How to fully install Ubuntu on USB Flashdrive?

Rather than to install dual-OS on my laptop, I would like to install Ubuntu on my flashdrive (USB flash memory, or whatever you call it). So, whenever I want to run my Ubuntu, I will just plug my flashdrive to the USB port and run it from there by change the boot sequence in BIOS.

Is it possible?

edited 2 hours ago

DK Bose

13.9k124285

asked 2 hours ago

AirCraft Lover

1012

New contributor

Yes. You write the ISO to one media, and install on another (eg. install to second usb). I haven't done it recently, but I did on some machines need to tweek the system so I could boot it on multiple machines, but this was probably machine/bios specific. (once installed you no longer need the installer/ISO thumb-drive)

– guiverc
2 hours ago

As long as my understanding, ISO is installer, right? What I am asking is it fully install on flashdrive, not a life CD. Life CD i have it now Ubuntu 11.10. It is not full feature. Is it still ask to be installed

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

Ubuntu 11.10 or the 2011.October (Ubuntu releases are yy.mm in format) is well past EOL (15 months) so I'd recommend a supported version. You download the ISO (a file) which is written to a thumb-drive (installer which is run in 'live' mode usually) which is booted & used to install to a hdd/sdd/system (or another thumb-drive in this case). Yes one of either could be cd/dvd/cdrw/dvdrw but thumb-drives are more common today. What I suggested was just to install to another thumb-drive (treating it as if it's your hdd/sdd), then when you reboot you can remove first thumb-drive/cd/dvd/..

– guiverc
1 hour ago

Yes, it is Ubuntu released in October 2011. It was my last Ubuntu I used. Since that time I stopped using Ubuntu, after previously I used Ubuntu 7.04 (2007.04). Before that, I used RedHat.

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

add a comment |

Is it possible?

edited 2 hours ago

DK Bose

13.9k124285

asked 2 hours ago

AirCraft Lover

1012

New contributor

Yes. You write the ISO to one media, and install on another (eg. install to second usb). I haven't done it recently, but I did on some machines need to tweek the system so I could boot it on multiple machines, but this was probably machine/bios specific. (once installed you no longer need the installer/ISO thumb-drive)

– guiverc
2 hours ago

As long as my understanding, ISO is installer, right? What I am asking is it fully install on flashdrive, not a life CD. Life CD i have it now Ubuntu 11.10. It is not full feature. Is it still ask to be installed

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

Ubuntu 11.10 or the 2011.October (Ubuntu releases are yy.mm in format) is well past EOL (15 months) so I'd recommend a supported version. You download the ISO (a file) which is written to a thumb-drive (installer which is run in 'live' mode usually) which is booted & used to install to a hdd/sdd/system (or another thumb-drive in this case). Yes one of either could be cd/dvd/cdrw/dvdrw but thumb-drives are more common today. What I suggested was just to install to another thumb-drive (treating it as if it's your hdd/sdd), then when you reboot you can remove first thumb-drive/cd/dvd/..

– guiverc
1 hour ago

Yes, it is Ubuntu released in October 2011. It was my last Ubuntu I used. Since that time I stopped using Ubuntu, after previously I used Ubuntu 7.04 (2007.04). Before that, I used RedHat.

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

add a comment |

Is it possible?

edited 2 hours ago

DK Bose

13.9k124285

asked 2 hours ago

AirCraft Lover

1012

New contributor

Is it possible?

live-usb persistent

edited 2 hours ago

DK Bose

13.9k124285

asked 2 hours ago

AirCraft Lover

1012

New contributor

edited 2 hours ago

DK Bose

13.9k124285

asked 2 hours ago

AirCraft Lover

1012

New contributor

edited 2 hours ago

DK Bose

13.9k124285

edited 2 hours ago

DK Bose

13.9k124285

edited 2 hours ago

DK Bose

13.9k124285

asked 2 hours ago

AirCraft Lover

1012

New contributor

asked 2 hours ago

AirCraft Lover

1012

asked 2 hours ago

AirCraft Lover

1012

New contributor

AirCraft Lover is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

Yes. You write the ISO to one media, and install on another (eg. install to second usb). I haven't done it recently, but I did on some machines need to tweek the system so I could boot it on multiple machines, but this was probably machine/bios specific. (once installed you no longer need the installer/ISO thumb-drive)

