How to Install Linux Mint on a USB Drive | Full Step-by-Step Bootable USB Guide

[@PulsarTECH]

Thanks for watching! 😊 If you enjoyed the video, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more content! Your support means a lot. If you'd like to support the channel further, consider using Super Thanks! 🚀

[@VanDannyCyrus]

Big thanks for sharing this awesome tutorial, I'm looking forward to get Linux installed on my USB drive and use it😊

[@PulsarTECH]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@realme8i47]

Thanks for mentioning the keys to enter the boot menu for different machines 👍

[@PulsarTECH]

Any time!

[@premabhakti4034]

Thank you for this complete guide. I needed these step by step instructions. Is it necessary to verify the ISO?

[@PulsarTECH]

Thanks for your feedback. It is recommended to verify the iso to check for its integrity and authenticity.

[@ontheroad1930]

I am going to make my own USB stick Linux OS as well. Great detailed video.

[@PulsarTECH]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PistonShack]

Keep the good work up! You nailed it!

[@PulsarTECH]

Thanks! Will do! Thanks for your support.

[@RedCroc-sr6cc]

Oh wow, that's awesome. I wonder if you can make a dual boot on a USB drive? Like Windows and Linux?

[@premabhakti4034]

Good idea

[@PulsarTECH]

Yes, you can install both Windows 10 and Linux on a single USB drive to create a dual-boot setup. However, this process is a bit more complex than installing a single operating system due to the way Windows and Linux handle partitions, bootloaders, and drive requirements.

[@HyperSpeed249]

I like Linux Mint. Great guide btw.😎

[@PulsarTECH]

Thank you

[@julieandpinky]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@PulsarTECH]

You're welcome!

[@OjStudios]

Helped alot! Thank you for this guide!

[@PulsarTECH]

Glad to hear it!

[@kingiv3943]

Great, thank you very much! Will be very helpful to me.

[@PulsarTECH]

Glad to hear that!

[@user--__--]

Hello, after this process I can successfully start Linux Mint from USB on my computer. However, when I try to start it on another computer with the same USB, the computer reads the USB but it does not appear in the BIOS or I get an error during startup. How can I solve this problem?

[@PulsarTECH]

It sounds like the USB drive may not be configured properly for the second computer. Here's how to fix it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYbYpHxsbad-iZY

[@user--__--]

​@@PulsarTECH For more than 1 week I have been trying to make the usb drive bootable but this method didn't work either. There is nothing wrong with my bios settings and I'm sure I'm doing it the right way.

[@dhanushmengji3584]

Can i install the linux mint on the same usb as it was flashed on?

[@PulsarTECH]

Hi, no, installing Linux Mint on the same USB drive that you used to flash the installer typically isn’t practical or advised. The USB drive needs to be used solely as the installer to boot and install Linux Mint onto another storage device, such as an internal or external hard drive, SSD, or a separate USB drive.

[@johancahyadi6905]

What happen if we skip step 2?

[@PulsarTECH]

Hi, good question. Not much can go wrong, but there’s a chance the ISO could get corrupted during download. If that happens, it might not install properly, or you could encounter errors during flashing or installation. While the chances of this are small, it’s still possible. Skipping authentication isn’t inherently bad. However, if you want to ensure the ISO is verified as genuine and from a trusted source, it’s recommended to perform step 2.

[@kevingray1771]

It works on my toshiba portege z30-c laptop but don't have utility drivers to install that is needed for my toshiba laptop because it design for windows os

[@PulsarTECH]

That's great it works! You can try searching for specific drivers for your Toshiba laptop in the Linux Mint forums or online.

[@PaulC001]

this might be a silly question but can i install this on a fast external hard drive, one that's over 1TB

[@PulsarTECH]

Hi, yes, you can install Linux Mint on a fast external hard drive with over 1TB of capacity. Important Considerations BIOS/UEFI Compatibility: Ensure the computer you plan to use supports booting from external drives. Match the external drive’s partition table (MBR or GPT) with your system's boot mode (Legacy or UEFI). Performance: Use a USB 3.0 or higher port for optimal speed. Consider using an NVMe SSD in a compatible enclosure for the best performance. Data Safety: Make sure not to overwrite your internal drive's bootloader or data. Hope this helps!

[@PaulC001]

@@PulsarTECH this is why i had to ask. i didn't know if it would work the same or be seen as just another thumb drive.

[@partur6590]

thanks man

[@PulsarTECH]

No problem!

[@masterm-cw7go]

Yes but how to keep all drivers for all graphics and chipsets usualy after some updates, system get optimized for existing PC and the rest is cleaned.

[@PulsarTECH]

Hi, when you install Linux Mint on a USB drive and use it across multiple computers with different hardware configurations, Linux Mint is quite versatile and handles hardware changes dynamically. Linux Mint has a modular driver architecture. Most common hardware drivers (for things like Wi-Fi, graphics, audio, etc.) are included in the Linux kernel itself. It will detect the new hardware (like CPU, GPU, network adapters, etc.) and load the appropriate drivers for that hardware from the kernel's built-in set of drivers. For some hardware, especially proprietary drivers (e.g., for certain graphics cards), Linux Mint may need to download and install the correct driver, but this would typically happen only once per new machine if needed.

