Yes, it is possible to install Ubuntu onto a USB drive, making it a live USB that can be used to boot and run Ubuntu on any computer that is capable of booting from a USB drive. This is a useful option if you want to try out Ubuntu without installing it on your primary computer, or if you want to use it as a portable operating system that you can carry with you and use on multiple computers.
To create a live USB of Ubuntu, you will need a USB drive with at least 2 GB of free space, as well as a computer running Ubuntu or any other operating system that can create a bootable USB drive.
Here are the basic steps to install Ubuntu on a USB drive:
- Download the Ubuntu ISO file from the official Ubuntu website.
- Insert the USB drive into your computer and open the “Startup Disk Creator” application.
- Select the Ubuntu ISO file and the USB drive, and click the “Create Startup Disk” button.
- Follow the prompts to complete the installation process.
Once the installation is complete, you can boot from the USB drive by changing the boot order in the BIOS or UEFI settings of your computer and selecting the USB drive as the boot device.
How to permanently install Ubuntu on a USB
You require two USB drives, PenDrive1 (OS Boot Files) PenDrive2 (work as hard drive)
1. Download a bootMaker, such as PowerISO, Rufus, etc., and the Ubuntu ISO file.
2. Create a bootable replica on the PenDrive.
3. select “Try Ubuntu”
4. connect PenDrive 2
5. Click “Disk,” then write down the names of the accessible disks.
Internal Hard Drive (likely dev or sda)
Live-Boot PenDrive 1 (likely dev/sdb)
Pendrive 2 (which might be a dev or sdc) to be used as a hard drive
6. Format and mount the second Pendrive ( do not eject or swithOff it, if nothing to unmount its OK)
7. Click “Install Ubuntu” to get to the screen asking where to install Ubuntu.
8. choose a blank place on the dev/sdc,
To create a new partition, click the “+” symbol, choose “ext4 journal,” choose “primary,” choose “start from the beginning,” choose “mount point as”/,” and then click OK.
9. Enter dev/sdc instead of dev/sdc1 in the “Install Boot Loader Location” field.
10. Install and enjoy!