Creating a bootable Linux Fedora USB stick from Windows OS

Installing and running Fedora Media Writer

On Windows

  1. Download the latest Windows Installer file from GetFedora.org. The server automatically detects the running system and offers you the correct installation file for your Windows version.
  2. Run the installation by double clicking the installer, and then continue through the set-up wizard. The Wizard lets you customize the software’s installation if you choose to.
  3. Run the application by clicking on a launcher.
    In Windows 8 and 10, the Fedora Media Writer launcher will be placed in the All apps menu under F. In Windows 10, you can just type Fedora Media Writer in the search box on the task bar.
  4. Writing the ISO image to the USB Media.

    1. Select the Fedora Edition you wish to make a bootable USB drive for.
      Image of Fedora Media Writer Main Screen
      Figure 1. Fedora Media Writer Main Screen: Choose your Edition of Fedora
      The main selection lets you choose one of the default Fedora editions, Fedora Workstation or ServerFedora Media Writer displays more details about the edition before you can proceed with downloading the image and the USB creation. You can choose a different architecture, if you select Other variants.
    2. Select "Create Live USB" to proceed.
      Image of Fedora Media Writer Distro Information Screen
      Figure 2. Fedora Media Writer Distribution Information
      Fedora Media Writer will automatically download the ISO for you. If you have downloaded the ISO before and placed it in the Downloadsdirectory, it will be immediately available to use.
      Image of Fedora Media Writer Automatic Download
      Figure 3. Fedora Media Writer Automatic Download
    3. Plug in a USB drive on which you want to create the bootable media.
    4. To write the image onto the media, click the red Write to diskbutton.
      Image of Fedora Media Writer write to device red button
      Figure 4. Fedora Media Writer Write to USB Device
    5. Click on ''Write to Disk'' option and process will be completed. 

Linux Ubuntu OS Installation

1Overview

The Ubuntu desktop is easy to use, easy to install and includes everything you need to run your organisation, school, home or enterprise. It's also open source, secure, accessible and free to download.


2Requirements

You'll need to consider the following before starting the installation:
  • Connect your laptop to a power source.
  • Ensure you have at least 25GB of free storage space, or 5GB for a minimal installation.
  • Have access to either a DVD or a USB flash drive containing the version of Ubuntu you want to install.
  • Make sure you have a recent backup of your data. While it's unlikely that anything will go wrong, you can never be too prepared.

3Boot from DVD

It's easy to install Ubuntu from a DVD. Here's what you need to do:
  1. Put the Ubuntu DVD into your optical/DVD drive.
  2. Restart your computer.
As soon as your computer boots you'll see the welcome window.
From here, you can select your language from a list on the left and choose between either installing Ubuntu directly, or trying the desktop first (if you like what you see, you can also install Ubuntu from this mode too).
Depending on your computer's configuration, you may instead see an alternative boot menu showing a large language selection pane. Use your mouse or cursor keys to select a language and you'll be presented with a simple menu.
Select the second option, ‘Install Ubuntu', and press return to launch the desktop installer automatically. Alternatively, select the first option, ‘Try Ubuntu without installing', to test Ubuntu (as before, you can also install Ubuntu from this mode too).
A few moments later, after the desktop has loaded, you'll see the welcome window. From here, you can select your language from a list on the left and choose between either installing Ubuntu directly, or trying the desktop first.

4Boot from USB flash drive

Most computers will boot from USB automatically. Simply insert the USB flash drive and either power on your computer or restart it. You should see the same welcome window we saw in the previous ‘Install from DVD' step, prompting you to choose your language and either install or try the Ubuntu desktop.
If your computer doesn't automatically boot from USB, try holding F12 when your computer first starts. With most machines, this will allow you to select the USB device from a system-specific boot menu.

5Prepare to install Ubuntu

You will first be asked to select your keyboard layout. If the installer doesn't guess the default layout correctly, use the ‘Detect Keyboard Layout' button to run through a brief configuration procedure.
After selecting Continue you will be asked What apps would you like to install to start with? The two options are ‘Normal installation' and ‘Minimal installation'. The first is the equivalent to the old default bundle of utilities, applications, games and media players - a great launchpad for any Linux installation. The second takes considerably less storage space and allows you to install only what you need.
Beneath the installation-type question are two check boxes; one to enable updates while installing and another to enable third-party software.
  • We advise enabling both Download updates and Install third-party software.
  • Stay connected to the internet so you can get the latest updates while you install Ubuntu.
  • If you are not connected to the internet, you will be asked to select a wireless network, if available. We advise you to connect during the installation so we can ensure your machine is up to date

6Allocate drive space

Use the checkboxes to choose whether you'd like to install Ubuntu alongside another operating system, delete your existing operating system and replace it with Ubuntu, or — if you're an advanced user — choose the 'Something else' option.