– guiverc
2 hours ago

As long as my understanding, ISO is installer, right? What I am asking is it fully install on flashdrive, not a life CD. Life CD i have it now Ubuntu 11.10. It is not full feature. Is it still ask to be installed

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

Ubuntu 11.10 or the 2011.October (Ubuntu releases are yy.mm in format) is well past EOL (15 months) so I'd recommend a supported version. You download the ISO (a file) which is written to a thumb-drive (installer which is run in 'live' mode usually) which is booted & used to install to a hdd/sdd/system (or another thumb-drive in this case). Yes one of either could be cd/dvd/cdrw/dvdrw but thumb-drives are more common today. What I suggested was just to install to another thumb-drive (treating it as if it's your hdd/sdd), then when you reboot you can remove first thumb-drive/cd/dvd/..

– guiverc
1 hour ago

Yes, it is Ubuntu released in October 2011. It was my last Ubuntu I used. Since that time I stopped using Ubuntu, after previously I used Ubuntu 7.04 (2007.04). Before that, I used RedHat.

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

add a comment |

Yes. You write the ISO to one media, and install on another (eg. install to second usb). I haven't done it recently, but I did on some machines need to tweek the system so I could boot it on multiple machines, but this was probably machine/bios specific. (once installed you no longer need the installer/ISO thumb-drive)

– guiverc
2 hours ago

As long as my understanding, ISO is installer, right? What I am asking is it fully install on flashdrive, not a life CD. Life CD i have it now Ubuntu 11.10. It is not full feature. Is it still ask to be installed

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

Ubuntu 11.10 or the 2011.October (Ubuntu releases are yy.mm in format) is well past EOL (15 months) so I'd recommend a supported version. You download the ISO (a file) which is written to a thumb-drive (installer which is run in 'live' mode usually) which is booted & used to install to a hdd/sdd/system (or another thumb-drive in this case). Yes one of either could be cd/dvd/cdrw/dvdrw but thumb-drives are more common today. What I suggested was just to install to another thumb-drive (treating it as if it's your hdd/sdd), then when you reboot you can remove first thumb-drive/cd/dvd/..

– guiverc
1 hour ago

Yes, it is Ubuntu released in October 2011. It was my last Ubuntu I used. Since that time I stopped using Ubuntu, after previously I used Ubuntu 7.04 (2007.04). Before that, I used RedHat.

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

Yes. You write the ISO to one media, and install on another (eg. install to second usb). I haven't done it recently, but I did on some machines need to tweek the system so I could boot it on multiple machines, but this was probably machine/bios specific. (once installed you no longer need the installer/ISO thumb-drive)

– guiverc
2 hours ago

As long as my understanding, ISO is installer, right? What I am asking is it fully install on flashdrive, not a life CD. Life CD i have it now Ubuntu 11.10. It is not full feature. Is it still ask to be installed

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

Ubuntu 11.10 or the 2011.October (Ubuntu releases are yy.mm in format) is well past EOL (15 months) so I'd recommend a supported version. You download the ISO (a file) which is written to a thumb-drive (installer which is run in 'live' mode usually) which is booted & used to install to a hdd/sdd/system (or another thumb-drive in this case). Yes one of either could be cd/dvd/cdrw/dvdrw but thumb-drives are more common today. What I suggested was just to install to another thumb-drive (treating it as if it's your hdd/sdd), then when you reboot you can remove first thumb-drive/cd/dvd/..

– guiverc
1 hour ago

Yes, it is Ubuntu released in October 2011. It was my last Ubuntu I used. Since that time I stopped using Ubuntu, after previously I used Ubuntu 7.04 (2007.04). Before that, I used RedHat.

