Burn ISO to USB disks with ease. The ISO image file is a popular image of the CD/DVD discs, an ISO file can include all the content on the disc, this software can easily burn these ISO files to a USB flash disk, makes it easy to carry and use.
Universal USB Installer aka UUI is a Live Linux Bootable USB Creator that allows you to choose from a selection of Linux Distributions to put on your USB Flash Drive. The Universal USB Installer is easy to use. Simply choose a Live Linux Distribution, the ISO file, your Flash Drive and, Click Install. Upon completion, you should have a ready to run bootable USB Flash Drive with your select operating system installed. Other features include; Persistence (if available) – Ubuntu, Xubuntu, and Lubuntu Casper Persistence feature works with FAT32 or NTFS formatted drives. Larger than 4GB casper-rw is possible only when the USB drive is formatted with the NTFS filesystem.
NOTE: If you are looking to add multiple Linux Distributions, System Diagnostic Tools, Antivirus Utilities, and Windows Installers to your bootable USB, use YUMI – Multiboot USB Software, instead.
Universal USB Installer (UUI) Screenshots
Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.8.8.exe – June 1, 2019 – Changes
Update to support newer Archbang, ArchLinux, Manjaro, Dr.Web, and AntiX. Add support for KaOS, Pop OS, Bionic Pup, Emmabuntus, and MX Linux.
Update to support newer Archbang, ArchLinux, Manjaro, Dr.Web, and AntiX. Add support for KaOS, Pop OS, Bionic Pup, Emmabuntus, and MX Linux.
IMPORTANT: The Windows to Go option requires the USB be formatted NTFS with 20GB free disk space to hold the virtual disk. See FAQ for more info.
MD5: C5BCB48568DF4818377FFA0FC5FAF1F3
IMPORTANT NOTE: Your USB drive must be Fat32/NTFS formatted, otherwise Syslinux will fail and your drive will NOT Boot.
Bootable USB Flash Drive Creation Requirements:
- Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.8.8.exe
- Windows Vista/7/8/10 or WINE to create the USB (Win 98/XP/2K WILL NOT Work!)
- *Fat32 or NTFS Formatted Flash Drive. MBR partition only GPT will not work!
- PC with a BIOS that can boot from USB
- Your Favorite Linux ISO
Feel free to inform me of unlisted Live Linux distributions or version revisions, and I will do my best to update Universal USB Installer (UUI) to support them.
Universal USB Installer Recent Changelog:
06/01/19 – Version 1.9.8.8: Update to support newer Archbang, ArchLinux, Manjaro, Dr.Web, and AntiX. Add support for KaOS, Pop OS, Bionic Pup, Emmabuntus, and MX Linux.
02/19/19 – Version 1.9.8.7: Update to support initrd boot option for newer Ubuntu based distributions when USB drive is formatted NTFS. Add persistence option to Kodachi entry.
11/30/18 – Version 1.9.8.6: Include ability to see which Disk the drive letter of volume/partition is on. Improve DiskWipe option – rescan during Diskpart before creating a new partition.
11/28/18 – Version 1.9.8.5: Set Fat32 and NTFS Format options to format only the selected Volume Drive Letter. Include a new option to Wipe Entire Disk (including all attached Volumes/Partitions). The Wipe Entire Disk option can be used to Restore USB drives made bootable with DD, or to convert them back to use a single partition with a bootable MBR.
10/31/18 – Version 1.9.8.4: Update to support Pearl Linux and Ubuntu Gnome. Fix some broken links. Fix Solus entry.
07/29/18 – Version 1.9.8.3: Update to support Quick Save Live, Norton Bootable Recovery Tool, and Hiren's Boot CD PE. Created Disk Cloning and Recovery Tools Category.
06/22/18 – Version 1.9.8.2: Update to support Kodachi, and newer Kasperski Rescue Disk. Add new category for Anonymous Tor Browsers.
04/25/18 – Version 1.9.8.1: Fix various broken links.
01/13/18 – Version 1.9.8.0: Update to support Super Grub2 Disk, All In One-System Rescue Toolkit, Gecko Linux, Q4OS, and Medicat.
09/27/17 – Version 1.9.7.9: Update to support PureOS, CentOS Installer, and Ubuntu Mini (Netboot Installer). Fix broken Debian, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu links.
05/02/17 – Version 1.9.7.8: Update to support KDE Neon, Devuan, Vinari OS, and Ubuntu Budgie.
03/21/17 – Version 1.9.7.7: Added casper-rw creation progress banner. Corrected casper slider max size relative to fat32 or ntfs selection.
03/19/17 – Version 1.9.7.6: Correct broken Ubuntu and Linux Mint installer options when no format option is chosen.
03/13/17 – Version 1.9.7.5: Add filesystem type to drivelist. Include message box to notify of NTFS filesystem requirement for Windows to Go option.
03/06/17 – Version 1.9.7.4: Add Windows to Go VHD option. Added more info for syslinux warning. Added Diskpart NTFS format option.
