Install PCLinuxOS to a Flash Drive in Windows

PCLinuxOS is a clean, compact and beautiful Live Linux CD compilation created and headed by Texstar. PCLOS was originally based on Mandriva Linux and could comfortably fit on just about any flash drive. Back in the day, the MiniMe version was one of my favorite Live Linux distributions, taking up less than 512MB of space. In the following tutorial, I’ll cover how to run this distribution from a USB device. Upon completion, you should end up with a USB Bootable PCLinuxOS operating system that you can bring with you on a flash drive.

Homepage: Project Page

PCLinuxOS MiniMe running from USB

PCLOS MiniMe running from a USB flash drive

Note: Shown above is a very old (but once popular) version of Minime!

USB Boot Prerequisites:

  • USB flash drive
  • pclinuxos*.iso
  • Windows 8/10 PC
  • YUMI (does the USB Boot conversion)

How to USB Boot PCLinuxOS from a Flash Drive

  1. Download and start the YUMI Bootable USB Creation software.
  2. (1) Select your Flash Drive from the drop list. (2) Next, choose PCLinuxOS from the list. (3) Browse to your ISO, and then click Create. USB Bootable PCLinuxOS
  3. Reboot your PC and set your system BIOS or Boot Menu to boot from the USB device, save your changes and reboot booting from the memory stick.

Notes: You can log into your PCLOS desktop using the username: root and password: root or guest and guest

If you need additional help getting your flash drive to boot, check out our BIOS boot options section or Tools Section