Convert a USB drive into a bootable Linux installation medium
Convert a USB drive into a bootable Linux installation medium
Rufus performs well. Yumi might be simpler. https://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multi...b-creator/
I hope you can keep it as a regular USB stick too, since I planned to use it for school backups and maybe run a Linux version on another computer temporarily. I’m thankful for your help and wanted to know if you could reserve part of the drive just for Linux.
Thank you! The site wasn't visited until after I logged in with Rufus.
You don’t require 20-30GB; 5-6 GB should suffice for a live setup. Windows typically displays only the initial primary partition on USB devices (or the first logical one if none exist), so you’ll need to configure the entire drive to reveal the desired section. This task is achievable though it demands some effort. I understand this manual might seem lengthy, but I’m here to clarify any points that are confusing.
Starting with Part 1: First, gather your necessary software. You’ll need two tools:
- EaseUS Partition Master (available for free). The free version works perfectly—no need to purchase the advanced or server editions. During setup, it will suggest installing the professional version, but you can ignore that and proceed as needed.
- Universal USB Installer (such as Rufus). While it might function, I’m uncertain about its handling of partitioned drives. I’m leaning toward using UUI for this purpose.
Additionally, you’ll require a Linux .iso image.
Next, insert the USB drive and launch Partition Master. For this example, I’m using a 32GB verbatim partition. Right-click the stick, choose “Delete Partition,” confirm with “OK.” The deletion won’t occur yet—click the “Apply” button near the top-left to finalize changes.
Now, create a new logical partition for Windows (intended for use in Windows, not just storage). I’ll allocate everything except the final 5GB of the stick. Note: In step 8, I discovered that 3GB would have been sufficient for me; you can adjust the size using the down arrow or by dragging the yellow area. Don’t stress over the unused space before the partition—it will be removed later.
In the Partition Master window’s top-left corner, click “Apply.” Verify in the pop-up that you’re proceeding with pending operations. All changes will be saved to the USB drive, which may take some time.
Then, right-click the unallocated area and create a new primary partition. You’ll see a warning like “Windows only recognizes the first primary partition.” Click “Yes” to proceed. Assign the remaining space as your Linux live stick. For format, FAT32 is recommended; NTFS might not work unless you’re certain about file sizes. The Linux side won’t get a drive letter at this stage—this will happen automatically after step 7.
Once more, click “Apply.” After applying, the USB will resemble something like this:
In previous versions, I performed all partition adjustments at once, but during this revision I encountered issues. Now I’m making changes incrementally.
Part 2: Transitioning to Universal USB Installer
Open the app (standalone, no installation needed).
Step 1: Choose your Linux distribution. I’m installing Mint 18.1 32bit on my system.
Step 2: Navigate to your .iso file location.
Step 3: Point it at the USB drive you’ll install on. I’ve used a 1GB persistent file for this purpose—it’s sufficient for most users, especially since I’m working with up to 4GB RAM and older systems.
If the partition size is increased, expect longer boot or shutdown times because changes are saved in RAM and written once the device powers off.
A helpful tip: Drag the persistent file slider to the right (reaching 4096MB) and select “Format as FAT32” or “Format as NTFS,” then deselect it. This updates the maximum size shown. If you exceed 4096MB, it will remain at 4096; if below, it’ll decrease. In my experience, this range works well for most cases.
Step 3: Proceed to create the partition again. Click “Apply.” After applying, you’ll have a Linux live stick with a hidden partition ahead of it. The Linux side will be labeled “UUI” from now on—though you won’t see that label in Windows afterward. Ensure the status column shows “active” for proper recognition.
Step 4: Return to Partition Master. Click the top-left “Refresh” button and wait for updates.
Step 5: Right-click the unallocated space and select “Create a new primary partition.” You’ll be prompted to confirm. Assign the remaining space as your Linux live stick.
Step 6: Once applied, you’ll have a compact USB with a large hidden partition. The Linux partition will appear under “UUI,” and its active status will be visible.
Step 7: Click “Apply” again to finalize. You’ve successfully created a dual-boot setup. Test it by booting both OSes to confirm everything works.
Remember, this process is more reliable when done step-by-step rather than all at once. Take your time reviewing each stage.