If you’re looking to install a new operating system, troubleshoot your computer, or run a live version of an OS, booting from a USB drive is a convenient and efficient option. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of booting from a USB drive on different devices, including virtual machines.
Why Boot from USB?
Booting from a USB drive allows you to run an operating system without installing it on your computer’s hard drive. This is useful for testing out a new OS, troubleshooting issues with your current OS, or running a live version of an OS for temporary use. It also allows you to install an OS on a computer without a CD/DVD drive.
What You’ll Need
Before we get started, make sure you have the following:
- A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage
- An ISO file of the operating system you want to boot from
- A computer or virtual machine with the ability to boot from USB
Booting from USB on a PC
Step 1: Create a Bootable USB Drive
First, you’ll need to create a bootable USB drive. This involves formatting the drive and copying the ISO file onto it. There are several tools you can use to create a bootable USB drive, such as Rufus, UNetbootin, or the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.
For this guide, we’ll be using Rufus. Download and install Rufus, then follow these steps:
- Insert your USB drive into your computer.
- Open Rufus and select your USB drive from the “Device” dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Select” button next to “Boot selection” and choose the ISO file of the operating system you want to boot from.
- Leave all other settings as default and click on “Start”.
- Rufus will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be erased. Click “OK” to proceed.
- Wait for Rufus to finish creating the bootable USB drive.
Step 2: Change Boot Order in BIOS
Next, you’ll need to change the boot order in your computer’s BIOS to prioritize booting from the USB drive. The exact steps for accessing the BIOS may vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer, but it usually involves pressing a key (such as F2, F10, or Del) during startup.
Once you’re in the BIOS, look for the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section and move the USB drive to the top of the list. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
Step 3: Boot from USB
Restart your computer and it should now boot from the USB drive. If it doesn’t, you may need to press a key (such as F12) during startup to access the boot menu and select the USB drive from there.
Booting from USB on a Mac
Step 1: Create a Bootable USB Drive
To create a bootable USB drive on a Mac, you can use the built-in Disk Utility tool. Follow these steps:
- Insert your USB drive into your Mac.
- Open Disk Utility (you can find it in the Applications > Utilities folder).
- Select your USB drive from the list on the left.
- Click on the “Erase” tab and choose “MS-DOS (FAT)” as the format.
- Click on “Erase” to format the USB drive.
- Once the formatting is complete, click on the “Restore” tab.
- Drag and drop the ISO file of the operating system you want to boot from into the “Source” field.
- Drag and drop your USB drive into the “Destination” field.
- Click on “Restore” to copy the ISO file onto the USB drive.
Step 2: Boot from USB
Restart your Mac and hold down the Option key during startup. This will bring up the boot menu. Select the USB drive from the list and press Enter to boot from it.
Booting from USB on VirtualBox
Step 1: Create a Bootable USB Drive
To create a bootable USB drive for use on a virtual machine, you’ll need to use a tool called VirtualBox Extension Pack. Download and install VirtualBox Extension Pack, then follow these steps:
- Insert your USB drive into your computer.
- Open VirtualBox and select the virtual machine you want to boot from USB.
- Click on “Settings” and go to the “USB” tab.
- Check the box next to “Enable USB Controller” and select “USB 2.0 (EHCI) Controller” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Add” button (the USB icon with a plus sign) and select your USB drive from the list.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.
Step 2: Boot from USB
Start your virtual machine and it should now boot from the USB drive. If it doesn’t, you may need to change the boot order in the virtual machine’s BIOS. This can usually be accessed by pressing a key (such as F2 or Del) during startup.
Troubleshooting
If you’re having trouble booting from USB, here are a few things you can try:
- Make sure your USB drive is formatted correctly and the ISO file is copied onto it properly.
- Check your computer’s BIOS settings to ensure that booting from USB is enabled.
- Try using a different USB drive or creating the bootable USB drive with a different tool.
- If you’re using a virtual machine, make sure the virtual machine’s BIOS is set to boot from USB.
Conclusion
Booting from a USB drive is a useful skill to have, whether you’re looking to install a new operating system, troubleshoot your computer, or run a live version of an OS. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should now be able to boot from USB on a PC, Mac, or virtual machine. Happy booting!