– AirCraft Lover
1 hour ago

add a comment |

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

Full Install to USB

11.10 is too old, Latest LTS, (Long Term Service), release is 18.04.

Full installs are more stable and secure than persistent installs, but not as quick to make. They are better at utilizing disk space as no fixed size casper-rw file or partition is required. They are not very good for use of installing Ubuntu.

Following is a step by step how to install 18.04 on a 16GB flash drive with options for separate Home partition and Windows compatible data partition:

Create a live USB or DVD using SDC, UNetbootin, mkusb, etc.

Turn off and unplug the computer. (See note at bottom)

Unplug the power cable from the hard drive or unplug the hard drive from the laptop.

Plug the computer back in.

Insert the flash drive.

Insert the Live USB or Live DVD.

Start the computer, the USB/DVD should boot.

Select language.

Select install Ubuntu.

Select Keyboard layout

Select "Continue".

Select installation type and "Download updates while installing Ubuntu" and Select "Install third-party software ...", (optional).

Select "Continue".

At "Installation type" select "Something else". (Full disk encryption is now working with flash drives).

Select "Continue".

Confirm target device is correct.

Select "New Partition Table".

Click Continue on the drop down.

(Optional FAT32 data partition for use on Windows machine)

Click "Free space" and "+".

Make "Size..." about 2000 MB.

Select "Primary".

Location = "Beginning of this space".

"Use as:" = "FAT32 file system".

"Mount point" = "/windows".

Select "OK"

(Non Optional Root Partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "Size ..." = 4500 to 6000 MB, "Beginning of this space", Ext4, and Mount point = "/" then OK.

(Optional home partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = 1000 to 6000 MB, Beginning of this space, Ext2, and Mount point = "/home" then OK.

(Optional swap space, allows hibernation)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = remaining space, (1000 to 2000 megabytes, or same size as RAM), Beginning of this space and "Use as" = "swap area" then OK.

(Important)

Confirm "Device for boot loader installation" points to the root of the USB drive. Default should be OK if HDD was unplugged.

Click "Install Now".

Select your location.

Select "Continue".

Insert your name, computer name, username, password and select if you want to log in automatically or require a password.cscameron

Select "Continue".

Wait until install is complete.

Turn off computer and plug in the HDD.

Replace the computer's cover.

Note:
You may omit disabling the hard drive if after partitioning you choose to install grub to the root of the USB drive you are installing Ubuntu to, (ie sdb not sdb1). Be cautious, many people have overwritten the HDD MBR as default location for boot loader is sda, any items in the internal drive's grub will be added to the USB's grub.
You may do an update-grub later.

answered 42 mins ago

C.S.Cameron

4,56411029

add a comment |

Your Answer

StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "89"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});

function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: true,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: 10,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});

}
});

AirCraft Lover is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.

draft saved

draft discarded

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2faskubuntu.com%2fquestions%2f1119700%2fhow-to-fully-install-ubuntu-on-usb-flashdrive%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

Full Install to USB

11.10 is too old, Latest LTS, (Long Term Service), release is 18.04.

Following is a step by step how to install 18.04 on a 16GB flash drive with options for separate Home partition and Windows compatible data partition:

Create a live USB or DVD using SDC, UNetbootin, mkusb, etc.

Turn off and unplug the computer. (See note at bottom)

Unplug the power cable from the hard drive or unplug the hard drive from the laptop.

Plug the computer back in.

Insert the flash drive.

Insert the Live USB or Live DVD.

Start the computer, the USB/DVD should boot.

Select language.

Select install Ubuntu.

Select Keyboard layout

Select "Continue".

Select installation type and "Download updates while installing Ubuntu" and Select "Install third-party software ...", (optional).

Select "Continue".

At "Installation type" select "Something else". (Full disk encryption is now working with flash drives).

Select "Continue".

Confirm target device is correct.

Select "New Partition Table".

Click Continue on the drop down.

(Optional FAT32 data partition for use on Windows machine)

Click "Free space" and "+".

Make "Size..." about 2000 MB.

