In this article, we will walk you through the process of booting Ubuntu from a USB on a computer running UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). This process can be a bit complex, especially if you are new to Linux, but we will try to make it as simple and straightforward as possible.
To boot Ubuntu from a USB on a computer running UEFI, you need to create a bootable USB drive with the Ubuntu operating system, access the UEFI firmware settings, disable fast boot and secure boot options, change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive, and save the changes. Restart your computer, and it should attempt to boot from the USB drive. If you encounter any issues, consult your computer’s documentation or online resources for troubleshooting steps.
Preparing Your USB Drive
Before we start, you need to have a bootable USB drive with the Ubuntu operating system on it. To create a bootable USB, you can use tools like Rufus or UNetbootin. Make sure to download the 64-bit version of Ubuntu, as it is compatible with UEFI systems. When creating the bootable USB, select the GPT partition scheme for UEFI computers.
Accessing UEFI Firmware Settings
To boot your computer from the USB drive, you first need to access the UEFI firmware settings. This can usually be done by pressing a specific key (such as F2, F10, or Del) during startup. The exact key varies depending on the computer manufacturer, so you may need to refer to your computer’s documentation or look up this information online.
Once you are in the UEFI firmware settings, navigate to the boot options. Here, you need to disable the “fast boot” and “secure boot” options. Fast boot bypasses the enablement of USB devices during startup, while secure boot prevents booting from unauthorized devices.
Please note that some UEFI firmware settings require setting a password or changing boot options to allow booting from anything other than the internal drive. If this is the case, follow the prompts to set a password or change the boot options.
Changing the Boot Order
Next, you need to change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive. In the boot options, look for a setting called “boot order” or “boot priority”. Move the USB drive to the top of the list. This tells the computer to try booting from the USB drive before any other devices.
Booting from the USB Drive
After changing the boot order, save your changes and exit the UEFI firmware settings. Your computer should restart and attempt to boot from the USB drive. If successful, you will see the Ubuntu installation screen. Follow the prompts to install Ubuntu.
Troubleshooting
If you are unable to boot from the USB drive, you may need to access the EFI shell and manually run the boot loader. To do this, navigate to the EFI\BOOT directory and run the bootx64.efi file. If it fails, it may provide an error message that can help troubleshoot the issue.
If your computer gets stuck in the EFI shell after installing Ubuntu, try accessing the UEFI firmware settings again and ensure that the boot order is correctly set to prioritize the Ubuntu installation. If necessary, manually select the Ubuntu boot option from the firmware settings.
Conclusion
Booting Ubuntu from a USB on a computer running UEFI can be a complex process, but with the right knowledge and a bit of patience, it is certainly achievable. Remember to consult your computer’s documentation or online resources if you encounter any issues. Good luck!
UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. It is a modern replacement for the traditional BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) found on computers. UEFI provides a more advanced and flexible interface for the firmware that initializes hardware during the boot process.
Disabling fast boot allows the computer to properly detect and initialize USB devices during startup, which is necessary for booting from a USB drive. Secure boot, on the other hand, prevents booting from unauthorized devices. By disabling secure boot, you enable the computer to boot from the USB drive.
No, it is recommended to use the 64-bit version of Ubuntu for UEFI systems. UEFI requires a 64-bit operating system to take full advantage of its features.
You can usually access the UEFI firmware settings by pressing a specific key during startup. The key varies depending on the computer manufacturer, but common keys include F2, F10, and Del. Refer to your computer’s documentation or search online for the specific key for your computer model.
If your computer gets stuck in the EFI shell, try accessing the UEFI firmware settings again and ensure that the boot order is correctly set to prioritize the Ubuntu installation. If necessary, manually select the Ubuntu boot option from the firmware settings.
If you encounter an error message while booting from the USB drive, try accessing the EFI shell and manually run the boot loader. Navigate to the EFI\BOOT directory and run the bootx64.efi file. If it fails, the error message may provide information that can help troubleshoot the issue.
