Easily Create an Ubuntu Bootable USB with Persistence: This tutorial guides you through creating an Ubuntu bootable USB with persistence using the Official Startup Disk Creator. This tool, made by the Ubuntu team, allows you to put Ubuntu on a USB flash drive, enabling you to save and restore changes across reboots using Ubuntu's Casper Persistent feature.
Ubuntu is a popular open source Linux distribution created by Canonical Ltd., originally based on Debian. It continues to share many of the same upstream roots.
Distribution Home Page: Ubuntu Project Page
Offers a Persistent Feature: Yes
Essentials for Creating a Bootable Ubuntu USB
- Computer with a USB port
- Ubuntu ISO file
- USB flash drive (4GB minimum, 8GB or more recommended)
- Ubuntu Startup Disk Creator (included in the Ubuntu installation)
The following method creates a Live Ubuntu USB that utilizes a compressed Squashfs file system. See how to fully Install Ubuntu on USB, if you would rather run Ubuntu from an external USB drive using a method that works exactly like it would running from an internal drive.
How to Create an Ubuntu Bootable USB from ISO
- Download the Ubuntu ISO:
Obtain the latest Ubuntu ISO from the Ubuntu download page. - Open the Startup Disk Creator:
If you're already using an Ubuntu system, you can find the Startup Disk Creator by:- Clicking Show Applications in the bottom left corner of the desktop.
- Searching for Startup Disk Creator.
On older Ubuntu releases:- Navigate to System > Administration > Startup Disk Creator.
- Select the Source Disk Image:
In the Startup Disk Creator, click Other to browse and select the downloaded Ubuntu ISO file. - Select the Target USB Drive:
Ensure you’ve backed up any important data, as this process will erase the USB drive.
(1.) Insert your USB flash drive and select it under Disk to use.
(2.) Click Erase Disk.
- Enable Persistence:
(1.) Make sure the correct device is selected.
(2.) For persistence, select the option Stored in reserved extra space and adjust the slider to allocate space for saving changes (persistence). This space will be used to store your files and system changes.
- Create the Bootable USB:
(3.) Click the Make Startup Disk button to begin the process. A progress bar will indicate the status of the installation. - Boot from the USB Drive:
Once the process is complete, remove the USB drive and restart your computer.- Enter your system BIOS/UEFI or boot menu during the reboot and set your system to boot from the USB device.
- Save the changes (F10) and proceed to boot from the USB drive.
If all went well, you should now be booting directly from your Ubuntu Bootable USB. You can choose to either run Ubuntu in Live mode or Install Ubuntu from USB.
Additional Notes:
- UEFI and Secure Boot: If your system uses UEFI, you might need to disable Secure Boot or enable legacy boot to use the USB drive. Instructions for these steps vary by manufacturer, so refer to your computer's manual for specific guidance.
- Persistence Limitations: While persistence allows you to save files and settings, be aware of potential limitations in performance and maximum file size.