Select "Primary".

Location = "Beginning of this space".

"Use as:" = "FAT32 file system".

"Mount point" = "/windows".

Select "OK"

(Non Optional Root Partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "Size ..." = 4500 to 6000 MB, "Beginning of this space", Ext4, and Mount point = "/" then OK.

(Optional home partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = 1000 to 6000 MB, Beginning of this space, Ext2, and Mount point = "/home" then OK.

(Optional swap space, allows hibernation)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = remaining space, (1000 to 2000 megabytes, or same size as RAM), Beginning of this space and "Use as" = "swap area" then OK.

(Important)

Confirm "Device for boot loader installation" points to the root of the USB drive. Default should be OK if HDD was unplugged.

Click "Install Now".

Select your location.

Select "Continue".

Insert your name, computer name, username, password and select if you want to log in automatically or require a password.cscameron

Select "Continue".

Wait until install is complete.

Turn off computer and plug in the HDD.

Replace the computer's cover.

answered 42 mins ago

C.S.Cameron

4,56411029

add a comment |

Full Install to USB

11.10 is too old, Latest LTS, (Long Term Service), release is 18.04.

Following is a step by step how to install 18.04 on a 16GB flash drive with options for separate Home partition and Windows compatible data partition:

Create a live USB or DVD using SDC, UNetbootin, mkusb, etc.

Turn off and unplug the computer. (See note at bottom)

Unplug the power cable from the hard drive or unplug the hard drive from the laptop.

Plug the computer back in.

Insert the flash drive.

Insert the Live USB or Live DVD.

Start the computer, the USB/DVD should boot.

Select language.

Select install Ubuntu.

Select Keyboard layout

Select "Continue".

Select installation type and "Download updates while installing Ubuntu" and Select "Install third-party software ...", (optional).

Select "Continue".

At "Installation type" select "Something else". (Full disk encryption is now working with flash drives).

Select "Continue".

Confirm target device is correct.

Select "New Partition Table".

Click Continue on the drop down.

(Optional FAT32 data partition for use on Windows machine)

Click "Free space" and "+".

Make "Size..." about 2000 MB.

Select "Primary".

Location = "Beginning of this space".

"Use as:" = "FAT32 file system".

"Mount point" = "/windows".

Select "OK"

(Non Optional Root Partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "Size ..." = 4500 to 6000 MB, "Beginning of this space", Ext4, and Mount point = "/" then OK.

(Optional home partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = 1000 to 6000 MB, Beginning of this space, Ext2, and Mount point = "/home" then OK.

(Optional swap space, allows hibernation)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = remaining space, (1000 to 2000 megabytes, or same size as RAM), Beginning of this space and "Use as" = "swap area" then OK.

(Important)

Confirm "Device for boot loader installation" points to the root of the USB drive. Default should be OK if HDD was unplugged.

Click "Install Now".

Select your location.

Select "Continue".

Insert your name, computer name, username, password and select if you want to log in automatically or require a password.cscameron

Select "Continue".

Wait until install is complete.

Turn off computer and plug in the HDD.

Replace the computer's cover.

answered 42 mins ago

C.S.Cameron

4,56411029

add a comment |

Full Install to USB

11.10 is too old, Latest LTS, (Long Term Service), release is 18.04.

Following is a step by step how to install 18.04 on a 16GB flash drive with options for separate Home partition and Windows compatible data partition:

Create a live USB or DVD using SDC, UNetbootin, mkusb, etc.

Turn off and unplug the computer. (See note at bottom)

Unplug the power cable from the hard drive or unplug the hard drive from the laptop.

Plug the computer back in.

Insert the flash drive.

Insert the Live USB or Live DVD.

Start the computer, the USB/DVD should boot.

Select language.

Select install Ubuntu.

Select Keyboard layout

Select "Continue".

Select installation type and "Download updates while installing Ubuntu" and Select "Install third-party software ...", (optional).

Select "Continue".

At "Installation type" select "Something else". (Full disk encryption is now working with flash drives).

