How to Boot Linux from Usb If Eufi Drive

This guide walks you through how to boot Linux from USB if UEFI drive, covering preparation, BIOS/UEFI settings, and troubleshooting. Whether you’re trying Linux for the first time or installing it permanently, you’ll find clear, easy-to-follow steps.

Key Takeaways

Check UEFI compatibility: Most modern systems use UEFI instead of legacy BIOS, so ensure your USB is formatted correctly for UEFI booting.
Use a properly created bootable USB: Tools like Rufus, BalenaEtcher, or Ventoy ensure your Linux USB is UEFI-compatible and bootable.
Disable Secure Boot if needed: Some Linux distributions require Secure Boot to be turned off, though many now support it.
Access UEFI firmware settings: You’ll need to enter UEFI (often called BIOS) to change boot order or enable USB booting.
Select the correct boot device: During startup, choose the USB drive labeled with “UEFI” to ensure proper boot mode.
Troubleshoot common issues: If the USB doesn’t appear, recheck formatting, Secure Boot, or try a different port or tool.
Test before installing: Always try the “Try Linux” option first to ensure hardware compatibility.

How to Boot Linux from USB If UEFI Drive

So, you’ve decided to give Linux a try—great choice! Whether you’re exploring a new distribution like Ubuntu, Fedora, or Linux Mint, or you’re ready to install Linux permanently, one of the first steps is booting from a USB drive. But if your computer uses UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) instead of the older BIOS system, the process can feel a little tricky.

Don’t worry—this guide will walk you through how to boot Linux from USB if UEFI drive, step by step. We’ll cover everything from creating a bootable USB to adjusting your UEFI settings and troubleshooting common problems. By the end, you’ll be confidently booting into Linux, whether you’re testing it out or installing it for good.

Let’s get started!

What Is UEFI and Why Does It Matter?

Visual guide about How to Boot Linux from Usb If Eufi Drive

Image source: rufus.ie

Before diving into the steps, it’s helpful to understand what UEFI is and why it affects how you boot Linux from a USB drive.

UEFI is the modern replacement for the traditional BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). It’s faster, more secure, and supports larger hard drives and modern hardware features. Most computers manufactured after 2012 use UEFI by default.

The key difference when booting from USB is that UEFI requires the USB drive to be formatted in a specific way—usually FAT32—and must include a special EFI bootloader. If your USB isn’t set up correctly, your computer won’t recognize it as a bootable device, even if it works on older BIOS systems.

So, when we talk about how to boot Linux from USB if UEFI drive, we’re really talking about making sure your USB is UEFI-compatible and that your system is configured to boot from it.

Step 1: Choose a Linux Distribution

The first step is deciding which Linux distribution (or “distro”) you want to use. Popular beginner-friendly options include:

– Ubuntu – Great for newcomers, with strong community support.
– Linux Mint – Based on Ubuntu, with a familiar desktop feel.
– Fedora – Cutting-edge features, ideal for developers.
– Pop!_OS – Optimized for productivity and gaming.

Visit the official website of your chosen distro and download the ISO file. Make sure you download the 64-bit version, as most modern systems use 64-bit architecture.

Tip: Always download from the official site to avoid malware or corrupted files.

Step 2: Prepare a Bootable USB Drive

Now that you have your Linux ISO, you need to create a bootable USB drive that your UEFI system can recognize.

What You’ll Need

A USB flash drive with at least 4GB of storage (8GB or more recommended).
A computer with internet access (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
A tool to write the ISO to the USB drive.

Recommended Tools

Rufus (Windows): Free, fast, and excellent UEFI support. Choose “GPT” partition scheme and “UEFI (non-CSM)” when prompted.
BalenaEtcher (Windows, macOS, Linux): Simple and reliable. It automatically handles most settings, but ensure your USB is formatted as FAT32.
Ventoy (Windows, Linux): Lets you copy multiple ISOs to one USB and choose which to boot. Supports UEFI out of the box.

Using Rufus (Step-by-Step)

Download and open Rufus from rufus.ie.
Insert your USB drive.
In the “Device” dropdown, select your USB drive.
Under “Boot selection,” click “SELECT” and choose your downloaded Linux ISO.
Set the following options:
- Partition scheme: GPT
- Target system: UEFI (non-CSM)
- File system: FAT32
Click “START” and confirm when prompted.
Wait for the process to complete. This may take 5–10 minutes.

Using BalenaEtcher (Step-by-Step)

Download and install BalenaEtcher from balena.io/etcher.
Insert your USB drive.
Click “Flash from file” and select your Linux ISO.
Click “Select target” and choose your USB drive.
Click “Flash!” and wait for completion.

Note: BalenaEtcher usually handles UEFI compatibility automatically, but if your USB doesn’t boot, try reformatting it to FAT32 first.

Using Ventoy (Step-by-Step)

Download Ventoy from ventoy.net.
Extract and run the Ventoy2Disk application.
Select your USB drive and click “Install”.
Once installed, copy your Linux ISO file directly to the USB drive.
Eject safely and use the USB to boot.

Ventoy is especially useful if you plan to test multiple Linux distros.

Step 3: Access UEFI Firmware Settings

Now that your USB is ready, you need to tell your computer to boot from it. This requires entering the UEFI firmware settings—often still called “BIOS” by users.

