Create Bootable Ubuntu USB Windows: Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners

Creating a bootable Ubuntu USB from a Windows system is a straightforward process that allows you to try out Ubuntu without installing it on your computer. This guide will walk you through the steps to create a bootable Ubuntu USB using the popular tool Rufus.

What You Need

To get started, you will need the following:

• USB Drive: A USB stick or flash drive with at least 2 GB of space. It's recommended to use a larger drive, such as 8 GB or more, to ensure there is enough space for the Ubuntu ISO and any additional data you might need.
• Windows System: A working system with Microsoft Windows 10 or later.
• Rufus: A free and open-source USB stick writing tool. You can download the latest Rufus executable file from the official Rufus website.
• Ubuntu ISO: The ISO file of Ubuntu, which you can download from the official Ubuntu website. It is recommended to download the latest Long Term Support (LTS) release for stability.

Downloading Rufus and Ubuntu ISO

Download Rufus

1. Visit the Rufus Website: Go to the Rufus website and download the latest version of the Rufus executable file.
2. Save the File: Save the Rufus executable file to your Downloads folder or any other location of your choice.

Download Ubuntu ISO

1. Visit the Ubuntu Website: Go to the official Ubuntu website and navigate to the download section.
2. Select the Version: Choose the latest LTS release or the version you prefer. Click on the download button to start the download process. You can also download via torrents if you prefer.

Creating the Bootable USB

Step 1: Launch Rufus and Insert the USB Drive

1. Insert the USB Drive: Plug your USB drive into your Windows system.
2. Launch Rufus: Double-click the Rufus executable file to run it. Rufus will automatically detect the USB drive.

Step 2: Select the USB Drive

1. Select the USB Drive: From the Drive drop-down menu in Rufus, select your USB drive. Ensure you select the correct drive to avoid data loss.

Step 3: Select the Boot Selection

1. Select Disk or ISO Image: In the Boot Selection drop-down menu, select "Disk or ISO Image" and then click the "SELECT" button.

Step 4: Choose the Ubuntu ISO

1. Browse to the ISO File: Navigate to the location where you saved the Ubuntu ISO file and select it.

Step 5: Configure Partition Scheme and Target System

1. Partition Scheme: Choose the partition scheme as MBR (Master Boot Record) for compatibility with most systems. If your system uses UEFI, you may need to select GPT (GUID Partition Table) instead.
2. Target System: Select BIOS or UEFI from the target system drop-down, depending on your system's configuration.

Step 6: Start the Process

1. Leave Default Options: Leave all other options, such as format options, file system, and cluster size, as their default values.
2. Click Start: Click the "START" button to begin the process. You may be prompted to choose the write mode; select "Write in ISO Image mode" for Ubuntu ISO images.

Step 7: Confirm and Wait

1. Warning: A popup will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be erased. Double-check that you have selected the correct drive.
2. Proceed: Click "OK" to start the process. Rufus will format the USB drive and write the Ubuntu ISO image to it. This process may take a few minutes.

Booting from the Live USB

Once Rufus has finished writing the image, you can safely eject the USB drive. To boot from the live USB:

1. Insert the USB Drive: Insert the USB drive into the computer you want to boot from.
2. Enter BIOS Settings: Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del).
3. Set USB as Boot Device: Set the USB drive as the first boot device.
4. Save and Exit: Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings. The computer will now boot from the USB drive, allowing you to try out Ubuntu without installing it.

By following these steps, you can easily create a bootable Ubuntu USB from a Windows system, enabling you to test Ubuntu or use it for troubleshooting and data recovery.