To download an operating system to a flash drive, you'll need a bootable USB drive. This allows your computer to start from the flash drive instead of its hard drive. Here's how to do it:
1. Download the Operating System
- Go to the official website of the operating system you want to download. (e.g., Microsoft for Windows, Apple for macOS, Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora).
- Find the download link for the version you want.
- Download the ISO file. This is a file that contains the operating system files.
2. Create a Bootable USB Drive
- Choose a USB drive: Select a USB drive with enough storage space for the operating system.
- Format the USB drive: Format the USB drive using a tool like Disk Utility (Mac) or Disk Management (Windows). Make sure to format it to FAT32 or NTFS.
- Use a bootable USB creator tool: There are many free tools available online, such as Rufus (Windows), UNetbootin (Windows/Linux), and BalenaEtcher (Windows/Mac/Linux).
- Select the ISO file: In the bootable USB creator tool, select the downloaded ISO file.
- Choose the USB drive: Select the USB drive you want to use.
- Start the process: Click the "Create" or "Start" button to begin creating the bootable USB drive.
3. Boot from the USB Drive
- Restart your computer: After the bootable USB drive is created, restart your computer.
- Enter the BIOS: Press the appropriate key during startup (often F2, F10, or Del) to enter the BIOS settings.
- Change boot order: Select the "Boot" or "Boot Order" option and change the boot order so that the USB drive is listed first.
- Save and exit: Save the changes and exit the BIOS.
Your computer will now boot from the USB drive, and you can install the operating system.
Remember:
- It's essential to back up your data before installing a new operating system.
- Make sure you choose the correct version of the operating system for your computer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions carefully during the installation process.
