Use the Persistent File Creator to make a casper persistent file or writable persistence file for Ubuntu: Written for convenience, this is a simple tool that enables you to quickly and easily create an image for saving and restoring Ubuntu changes to, from within Windows. Once finished, simply append the "persistent" boot parameter during startup of your Ubuntu Live USB. The persistence block file created by this tool will then be used to save and store some changes made during your live session. You can then restore those changes on subsequent boots. Allowing you to use your USB bootable Ubuntu with persistent block file storage.
Also known as a persistent overlay images, block files work as a companion to your Ubuntu Live Bootable USB. Allowing the Live system to act similar to a full installation. With some exceptions like not being able to perform some system and kernel updates, as those changes are stored outside of the overlay image.
Casper-RW Persistent File Creator
Important: Ubuntu based distributions starting from 20.04 onward seem to require both the volume label and file to be named writable. Whereas, 19.10 and lower used casper-rw for the volume label and file name.
Source Code
SHA-256: 69116a284e1d56b8a06730902bc0a5d440463a78d1620df4df1d500066d0dceb
How to Make a Casper Persistent Block File
Download and launch the Persistent File Creator
Note: The persistent block file or overlay image will be stored at the root of the drive. However, you can move it around later to fit your needs.
Proceed to create a persistent file using the following easy steps;
- First, select your Flash Drive from the drop down.
- Then choose which filename to create. casper-rw or writable
- Using the slider, set the size of the file. Then click Create
Booting and using a Casper Persistent Overlay Image
Booting with Persistence enabled: Depending on how you created your Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu or other Bootable USB flash drive, you may need to append the persistent boot parameter to your boot menu. To do this, at the Boot Menu, press F6. Then press ESC and add the word persistent to the boot string. Finally, press Enter to boot.
Persistent overlay usage: Though persistent overlay images work fine for saving and restoring most things. I.E. personalized settings, application settings, saved files, and customizations. However, it does not serve to completely replace a full USB installation. When using a persistent overlay you will need to avoid complete system upgrades. Parts of the system including the kernel, remain compressed and outside of the image. If you try to upgrade, the compressed kernel cannot be modified, resulting in an unbootable system.
This concludes How to make Casper Persistent Files from within Windows 11, 10, 8, 7. I hope that you found this software utility useful.
Here is a link to Ubuntu's Casper Manual page for reference.
