Step 7 / 13

Boot from the USB Drive

Start your computer from the USB instead of Windows.

You will restart your computer and interrupt the normal startup. Instead of loading Windows, you will tell the computer to start from your USB drive.

Important to understand

Your computer normally starts Windows automatically.

To change this, you must press a key at the right moment during startup.

If you miss it, Windows will load and you must try again.

Step 1 - Insert the USB

Plug in your USB drive before restarting.

Step 2 - Restart the computer

Click Restart.

As soon as the screen goes black, get ready to press the key.

Step 3 - Press the boot key (this is the critical part)

As soon as the computer starts turning on:

Press the key repeatedly.

Do not press it once. Tap it several times.

A screenshot of what BIOS screen Main page looks like

A close up of the Boot manager screen, with removable Device USB selected — A close up of the Boot manager screen, with "removable Device (USB) selected"

Common boot keys

Most computers use one of these:

If one does not work, restart and try another.

Boot key by brand (use this if unsure)

Here are the most common keys based on manufacturer:

Brand	Boot Key
Acer	F12 / Esc / F9
ASUS	Esc / F8
Dell	F12
HP	Esc / F9
Lenovo	F12
Samsung	F12 / Esc
Sony	F11 / Assist
Toshiba	F12

If your brand is not listed, try:

F12 first
then ESC

What you should see

If successful, you will see a boot menu.

This is a list of devices your computer can start from.

Typical options:

Windows / Hard Drive
USB Device
UEFI: USB

The Boot Manager in this BIOS showing the order of the boot devices, this is the correct setup for USB booting — The Boot Manager in this BIOS showing the order of the boot devices (this is the correct setup for USB booting)

To exit the bios, you will usually tap on the escape key and save before exit — To exit the bios, you will usually tap on the escape (Esc) key - you will be prompted to save before exit. Select Yes.

Step 4 - Select the USB

Use the keyboard arrows.

Select your USB device.

Press Enter.

What the USB might be called

It may appear as:

USB Device
Your USB brand name
UEFI: (USB name)

Some removable devices are called UEFI in the BIOS.

If it does not work

Windows starts normally

You missed the timing.

Restart and try again. Press the key earlier and repeatedly.

You see no USB option

Check:

USB is plugged in
USB was created correctly (Step 6)

Try another USB port and restart.

Nothing happens when pressing keys

You may be using the wrong key.

Try a different one from the table above.

What happens next

If successful, your computer will start Linux from the USB.

Nothing is installed yet. You are only testing.

Previous step Next step