02/22/17 – Version 1.9.7.3: Temporarily limit format option to removable media.
02/09/17 – Version 1.9.7.2: Add Try via DD (Overwrites disk) and Try Unlisted Linux ISO (GRUB) options. Update to support Antergos.
02/02/17 – Version 1.9.7.1: Quick fix to correct Show All ISOs font.
12/23/16 – Version 1.9.7.0: Add Show All ISO option. Update Step 1,2,3 labels. Replace empty spaces in filename with dashes. Update to newer GRUB4DOS.
12/13/16 – Version 1.9.6.9: Update Get Drives function to ignore system and network drives. Update to support ChaletOS, and Bunsenlabs.
10/03/16 – Version 1.9.6.8: Switch back to use 7-Zip 9.20.
09/24/16 – Version 1.9.6.7: Update to support Cyborg Linux. Upgrade to 7-Zip 16.02.
06/29/16 – Version 1.9.6.6: Update to support Cub Linux.
06/17/16 – Version 1.9.6.5: Update to re-support Archbang, Archlinux, newer Dban, and CentOS. Added Syslinux 6.03.
04/05/16 – Version 1.9.6.4: Update Links, remove Archlinux until a fix is found, disable feature to close all open explorer windows when format option is selected. Update Syslinux 4.07 source.
12/30/15 – Version 1.9.6.3: Update to support Caine, Pentoo, Parrot Security OS, and Windows 10 Installer (untested).
10/28/15 – Version 1.9.6.2: Update Links, remove discontinued projects.
06/26/15 – Version 1.9.6.1: Update to support GRML 2014-11, CentOS 7, Runtime Live CD, and Clonezilla 2.4.2-10
05/05/15 – Version 1.9.6.0: Update to support Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca. Update several broken links
01/14/15 – Version 1.9.5.9: Update Links
11/19/14 – Version 1.9.5.8: Update to support Linux Lite
10/30/14 – Version 1.9.5.7: Update to support Ubuntu Mate, CentOS 7, ESET SysRescue Live, Linpus Lite, and mintyMac
09/12/14 – Version 1.9.5.6: Update to support Ubuntu, Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu 14.04.1 + 14.10, Linux Mint 17, and Debian Live 7.6
07/29/14 – Version 1.9.5.5: Update to support Peach OSI
06/29/14 – Version 1.9.5.4: Update to support newer syslinux version packed with Tails and Clonezilla.
05/29/14 – Version 1.9.5.3: Update Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, and Linux Mint Download Links.
01/16/14 – Version 1.9.5.2: Update to support Desinfect, Antivirus Live CD, Fedora 20, LXLE Desktop, Kon-Boot Purchased, Sparky, SolydX, and Manjaro Linux.
11/24/13 – Version 1.9.5.1: Modify chain.c32 to address Insane Primary (MBR) partition error.
11/22/13 – Version 1.9.5.0: Add OpenSuse 32/64bit Entries.
11/20/13 – Version 1.9.4.9: Fix broken Ubuntu Server options.
11/12/13 – Version 1.9.4.8: Fix broken Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 entry. Reconfigure to auto detect ISO size.
11/09/13 – Version 1.9.4.7: Re-Enable Ubuntu Persistence Features.
11/07/13 – Version 1.9.4.6: Fixed TAILS and Kon-Boot entries. Added Falcon 4 entry.
11/05/13 – Version 1.9.4.5: Wildcard selections to ease user choices, automate config append, and remove manually created config files.
10/17/13 – Version 1.9.4.4: Added Ubuntu, Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu 13.10
09/16/13 – Version 1.9.4.3: Added AOMEI (Disk Cloning tool), and gNewSense.
09/12/13 – Version 1.9.4.2: Drop-down now displays Volume Label, and Capacity of each drive.
09/03/13 – Version 1.9.4.1: Update to support Ubuntu 12.04.3.
08/27/13 – Version 1.9.4.0: Update to support Fusion Linux 16, Peppermint 4. Add persistent option to Ubuntu 13.xx grub loopback.cfg file.
08/01/13 – Version 1.9.3.9: Update to support newer Avira Antivir Rescue Disk.
07/26/13 – Version 1.9.3.8: Update to support Deft Linux 8.
07/10/13 – Version 1.9.3.7: Update to support Knoppix 7.2, Sugar on a Stick 19, Fedora 19, Pear OS 7, Korora 19, and Antix 13.
06/26/13 – Version 1.9.3.6: Update to support Ophcrack 3.6.0, Fix broken Ubuntu Server 12.04.2 Installer/Alternate options.
06/04/13 – Version 1.9.3.5: Update to support Linux Mint 15, and Ubuntu Server 13.10/13.04 Installers.
05/14/13 – Version 1.9.3.4: Update to support Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu Gnome 13.04, and Debian Live 7.
04/25/13 – Version 1.9.3.3: Update to support final release of Ubuntu 13.04, Kubuntu 13.04, Lubuntu 13.04, Xubuntu 13.04, and Edubuntu 13.04.
