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How to use an operating system from a USB drive

If you are a computer enthusiast or need to use a different operating system than the one installed on your PC, you may consider using an operating system from a USB drive.

In this article, we will explain how to create a bootable USB drive with an operating system and how to use it to access the operating system without having to install it directly on your computer. This is a very useful solution if you want to try out a new operating system or if you need temporary access to a specific operating system.

In addition, using an operating system from a USB drive can also be very useful in case of emergency, for example if your main operating system has problems and you cannot access it normally.

How does it work?

Creating a bootable USB drive with an operating system means turning your USB drive into a boot device that can be used to start the operating system without having to install it on your computer. In practice, when you turn on your computer with the USB drive inserted, the computer's BIOS will recognize the presence of the USB drive and use it to start the operating system present on it.

  • This means that you can have access to another operating system without having to install it directly on your PC;
  • You can use the USB drive to start the operating system on any computer compatible with booting from USB;
  • You can use the operating system present on the USB drive without having to modify or compromise the main operating system installed on your computer.

Creating a bootable USB drive with an operating system is relatively simple and requires only a few steps. In this article, we will explain how to do it in detail, so keep reading!

What you need to create a bootable USB drive

To create a bootable USB drive, there are some things you will need:

  • A USB drive: Make sure you have a USB drive with at least 8 GB of free space. Also, it's better to use a new or formatted drive to avoid issues.
  • The ISO file of the operating system: The ISO file is the disk image of the operating system you want to install on your machine. You can download the ISO file from the official website of the operating system manufacturer or from a reliable site.
  • A software for creating the bootable USB drive: There are many free programs available online for creating a bootable USB drive. Some of the most popular ones include Rufus, UNetbootin, and WinToUSB.

After gathering these elements, you can proceed with creating your bootable USB drive by following the instructions provided by the chosen software. Once completed, your USB drive will be ready to be used as an installation support for the operating system on your computer.

Creating a USB drive with the desired operating system

To create a bootable USB drive with the desired operating system, you need to follow some simple steps.

Step 1: Download the operating system ISO image

Firstly, you need to download the ISO image of the operating system that you want to install on the USB drive. The ISO image is an image file of a CD or DVD that contains all the files necessary for installing the operating system.

You can download the ISO image from the website of the operating system manufacturer or other reliable download sites.

Step 2: Format the USB drive

After downloading the ISO image, you need to format the USB drive correctly. This process will erase all data on the USB drive, so make sure to save your important data before proceeding.

To format the USB drive, connect it to your computer and open Disk Manager. Select the USB drive from the list of devices and choose "Format". Make sure to select the correct format for your USB drive (e.g. FAT32 or NTFS).

Step 3: Create a bootable USB drive

After formatting the USB drive correctly, you can create a bootable USB drive using third-party software such as Rufus or UNetbootin.

Open the software and select the operating system ISO image that you downloaded in Step 1. Make sure to select the correct USB drive as the destination device. Finally, click "Start" to start the process of creating a bootable USB drive.

Step 4: Install the operating system from the USB drive

After successfully creating the bootable USB drive, you can install the operating system from the device. Connect the USB drive to the computer where you want to install the operating system and turn on the computer.

Make sure that your computer's BIOS is configured to boot from a USB drive. When you turn on your computer, press the appropriate key (usually F2 or Del) to access the BIOS and change the boot settings.

After correctly configuring the BIOS, restart your computer and follow the instructions displayed on the screen to install the operating system from the USB drive.

  • Note: although the procedure described above works for many operating systems, some may require specific procedures. It is always recommended to consult official manufacturer guides before proceeding with installation.

Booting the computer from a USB drive

After preparing the USB drive with the operating system, you need to set up your computer's BIOS to boot from it. This process varies slightly depending on your computer's model and brand, but below are general steps.

Step 1: Access the BIOS

To access the BIOS, turn off your computer and turn it back on. As soon as it turns on, press the corresponding key repeatedly to enter the BIOS. The key may vary depending on the manufacturer of your computer, but it is usually one of these:

  • F2
  • F10
  • ESC
  • DEL

If you are not sure which is the correct key, consult your computer manual or search online for specific information for your model.

Step 2: Set the boot order

After entering the BIOS, look for the "Boot" or "Startup" option. Here you should find a list of available boot devices, such as hard drives, CD/DVD-ROMs, and USBs. Using the directional arrows on your keyboard, select "USB" and move it to the top of the list. This way, the computer will try to boot from the USB drive first instead of from the internal hard drive.

Step 3: Save and exit

After setting the correct boot order, save your changes and exit the BIOS. There is usually a button for "Save and Exit" or a key combination like "Ctrl + X". Make sure to save your changes before exiting the BIOS, otherwise your computer will not boot from the USB drive.

Now that you have set up your BIOS to boot from a USB drive, restart your computer with the USB drive inserted. The operating system should automatically start from the USB drive. If not, you may need to repeat the previous steps or check that the USB drive has been properly prepared.

Conclusion and final considerations

In conclusion, using an operating system from a USB drive can be extremely useful in many situations. For example, if you need to use a different computer or if you want to maintain the privacy of your data without having to save it on the computer's hard drive.

However, it is important to keep in mind that this practice requires some computer knowledge and a good amount of attention to avoid errors that could compromise the functioning of your computer or the security of your data.

For this reason, it is advisable to follow the instructions carefully and make sure you have all the necessary information before proceeding with the installation. Also, it is always a good idea to regularly back up your important data to prevent accidental loss.

Finally, we remind you that using unofficial operating systems may violate some local laws and regulations. Therefore, it is important to adequately inform yourself before using them.

  • In summary:
    • Using an operating system from a USB drive can be very useful;
    • Sufficient computer knowledge and attention are required;
    • Always back up your important data;
    • Using unofficial operating systems may violate some local laws and regulations.

Conclusion

Using an operating system from a USB drive can be very convenient, but it requires attention and computer knowledge. If you decide to use this solution, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and always back up your important data. Additionally, we remind you that using unofficial operating systems may entail legal risks. However, if used correctly, this method can be a valid alternative for accessing your data wherever you are.

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Michael Anderson - Software Engineer

My name is Michael Anderson, and I work as a computer engineer in Midland, Texas.

My passion is sharing my knowledge in various areas, and my purpose is to make education accessible to everyone. I believe it is essential to explain complex concepts in a simple and interesting way.

With GlobalHowTo, I aim to motivate and enrich the minds of those who want to learn.