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Dvoraky's avatar
Dvoraky
Iron Contributor
Feb 10, 2025

Create Asahi Linux bootable usb installer on my Windows 11 Laptop?

I heard Asahi Linux is a special Linux distribution for Apple Silicon Mac and it is time to try it out now as I was gifted a MacBook Air M1 from my friend. Currently, there is no os on the Mac as the...
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Nguyenais's avatar
Nguyenais
Bronze Contributor
Feb 10, 2025

Unlike most Linux distributions that target x86 (Intel/AMD) platforms, Asahi Linux is designed from the ground up to run on Apple's ARM architecture (such as the M1, M2, M3, and future Apple Silicon devices). This means it includes workarounds and custom drivers to support unique hardware components found in modern Macs.

Creating Asahi Linux bootable installer USB is a common step when preparing to install a Linux distribution. Even though Asahi Linux is tailored for Apple Silicon (and its installation process may differ from typical PC Linux distributions), the general process of creating a bootable USB on Windows 11 remains similar.

  1. Install and open Etccher.
  2. Click on “Flash from file” and select your ISO/IMG file.
  3. Click “Select target” and choose your USB drive.
  4. Click “Flash!” to begin the process.
  5. Once finished, safely remove the USB drive.

After making Asahi Linux bootable USB installer, ensure that your target system’s firmware (BIOS/UEFI) is set to boot from USB. This typically involves entering the boot menu (commonly by pressing a key like F12, Esc, or Del during startup) and selecting the USB device.

Notes: If you're trying to install Asahi Linux on Apple Silicon, note that the installation process might differ from creating a standard bootable USB for a PC. Often, installation on Apple hardware may involve booting from a special installer provided by the project. Always refer to the official Asahi Linux installation guide for the latest, platform-specific instructions.

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