How to create a bootable USB drive in Linux

Here is the guide on how to create a bootable USB drive in Linux

If you are currently running Linux as your operating system and have already installed it on your computer, but now wish to explore and install a different operating system such as Windows or any other Linux-based distros, the next step would be to create a bootable USB drive. To assist you in this process, I have prepared a comprehensive step-by-step guide that will walk you through the creation of a bootable USB drive on your Linux operating system using Balena Etcher. Balena Etcher is a highly regarded and user-friendly software application known for simplifying this task effectively.

By following this guide, you will be able to create a bootable USB drive successfully, enabling you to install your desired operating system and expand your exploration of different software environments.

1. Capacity: Ensure that your USB drive has a minimum capacity of 8GB or higher
2. It is advisable to use a USB 2.0 or newer version for better compatibility and performance when creating a bootable USB drive. Higher USB versions may provide faster data transfer rates, which can improve the overall efficiency of the bootable USB drive.

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To start the process of making bootable USB Drive

1. To begin, download Balena Etcher on your computer. You can download it from the official website at https://etcher.balena.io/#download-etcher. Ensure that you select the appropriate version that is compatible with your operating system. If you are using Linux, I suggest downloading the AppImage version.
2. Afterward, you can install “AppImage Launcher” on your system to execute the AppImage file. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:appimagelauncher-team/stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install appimagelauncher

3. After completing these steps, launch the Balena Etcher software.

4. Insert the pendrive to the USB Port

5. Once you are inside the Balena Etcher application, you will find a user-friendly and intuitive interface. To proceed, click on the “Flash from file” button, and browse your ISO file.

6. After selecting the image file, click on the “Select target” Balena Etcher will automatically detect the connected USB Penddrive. Verify that the correct USB drive is selected as the target device. Be careful not to select the wrong drive, as it will be overwritten during the process.

7. After confirming that you have selected the correct image and target device, click on the “Flash!” button to initiate the creation of the bootable USB drive. During the process, it may prompt you to enter the administrator password. Please enter your password when prompted and wait patiently until the process is completed.

If you prefer a visual guide, you can watch the tutorial video provided below. It offers a clear demonstration of the steps involved in creating a bootable USB drive on Linux using Balena Etcher. This video will simplify the process and provide a better understanding of each step.