How to Install an Operating System from a USB

Edited 8 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Operating SystemInstallationUSBComputerWindowsMacSoftwareDevice ManagementPerformanceUser Guide

Installing an operating system (OS) from a USB drive is a common task that many people have to do at one time or another. This guide will walk you through every step of the process in detail so you understand every part. We'll cover everything from preparing the USB drive to installing the OS on your computer. The purpose of this lesson is to provide a simple explanation suitable for beginners.

Step 1: Preparing the USB Drive

First, you need to prepare a USB drive that will contain the operating system installation files. Follow these sub-steps to get started:

• Get a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage space. This will ensure that you have enough space for the OS installation files.
• Make sure to back up all important data from the USB drive. Formatting the drive will erase all data on it.
• Download the ISO file for the operating system you want to install. For Windows, you can download it from the official Microsoft website. For Linux distributions, you can find ISO files on their respective websites.

Step 2: Download and install the tool to create a bootable USB drive

Next, you'll need a tool to transfer the OS ISO file to a USB drive and make it bootable. Popular tools for this purpose include:

• Rufus (Windows)
• UNetbootin (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Etcher (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Let's take Rufus as an example:

1. Go to the official website of Rufus and download the latest version.
2. Run the Rufus executable file to launch the application.

Step 3: Create a bootable USB drive

Now that you've installed the necessary software, it's time to create a bootable USB drive:

1. Insert your USB drive into an available USB port on your computer.
2. Open Rufus. You'll see your USB drive listed under "Devices."
3. Under “Boot Selection,” click the “Select” button and browse to the location of your downloaded ISO file.
4. Make sure the "Partition Scheme" is set to "MBR" for BIOS or "GPT" for UEFI, depending on your computer's firmware. Most modern computers use UEFI.
5. Leave the file system as "FAT32".
6. Click "START" to begin creating the bootable USB drive. This process may take a few minutes.

Step 4: Configure your computer to boot from USB

Once the bootable USB drive is ready, you'll need to set your computer to boot from the USB drive instead of the internal hard drive:

1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. This is usually done by pressing a key such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc during the startup screen.
2. Go to the "Boot" menu or tab under the BIOS/UEFI settings.
3. Change the boot order so that the USB drive is listed first. This ensures that your computer will boot from the USB drive before the internal hard drive.
4. Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings. Your computer should restart and boot from the USB drive.

Step 5: Install the Operating System

Now that your computer is ready to boot from a USB drive, it's time to install the operating system:

Installing Windows

1. When the computer boots from the USB drive, you will see the Windows setup screen.
2. Select your language, time, and keyboard preferences and click "Next."
3. Click "Install Now."
4. Enter your product key or select "I don't have a product key" to enter it later.
5. Accept the license terms and click "Next."
6. Select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" for a clean installation.
7. Select the drive where you want to install Windows and click "Next". This will begin the installation process.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Your computer will restart several times during this process.

Installing a Linux distribution

1. When the computer boots from the USB drive, you will see the installation menu of the Linux distribution.
2. Select the option to "install" the operating system. This option may vary slightly depending on the distribution.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set your installation preferences, such as language, keyboard layout, and time zone.
4. When asked about the installation type, choose one of the following options:
   • "Erase disk and install" to install the OS on the entire disk (warning: this will erase all data on the disk).
   • "Something else" for advanced users who want to create their own disk partitions.
5. Choose the drive where you want to install the OS and follow the prompts. The installer will copy files to your drive.
6. Set up your user account and password if prompted.
7. Complete the installation by following any additional prompts. Your computer will reboot after the installation is finished.

Step 6: Configuration after installation

Once the OS installation is complete, you'll need to do some initial setup and configuration:

for Windows

• Complete the out-of-box experience (OOBE) setup by following the on-screen instructions, which may include setting up Cortana, choosing privacy settings, and signing in with a Microsoft account.
• Install the necessary drivers for your hardware. Windows often does this automatically, but you may need to manually download drivers from the manufacturer's website.
• Update Windows by going to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Update" and checking for updates.
• Install any desired software and configure your system preferences.

For Linux distributions

• Log in to your new system using the account you created during installation.
• Update your system by opening a terminal and using the package manager. For example, on Ubuntu, you would use:

  sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

• Install any additional software you need. Use your distribution's package manager or software center.
• Configure the system settings according to your preferences through the System Settings menu.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any problems during the installation process, here are some common problems and their solutions:

USB drive not recognized

If your computer doesn’t recognize the USB drive as a boot device:

• Make sure the USB drive is properly formatted and created as a bootable drive.
• Check your BIOS/UEFI settings to make sure USB booting is enabled.
• Try using a different USB drive or port on your computer.

Installation stops or fails

If the installation process stops or fails:

• To make sure your ISO file is not corrupted, check its checksum against the checksum provided by the OS distributor.
• Try recreating the bootable USB drive from another tool or USB drive.
• Check for any problems with your hardware. Bad RAM or a bad hard drive can cause the installation to fail.

Post-installation problems

If you encounter any problems after installing the operating system:

• Make sure all your hardware drivers are up to date.
• Search online forums for solutions to specific problems related to your operating system.
• Consult your OS's official support channel for further assistance.

Conclusion

Installing an operating system from a USB drive is a straightforward process if you follow each step carefully. Whether you're installing a Windows or Linux distribution, the general process remains the same: prepare a bootable USB drive, configure your computer to boot from USB, and install the operating system.

By following this guide, you should have no trouble completing the installation. Remember to back up any important data before you begin, and consult additional resources if you encounter any particular problems.

Good luck with your installation, and enjoy your new operating system!

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