04/17/13 – Version 1.9.3.2: Update to support REMnux, Linux Mint Debian 201303, Kubuntu 13.04, Lubuntu 13.04, Xubuntu 13.04, and Edubuntu 13.04. Fix some broken links.
03/21/13 – Version 1.9.3.1: Condense Code to make updates easier. Added support for Kali Linux and Tails 0.17.
03/14/13 – Version 1.9.3.0: Correct broken Ubuntu 13.04 i386 Desktop entry.
03/13/13 – Version 1.9.2.9: Update to support Mythbuntu 12.04.2 Desktop amd64, Debian Live 6.0.7. Implement another attempt to address 'Insane primary (MBR) partition. Can’t find myself on the drive I booted from' error. Allow Spaces in Unlisted ISO Filenames.
03/12/13 – Version 1.9.2.8: Update to support Ubuntu 12.04.2 Desktop amd64, Ubuntu 12.04.2 DVD amd64, Edubuntu 12.04.2 amd64, and (G4L) Ghost for Linux.
03/08/13 – Version 1.9.2.7: Update to support Ultimate Boot CD 5.2.1, Comodo Rescue Disk 2.0.261647.1, and Elementry Luna. Switch back to Syslinux 4.06. See Additional Help Section for Insane Primary MBR messages.
02/25/13 – Version 1.9.2.6: Update to support Ubuntu 12.04.2. Temporary switch to Syslinux 4.06-pre7 to prevent 'Insane primary (MBR) partition. Can’t find myself on the drive I booted from' errors.
02/15/13 – Version 1.9.2.5: Update to support Ubuntu 13.04, Archlinux 2013.02.01, XBMCbuntu 12, and Crunchbang 11.
01/18/13 – Version 1.9.2.4: Update to support Fedora 18. Fixed various broken links.
01/14/13 – Version 1.9.2.3: Update to support Tails 0.16 and Comodo Rescue Disk.
01/11/13 – Version 1.9.2.2: Update to support Debian 6.0.6. Correct several dead links. Fix broken LMDE 201204 Install options.
02/19/19 – Version 1.9.8.7: Update to support initrd boot option for newer Ubuntu based distributions when USB drive is formatted NTFS. Add persistence option to Kodachi entry.
11/30/18 – Version 1.9.8.6: Include ability to see which Disk the drive letter of volume/partition is on. Improve DiskWipe option – rescan during Diskpart before creating a new partition.
11/28/18 – Version 1.9.8.5: Set Fat32 and NTFS Format options to format only the selected Volume Drive Letter. Include a new option to Wipe Entire Disk (including all attached Volumes/Partitions). The Wipe Entire Disk option can be used to Restore USB drives made bootable with DD, or to convert them back to use a single partition with a bootable MBR.
10/31/18 – Version 1.9.8.4: Update to support Pearl Linux and Ubuntu Gnome. Fix some broken links. Fix Solus entry.
07/29/18 – Version 1.9.8.3: Update to support Quick Save Live, Norton Bootable Recovery Tool, and Hiren's Boot CD PE. Created Disk Cloning and Recovery Tools Category.
06/22/18 – Version 1.9.8.2: Update to support Kodachi, and newer Kasperski Rescue Disk. Add new category for Anonymous Tor Browsers.
04/25/18 – Version 1.9.8.1: Fix various broken links.
01/13/18 – Version 1.9.8.0: Update to support Super Grub2 Disk, All In One-System Rescue Toolkit, Gecko Linux, Q4OS, and Medicat.
09/27/17 – Version 1.9.7.9: Update to support PureOS, CentOS Installer, and Ubuntu Mini (Netboot Installer). Fix broken Debian, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu links.
05/02/17 – Version 1.9.7.8: Update to support KDE Neon, Devuan, Vinari OS, and Ubuntu Budgie.
03/21/17 – Version 1.9.7.7: Added casper-rw creation progress banner. Corrected casper slider max size relative to fat32 or ntfs selection.
03/19/17 – Version 1.9.7.6: Correct broken Ubuntu and Linux Mint installer options when no format option is chosen.
03/13/17 – Version 1.9.7.5: Add filesystem type to drivelist. Include message box to notify of NTFS filesystem requirement for Windows to Go option.
03/06/17 – Version 1.9.7.4: Add Windows to Go VHD option. Added more info for syslinux warning. Added Diskpart NTFS format option.
02/22/17 – Version 1.9.7.3: Temporarily limit format option to removable media.
02/09/17 – Version 1.9.7.2: Add Try via DD (Overwrites disk) and Try Unlisted Linux ISO (GRUB) options. Update to support Antergos.
02/02/17 – Version 1.9.7.1: Quick fix to correct Show All ISOs font.
12/23/16 – Version 1.9.7.0: Add Show All ISO option. Update Step 1,2,3 labels. Replace empty spaces in filename with dashes. Update to newer GRUB4DOS.
12/13/16 – Version 1.9.6.9: Update Get Drives function to ignore system and network drives. Update to support ChaletOS, and Bunsenlabs.
