How To Create Fedora Live USB In Ubuntu

Brief: This tutorial shows you how to create a bootable Fedora USB in Ubuntu Linux. Focusing on beginners, this tutorial focuses on using the graphical user interface to create Fedora live USB.

Mostly I use Ubuntu, but I keep on trying other Linux distributions now and then. If you are like me, you might also want to take Fedora for a test drive. Live USB is the best way to try out a new Linux distribution.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create a live USB of Fedora in Ubuntu using a graphical tool.

create fedora live usb in ubuntu

Creating Fedora live USB in Ubuntu with GNOME Disks

Let’s see how to create a live USB of Fedora in Ubuntu. This can be used in other Linux distributions also.

Step 1: Download Fedora

Go to the Fedora website and download the desired version. Here, I am assuming that you are a desktop user. So you should download the Fedora Workstation. Go to the link below and download the ISO:

Step 2: Run a checksum (optional, yet recommended)

Running a checksum is always helpful to determine if the file you downloaded is healthy or not. If the checksum fails, your downloaded ISO is corrupted, and your live USB will run into trouble.

You can do this easily in the terminal or use GUI apps available for both Linux and Windows. Read more about it in our article on checksum verification.

Step 3: Burn the ISO to USB

Open the Disks utility from the overview.

gnome disk in overview
Gnome Disk in Overview

Now Select the USB you want to write. From the three-dot button on the top right, choose to restore Disk Image.

gnome disk restore disk image
Gnome Disk Restore Disk Image

Choose the downloaded Fedora image and press Start Restoring.

gnome disk restore fedora
Gnome Disk Restore Fedora

This will take some time to complete.

gnome disk restore fedora progress
Gnome Disk Restore Fedora Progress

Once completed, safely remove your USB and plug it into the required system.

gnome disk restore fedora finished
Gnome Disk Restore Fedora Finished

Creating Fedora Live USB using Etcher [Windows and Linux]

Etcher is an easy-to-use utility to create Live USBs of various distributions.

Step 1: Download Etcher

Until now, Unetbootin has been my go-to tool for creating live USBs in Ubuntu. But a popular cross-platform, open-source tool has now grabbed my attention. It’s called Etcher.

It has a sleek and good-looking modern interface, and works fine. You can download the AppImage of Etcher for Linux and run it.

Check how to use AppImages in Ubuntu and other Linux distributions if you are a new user.

For Windows/macOS, you can download the available packages and get it installed. A portable version is available for Windows.

Once downloaded and unzipped. You need to make it executable. Right-click on the AppImage file and go to its properties.

right click and select properies
Right Click and Select Properties

And in here, check the “Allow executing file as program” option:

allow executing file as program check box
Allow Executing File as Program Check Box

Once you do that, we are good to go.

Step 2: Burn the ISO to USB

Run Etcher and plug in your USB. Format it as FAT 32, if required. Run Etcher by double-clicking the downloaded AppImage (which is executable now).

You’ll see an interface like this. Click on Flash from file and browse to the location where you have downloaded the Fedora ISO.

etcher home
Etcher Home

Etcher automatically recognizes the USB drive. You can change it if you have multiple USBs plugged in. Once it has selected the ISO and USB drive, it will allow you to flash the ISO. Click on Flash to proceed:

etcher flash
Etcher Flash

Once proceed, you can see the status of the flashing process:

etcher flashing progress
Etcher Flashing Progress

The tool verifies the process after it is done.

etcher validation
Etcher Validation

If you see a success message, it is done!

etcher flash complete
Etcher Flash Complete

Now, you have your Fedora live USB ready. You can test it now.

Creating Fedora Live USB with Rufus [Windows]

Rufus is a popular tool available for Windows for creating Live USBs. It is a simple and straightforward tool.

Step 1: Download Rufus

You can download Rufus from the button below. There is an installer and a portable file, download as per your requirements.

Step 2: Write the ISO to the USB

Rufus automatically detects your USB device on startup. Select the downloaded Fedora Workstation image and press hit START.

rufus fedora setup
Rufus Fedora Setup

It will start writing the image, and you have to wait a couple of minutes for it to complete.

rufus fedora writing progress
Rufus Fedora Writing Progress

Once done, close the window or hit the CLOSE button.

rufus fedora writing complete
Rufus Fedora Writing Complete

Now, you have the Live Fedora USB, which can be plugged in and used in any system.

Don’t forget to change your BIOS or UEFI settings to change the boot order to boot from removable media/USB.

In the live session, you’ll have the option to try or install Fedora. The choice is yours here.

fedora install option
Fedora Install Option

I hope this tutorial helped you to create a live USB of Fedora in Ubuntu. Now you can install Fedora in dual boot or simply as the only operating system on your computer.

If you have questions or suggestions, drop a comment.

About the author
Abhishek Prakash

Abhishek Prakash

Created It's FOSS 11 years ago to share my Linux adventures. Have a Master's degree in Engineering and years of IT industry experience. Huge fan of Agatha Christie detective mysteries 🕵️‍♂️

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