How to Boot Your Computer from a USB Stick
After creating a bootable USB stick, you can use it to run Linux or other software directly on your computer. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Insert the USB Stick
Plug the bootable USB stick into an available USB port on your computer.
Step 2: Access the Boot Menu or BIOS/UEFI
You need to tell your computer to boot from the USB instead of the hard drive.
- Restart your computer.
- Immediately press the key to enter the Boot Menu or BIOS/UEFI. Common keys include: F12, F10, F2, Esc, Del. Check your computer’s manual if unsure.
- Some computers show a short message like “Press F12 for Boot Options” when starting up.
Step 3: Select the USB Drive
- In the Boot Menu, look for your USB stick in the list of devices.
- Select the USB stick and confirm.
- If you’re in BIOS/UEFI, change the boot order so the USB drive is first, then save and exit.
Step 4: Boot from the USB
- Your computer should now start from the USB stick.
- If it’s a Linux Live USB, you can try the OS without installing it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions for installation or testing.
Tips
- On newer systems with UEFI, you may need to disable Secure Boot for some Linux distributions.
- If the computer still boots from the hard drive, recheck the boot order or use the Boot Menu key.
- Always double-check that you’re selecting the correct USB device to avoid accidental data loss.