10/03/16 – Version 1.9.6.8: Switch back to use 7-Zip 9.20.
09/24/16 – Version 1.9.6.7: Update to support Cyborg Linux. Upgrade to 7-Zip 16.02.
06/29/16 – Version 1.9.6.6: Update to support Cub Linux.
06/17/16 – Version 1.9.6.5: Update to re-support Archbang, Archlinux, newer Dban, and CentOS. Added Syslinux 6.03.
04/05/16 – Version 1.9.6.4: Update Links, remove Archlinux until a fix is found, disable feature to close all open explorer windows when format option is selected. Update Syslinux 4.07 source.
12/30/15 – Version 1.9.6.3: Update to support Caine, Pentoo, Parrot Security OS, and Windows 10 Installer (untested).
10/28/15 – Version 1.9.6.2: Update Links, remove discontinued projects.
06/26/15 – Version 1.9.6.1: Update to support GRML 2014-11, CentOS 7, Runtime Live CD, and Clonezilla 2.4.2-10
05/05/15 – Version 1.9.6.0: Update to support Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca. Update several broken links
01/14/15 – Version 1.9.5.9: Update Links
11/19/14 – Version 1.9.5.8: Update to support Linux Lite
10/30/14 – Version 1.9.5.7: Update to support Ubuntu Mate, CentOS 7, ESET SysRescue Live, Linpus Lite, and mintyMac
09/12/14 – Version 1.9.5.6: Update to support Ubuntu, Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu 14.04.1 + 14.10, Linux Mint 17, and Debian Live 7.6
07/29/14 – Version 1.9.5.5: Update to support Peach OSI
06/29/14 – Version 1.9.5.4: Update to support newer syslinux version packed with Tails and Clonezilla.
05/29/14 – Version 1.9.5.3: Update Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, and Linux Mint Download Links.
01/16/14 – Version 1.9.5.2: Update to support Desinfect, Antivirus Live CD, Fedora 20, LXLE Desktop, Kon-Boot Purchased, Sparky, SolydX, and Manjaro Linux.
11/24/13 – Version 1.9.5.1: Modify chain.c32 to address Insane Primary (MBR) partition error.
11/22/13 – Version 1.9.5.0: Add OpenSuse 32/64bit Entries.
11/20/13 – Version 1.9.4.9: Fix broken Ubuntu Server options.
11/12/13 – Version 1.9.4.8: Fix broken Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 entry. Reconfigure to auto detect ISO size.
11/09/13 – Version 1.9.4.7: Re-Enable Ubuntu Persistence Features.
11/07/13 – Version 1.9.4.6: Fixed TAILS and Kon-Boot entries. Added Falcon 4 entry.
11/05/13 – Version 1.9.4.5: Wildcard selections to ease user choices, automate config append, and remove manually created config files.
10/17/13 – Version 1.9.4.4: Added Ubuntu, Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu 13.10
09/16/13 – Version 1.9.4.3: Added AOMEI (Disk Cloning tool), and gNewSense.
09/12/13 – Version 1.9.4.2: Drop-down now displays Volume Label, and Capacity of each drive.
09/03/13 – Version 1.9.4.1: Update to support Ubuntu 12.04.3.
08/27/13 – Version 1.9.4.0: Update to support Fusion Linux 16, Peppermint 4. Add persistent option to Ubuntu 13.xx grub loopback.cfg file.
08/01/13 – Version 1.9.3.9: Update to support newer Avira Antivir Rescue Disk.
07/26/13 – Version 1.9.3.8: Update to support Deft Linux 8.
07/10/13 – Version 1.9.3.7: Update to support Knoppix 7.2, Sugar on a Stick 19, Fedora 19, Pear OS 7, Korora 19, and Antix 13.
06/26/13 – Version 1.9.3.6: Update to support Ophcrack 3.6.0, Fix broken Ubuntu Server 12.04.2 Installer/Alternate options.
06/04/13 – Version 1.9.3.5: Update to support Linux Mint 15, and Ubuntu Server 13.10/13.04 Installers.
05/14/13 – Version 1.9.3.4: Update to support Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu Gnome 13.04, and Debian Live 7.
04/25/13 – Version 1.9.3.3: Update to support final release of Ubuntu 13.04, Kubuntu 13.04, Lubuntu 13.04, Xubuntu 13.04, and Edubuntu 13.04.
04/17/13 – Version 1.9.3.2: Update to support REMnux, Linux Mint Debian 201303, Kubuntu 13.04, Lubuntu 13.04, Xubuntu 13.04, and Edubuntu 13.04. Fix some broken links.
03/21/13 – Version 1.9.3.1: Condense Code to make updates easier. Added support for Kali Linux and Tails 0.17.
03/14/13 – Version 1.9.3.0: Correct broken Ubuntu 13.04 i386 Desktop entry.
03/13/13 – Version 1.9.2.9: Update to support Mythbuntu 12.04.2 Desktop amd64, Debian Live 6.0.7. Implement another attempt to address 'Insane primary (MBR) partition. Can’t find myself on the drive I booted from' error. Allow Spaces in Unlisted ISO Filenames.