7Begin installation

After configuring storage, click on the ‘Install Now' button. A small pane will appear with an overview of the storage options you've chosen, with the chance to go back if the details are incorrect.
Click Continue to fix those changes in place and start the installation process.

8Select your location

If you are connected to the internet, your location will be detected automatically. Check your location is correct and click 'Forward' to proceed.
If you're unsure of your time zone, type the name of a local town or city or use the map to select your location.

9Login details

Enter your name and the installer will automatically suggest a computer name and username. These can easily be changed if you prefer. The computer name is how your computer will appear on the network, while your username will be your login and account name.
Next, enter a strong password. The installer will let you know if it's too weak.
You can also choose to enable automatic login and home folder encryption. If your machine is portable, we recommend keeping automatic login disabled and enabling encryption. This should stop people accessing your personal files if the machine is lost or stolen.
If you enable home folder encryption and you forget your password, you won't be able to retrieve any personal data stored in your home folder.

10Background installation

The installer will now complete in the background while the installation window teaches you a little about how awesome Ubuntu is. Depending on the speed of your machine and network connection, installation should only take a few minutes.

11Installation complete

After everything has been installed and configured, a small window will appear asking you to restart your machine. Click on Restart Now and remove either the DVD or USB flash drive when prompted. If you initiated the installation while testing the desktop, you also get the option to continue testing.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed the world's most popular Linux operating system!

Creating a bootable Ubuntu USB stick from Windows OS

1Overview

With a bootable Ubuntu USB stick, you can:
  • Install or upgrade Ubuntu
  • Test out the Ubuntu desktop experience without touching your PC configuration
  • Boot into Ubuntu on a borrowed machine or from an internet cafe
  • Use tools installed by default on the USB stick to repair or fix a broken
    configuration
Creating a bootable Ubuntu USB stick from Microsoft Windows is very simple and we're going to cover the process in the next few steps.

2Requirements

You will need:
  • A 4GB or larger USB stick/flash drive
  • Microsoft Windows XP or later
  • Rufus, a free and open source USB stick writing tool
  • An Ubuntu ISO file. See Get Ubuntu for download links

3USB selection

Perform the following to configure your USB device in Rufus:
  1. Launch Rufus
  2. Insert your USB stick
  3. Rufus will update to set the device within the Device field
  4. If the Device selected is incorrect (perhaps you have multiple USB storage devices), select the correct one from the device field's drop-down menu

4Boot selection and Partition scheme

Now choose the Boot selection. Choices will be Non bootable and FreeDOS. Since you are creating a bootable Ubuntu device select FreeDOS.
The default selections for Partition scheme (MBR) and Target system (BIOS (or UEFI-CSM)) are appropriate (and are the only options available).

5Select the Ubuntu ISO file

To select the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded previously, click the SELECT to the right of "Boot selection". If this is the only ISO file present in the Downloads folder you will only see one file listed.
Select the appropriate ISO file and click on Open.

6Write the ISO

The Volume label will be updated to reflect the ISO selected.
Leave all other parameters with their default values and click START to initiate the write process.

7Additional downloads

You may be alerted that Rufus requires additional files to complete writing the ISO. If this dialog box appears, select Yes to continue.

8Write warnings

You will then be alerted that Rufus has detected that the Ubuntu ISO is an ISOHybrid image. This means the same image file can be used as the source for both a DVD and a USB stick without requiring conversion.
Keep Write in ISO Image mode selected and click on OK to continue.

9Writing the ISO

The ISO will now be written to your USB stick, and the progress bar in Rufus will give you some indication of where you are in the process. With a reasonably modern machine, this should take around 10 minutes. Total elapsed time is shown in the lower right corner of the Rufus window.

10Installation complete

When Rufus has finished writing the USB device, the Status bar will be green filled and the word READY will appear in the center. Select CLOSE to complete the write process.
Congratulations! You now have Ubuntu on a USB stick, bootable and ready to go.