Forum Discussion
JoshuaParkson
Jan 24, 2025Iron Contributor
How to Create Linux Mint Bootable USB on Windows 10?
I have an older Windows 10 PC that's starting to feel sluggish, and I've heard Linux Mint is a great lightweight alternative. I’'m not very tech-savvy, so I'm looking for some guidance on how to crea...
CedricRichmond
Jan 24, 2025Iron Contributor
Here’s a beginner-friendly guide using Rufus, a popular and free tool for creating Linux mint bootable USB from Windows 10 PC:
Step 1: Download Linux Mint ISO
- The Cinnamon edition is recommended for beginners due to its user-friendly interface.
Step 2: Download and Install Rufus
- It’s a lightweight and reliable tool for creating Linux mint bootable USB drives.
Step 3: Create the Bootable USB
- Insert a USB drive (at least 4GB in size) into your Windows 10 PC.
- Open Rufus and select your USB drive under the "Device" dropdown.
- Click "Select" and choose the Linux Mint ISO file you downloaded.
- Under "Partition scheme," choose MBR if your PC uses BIOS or GPT if it uses UEFI. If you’re unsure, MBR is a safe choice for older hardware14.
- Click "Start" and confirm any prompts. Rufus will format the USB drive and create Linux mint bootable USB from Windows 10 PC.
Step 4: Boot from the USB
- Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del during startup).
- Change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
- Save changes and exit. Your PC should boot into the Linux Mint live environment.
Compatibility with Older Hardware
- Linux Mint is known for its lightweight design and compatibility with older hardware:
- Minimum Requirements: 1GB RAM (2GB recommended), 15GB disk space, and a 1024x768 resolution display14.
- If your PC is very old, consider using the XFCE edition of Linux Mint, as it’s even lighter and more resource-efficient14.
- Check your hardware compatibility by searching for your PC model + "Linux compatibility" online.