Create Bootable USB Ubuntu GNOME Disks

To create a bootable Ubuntu USB installer using the GNOME Disks utility, open the Disks app, select your USB drive, click the menu (⋮) and choose “Restore Disk Image…�, then select your Ubuntu ISO and start the restore. This writes the ISO directly to the drive, making it bootable on most UEFI and BIOS systems. Below is a full walkthrough, including how to identify the correct drive, what to do if the USB won’t boot, and why this method differs from tools like Rufus or Etcher.

Why Use GNOME Disks?

GNOME Disks (gnome-disk-utility) is preinstalled on Ubuntu and many other Linux distributions, so there is nothing extra to download. Its “Restore Disk Image� feature performs a raw write of the ISO file to the USB drive, which is exactly what a bootable installer needs. Unlike graphical tools that extract and copy files, this method creates a byte-for-byte copy of the ISO, including the boot loader. It works for Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and most Linux ISOs, as well as for writing disk images like .img files.

Before You Start: What You Need

• A USB drive with at least 4 GB capacity (8 GB or more is safer). All data on it will be erased.
• The Ubuntu ISO file downloaded from the official Ubuntu website.
• A computer running Linux with GNOME Disks installed (default on Ubuntu).
• Administrative (sudo) privileges to write to the USB drive.

Step-by-Step: Create the Bootable USB

1. Insert the USB drive into your computer. If it auto-mounts, you can leave it mounted; the restore process will unmount it automatically.
2. Open the “Disks� application (search for “Disks� in the Activities overview).
3. In the left sidebar, click your USB drive. Be careful to select the correct device—it is often labeled with its brand and capacity (e.g., “SanDisk 8 GB�).
4. Click the menu button (three horizontal lines, ⋮) in the top-right of the window and choose “Restore Disk Image…�.
5. In the file picker, navigate to your downloaded Ubuntu ISO and select it.
6. Click “Start Restoring…�. A warning will appear that all data on the drive will be destroyed. Confirm by clicking “Restore�.
7. Wait for the process to finish. A progress bar shows the write speed and remaining time. When done, you’ll see a “Restore Complete� notification.
8. You can now safely remove the USB drive (right-click and “Eject� or use the icon in the file manager) and use it to boot your target machine.

Understanding the “Restore Disk Image� Function

GNOME Disks uses the dd command in the background, which copies data at the block level. This means the ISO’s boot sector and partition table are written exactly as they appear in the file. The result is a bootable USB that works on both UEFI and legacy BIOS systems, provided the ISO supports both (Ubuntu’s official ISOs do). The tool does not modify the ISO or add any extra files—it is a pure image write.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

• USB not booting: Check your computer’s boot menu (usually F12, F10, or Esc during startup) and select the USB drive. If it still won’t boot, try disabling Secure Boot in the UEFI settings, or enable “Legacy Bootâ€� if your system is older.
• Wrong drive selected: If you accidentally restore to your internal hard drive, you will overwrite your OS. Always double-check the drive size and model in the Disks window. A good practice is to unplug all other external drives.
• “No space left on deviceâ€� error: This can happen if the ISO is larger than the USB drive’s capacity. Verify the ISO size and use a larger USB drive.
• Persistent storage not working: GNOME Disks creates a plain bootable USB without persistence. If you need to save changes between sessions, use a tool like Rufus (Windows) or mkusb (Linux) that supports persistent partitions.

Alternatives to GNOME Disks

While GNOME Disks is simple and reliable, other tools offer extra features:

• Startup Disk Creator: Preinstalled on Ubuntu, this tool is specifically designed for Ubuntu ISOs. It also offers the option to create a persistent storage file (up to 4 GB) for saving changes.
• BalenaEtcher: A cross-platform GUI that works on Linux, Windows, and macOS. It is simple but does not offer persistence.
• Rufus (Windows): The most popular Windows tool; it can create persistent Ubuntu USBs and supports many ISO formats.
• mkusb: A Linux tool that can create a persistent USB with a larger persistence file (up to the remaining space on the drive).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this erase my USB drive?

Yes, the restore process completely overwrites the USB drive. Any existing files or partitions will be destroyed. Back up anything important before proceeding.

Can I use a USB drive with less than 4 GB?

Technically, if the ISO is smaller than the drive, it might work, but Ubuntu’s ISO is around 4.5 GB as of recent releases. A 4 GB drive will not hold it. Use at least 8 GB to be safe.

Does this method work for Windows ISOs?

No. Windows ISOs are not designed for raw writing; they need a tool like Rufus or the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB. GNOME Disks will write the ISO, but the resulting USB will not boot on most systems.

Why does my USB not show up in the boot menu?

First, ensure the USB is properly inserted. Then, check if your computer’s UEFI has a “Boot from USB� option enabled. Some systems require you to temporarily disable Secure Boot or enable “CSM� (Compatibility Support Module). Also, try a different USB port—sometimes front ports are not recognized during boot.

Can I reuse the USB drive after creating the installer?

Yes, you can reformat it using GNOME Disks (select the drive, click the “Format� button) or any other partitioning tool. The drive will return to normal storage capacity.

Is it safe to remove the USB while the restore is running?

No, never remove the USB during the restore process. This can corrupt the drive and make it unusable. Wait for the “Restore Complete� message and then eject safely.

Final Tips

After creating the bootable USB, test it on the target computer by booting from it. If you encounter errors like “Failed to load ldlinux.c32� or “Missing operating system�, the USB may not have been written correctly—try the process again with a different USB port or a different tool. For most users, GNOME Disks is a reliable, no-fuss solution that gets the job done without extra software.

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