Media Creator Tool
Updated: 4 Oct, 2024 - YUMI-exFAT-1.0.2.8.exe
Universal USB Installer (UUI) - Bootable USB Software
Updated: 4 Oct, 2024 - Universal-USB-Installer-2.0.2.5.exe
Boot and run your favorite operating systems and tools from a USB flash drive. Copy ISO to USB and take your portable operating system with you to run at any computer that can boot from a USB drive. You can also automate the process and boot multiple ISO files from one flash drive or micro sd card by using a Multi-OS multiboot installer media creation tool like YUMI to create a multisystem UFD.
What is a Multiboot USB
A multiboot USB, also known as a multi-ISO USB drive, is a flash drive that can boot multiple ISO files from a single device. This feature allows users to switch between operating systems without needing multiple USB drives. Multiboot USBs are particularly useful for IT professionals, system administrators, and others who need to work with multiple operating systems regularly. They can also be used to reboot or repair an operating system, install something new, or run a live system.
Multibooting from a multi operating system bootable USB enables you to store and run various Linux operating systems, Windows installers, Windows To Go, Windows PE, system diagnostic utilities, antivirus scanners, penetration testing tools, cloning tools, backup tools, and more—all from the same removable device. This results in a custom, personalized bootable diagnostic toolkit that you can carry on a keychain or in your pocket.
Benefits of Booting from USB
Live USB booting has several benefits, including but not limited to:
- OS Portability and Convenience: Flash drives are small and easy to carry around in your pocket, which makes them convenient to use for booting from USB operating systems or system tools — while on the go. For example, you might use one to temporarily USB boot from a Linux, allowing you to run your own portable OS on a computer at a friend's house, while at school, from your work PC, or when traveling.
- USB Boot from Multiple Operating Systems: A variety of operating systems including Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD can be booted from a flash drive. Making this a versatile option for troubleshooting, running specialized software, testing out new operating systems, and installing them.
- Boot from USB for Privacy and Security: Can be more secure than booting from the computer's local hard drive because it isolates the operating system and any files on the removable drive from the computer's internal storage. This can be useful if you are working from a computer that you don't trust or if you are worried that you might encounter malware or other security threats.
- Operating System Recovery from USB: If your computer's operating system is corrupted or you're experiencing other issues, you can boot from USB into a recovery environment to perform a fix or install a fresh copy of the operating system.
- Fast Solid State Speed: In some cases, a removable drive can be faster than booting from the computer's internal hard drive, especially if you're using a super fast USB flash drive that is solid state (SSD) and the internal hard drive you are working with is old or slow.
- Cool Factor of USB Booting: The ability to bring your own custom Live portable operating system with you to plug in and run from any computer brings about envy because it's just so satisfying and cool. Once others see what you can boot from USB flash media, they want to do it too!
As you can see, USB booting can be a convenient, versatile, fun, and secure option for a variety of useful tasks.
About Pendrive Linux
Since 2006, Pendrive Linux has been providing simplified tutorials, flash drive bootable software and Windows media creation tools that make booting a computer from a removable UFD, easy. Enabling you to walk up to any available PC, insert a flash drive, do your work, shut down, unplug the removable device and carry on with your day. By default this usually happens while attempting to leave no traces behind on the host computer system that the removable media was booted from.
I would like to extend my personal thanks to all of those who have provided continued support and feedback over the years. It is because of you that the bootable pen drive software, projects, simplified USB Linux, Windows booting from USB tutorials, and related how to boot from USB information provided throughout this website remain accessible to this day.
This site was originally established as a simple means to experiment and share useful information about booting from USB. This was done in hopes that by sharing whilst learning, I might help others who may also be looking to find ways to easily boot and then run their Live ISO files, Windows installers, PE, antivirus scanners, cloning software, and various other useful diagnostic tools - all from a UFD.
~ Lance
Why the Linux Penguin Mascot (Tux)?
The beloved cartoonlike Linux Penguin, affectionately known as Tux, is the official Linux mascot and a recognized symbol of Linux's flexibility and open-source power. Representing the portability of Linux, Tux embodies Pendrive Linux's mission to make Linux accessible, portable, and easy to use on USB devices. Shown carrying a USB flash drive, Tux symbolizes the convenience of running Linux from a USB wherever you go.
Originally illustrated and gifted by artist Marcio dos Santos (Aicrom), the Pen Drive Tux Mascot has been with us for over 18 years, inspiring our community and representing our commitment to helping users create bootable USB drives, thumb drives, and micro SD cards. Today, the Pen Drive Tux remains a central icon for Linux enthusiasts who value the ability to boot from USB, whether for a live Linux environment, Windows media installers, bootable portable apps, or system recovery.