If you want to run Ubuntu from a USB stick with the ability to save your settings and files persistently, mkusb offers a reliable and user-friendly solution. This listicle covers the essential steps and considerations for creating a persistent Ubuntu live USB using mkusb, ideal for Linux enthusiasts, IT professionals, or anyone needing a portable, customizable Linux environment.
Install mkusb on Your Current System
Before creating a persistent live USB, you need to install mkusb on your existing Linux system. mkusb is not typically pre-installed, but it’s available through Personal Package Archives (PPAs) for Ubuntu and derivatives. Adding the PPA via sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mkusb/ppa and then running sudo apt update && sudo apt install mkusb mkusb-nox usb-pack-efi ensures you get the latest stable version with EFI support.
Download the Official Ubuntu ISO
To create your live USB, download the official Ubuntu ISO image from ubuntu.com/download. Use the latest LTS release for better stability and long-term support, such as Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. Avoid third-party modified ISOs to ensure compatibility with mkusb and persistence features.
Prepare a Suitable USB Drive
Choose a USB drive with at least 8GB of capacity for basic Ubuntu live USBs, though 16GB or more is recommended for persistence and additional software installations. USB 3.0 drives provide faster read/write speeds, improving the live session performance. Remember that the process will erase all existing data on the USB.
Launch mkusb Using the Correct Method
Run mkusb from the terminal using the command sudo mkusb to ensure it has the necessary privileges. The graphical interface guides you through selecting the Ubuntu ISO and target USB device, minimizing the risk of accidentally overwriting the wrong drive. mkusb’s step-by-step prompts are designed to be clear for users of varying experience levels.
Select the Persistent Live Option
When prompted, choose the “persistent live” option rather than the standard live USB. This option creates an additional persistent storage partition on the USB stick, allowing you to save system changes, installed applications, and personal files across reboots. mkusb handles partitioning automatically, simplifying what can otherwise be a complex manual process.
Configure Persistence Size Appropriately
mkusb lets you allocate how much space on the USB drive will be used for persistence. For basic use, around 4GB is sufficient, but if you plan to install many applications or save large files, consider allocating more. Persistent storage sizes are limited by the FAT32 filesystem’s maximum file size of 4GB if using casper-rw files; mkusb avoids this by creating a dedicated ext4 partition for persistence, which supports larger sizes.
Verify the USB Drive and Start the Creation Process
Before proceeding, mkusb displays a summary of your selections, including the target device and persistence size. Double-check to avoid overwriting important drives. Once confirmed, mkusb formats and writes the ISO and persistent storage, a process that can take 10-20 minutes depending on USB speed and size.
Boot from the Persistent Ubuntu USB
After creation completes, reboot your computer and select the USB drive as the boot device. The Ubuntu live session will load with persistence enabled, allowing you to save settings, install software, and keep files across sessions. Note that some systems require disabling Secure Boot or adjusting BIOS/UEFI settings to boot from external media.
Test Persistence by Saving Files and Settings
To confirm persistence is working, create a file or install a package during the live session, then reboot and check if your changes remain. mkusb’s method of creating a dedicated persistence partition ensures high reliability compared to other tools that use casper-rw files, which can be prone to corruption or size limits.
Update and Maintain Your Persistent USB
You can update the persistent live USB by running normal Ubuntu updates and installing software while booted from it. However, major Ubuntu upgrades may require recreating the USB with a newer ISO. Back up important data regularly, as USB drives have limited write cycles and can fail over time.
How to Choose
When creating a persistent Ubuntu live USB with mkusb, the key factors are USB drive quality and capacity, the Ubuntu ISO version, and how much persistence space you allocate. A USB 3.0 drive with at least 16GB capacity strikes a good balance between speed and storage. Always use the official Ubuntu LTS ISO for stability. mkusb’s built-in partitioning and persistence features simplify the process, but you should verify BIOS/UEFI compatibility and ensure you have the necessary permissions to run mkusb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use mkusb on Windows or macOS?
mkusb is primarily designed for Linux systems. While you can create a persistent live USB on Linux using mkusb, Windows and macOS users should consider other tools like Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (cross-platform), though these often lack persistence support.
Does the persistent USB slow down Ubuntu performance?
Running Ubuntu from a USB is generally slower than from an internal SSD or HDD, especially if the USB drive is USB 2.0. Using a USB 3.0 drive and port helps mitigate this. Persistence adds minimal overhead but depends on drive speed.
How much persistence space can mkusb create?
mkusb can allocate persistence up to the remaining free space on your USB drive. Unlike older methods limited by FAT32 file sizes, mkusb creates an ext4 partition for persistence, allowing for very large persistent storage, constrained mainly by your USB size.
Is persistence secure?
Persistence stores files unencrypted by default, so anyone with physical access to the USB can read them. For sensitive data, consider encrypting the persistence partition manually or using full disk encryption in a standard Ubuntu installation.
Can I use mkusb to create persistent USBs for other Linux distros?
mkusb supports Ubuntu and many Ubuntu-based distributions well. For non-Ubuntu distros, mkusb might work but persistence support varies depending on the distro’s live system design.
What happens if the USB drive fails?
USB drives have limited write cycles and can fail, especially with frequent persistence writes. Always back up important data stored on the persistent USB to another device or cloud storage.
Final Thoughts
mkusb is a powerful and user-friendly tool that makes creating a persistent Ubuntu live USB straightforward and reliable. By following the steps outlined here and choosing the right hardware and settings, you can carry a portable, customizable Ubuntu environment in your pocket. Persistence lets you save work and install software across sessions, making this approach ideal for testing, troubleshooting, or working on the go. Remember to verify BIOS settings and maintain backups to ensure a smooth experience.
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