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JoshuaParkson's avatar
JoshuaParkson
Iron Contributor
Jan 24, 2025

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...
MarciaFudge's avatar
MarciaFudge
Iron Contributor
Jan 24, 2025

Creating a bootable USB for Linux Mint from a Windows 10 PC is actually pretty straightforward. Speaking from personal experience, it's easy to overlook certain details that can lead to frustration later on. Here’s a rundown of what to watch out for, along with a step-by-step guide to help to create Linux mint bootable USB!

1. Choosing the Wrong USB Drive: 
Make sure you’re selecting the correct USB drive when you're formatting or creating the bootable disk. I once wiped my entire external hard drive because I wasn't paying attention. Always double-check the drive letter!

2. Incorrect Partition Scheme:
When using Rufus to create Linux mint bootable USB, choose the right partition scheme based on your system (MBR if you’re planning to boot in legacy mode or GPT for UEFI). Messing this up can lead to boot issues.

3.USB Drive Not Booting: 
If you don’t configure the BIOS/UEFI settings to boot from USB first, you’ll just end up booting up Windows instead of your USB. Make sure to tweak those settings.

If it doesn’t boot, double-check that you’ve selected the right USB drive in BIOS. Sometimes, older machines can be a bit finicky about recognizing USB boot sources, so it might take a couple of tries.

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