How to Flash a USB Drive with Linux on macOS and Windows (Step-by-Step Guide) Linux is one of the most powerful and flexible operating systems in the world. If you’ve ever wanted to try it out or install it on your computer, one of the first steps is to create a bootable USB drive from a Linux ISO file. A bootable USB allows you to: Try Linux without installing it (“Live” mode) Install Linux on your computer Troubleshoot and repair existing operating systems In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to flash a USB drive with Linux — for both macOS and Windows — along with explanations for each step, and tips for avoiding common mistakes. What You’ll Need Before we start, make sure you have the following: A USB Drive Capacity: At least 8 GB is recommended. Warning: Flashing will erase all data on the USB drive, so back up anything important first. A Linux ISO File This is the operating system image you’ll wr...