If you are a Linux user, you must have encountered situations where you needed to use a Live USB. A Live USB allows you to run an operating system directly from a USB drive without installing it on your computer. It is a handy tool for system recovery, testing new distributions, or running a portable OS. However, one drawback of a typical Live USB is that it doesn’t save your data or settings. This is where a persistent Live USB comes into play.
A Linux Live USB with persistence will save your data and settings. You can install software, download files, make modifications, and all those changes will persist even after a reboot. To create a persistent Live USB, follow the steps mentioned below:
Prerequisites:
- A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage
- A Linux distribution ISO file (e.g., Ubuntu)
- Rufus – A free and open-source portable application for Microsoft Windows that can be used to format and create bootable USB flash drives.
Creating a Linux Live USB with Persistence:
Step 1: Install Rufus
Download and install Rufus from its official website.
Step 2: Plug in your USB Drive
Plug your USB drive into your computer. Make sure it is properly formatted and has enough space.
Step 3: Launch Rufus and Select ISO
Launch Rufus and click on the SELECT button to choose the Linux ISO file you want to use.
Step 4: Choose Persistence Option
In the partition scheme section, select MBR. In the file system section, choose FAT32. Now, under the format options, check the box next to “Create a bootable disk using” and select ISO Image from the dropdown menu. Also, make sure the ‘Persistence’ option is enabled. Move the slider to allocate space for persistence storage.
Step 5: Start the Process
Click on the START button to start the process. Please note that this will delete all the data on the USB drive so make sure you have backed up any important data beforehand.
Step 6: Boot from the USB Drive
Once the process is complete, your Linux Live USB with Persistence is ready to use. Simply restart your computer and boot from the USB drive. Any changes you make while using the live USB will be saved and available the next time you boot from the USB drive.
That’s it! You’ve successfully created a persistent Linux Live USB. Now you have a portable Linux OS with you that saves your changes and can be used on any compatible device.