UNetbootin facts for kids
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UNetbootin version 702 on Void Linux
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| Original author(s) | Geza Kovacs |
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| Initial release | April 2007 |
| Stable release |
Release 702 / February 4, 2021
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| Written in | C++ (Qt 4/5) |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Type | Live USB |
| License | GNU GPL version 2 or later |
UNetbootin is a special computer program. Its name means "Universal Netboot Installer." It helps you put different computer operating systems, like Linux, onto a USB flash drive or Hard Disk Drive. This way, you can try out or install these systems without needing a CD or DVD. It works on many types of computers, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Contents
How UNetbootin Works: Making Bootable USBs
UNetbootin has different ways it can help you. The most common way is to create a "bootable" USB drive. A bootable drive means your computer can start up directly from it.
Creating a USB Installer
This part of UNetbootin helps you make USB flash drives or external hard drives that your computer can start from. These are often called Live USBs.
- It works on many computer systems: Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
- It does not erase your USB drive. It adds the new files without formatting the drive.
- It supports many popular Linux systems like Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, and Linux Mint. It also supports other systems like FreeDOS and FreeBSD.
- You can also use it to load helpful computer tools, like programs for checking passwords or fixing problems.
- If you have a special file called an ISO image (which is like a digital copy of a CD or DVD), UNetbootin can use it to put other operating systems onto your USB.
- The program automatically finds all the USB drives connected to your computer.
- For Ubuntu, it can even save your files and settings on the USB drive. This means your changes stay there even after you restart the computer.
Remember, UNetbootin usually puts only one operating system or tool on a USB drive at a time. It's not designed to put many different ones on the same drive.
Installing to Your Computer's Hard Drive
UNetbootin can also help you install an operating system directly onto your computer's main hard drive. It does this over the internet, so you don't need a CD. This is sometimes called a "frugal install."
One cool thing about UNetbootin is that it supports many different Linux systems. It's also easy to carry around and use on different computers. You can even use your own custom disk image files. When you install to your hard drive, UNetbootin puts the new system in its own section. This lets you have two operating systems on your computer, like Windows and Linux, and choose which one to start with. This is called a dual-boot setup.
See also
In Spanish: UNetbootin para niños
