A bootable USB drive can start a Linux live environment without installing that system on the PC. LinuxLive USB Creator prepares the drive from Windows and can also download supported Linux distributions from within the app.
USB creation steps
The main workflow is to choose a USB drive, select a Linux image, then configure options before creating the live USB. You can use an ISO already on the computer or pick a distribution for download through the program. LinuxLive USB Creator supports distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, openSUSE, and Linux Mint.
The drive holds the live system, so a PC that can boot from USB can start Linux from it. The persistence option lets some distributions retain selected changes and files between sessions; support depends on the distribution.
Distribution downloads and cleanup
LinuxLive USB Creator includes a distribution catalog for downloading Linux images through its interface. When it is time to replace the distribution on a drive, Smartclean removes the existing setup so the drive can be prepared with another one.
- Choose an existing ISO or download a distribution in the app.
- Use Smartclean to clear the current distribution before setting up another.
Running Linux in Windows
The program also offers a way to launch Linux from within Windows, avoiding a restart to boot from the USB. This provides a route to try a Linux environment while leaving the computer's normal startup sequence in place.
Pros
- Downloads Linux distributions from inside the app
- Smartclean clears a distribution from the USB drive
- Supports persistence settings for live USB use
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 · Local administrator privileges required
Can LinuxLive USB Creator download a Linux distribution?
Yes. It includes an in-app catalog for downloading supported distributions, or you can select an ISO already on the computer.
What does Smartclean do?
Smartclean removes the current distribution from the USB drive so it can be prepared with another one.
What is USB persistence?
Persistence stores selected changes and files on the live USB between sessions. Availability depends on the Linux distribution.