03/12/13 – Version 1.9.2.8: Update to support Ubuntu 12.04.2 Desktop amd64, Ubuntu 12.04.2 DVD amd64, Edubuntu 12.04.2 amd64, and (G4L) Ghost for Linux.
03/08/13 – Version 1.9.2.7: Update to support Ultimate Boot CD 5.2.1, Comodo Rescue Disk 2.0.261647.1, and Elementry Luna. Switch back to Syslinux 4.06. See Additional Help Section for Insane Primary MBR messages.
02/25/13 – Version 1.9.2.6: Update to support Ubuntu 12.04.2. Temporary switch to Syslinux 4.06-pre7 to prevent 'Insane primary (MBR) partition. Can’t find myself on the drive I booted from' errors.
02/15/13 – Version 1.9.2.5: Update to support Ubuntu 13.04, Archlinux 2013.02.01, XBMCbuntu 12, and Crunchbang 11.
01/18/13 – Version 1.9.2.4: Update to support Fedora 18. Fixed various broken links.
01/14/13 – Version 1.9.2.3: Update to support Tails 0.16 and Comodo Rescue Disk.
01/11/13 – Version 1.9.2.2: Update to support Debian 6.0.6. Correct several dead links. Fix broken LMDE 201204 Install options.
UUI can create a Bootable USB containing any of the following:
— Ubuntu 32/64 Bit --
- Ubuntu Desktop
- Xubuntu Desktop
- Kubuntu Desktop
- Lubuntu Desktop
- Edubuntu Desktop
- Ubuntu Studio
- Ubuntu Server Installer
- Ubuntu Alternate
- Mythbuntu Desktop
- Blackbuntu
— Linux Mint 32/64 Bit --
- Linux Mint
— Debian Live/Netinst 32/64 Bit --
- Debian Netinst
- Debian Live
— Backtrack/Kali Versions --
- Kali Linux
- Backtrack
— Fedora 32/64 Bit --
- Fedora Desktop
— OpenSUSE 32/64 Bit --
- OpenSUSE 32bit
- OpenSUSE 64bit
— Puppy Linux Based --
- Fatdog64
- Lighthouse Puppy
- Lucid Puppy
- Precise Puppy
- Puppy Arcade
- Puppy 4.3.1
- Racy Puppy
- Slacko Puppy
- Wary Puppy
— Linux Distros for Kids --
- DouDouLinux
- Qimo 4 Kids 2.0
- Sugar on a Stick
— Other Distros Alphabetical --
- AOMEI (Disk Cloning and Backup Tool)
- Acronis Rescue CD
- Android
- AntiX
- Antergos
- ArchBang
- ArchLinux
- ArtistX
- Aurora
- BackBox
- Baltix Linux
- BCCD
- BlehOS
- Bodhi
- Boot Repair Disk
- Carmedia
- CentOS
- Chakra
- Clonezilla
- Crunchbang
- DBAN 2.2.X
- Deft Linux
- Deepin Linux
- DRBL
- DSL 4.4.10
- Dreamlinux
- Dynebolic
- EASUS Disk Copy
- EasyPeasy
- Elementary OS
- Elementary Unleashed
- Feather Linux
- Finnix
- Fuduntu
- Fusion Linux
- Gamedrift
- Gentoo
- GEEXBOX
- gNewSense
- GRML
- gOS gadgets
- GParted
- Jolicloud
- Kiwi
- KNOPPIX
- Kororaa
- KXStudio
- Leeenux
- Liberte
- LinHES
- Linux XP Like
- LPS
- Macbuntu
- Mandriva One 2011
- Matriux
- MCNLive Toronto
- Meego
- MicroCore
- Netrunner
- Ophcrack
- OSGeo Live
- Pardus
- PartedMagic
- PCLinuxOS
- Pear OS
- Peppermint
- PING
- Pinguy OS
- Plasma active
- PLoP Linux
- Porteus
- Redo Backup
- Rescatux
- RIP Linux
- Runt Linux
- Sabayon Linux
- SalineOS
- Satux
- Simply MEPIS
- SLAX
- SliTaZ
- Sn0wL1nuX
- SolusOS
- System Rescue CD
- Tails
- Terralinux
- TinyCore
- Trisquel
- Uberstudent
- Ultimate Boot CD
- Ultimate Edition
- WifiWay
- WifiSlax
- xPUD
- XBMC
- XBMCbuntu
- StartOS
- wattOS R5
- Zenwalk Live
- Zorin OS
— Live Antivirus Rescue CDs --
- AOSS (Malware Scanner)
- AVG Rescue CD
- Avira Antivir Rescue Disk
- Bitdefender Rescue CD
- Comodo Rescue Disk
- DrWeb LiveCD
- F-Secure Rescue CD
- G DATA Antivirus
- Kaspersky Rescue Disk
- Panda Safe CD
- Trinity Rescue Kit
— Other Software --
- Falcon 4 Boot CD
- Hiren's Boot CD
- Kon-Boot
— Windows to Go + Windows Installers --
- Windows to Go (on VHD)
- Windows Vista Installer
- Windows 7 Installer
- Windows 8 Installer
— Try to use an Unsupported ISO --
- Try Unlisted Linux ISO
More Live Linux Distributions will be added as time permits. Feel free to contact me to submit recommendations.
