A bootable USB drive is the best way to install or try Linux. But most Linux distributions—like Ubuntu—only offer an ISO disc image file for download. You'll need a third-party tool to turn that ISO file into a bootable USB drive. ... If you're not sure which one to download, we recommend the LTS release.

Is Linux ISO bootable?

Like a live CD or DVD, a bootable USB drive lets you run practically any Linux distribution without affecting your computer. ... Whichever method you choose, you'll need the Linux distribution's ISO file. For example, Ubuntu Linux has two built-in methods for creating a bootable USB drive.

Can I install Ubuntu from ISO?

Use Rufus to put Ubuntu on your USB flash drive or burn the downloaded ISO image to a disc. (On Windows 7, you can right-click an ISO file and select Burn disc image to burn the ISO file without installing any other software.) Restart your computer from the removable media you provided and select the Try Ubuntu option.