[@dimspc]

I have a problem it says this Could not create MokListRT: Volume Full Could not create MokListXRT: Volume Full Could not create SbatLevelRT: Volume Full Could not create MokListTrustedRT: Volume Full Something has gone seriously wrong: import_mok_state() failed: Volume Full

[@PulsarTECH]

Hi, the error you're encountering during the Linux Mint installation is related to Secure Boot and the management of Machine Owner Key (MOK) variables in the UEFI firmware. These messages indicate that the system's UEFI firmware does not have enough space to store new MOK entries, causing the process to fail. Restart your computer and enter the UEFI/BIOS settings (usually by pressing a key like F2, DEL, or ESC during boot). Locate the Secure Boot option and disable it. Save the settings and reboot. Try the installation again. Hope this helps!

[@dimspc]

@@PulsarTECH Thanks

[@brianellis5164]

Hi I've having trouble trying to flash a SSD drive using either of those programs. I created a volume with GPT and MBR and can see it fine in win 11 neither of those types of volumes seem to work. I disabled everything in windows defender and ran the apps in admin mode. It doesn't show up as a device in rufus. Balena etcher doesn't allow me to select the target after opening the image file. Is there some other way to image a SSD in Win 11?

[@PulsarTECH]

Hi, I would suggest you use a USB drive to flash the ISO on and use SSD to install Linux Mint on.

[@brianellis5164]

@@PulsarTECH Hi I actually got it to work . The latest version of balena etcher isn't working. I had to download a version from a year ago on GitHub and then it worked perfectly.

[@mim0so]

Having trouble with putting the .iso into balenaEtcher it's not showing up when I try to flash it. Any guide on what to do?

[@PulsarTECH]

Hi, try an alternative way with Rufus.

[@mim0so]

​@@PulsarTECHThanks! It worked :D

[@PulsarTECH]

@@mim0so perfect!

[@sassos4018]

hi nice video, but I have a problem; the installation took 4 hours and it was only half done, how can I solve it?

[@PulsarTECH]

Hi, how old is the computer that you're using? Do you use USB 2.0 sticks? Try switching to USB 3.0. Though it really shouldn't take so long. Maybe the USB drives are old or have some issues.

[@sassos4018]

Ok thanks

[@PulsarTECH]

@@sassos4018 you're welcome!

[@UserBig1]

I couldn't see my 128 GB install USB stick when choosing the bootloader destination so I choose the same as the installation(1 TB SSD USB). I got a warning but all is working fine.

[@PulsarTECH]

That’s interesting, glad it worked out for you! though if you try it on a different machine, it probably won't boot. To fix it, check out the video I have just posted to repair bootloader on USB drive.

[@UserBig1]

@@PulsarTECH When I boot from the stick, I have the option to boot to the Kubuntu installed in of the computer SSD but no option for Windows 10. But it's fine for me. Also, Kubuntu has no problem with Wine for my old Windows games, Will try to install them later. NVidia driver is more recent in Mint.

[@PulsarTECH]

@@UserBig1 you bet

[@LucasBoss6354]

Can I put something else on the usb?

[@PulsarTECH]

Hi, yes, you can store other files on a USB drive with Linux Mint installed as a bootable OS, provided there's enough space on the drive.

[@LucasBoss6354]

@@PulsarTECH Thank you! Btw, wonderful tutorial! I am having a lot of fun with the terminal! Keep up the great work!

[@PulsarTECH]

@@LucasBoss6354 thank you for your feedback. I have a few ideas for new Linux videos. Yes, using terminal is fun!

[@heatherjones9090]

I am having problem keep say you need a kernel every time I try install it

[@PulsarTECH]

@@heatherjones9090 If you're getting a message that says a kernel is needed while trying to install Linux Mint on a USB drive, it may indicate an issue with the way the bootable USB drive was created or the configuration of the system boot settings. Here is another video that might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYbYpHxsbad-iZY

[@vanislandsteve]

🇨🇦👍🏻

[@PulsarTECH]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@lewlewandowski4207]

Linux mint only boots up on the pc i was installing it with onto the portable ssd.

[@lewlewandowski4207]

I can’t find any explanation on why is that happening.

[@lewlewandowski4207]

Also when I plug it in while windows is running it doesn’t reed the portable ssd as a storage device.

[@lewlewandowski4207]

When I’m trying to boot from the usb on a other device then the one I was setting the portable ssd up on it says: Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key

[@lewlewandowski4207]

On the other computers the boot device that is the portable ssd is called storage ssd SanDisk 1000gb not Ubuntu as ont the computer I set it up on

[@lewlewandowski4207]

I tried reinstalling mint onto the portable ssd using a different computer, the problem still persists but now the other computer doesn’t boot mint

[@Hi_ivanboy]

Android Linux be like:62528261752927292729182191819282

[@marcosvalencia1883]

You beautiful son of a gun😤🫡a real trooper

[@PulsarTECH]

Glad it was helpful!