UUI – Universal USB Installer Troubleshooting, Issues, Bugs:
The Windows to Go option requires the USB drive be NTFS formatted and have 20GB+ free space to hold the virtual disk. Many flash drives you might find at local department stores won't be fast enough. You'll need a Very Fast Flash Drive. When Windows boots from the USB for the first time, it'll go through the setup process and then reboot. You'll need to boot using your Windows to Go flash drive a second time to finalize the setup process and finally boot into your full Portable Windows.
UUI Expects the Volume Label of your USB drive to be UUI in order for OpenSUSE, CentOS and several other distributions to boot. UUI attempts to automatically create this Volume Label, however it can sometimes fail. Please ensure that the Volume Label of your USB remains UUI if you expect distributions to boot!
Persistence feature is currently broken with Newer Debian and Debian based distributions due to significant changes upstream. Debian now requires a rename of the persistent block file and label from live-rw to persistence and must hold a persistence.conf file containing / Union. I will be working on making the necessary changes to provide a fix as time allows.
If you're using Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.8.8.exe and you still receive Insane primary (MBR) partition notices,
Insane primary (MBR) partition. Can’t find myself on the drive I booted from
Your USB drive may be improperly formatted, contains more than one partition or MBR, or your BIOS is not properly detecting the USB drive and its firmware needs to be updated. You can try these methods to Format and Restore your USB Drive
An Error (1) occurred while executing syslinux.
If you encounter a message stating
An error (1) occurred while executing syslinux. Your USB drive won't be bootable.
The most likely cause is that your USB drive is formatted as exFAT or some other unsupported format. You'll need to reformat as fat32 (currently preferred) or NTFS.
My PC wont Boot from my Flash Drive, but supports USB boot!
Many Flash Drives ship USB-FDD formatted and some systems will not detect or even boot USB-FDD. I have found that most systems can however boot USB-ZIP, and or USB-HDD. If you are having a hard time getting your BIOS to detect your flash drive, you can try to format it as USB-HDD or USB-ZIP using BOOTICE (GET IT HERE), and then proceed to use Universal USB Installer to put your chosen Distro on USB.
OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:
- If you're running a Windows Vista or 7 Installer from your USB, after the first reboot, remove the flash drive and let the pc complete from the hard disk.
- When browsing for an ISO, UUI will only display ISO Files that match exactly what the tool is asking for. For example, if you chose to install Ubuntu 10.10 Desktop i386, you should not expect the tool to display your ubuntu-10.10-netbook-i386.iso as you have not chosen to install the netbook variant.
Auto Detection: If you run Universal USB Installer from the same directory containing an installable ISO, the script should Auto Detect the ISO and bypass step 2.
* Although you can use an NTFS formatted USB, Ubuntu based 'persistence' features will only work with a Fat16 or Fat32 formatted drive. Additionally some Linux Distributions will not boot from an NTFS formatted USB.
This tool does not support installing and booting from multiple Linux Distributions. Only One Distribution can be installed per USB drive. However, the YUMI Multiboot USB Creator can be used to create a Multi System USB Device.
To try an unlisted ISO, I.E. 'Ubuntu 9.10', choose one of the the last two options in Step 1, 'Try Unlisted Linux ISO'. Please inform me of unlisted 'Linux ISOs' you get to work via these options, and I'll add them.
NOTE: OpenSUSE DVD ISOs that exceed 4GB will not work due to the Fat32 limitation.
Ubuntu Server 'Failed to copy file from CD-ROM' Error (should be resolved)?
The Universal USB Installer does run well in WINE under Linux. However the Fat32 format option will not work, and syslinux must be installed manually onto the USB from within Linux. You might also wish to try another Linux Bootable USB Creator.
Similar Portable Linux Posts:
Creating a bootable USB from an ISO file is easy if you have the right tools.
Why You Need a Bootable USB Drive
Installations from a USB flash drive have become one of the easiest ways to update your computer with a new operating system. A USB installation is quick, extremely portable, and has the bonus of reverting to a storage device following the install. See our introduction to using flash drives on Windows 10How to Use a Flash Drive on Windows 10How to Use a Flash Drive on Windows 10Got a new USB flash drive but not sure how to use it? Here's everything you need to know about how to use a flash drive.Read More if you need some background.
You’ll find a fair few ISO to USB tools out there, and they feature a range of tools for beginners and advanced users. Let’s take a look at the burn time, and the resources available to each software. For science!
Note: To keep this test fair, I’m going to burn a copy of Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17713 x64 to an 8GB Integral USB flash drive, formatting the drive between each burn.
