If you want to replace your computers existing operating system, or you’re curious about Linux and wish to try it. In order to do so, you will need to create a self booting USB flash drive, and then add to it a Linux distro. So in this video we take a look at how you simplify this process using a free application called, Balena Etcher.
Note: In most instances you can use an 8GB or higher USB flash drive when creating your install media. However we recommend that you use drives that are USB 3.1 or higher. As this can improve loading speeds.
- Download and install the Balena Etcher application.
- Download to your computer the Linux distro you want to try. For our example we used Ubuntu.
Note: We like to use Ubuntu as it is a well establish Linux Distro, that is well supported by its community. So finding beginners tutorials, or troubleshooting fixes to problems. Is often a little easier than with other Linux distro’s.
- Insert a blank USB flash drive into your computer.
- Open Etcher and follow the on screen instructions by first choosing the Linux you already downloaded to your computer.
- Next click on Select Target and choose the blank USB flash drive you plugged into your computer.
- Finally click on Flash so that Etcher can build your Linux self booting installer.
Note: It will take between roughly 10 and 12 minutes for Etcher to create a self booting media drive. However this will be dependent on the type and speed of the USB flash drive you use.
Note: In order to get your computer to boot from a USB flash drive. You will need to access your computers boot menu. This is typically done by pressing a hot key, at a specific point while your computer boots.
Rather annoyingly, the hot key will not be the same for every model of computer. So you may need to check with the manufacture of your computer as to which key is the correct key to use. However as a general rule, the boot menu key will usually be either Esc, F7, F8, F9, F10, F12 or the FN key and F12.
- In order to place your Windows/Linux computer into the boot menu you will need to do the following:
- With the computer powered down.
- Press the power button, and immediately start to repeatedly press the hot key designated on your computer for loading the boot menu.
- Keep pressing the hot key until you see the boot menu or are informed that the boot menu is loading.
Note: If you see the log in screen or Windows starts to load. Then you have missed the window for loading the boot menu. So you will need to power down your computer and try again.
- The boot menu will display all of the storage drives that the computer can see.
- Using the cursor keys, move through the list of storage options and locate your USB flash drive. Usually with a USB flash drive being at the top of the list.
- Now press Enter on the keyboard to have your computer boot from the flash drive.
- Website – Balena Etcher.
- [ A popular and well supported OS] – Ubuntu download page.
- [Clean Mac like OS based on Ubuntu] – Elementary download page.
- [ A flexible OS good for people new to Linux] – Pop OS download page.
- [A reliable and long established OS] – Debian OS download page.
- [A games console like OS for AMD based hardware] – SteamOS download page.
- [ An OS designed for gamers that supports NVIDIA hardware] – Bazzite download page.
- [Offers a UI similar to the OS you are currently using] – Zorin OS download page.
- Balena Etcher – FAQ
- Etcher website – FAQ
- Wikipedia – Linux Distribution.
