Create Linux bootable USB drive on Windows 11 for clean install

You can definitely create a Linux bootable USB on a Windows computer. I’ve done this myself using a couple of different tools, and it’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Let’s dive in!

How to Create Linux Bootable USB on Windows 11:
1. Download the Linux ISO:
2. Download Balene Etcheer:
3. Insert Your USB Drive:
Plug in your USB stick. Ensure it’s recognized by your computer (Windows usually does a good job at this).
4. Run Balene Etcheer:
Open Balene Etcheer. The interface is clean and modern. Click on “Flash from file,” then browse to select your Linux ISO.
5. Select Your USB Drive:
Balena will automatically detect your USB drive. Double-check it to make sure you’re selecting the right one (you don’t want to accidentally wipe your main drive!).
6. Flash the USB:
Hit the “Flash!” button. Balene Etchar will take care of the rest. It will format the USB drive, copy over the files from the ISO, and make it bootable. This might take a few minutes, so chill out while it does its thing.
7. Eject the USB:
Once it’s done, you’ll see a success message about creating Linux bootable USB on Windows 11! Safely eject the USB drive from Windows by right-clicking on it in File Explorer and selecting “Eject.”