A Mini-Glossary of ISO-to-USB Tool Terminology
Before we plow into the testing phase, there are a handful of acronyms I’d like to spell out, and a few other bits of ISO to USB jargon we’ll clear up.
- Bootloader Options: The bootloader loads the operating systemHow to Solve Most Windows Boot ProblemsHow to Solve Most Windows Boot ProblemsIs your Windows computer not booting up? It could be because of a hardware, software, or firmware error. Here's how to diagnose and fix these problems.Read More. Some ISO burners allow you to choose the bootloader you’ll need for your desired operating system installation.
- Grub4dos: A bootloader package designed to allow users to select between multiple operating systems installed on a single systemHow to Create a Bootable Multiboot USB for Windows and LinuxHow to Create a Bootable Multiboot USB for Windows and LinuxA single USB flash drive is all you need to boot, install, and troubleshoot multiple operating systems. We'll show you how to create a multiboot USB, including Windows and Linux installers and recovery tools.Read More.
- Syslinux: A lightweight bootloader package designed to allow users to select between multiple Linux or Unix installations.
- QEMU: Short for Quick Emulator, is a hardware virtualization tool. In this context, it allows users to test their USB before proceeding with the burn process.
- Cluster Size: Defines the smallest available space for storing dataHow to Format a USB Drive and Why You Would Need ToHow to Format a USB Drive and Why You Would Need ToFormatting a USB drive is easy. Our guide explains the easiest and fastest ways to format a USB drive on a Windows computer.Read More. Instead of assigning individual disk sectors, the file system assigns contiguous groups of sectors, called clusters.
- File System: Controls how data is accessed and stored. Without it, your data would lump together with no beginning or end. A file system defines easy access. There are different file systems available, though your burning tool should discern your requirements via the ISO you use.
- Bad Sector: Some ISO to USB tools allow you to perform a bad sector check. Before the burn commences, your USB will be scanned, fixing any irregularities to ensure your installation is smooth. Somewhat like defragmenting your desktop, but on a much smaller scale.
Now, in no particular order, here are the ISO to USB burning tools with their respective times.
Want the TL;DR? Check out the best ISO to USB comparison video below!
1. Rufus
Features: Partition schemes, file systems, automatic ISO detection, target system type, mode of bootable, bad sector checks, ISO write mode
First up, Rufus. Rufus is a very small executable that has consistently improved its offerings over the years. Along with standard ISO to USB options such as cluster size and file system, Rufus now automatically detects settings for the ISO you select and fills in the optimal settings. Furthermore, Rufus has a hidden Advanced Mode with a bunch of extra options.
Rufus clocked in at 21m12s which is definitely not the fastest. Regardless, Rufus is an excellent ISO to USB tool.
2. Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
Features: None
Such an eloquent name. You select your ISO. You select your media type; USB or DVD. You click Begin Copying, and off it goes. In what is the most basic of basic UIs, and with only two options, the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool is almost sublimely simple, comparable only to ISO to USB. This makes it a fine tool when installing Windows 10 from a USB driveHow to Install Windows 10 From a Bootable USB DriveHow to Install Windows 10 From a Bootable USB DriveNeed to install a fresh copy of Windows? Learn how to make a bootable USB stick with UEFI support.Read More.
Windows USB/DVD Download Tool came home in 17m51s which puts it toward the top of the ISO to USB timings board.
3. RMPrepUSB
Features: Bootloader options, file systems and overrides, grub4dos, syslinux, QEMU
RMPrepUSB is one of the most complete ISO to USB packages on this list. Aside from the features above, it comes packed with a host of other bootloaders, DiskDoctor, Speed Tests, and individual user configurations for frequently prepared drives.
RMPrepUSB clocks in with a 21m38 putting it firmly toward the top of the timings board but, like Rufus, the features more than make up for the slightly slower time.
4. YUMI
Features: Multiboot, ISO auto-download
YUMI (Your Universal Multiboot Installer) is another multiboot ISO to USB installer with settings for a vast range of Linux, Windows, and system utilityBoot Multiple Live CDs From One USB Disk With YUMI [Windows]Boot Multiple Live CDs From One USB Disk With YUMI [Windows]Put multiple bootable tools onto one USB drive, then pick which one you want to boot when your computer starts up. Whether you want to try out various Linux environments at once or put together...Read More ISOs. YUMI is easy to use. You scroll down the distribution list and check for the ISO you want, then select the corresponding ISO on your system from the box below. Don’t have the ISO? YUMI will take care of that for you.
YUMI clocked in at 17m46—slower than the first time I ran these tests some five years ago (it was 14m50s back then!), but still ahead of the rest.
5. Novicorp WinToFlash [No Longer Available]
Features: Multiboot, grub4dos, bootloader options, burning wizard, file systems, burning profiles, ISO auto-download
Novicorp WinToFlash is a popular ISO to USB utility that features a handy burning wizard. The wizard guides you through the burning process, although it isn’t unique to the utility (Rufus fills in all the information you need, for example). WinToFlash also allows you to create multiboot USBs as well as an auto-downloader for any ISO files you’re missing.
