Forum Discussion
Sideny_Strouth
Jan 21, 2025Iron Contributor
How to create fedora bootable usb from Windows 11?
My 15 years old HP laptop is now running very slow with Windows 10 and I already got a new Windows 11 laptop. I'm planning to install Fedora on the old computer and need to create fedora bootable USB from Windows 11?
I have downloaded the latest Fedora ISO file and have a USB flash drive with 32GB of storage, but I'm not sure which software to use or the exact steps involved in the process. Could someone provide a detailed, step-by-step guide that work well for this purpose on Windows 11?
- AlmaiwIron Contributor
What is the disadvantages of using WSL with dd to create fedora bootable USB from Windows 11?
Using command line tools and WSL can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to Linux distributions. Even if you’re familiar with Windows, it takes time to master the nuances of Linux commands and file structures. I remember when I first started; it was like learning a new language! With the WSL method, you can mistakenly select the wrong device. If you accidentally write an ISO to the wrong device, you’ll lose the data on that device, which can be a big hassle. I once formatted my external drive, thinking I was using a USB flash drive.
Solutions & Suggestions
To minimize these issues and ensure a smoother experience, here are some tips and tricks if you are going to create fedora bootable USB from Windows 11:
- Backup Before Proceeding: Before running the dd command, make sure to backup any important data on the USB drive to prevent accidental data loss. You can’t be too safe!
- Double-Check Device Names: Before selecting /dev/sdX, double-check which device represents your USB drive in WSL. You can use the command lsblk to see a list of your devices.
- Use a Reliable ISO Source: Download the ISO from a trustworthy source, like the official Fedora download page, to prevent potential issues.
- Verify dd Output: Monitor the dd progress to see if there are any errors. If everything goes smoothly, you’ll see the dots moving steadily.
- LeoleeiIron Contributor
Creating a Fedora bootable USB from Windows is definitely a smooth process, but there are some drawbacks and potential pitfalls to be aware of. I've been there myself, and things can get a little annoying at times, so let's break it down:
- If you're not a tech-savvy person, choosing the right options in tools like Rufus can be tricky. Choosing the wrong device or the wrong settings can result in data loss or an unbootable USB. I've had moments where I was sure I had the right drive selected, only to find out that I accidentally formatted my external hard drive.
- While most USB drives work fine, occasionally, a USB can have issues and not boot properly. I've come across situations where a USB drive worked fine on one operating system, but didn't play nice with Linux. If you have problems booting, you may need to try a different drive or reformat it, which can be a hassle.
- MatildaOPIron Contributor
Creating a Fedora bootable USB from Windows 11 is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using various tools. One of the most popular and reliable tools for this purpose is Rufus.
1. Prepare Your USB Flash Drive
- Insert the 32GB USB flash drive into your Windows 11 laptop.
- Important: Back up all data on the USB drive as the process of creating fedora bootable USB from Windows 11 will erase all existing data on the drive.
2. Run Rufus
- After downloading Rufus, run the Rufus .exe file. You may need to click "Yes" on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt to give it permission to run.
- Rufus will automatically detect the USB drive you inserted. If it doesn't, or if you have more than one USB drive connected and want to select a specific one, you can use the "Device" drop-down menu to select it.
3. Configure Rufus
- Under the "Boot Selection" section, click "Select" and navigate to where you downloaded the Fedora ISO file. Select the ISO file and click "Open".
- Rufus should automatically detect that it is a Fedora ISO and will configure the settings accordingly.
- However, make sure of the following:
-The "Image Options" should be set to "Standard Windows Installation" or specifically mention Linux if available. Rufus will automatically configure it for the Linux ISO.
-If your laptop supports UEFI, the "Target System" should be set to "UEFI (non-CSM)". If you are unsure, you can try this setting first, and if it doesn't work, you can try creating the USB again with the "BIOS (or UEFI-CSM)" setting.
-Unless you know you need to change these settings for a specific reason, leave the "Partition Scheme" and "Target System" as they are.
Make sure "Quick Format" and "Create Bootable Disk Using" are checked, and select the ISO image.
4. Create Fedora Bootable USB from Windows 11
- Click the "START" button to begin the process of creating Fedora bootable USB from Windows 11.
- You will be warned that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. If you have backed up your data, confirm by clicking "OK".
- Rufus will then start creating the fedora bootable USB. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the ISO and the speed of your USB drive.
- Once the process is complete, Rufus will notify you. You can then close Rufus and safely eject your USB drive
5. Boot from the USB Drive
- Insert the bootable USB drive into your old HP laptop.
- Restart the laptop.
- Immediately start tapping keys to enter the boot menu (this key varies by manufacturer, but is usually F9, F12, or ESC).
- Select the USB drive from the boot menu to boot from it.
- If everything is set up correctly, you should see the Fedora boot menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Fedora on your laptop.
- JosewIron Contributor
There are various tools available for making bootable Fedora Linux USB on Windows 11, Windows 10 and Windows 7. Once you have a bootable USB at hand, the next step is to install Fedora from bootable USB. Here are the details steps for doing that:
- Plug the Fedora USB installer into a USB port on your computer.
- Reboot your system to initiate the boot process from the USB drive.
- During startup, press the key that opens the boot menu. Common keys include F12, F2, Del, Esc, or F10. The specific key varies by manufacturer and is usually displayed briefly during boot (e.g., "Press F12 for Boot Menu").
- From the boot menu, select your USB drive to boot from it. If you don’t see the USB drive listed, ensure it's properly connected and recognized by the system.
- After selecting the USB drive, Fedora will load into a live environment where you can try Fedora before installing or proceed directly with the installation.
Troubleshooting Tips for creating Fedora bootable USB from Windows:
- Incorrect Device Selection: Double-check the USB device identifier (/dev/sdX) to prevent overwriting other drives.
- ISO Integrity: Verify the downloaded Fedora ISO using checksums provided on the Fedora download page.
- Permissions: Ensure you run dd with sudo to have the necessary permissions.
- USB Drive Issues: If the USB doesn't boot, try using a different USB drive or reformatting and repeating the process.
- Nobel_BaynesIron Contributor
If you prefer not to install a full Linux distribution, you can use lightweight tools like dd for Windows or PowerShell scripts. However, using WSL with dd is the most straightforward command-line method.
Step 1: In WSL, Windows drives are typically mounted under /mnt/. For example, if your USB drive is E:, it will be accessible at /mnt/e/.
Step 2: Place the Fedora ISO in a known location, e.g., C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\Fedora.iso.
Step 3: Before using dd, ensure that the USB drive is not mounted in Windows to prevent file system conflicts.
Step 4: Run the following command to create Fedora bootable USB from Windows 11/10:
sudo dd if=/mnt/c/Users/YourName/Downloads/Fedora.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync
Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device. In WSL, devices are usually named differently. The dd command will take 10 minutes. Do not interrupt the process. After dd completes, ensure all buffers are flushed by running sync.
By following the above steps, you can create a Fedora bootable USB on Windows 11 using entirely free command-line tools. This method leverages built-in Windows utilities and the powerful dd command available through WSL, ensuring a reliable and straightforward process.