Create a Fedora Live USB from Windows

Create a Fedora Live USB. The following tutorial covers how to create and boot Fedora from a flash drive using Windows and the Fedora Media Writer. Fedora is a Linux distribution that is sponsored by Red Hat and is both driven and maintained by the community. It is comprised of open source software and will always remain free to use, study, modify and or redistribute.

About Fedora Linux

Fedora Linux is a popular and widely used open source Linux distribution. Well known for its community driven development model and commitment to providing cutting edge, free and open source software to its users.

This distribution's key features include:

  • Cutting Edge Software: Fedora includes the latest versions of software packages, which makes it attractive to users who want access to the newest features and technologies.
  • Stability: Despite its focus on offering the latest software, it strives to maintain stability and reliability. Undergoing rigorous and stringent testing before each new release.
  • RPM Package Management: Fedora uses the RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) package management system to install, update, and manage software packages.
  • Community Driven Linux Distribution: It is developed by a large and diverse community of volunteers and contributors who work together to create a robust and functional operating system.
  • Fedora Variants: Different variants or "spins" are offered which tailor to specific use cases, such as Fedora Workstation for desktop users, Fedora Server for server environments, and Fedora Core OS for container orchestration.
  • Fedora Security: Fedora places a strong emphasis on security and strives to include the latest security enhancements in its releases. It also provides tools and resources for users to improve system security.
  • Free and Open Source: It strictly adheres to open source principles, and the vast majority of software included is open source.
  • Easy Software Management: The distro includes the DNF package manager, which makes it relatively easy to install, update, and remove software packages.
  • Fedora Customization: Users can customize Fedora to suit their specific needs, making it a flexible choice for various computing environments.
  • Well Documented Community Support: Fedora has an active community that provides documentation, forums, and support to help users get the most out of their Fedora Linux installations.

Fedora is often used by developers, system administrators, and enthusiasts who appreciate its combination of new technologies, open source principles, and community driven development. It serves as the upstream source for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), which means that many of the technologies and innovations developed in Fedora eventually find their way into RHEL, a commercial enterprise Linux distribution.

Fedora Specifications

  • Distribution Home Page: Project Page
  • Lead Developer: Warren Togami
  • Release Date: Fedora Linux was first released in 2002
  • Minimum flash thumb drive size: 4GB
  • Persistent Feature: Yes

Essentials for creating a Fedora Bootable USB

WARNING: When using this tool, your memory stick will be resized to the size of your chosen ISO file. The drive will then work like a CD ROM and no longer be detected by Windows as a regular USB flash device. When you've finished playing with Fedora, you can perform a flash drive recovery to restore your USB back to full capacity.

How to Make a Fedora Live USB

To use the Fedora Media Writer to create a Fedora Live bootable USB:

  1. Download Fedora Media Writer
  2. Run the executable .exe and proceed to install the program on your PC.
  3. Launch the program from your Computer.
  4. Select an Image Source, and then click Next:
    Select Fedora Linux Image Source
  5. Choose your destination USB Drive, and then click Write
    WARNING: The contents of your USB will be overwritten. Make sure you have backed up your content before proceeding:
    Fedora Media Writer - Select USB Drive
  6. The program will proceed to write the contents of the ISO file to your USB drive using a direct copy method.
    Fedora Media Writer - Writing
    A progress bar will indicate the progression of your USB Fedora Live creation.
  7. Once the process has finished, simply close the program.
    Fedora Live USB
  8. Then,
    (1.) Restart your PC.
    (2.) Using your "Hotkey" during system post:
    Access your BIOS and set your PC to boot from USB
    (3.) Save your changes.
    (3.) Proceed to boot up.

If all goes well, you should now be booting into your own portable Live USB Fedora Linux.

NOTE: You might also consider using YUMI to boot from USB multiple ISOs. YUMI can make a Multisystem bootable flash drive containing several Linux Operating Systems, Windows Installers, PE, Antivirus tools, and computer diagnostic utilities.

YUMI - Multiboot USB Creator