List of tools to create bootable USB

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This is a list of utilities for creating a live USB. Only those listed on Wikipedia are included.

Contents

Overview

NameDeveloperLicensingMaintained?MultibootPersistence support for Linux distributionsRuns on (OS)Target OS
balenaEtcher Balena Apache License 2.0 YesYesLinux, macOS, WindowsAnything
DasBoot SubRosaSoft Freeware NoNomacOSmacOS
dd Various developers Free software (most vendors)YesNoUnix-likeAnything
Fedora Media Writer The Fedora Project GNU GPL v2 YesNoLinux, macOS, Windows Fedora
GNOME Disks Gnome disks contributors GPL-2.0-or-later YesNoLinuxAnything
LinuxLive USB Creator (LiLi)Thibaut Lauzière GNU GPL v3 NoNoWindowsLinux
remastersys Tony Brijeski GNU GPL v2 No [1] NoDebian, Linux Mint, UbuntuDebian and derivatives
Rufus Pete Batard GNU GPL v3 YesNoWindowsAnything
SliTaz TazUSB SliTaz GNU GPL v3 YesNo SliTaz GNU/Linux SliTaz GNU/Linux
Ubuntu Live USB creator Canonical Ltd GNU GPL v3 YesNoUbuntu, WindowsUbuntu
UNetbootin Geza Kovacs GNU GPL v2+ [2] YesNoLinux, macOS, WindowsAnything
Universal USB Installer (UUI)Pendrivelinux GNU GPL YesNo [3] WindowsLinux
Ventoy longpanda GNU GPL v3+ [4] YesYesYesLinux, WindowsAnything
Windows To Go Microsoft Proprietary NoNo Windows Windows

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linux distribution</span> Operating system based on the Linux kernel

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandriva Linux</span> Linux distribution

Mandriva Linux is a discontinued Linux distribution developed by Mandriva S.A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knoppix</span> Linux distribution

KNOPPIX is an operating system based on Debian designed to be run directly from a CD / DVD or a USB flash drive, one of the first live operating system distributions. Knoppix was developed by, and named after, Linux consultant Klaus Knopper. When starting a program, it is loaded from the removable medium and decompressed into a RAM drive. The decompression is transparent and on-the-fly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Live CD</span> Complete, bootable computer installation that runs directly from a CD-ROM

A live CD is a complete bootable computer installation including operating system which runs directly from a CD-ROM or similar storage device into a computer's memory, rather than loading from a hard disk drive. A live CD allows users to run an operating system for any purpose without installing it or making any changes to the computer's configuration. Live CDs can run on a computer without secondary storage, such as a hard disk drive, or with a corrupted hard disk drive or file system, allowing data recovery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damn Small Linux</span> Linux-based operating system

Damn Small Linux (DSL) is a discontinued computer operating system for the x86 family of personal computers. It is free and open-source software under the terms of the GNU GPL and other free and open source licenses. It was designed to run graphical user interface applications on older PC hardware, for example, machines with 486 and early Pentium microprocessors and very little random-access memory (RAM). DSL is a Live CD with a size of 50 megabytes (MB). What originally began as an experiment to see how much software could fit in 50 MB eventually became a full Linux distribution. It can be installed on storage media with small capacities, like bootable business cards, USB flash drives, various memory cards, and Zip drives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multi-booting</span> Act of installing multiple operating systems on a single computer

Multi-booting is the act of installing multiple operating systems on a single computer, and being able to choose which one to boot. The term dual-booting refers to the common configuration of specifically two operating systems. Multi-booting may require a custom boot loader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zenwalk</span> Slackware-based Linux distribution

Zenwalk GNU/Linux is a desktop-focused Linux distribution founded by Jean-Philippe Guillemin. It is based on Slackware with very few modifications at system level making it 100% compatible with Slackware. It aims to be a modern, multi-purpose Linux distribution by focusing on internet applications, multimedia and programming tools. It comes with many specialized tools and is designed for beginner through advanced users, as it offers system configuration via both graphical tools and the command line.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Live USB</span> USB drive with a full bootable operating system

