Etcher is a tool that can be used to Burn an ISO to a USB flash drive. It also serves as a nice USB Clone tool. Created by Balena, this open source direct image writing and disk cloning software can be used to write, etch or burn an image .img or .iso file onto a flash drive. As mentioned, in addition the utility functions as a USB disk cloning tool. In that it can be used to easily clone a flash drive to another of equal size or larger.
Be aware that functionality is similar to using a destructive RawWrite DD command. Meaning that Etcher will overwrite the content of the destination drive with whatever source file has been chosen. As a result, all existing content on the destination drive will be erased, wiped clean or deleted. Additionally, depending on the filesystem of the source, the device might not remain usable for file storage purposes. After etching an ISO or IMG, the drive may no longer be detected by some operating systems. So, after playing around for a bit, you might find a need to restore and fix an unreadable USB flash drive.
Caveats aside, since Etcher creates a direct copy of the source, this software functions very well for the purpose of creating a bootable USB from an Image or ISO. As well as for cloning a flash drive for backup.
How to use Etcher to Burn an ISO to a USB Flash Drive
First you’ll want to Download Etcher from the project Home Page.
- Choose Flash from file
- Browse to, and select your ISO. Then click Open
- 1.) Choose Select target
- 1.) Click the box to set your Destination Drive 2.) and click Select
- Click Flash! to Etch the file to the destination.
How to use Etcher to Clone a USB Flash Drive
- Choose Clone drive
- 1.) Click the box to set your Source Drive 2.) Then click Select
- 1.) Choose Select target
- 1.) Click the box to set your Destination Drive 2.) Next click Select
- Finally, click Flash! to clone the entire Source Drive to Destination.
