How to Create and Use a Live Linux USB Drive with Persistence
Download Live Linux: A Guide for Beginners
Linux is a versatile and powerful operating system that can run on various devices, from desktops and laptops to servers and smartphones. But did you know that you can also run Linux directly from a USB drive or a DVD, without installing it on your hard disk? This is called live linux, and it has many advantages over a regular installation.
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In this article, we will explain what live linux is, why you might want to use it, how to create bootable media with live linux, how to compare different live linux distributions, how to install live linux on a USB drive or a DVD, and how to troubleshoot common issues with live linux. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of live linux and how to use it for various purposes.
What is Live Linux and Why Use It?
Live linux is a term that refers to a Linux distribution that can run directly from a removable media, such as a USB drive or a DVD, without requiring installation or any changes to the host computer. Live linux allows you to try Linux on any machine with a USB port or an optical drive, without affecting its existing operating system or data.
There are many reasons why you might want to use live linux, such as:
To test Linux before installing it on your hard disk.
To perform system maintenance or recovery tasks on your computer or another computer.
To securely browse the internet without storing any history or cookie data.
To access files and edit files stored on your computer or USB stick.
To create new office suite documents and save them remotely.
To run specialized applications or tools that are not available on your regular operating system.
To experiment with different Linux distributions and desktop environments.
Benefits of Live Linux
Live linux has many benefits over a regular installation, such as:
It is portable and can be used on any machine with a USB port or an optical drive.
It does not alter your computer's configuration in any way, and a simple restart without the USB drive or DVD is all that's needed to restore your machine to its previous state.
It is fast and responsive, as it runs entirely from the RAM memory.
It is secure and private, as it does not store any personal data or leave any traces on the host computer.
It is customizable and flexible, as you can choose from a wide range of Linux distributions and desktop environments.
How to Create Bootable Media with Live Linux
To use live linux, you need to create bootable media from an ISO file, which is a disc image file containing the Linux distribution's installation files. You can download ISO files from the official websites of various Linux distributions. Sometimes, you'll be asked to choose between 32-bit and 64-bit distributions. Most modern computers have 64-bit-capable CPUs. If your computer was made in the last decade, you should choose the 64-bit version.
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There are several ways you can create bootable media with live linux, depending on the type of media you want to use and the operating system you are using. Here are some common methods:
Using Rufus on Windows
If you want to create a bootable USB drive with live linux on Windows, you can use Rufus, which is a free and easy-to-use tool that can create bootable USB drives from ISO files. You can download Rufus from its official website. To use Rufus, follow these steps:
Insert a USB drive into your computer and make sure it has enough space to hold the ISO file. Rufus will erase all the data on the USB drive, so make sure you back up any important files before proceeding.
Run Rufus and select your USB drive from the Device dropdown menu.
Click on the Select button and browse to the location of the ISO file you downloaded.
Leave the other settings as default, unless you know what you are doing.
Click on the Start button and wait for Rufus to create the bootable USB drive.
When Rufus is done, you can safely eject the USB drive and use it to boot live linux on any compatible machine.
Using dd on Linux
If you want to create a bootable USB drive with live linux on Linux, you can use dd, which is a command-line tool that can copy and convert data. You can use dd to write an ISO file to a USB drive, but be careful, as dd can also overwrite your hard disk if you use the wrong device name. To use dd, follow these steps:
Insert a USB drive into your computer and make sure it has enough space to hold the ISO file. dd will erase all the data on the USB drive, so make sure you back up any important files before proceeding.
Open a terminal and run the command lsblk to list all the block devices on your system. Identify the device name of your USB drive, such as /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc.
Run the command sudo umount /dev/sdX*, where X is the letter of your USB drive, to unmount any partitions on the USB drive.
Run the command sudo dd if=/path/to/iso/file of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress, where X is the letter of your USB drive and /path/to/iso/file is the location of the ISO file you downloaded. This will write the ISO file to the USB drive and show you the progress.
When dd is done, run the command sync to flush any cached data to the USB drive.
You can safely eject the USB drive and use it to boot live linux on any compatible machine.
Using Etcher on macOS
If you want to create a bootable USB drive with live linux on macOS, you can use Etcher, which is a free and open-source tool that can create bootable USB drives from ISO files. You can download Etcher from its official website. To use Etcher, follow these steps:
Insert a USB drive into your computer and make sure it has enough space to hold the ISO file. Etcher will erase all the data on the USB drive, so make sure you back up any important files before proceeding.
Run Etcher and click on the Select image button and browse to the location of the ISO file you downloaded.
Click on the Select target button and choose your USB drive from the list of available devices.
Click on the Flash! button and wait for Etcher to create the bootable USB drive.
When Etcher is done, you can safely eject the USB drive and use it to boot live linux on any compatible machine.
Comparison of Popular Live Linux Distros
There are hundreds of Linux distributions available, each with its own features, advantages, and disadvantages. Some of them are designed specifically for live usage, while others can be used both as live and installed systems. Here are some of the most popular live linux distros that you can try:
Ubuntu
is one of the most popular and user-friendly Linux distributions in the world. It is based on Debian and uses the GNOME desktop environment by default. Ubuntu is known for its ease of use, stability, security, and support. Ubuntu offers a live mode that allows you to try it before installing it on your hard disk. You can also install additional software from the Ubuntu Softwa