A live USB is a portable USB-attached external data storage device containing a full operating system that can be booted from. The term is reminiscent of USB flash drives but may encompass an external hard disk drive or solid-state drive, though they may be referred to as "live HDD" and "live SSD" respectively. They are the evolutionary next step after live CDs, but with the added benefit of writable storage, allowing customizations to the booted operating system. Live USBs can be used in embedded systems for system administration, data recovery, or test driving, and can persistently save settings and install software packages on the USB device.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamlinux</span>

Dreamlinux was a Brazilian computer operating system based on Debian Linux. It can boot as a live CD, from USB flash drive, or can be installed on a hard drive. The distribution's GUI aims to have a centered animated toolbar. As of October 2012, The Dreamlinux Project has been discontinued.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Software remastering</span>

Software remastering is software development that recreates system software and applications while incorporating customizations, with the intent that it is copied and run elsewhere for "off-label" usage. The term comes from remastering in media production, where it is similarly distinguished from mere copying.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wubi (software)</span> Ubuntu Linux installer for Windows

Wubi is a free software Ubuntu installer, that was the official Windows-based software, from 2008 until 2013, to install Ubuntu from within Windows, to a single file within an existing Windows partition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UNetbootin</span>

UNetbootin is a cross-platform utility that can create live USB systems and can load a variety of system utilities or install various Linux distributions and other operating systems without a CD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calculate Linux</span> Linux distribution

Calculate Linux is a Linux distribution optimized for fast deployment in an organization environment. It is based on the Gentoo Linux project and includes many preconfigured functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porteus (operating system)</span> Portable operating system based on the Linux distribution Slackware

Porteus is a portable operating system based on Slackware. It does not require installation and can be run from fixed and removable media, such as a USB flash drive or compact disc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal USB Installer</span> Linux flash drive creation software

Universal USB Installer (UUI) is an open-source live Linux USB flash drive creation software. It allows users to create a bootable live USB flash drive using an ISO image from a supported Linux distribution, antivirus utility, system tool, or Microsoft Windows installer. The USB boot software can also be used to make Windows 8, 10, or 11 run entirely from USB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LinuxConsole</span> Linux distribution

LinuxConsole is a Linux-based operating system independently developed by Yann Le Doaré. The distro is built from scratch by developers from France, and has support for multiple languages. It is not based on any other Linux distribution and primarily focuses on being lightweight and easily accessible. LinuxConsole can function as a live CD or live USB. It can also be installed as a complete operating system. LinuxConsole should be written as one word. The "console" part of the word isn't related to Linux system console mode, but instead represents the ease of using a game console.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ventoy</span> Live USB Bootloader

Ventoy is a free and open-source utility used for writing image files such as .iso, .wim, .img, .vhd(x), and .efi files onto storage media to create bootable USB flash drives. Once Ventoy is installed onto a USB drive, there is no need to reformat the disk to update it with new installation files; it is enough to copy the .iso, .wim, .img, .img(x), or .efi file(s) to the USB drive and boot from them directly. Ventoy will present the user with a boot menu to select one of these files.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CachyOS</span> Arch-based Linux Distribution

CachyOS is a Linux distribution based on the Arch Linux operating system, with the end goal of simpler installing and customizing, and improved performance while remaining compatible.

References

  1. "remastersys web page". remastersys.com.
  2. "UNetbootin - Homepage and Downloads". unetbootin.github.io.
  3. "Universal USB Installer – Boot From USB". 8 February 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2023. If you are looking to add multiple Live Linux distributions, System Diagnostic Tools, Antivirus Utilities, and Windows Installers, you should use YUMI Multiboot Software, instead.
  4. "Ventoy". www.ventoy.net.