WinToFlash clocks in at 22m01, decent speed for a tool that guides you through the ISO to USB process.
6. UNetbootin
Features: grub4dos, ISO auto-download (Linux only), syslinux
UNetbootin is primarily a Linux LiveUSB burning tool, but it works sufficiently well with Windows that it deserves inclusion in this list. The UNetbootin utility isn’t flashy, but it does come with a few nifty features. For instance, it has an auto-download feature for Linux distributions, letting you select from a range of popular distros and system utility tools.
UNetbootin came home in 22m01, exactly the same as WinToFlash and again, a decent time for a useful tool.
The ISO-to-USB Winner Is…
The winner regarding speed is YUMI. The winner regarding features and ease of use is Rufus, which was only 3 minutes slower than YUMI. Furthermore, both burning tools cater to slightly different markets; Rufus is for one-off ISO to USB creation whereas YUMI is excellent for multiboot tools.
Let’s not discount the other USB to ISO tools. The range of burn times didn’t vary much, so it really boils down to the features you need and find in a specific utility.
Other ISO-to-USB Tools We Tested…
I tested many more ISO to USB tools for the sake of competition—and to bring you the best overall picture possible. There were a few tools that didn’t make the grade, for one reason or another. Here are the fallen few:
- XBoot is another multiboot tool featuring an inbuilt download, but other options were faster and somewhat easier to use. However, XBOOT’s QEMU function is excellent.
- WinToBootic fits comfortably into the basic features category and clocked a decent time, too.
- Passcape ISO Burner is a multifunction burning tool, but it wouldn’t work for me. I have read other positive reviews, so it could be worth a look for other individuals.
- ISO to USB is another very basic tool. However, it didn’t make the cut through a slow time and lack of features.
- FlashBoot has a decent UI and a burning wizard to guide you through, but I gave up on the test as it had not even hit 50% after nearly 40 minutes.
- UltraISO burned the ISO to USB at a reasonable speed and has the bonus of being able to mount ISOs before burning to check their files.
What’s Your ISO-to-USB Tool of Choice?
Hopefully, you now have a better overview of the best ISO to USB tools available to you. Furthermore, you can pick your tool based upon its raw speed, its functionality, or a combination of both. If you need a guide to creating a bootable USB to install Windows from an ISO fileHow to Make a Bootable CD/DVD/USB to Install WindowsHow to Make a Bootable CD/DVD/USB to Install WindowsNeed installation media to reinstall Windows? Our tips show you how to create a bootable CD, USB, or DVD with an ISO from scratch.Read More, look no further:
For macOS users, we’ve also looked at how to boot your Mac from USB.
Got a load of USB flash drives and that you don’t know what to do with? Here are five use you might not have considered7 Uses for a USB Stick You Didn't Know About7 Uses for a USB Stick You Didn't Know AboutYou've used USB sticks to transport files between computers and back up files, but there is much more you can do with a USB stick.Read More, such as installing multiple operating systems on your USB stickHow to Install Multiple Bootable Operating Systems on a USB StickHow to Install Multiple Bootable Operating Systems on a USB StickWant to install and/or run multiple operating systems from a single bootable USB stick? You can with these tools.Read More.
Explore more about: File System, ISO, USB Drive.
- Try Etcher
- In reply Col. Panek. I use Firefox with Duckgo as my search engine. Type Mint Stick into the search field. You should a list of options. Select mint stick download. Select the second one: Mintstick Download (Deb) - pkgs.org
From there you can download the deb. package you need. - I am a diehard Linux user. My favorite USB burning tool is mkusb. It is availible from both Ubuntu and Debian. Next Unetbootin, Mint stick and USB Image Writer.
- I'm running Mint now, and I wondered where MintStick went to. When I type it in the menu search, USB Image Writer comes up, so maybe that's its new name.I'm newly enthused about Yumi so I can carry many distros in my pocket.
- thanks for this.
- We've downloaded Microsoft Windows 10 directly from official sources, the ISO named as 'Win10_1809_English_x64'.
Now, We've to face with problem occurs when we try to creating bootable media such as USB.
We tried on many tools like Rufus, WUDPT, ISO2USB etc.
We also tried by simply copying.
But, at all no any method will work. We also try different USB Flash drives.
But, all gets error-ed, and processing stucked.
Every time I run Rufus, I get the same error. 'Error: ISO image extraction failure'
We change many of PCs in which some are running on 32-bit and some are on 64-bit. Some have Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.
But, all got failed.
Any body help me how to get rid, how can we solve our problem. - Hirens 2018 New Generation is Back All In One Boot Disk!
this is my open source project 2018 check this guys >>IT Tools Pack Solution 2018 Rescue Edition(Site in Indonesian language) - Include Acronis 2018 + Norton Ghost + Partition Wizard & Other ToolsTx - Using Etcher on Linux & Win and it ROCKS!
- Yes. How can you forget Etcher? It is only the fastest, easiest to use software for making bootable thumbdrives ever.
- You forgot Etcher!!!