It allows you to try out the popular Unix-like operating system without making changes to the computer. A bootable USB drive provides the same experience to the user as an Ubuntu Live DVD.

Whichever method you choose, you’ll need the Linux distribution’s ISO file.įor example, Ubuntu Linux has two built-in methods for creating a bootable USB drive. You can also use the dd command to do this from a terminal on any Linux distro. There are two ways to do this: Some Linux distributions include a graphical USB startup disk creator tool that will do it for you. While you don’t technically “burn” the ISO file to a USB drive, there’s a special process required to take a Linux ISO file and make a bootable USB drive with it.

You can’t simply copy or extract the ISO file to the USB drive and expect it to work, however. You can also install a Linux distribution on your PC from it-no CD or DVD drive required. Like a live CD or DVD, a bootable USB drive lets you run practically any Linux distribution without affecting your computer.