This short guide is for Linux users who want to create a bootable USB stick to install Linux on a computer.
Using GNOME Disks (GNOME Users)
- Insert your USB Flash Drive
Plug in your flash drive and make sure no important data is on it, as it will be wiped. - Open GNOME Disks
Search for “Disks” in your applications and open it. - Delete Existing Partitions
Select your USB drive from the list on the left. Delete any partitions currently on the USB drive by selecting them and hitting the delete button. - Restore Disk Image
From the menu, select the “Restore Disk Image” option. - Select the ISO File
Browse and select the Linux distribution ISO file you’ve downloaded. - Enter Admin Password
GNOME Disks will prompt you for your admin password to write the image. - Wait for the Process to Finish
The writing process may take a few minutes. Once complete, your bootable USB is ready!
Using Fedora Media Writer (Fedora Users)
Fedora users can use the built-in Fedora Media Writer to create bootable USB drives.
- Open Fedora Media Writer
Launch the application from your applications menu. - Select the ISO File
Choose “Custom Image” to browse and select your downloaded Linux ISO file. - Select Your USB Drive
Choose your USB drive from the list. - Create the Bootable USB
Click “Write to Disk” and confirm. The process will take a few moments. - Complete
Once finished, your bootable USB is ready to use!
Using ImageWriter (KDE Users)
KDE users can use ImageWriter, a simple and intuitive tool designed for creating bootable USB drives.
- Install ImageWriter
Install ImageWriter from your package manager. - Drag and Drop the ISO
After installation, open ImageWriter. Drag your downloaded ISO file into the GUI. - Follow the Prompts
Select the USB drive and follow the on-screen prompts to start the writing process.
Terms Used
- Bootable USB Stick
A USB stick that contains an operating system installation image (like Linux) that can be booted directly from the USB drive. It’s often used to install or try out an OS without affecting the primary hard drive. - Fedora Media Writer
A tool specifically designed for creating bootable USB drives for Fedora and other distributions. It simplifies the process of writing ISO images to USB sticks. - Gnome Disks
A graphical disk management tool included with the GNOME desktop environment. It allows users to perform disk-related tasks such as partitioning, formatting, and creating bootable USB drives. - ImageWriter
A simple and intuitive application used in the KDE environment to create bootable USB drives from ISO files. It allows users to select an ISO and then write it directly to a USB drive with just a few clicks. - ISO File
A disk image file that contains the complete contents of an optical disc, such as a CD or DVD. In this case, it’s the installation image of a Linux distribution that you’ll use to create your bootable USB.
That’s it! Whether you’re using GNOME Disks, ImageWriter on KDE, or Fedora Media Writer, you now have a bootable Linux USB drive ready to go. If you run into issues or need further assistance, feel free to talk to us!