UNetbootin is the software to create bootable USB drives that emulates a CD or DVD. Very useful for PCs that do not have a DVD player / Working CD.
Unlike other applications of the world, as Universal USB Installer or Rufus Portable, this tool only allows you to create USB Live from some Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, FreeDOS, Kubuntu, etc.), but not from windows.
Create bootable drives with Linux distributions
Whether you need to repair an old PC or want to try a Linux distribution on your computer, UNetBootin has you covered.
Created by Geza Kovacs, the software itself covers a range of useful functions that are not available in other equivalent software. As an example, downloading ISO images of the most popular Linux distributions (without leaving the application) and the opportunity to add space to save permanent data.
The first option enables descargar, from the application itself, a GNU distribution / Linux, like CentOS, Arch Linux, CloneZilla, Fedora, Mandriva, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, among others. At the same time, you can select between the different versions Live available on these systems.
The second characteristic has to do with the storage space that you can allocate to the drive to save permanent data after a reboot, even though it is only enabled for Ubuntu. Thanks to this, it is feasible to run the operating system from a pendrive, save data and have it available the next time you reboot from USB Live.
On the other hand, there is the function that other startup programs do not have, which is to support not only USB drives, but also hard drives.
How to use UNetbootin
After downloading UNetbootin for Windows (no installation needed), run it to enter the settings.
– If you already have the desired operating system image file, you can select it within the interface. Later, select the target USB device and click OK.
– If you want to get a Linux distribution from the internet, you must select it from the drop-down list "choose distribution" and "choose version". Then select the destination pendrive and click OK.
– Once the procedure is finished, you can use the boot device to run the operating system on your PC.
In case the USB stick won't boot, reformat it as FAT32. Later use UNetbootin to put the operating system back on the USB.
Characteristics
- Portable and cost-free software
- Download the main Linux distributions without leaving the tool
- Install security and recovery distributions on USB
- Supports USB drives and hard drives
- Create USB Live Linux (live)
- Manage multiboot entries
- Create a persistence file system on USB
- Easy to use interface
- Support to add space to save permanent data (Ubuntu only)
- Compatible with file systems like FAT32, NTFS y exFAT
- Cannot format USB drives
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