Select "Continue".

Confirm target device is correct.

Select "New Partition Table".

Click Continue on the drop down.

(Optional FAT32 data partition for use on Windows machine)

Click "Free space" and "+".

Make "Size..." about 2000 MB.

Select "Primary".

Location = "Beginning of this space".

"Use as:" = "FAT32 file system".

"Mount point" = "/windows".

Select "OK"

(Non Optional Root Partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "Size ..." = 4500 to 6000 MB, "Beginning of this space", Ext4, and Mount point = "/" then OK.

(Optional home partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = 1000 to 6000 MB, Beginning of this space, Ext2, and Mount point = "/home" then OK.

(Optional swap space, allows hibernation)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = remaining space, (1000 to 2000 megabytes, or same size as RAM), Beginning of this space and "Use as" = "swap area" then OK.

(Important)

Confirm "Device for boot loader installation" points to the root of the USB drive. Default should be OK if HDD was unplugged.

Click "Install Now".

Select your location.

Select "Continue".

Insert your name, computer name, username, password and select if you want to log in automatically or require a password.cscameron

Select "Continue".

Wait until install is complete.

Turn off computer and plug in the HDD.

Replace the computer's cover.

answered 42 mins ago

C.S.Cameron

4,56411029

Full Install to USB

11.10 is too old, Latest LTS, (Long Term Service), release is 18.04.

Following is a step by step how to install 18.04 on a 16GB flash drive with options for separate Home partition and Windows compatible data partition:

Create a live USB or DVD using SDC, UNetbootin, mkusb, etc.

Turn off and unplug the computer. (See note at bottom)

Unplug the power cable from the hard drive or unplug the hard drive from the laptop.

Plug the computer back in.

Insert the flash drive.

Insert the Live USB or Live DVD.

Start the computer, the USB/DVD should boot.

Select language.

Select install Ubuntu.

Select Keyboard layout

Select "Continue".

Select installation type and "Download updates while installing Ubuntu" and Select "Install third-party software ...", (optional).

Select "Continue".

At "Installation type" select "Something else". (Full disk encryption is now working with flash drives).

Select "Continue".

Confirm target device is correct.

Select "New Partition Table".

Click Continue on the drop down.

(Optional FAT32 data partition for use on Windows machine)

Click "Free space" and "+".

Make "Size..." about 2000 MB.

Select "Primary".

Location = "Beginning of this space".

"Use as:" = "FAT32 file system".

"Mount point" = "/windows".

Select "OK"

(Non Optional Root Partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "Size ..." = 4500 to 6000 MB, "Beginning of this space", Ext4, and Mount point = "/" then OK.

(Optional home partition)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = 1000 to 6000 MB, Beginning of this space, Ext2, and Mount point = "/home" then OK.

(Optional swap space, allows hibernation)

Click "free space" and then "+".

Select "Primary", "New partition size ..." = remaining space, (1000 to 2000 megabytes, or same size as RAM), Beginning of this space and "Use as" = "swap area" then OK.

(Important)

Confirm "Device for boot loader installation" points to the root of the USB drive. Default should be OK if HDD was unplugged.

Click "Install Now".

Select your location.

Select "Continue".

Insert your name, computer name, username, password and select if you want to log in automatically or require a password.cscameron

Select "Continue".

Wait until install is complete.

Turn off computer and plug in the HDD.

Replace the computer's cover.

answered 42 mins ago

C.S.Cameron

4,56411029

answered 42 mins ago

C.S.Cameron

4,56411029

answered 42 mins ago

C.S.Cameron

4,56411029

answered 42 mins ago

C.S.Cameron

4,56411029

add a comment |

AirCraft Lover is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.

draft saved

draft discarded

AirCraft Lover is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.

Thanks for contributing an answer to Ask Ubuntu!

Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

But avoid …

Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.

To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.

draft saved

draft discarded

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Name

Required, but never shown

Name

Required, but never shown

This page is only for reference, If you need detailed information, please check here

搜尋此網誌

Jtdcftul