If you’re a Windows user curious about Linux, creating a bootable ISO with Rufus is one of the quickest ways to get started. Here’s how to do it in just a few simple steps:
What You’ll Need:
- Rufus (download from the official site)
- A USB drive (at least 8GB, USB 3 is faster)
- A Linux ISO (e.g., Ubuntu, Manjaro, etc.)
Steps:
- Download and Open Rufus
- Download Rufus from https://rufus.ie and run the program (no installation needed).
- Select Your USB Drive
- Insert your USB drive and choose it from the “Device” dropdown in Rufus.
- Choose Your ISO
- Click SELECT and navigate to the Linux ISO file you’ve downloaded.
- Set Partition Scheme
- For most users, the default settings will work, but ensure the partition scheme is set to MBR (for BIOS systems) or GPT (for UEFI systems).
- Start the Process
- Click START and confirm the warning that it will erase data on the USB drive. Rufus will then create a bootable drive.
- Boot from USB
- After the process finishes, restart your PC and boot from the USB drive (you need to press a key to boot from USB which varies, depending on your computer brand. On Dell, you can press F12 to boot from a USB stick).
Why Live-booting Linux Is Great
Live-booting Linux gives you the chance to try out the OS without installing anything. If you like what you see, you can choose to install it later. If not, simply reboot your computer and return to Windows—nothing will be changed on your system.
By using Rufus to create a bootable Linux USB, you’re opening the door to exploring a whole new operating system, without any risk or commitment. It’s a great way to test out Linux and see if it’s right for you.
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Here’s a list of key terms mentioned in this article. Use them to ask an AI of your choice for more information and deepen your understanding. For quick answers, try Copilot.
- Rufus
A free and open-source utility for creating bootable USB drives. - ISO
An image file format that contains the complete data of a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc. - USB Drive
A portable data storage device that connects to a computer via USB port. - Linux ISO
A bootable image file of a Linux operating system, such as Ubuntu or Manjaro. - MBR (Master Boot Record)
A partition scheme used by BIOS systems to manage the layout of the partitions on a hard disk. - GPT (GUID Partition Table)
- A partition scheme used by UEFI systems, allowing for larger and more numerous partitions than MBR.
- Live-booting
Running an operating system directly from a USB drive without installing it on the computer’s hard drive. - UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
A modern firmware interface for computers, providing faster booting and improved security features compared to BIOS.