List of tools to create bootable USB facts for kids
Have you ever wanted to try out a new computer operating system, like a version of Linux, without actually installing it on your computer's hard drive? That's where a Live USB comes in handy! A Live USB is a special USB flash drive that has a full operating system stored on it. You can plug it into a computer and boot directly from the USB stick, letting you use the operating system without changing anything on the computer's main hard drive.
This page lists different computer programs, called utilities or tools, that help you create your very own Live USB. These tools make it easy to put an operating system onto a USB stick so you can carry it around and use it on different computers.
Contents
What is a Live USB Tool?
Creating a Live USB isn't as simple as just copying files. These special tools prepare the USB drive correctly so your computer can boot from it. They also make sure the operating system works properly when it runs from the USB stick.
Understanding Key Features
When you look at different Live USB tools, you might see some important terms:
- Multiboot: Imagine having a backpack that can hold several different things, and you can choose which one to take out and use. A multiboot USB stick is like that! It means the tool lets you put more than one operating system on the same USB drive. When you start your computer from this USB, a special menu pops up, letting you pick which operating system you want to use. This is a smart way to save space and carry many systems on one device.
- Persistence: Normally, when you use a Live USB, any changes you make (like saving a document, installing a new program, or changing settings) disappear when you restart the computer. It's like starting fresh every time. Persistence is a cool feature for Linux Live systems that lets you save these changes. So, the next time you boot from the USB, your files, programs, and settings are still there, just as you left them!
Popular Live USB Creator Tools
Here's a list of some well-known tools that help you create Live USB drives. Each tool has its own strengths and works best for different situations.
| Tool Name | Who Made It? | Multiboot? | Persistence for Linux? | Works On (Your Computer's OS) | What OS Can It Put On USB? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| balenaEtcher | Balena | No | Linux, macOS, Windows | Any operating system | |
| DasBoot | SubRosaSoft | No | N/A | macOS | macOS |
| dd | Various developers | No | Unix-like systems | Any operating system | |
| Fedora Media Writer | The Fedora Project | No | Linux, macOS, Windows | Fedora | |
| GNOME Disks | Gnome disks contributors | No | Linux | Any operating system | |
| LinuxLive USB Creator (LiLi) | Thibaut Lauzière | No | Windows | Linux | |
| remastersys | Tony Brijeski | No | Debian, Linux Mint, Ubuntu | Debian and similar systems | |
| Rufus | Pete Batard | No | Windows | Any operating system | |
| SliTaz TazUSB | SliTaz | No | SliTaz GNU/Linux | SliTaz GNU/Linux | |
| Ubuntu Live USB creator | Canonical Ltd | No | Ubuntu, Windows | Ubuntu | |
| UNetbootin | Geza Kovacs | No | Linux, macOS, Windows | Any operating system | |
| Universal USB Installer (UUI) | Pendrivelinux | Yes | Yes | Windows | Linux |
| Ventoy | longpanda | Yes | Yes | Linux, Windows | Any operating system |
| Windows To Go | Microsoft | No | N/A | Windows | Windows |
| YUMI (Your Universal Multiboot Integrator) | Pendrivelinux | Yes | Yes | Windows | Linux |
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Herramientas para crear sistemas de Live USB para niños
- List of Linux distributions that run from RAM
- Multiboot specification
- System installer