How to Enter UEFI

The key to press varies by manufacturer, but common ones include:

– Dell, Lenovo, Acer: F2 or Del
– HP: F10 or Esc
– ASUS: F2 or Del
– MSI: Del
– Apple (Boot Camp): Hold Option (Alt) at startup

Alternatively, on Windows 10/11:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
Under “Advanced startup,” click “Restart now.”
After reboot, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
Click “Restart” to enter UEFI.

Navigate the UEFI Interface

UEFI interfaces vary, but most have a similar layout:

Tabs like “Main,” “Boot,” “Security,” “Exit.”
Use arrow keys to navigate; Enter to select.
Look for options related to boot order, Secure Boot, and USB support.

Tip: Some systems have a “Fast Boot” option. Disable it if you’re having trouble accessing UEFI.

Step 4: Configure UEFI Settings for Linux Boot

To successfully boot Linux from USB, you may need to adjust a few UEFI settings.

Enable USB Boot

In the UEFI menu, go to the “Boot” tab.
Look for “Boot Option Priorities” or “Boot Order.”
Ensure “USB Device” or “Removable Devices” is enabled.
Move your USB drive to the top of the boot order list.

Disable Secure Boot (If Needed)

Secure Boot is a security feature that only allows signed operating systems to boot. Some Linux distros (like Ubuntu and Fedora) support Secure Boot, but others may not.

If your Linux doesn’t boot, try disabling Secure Boot:

Go to the “Security” or “Boot” tab.
Find “Secure Boot” and set it to “Disabled.”
Save and exit.

Note: You can re-enable Secure Boot after installation if desired.

Switch to UEFI-Only Mode (Recommended)

Some systems support both UEFI and legacy (CSM) boot modes. For best results:

Look for “Boot Mode” or “Launch CSM.”
Set it to “UEFI Only” or disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module).

This ensures your system boots in pure UEFI mode, which is required for many modern Linux installations.

Step 5: Boot from the USB Drive

Now it’s time to boot into Linux!

Method 1: Use Boot Menu (Quickest)

Instead of changing boot order permanently, you can select the USB at startup:

Restart your computer.
Press the boot menu key (often F12, F10, Esc, or F8).
A list of boot devices will appear.
Look for your USB drive labeled with “UEFI:” (e.g., “UEFI: SanDisk USB”).
Select it and press Enter.

Important: Choose the option with “UEFI” in the name. If you select the non-UEFI version, it may not boot properly.

Method 2: Automatic Boot (After UEFI Changes)

If you’ve set the USB as the first boot device:

Save changes in UEFI and exit.
The computer will restart and automatically boot from the USB.

Step 6: Try or Install Linux

Once the USB boots, you’ll typically see a screen with options like:

Try Linux without installing
Install Linux
Check disk for defects

Try Linux First (Recommended)

Select “Try Linux” to test the system without making changes to your hard drive. This lets you:

Check if Wi-Fi, sound, and graphics work.
Explore the desktop environment.
Ensure hardware compatibility.

If everything works, proceed to install. If not, you may need to troubleshoot drivers or try a different distro.

Install Linux

When ready:

Click “Install Linux” on the desktop or boot menu.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Choose installation type (e.g., erase disk, dual-boot).
Set up user account and password.
Wait for installation to complete.
Restart and remove the USB when prompted.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful preparation, you might run into problems. Here’s how to fix the most common ones.

USB Drive Not Showing Up in Boot Menu

Ensure the USB was created with UEFI support (use Rufus with GPT/UEFI settings).
Try a different USB port—some systems only boot from specific ports.
Reformat the USB as FAT32 and recreate the bootable drive.
Test the USB on another computer to confirm it’s working.

Black Screen or Freeze After Boot

This often happens due to graphics driver issues.

At the boot menu, press Tab or E to edit boot options.
Add nomodeset before quiet splash.
Press Ctrl+X or F10 to boot.

This disables advanced graphics and may allow the system to load.

Secure Boot Prevents Booting

Re-enter UEFI and disable Secure Boot.
If your distro supports Secure Boot (like Ubuntu), ensure you’re using the latest version.
Some systems allow you to enroll custom keys—advanced users only.

“Operating System Not Found” Error

Check that the USB is properly formatted and the ISO was written correctly.
Ensure CSM is disabled and UEFI mode is active.
Try recreating the USB with a different tool (e.g., switch from Etcher to Rufus).

USB Boots in Legacy Mode Instead of UEFI

In UEFI settings, disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module).
Make sure the USB was created with UEFI support.
Select the “UEFI:” version of the USB in the boot menu.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

Use a high-quality USB 3.0 drive for faster boot and installation.
Back up important data before installing Linux.
Keep your computer plugged in during installation to avoid power loss.
If dual-booting with Windows, disable Fast Startup in Windows Power Settings.
After installation, update your system and install drivers as needed.

Conclusion

Booting Linux from a USB drive on a UEFI system doesn’t have to be complicated. By following this guide on how to boot Linux from USB if UEFI drive, you’ve learned how to create a compatible bootable USB, configure your UEFI settings, and troubleshoot common issues.

Whether you’re testing Linux for the first time or ready to make the switch, the process is straightforward once you understand the key steps: use the right tool to create the USB, ensure UEFI compatibility, disable Secure Boot if needed, and select the correct boot option.

With Linux, you gain access to a powerful, secure, and customizable operating system—all for free. So go ahead, plug in that USB, and start exploring the world of open-source software. Your journey into Linux starts now!