I'm new to Linux and am trying to install Linux Mint on a Windows 11 laptop. I downloaded Mint and used balenaEtcher to create a bootable USB drive. The first time I started the laptop from the USB, Mint booted normally and I was able to try it out.
During installation, I initially chose the option to keep Windows, but that didn't work because BitLocker was enabled. I then disabled the encryption, restarted the laptop, and tried to boot from the USB again. Since then, the laptop either starts Windows normally or shows this error when I select the USB:
"Failed to open \EFI\BOOT\mMx64.efi - Not FoundnFailed to load image: Not FoundnFailed to start MokManager: Not FoundnSomething has gone seriously wrong: import_mok_state() failed: Not Found"
I'm selecting the USB through the startup boot options and also tried changing the boot order in the BIOS/UEFI, but the same error still appears. Why did the USB work the first time, and what should I try to get Mint booting again?
2 Answers
Make sure you are selecting the USB from the laptop’s UEFI/BIOS boot menu, rather than relying only on Windows’ advanced restart options. Plug the USB in before powering on, open the firmware boot menu with the appropriate key, and choose the USB device explicitly. Also verify that the USB appears as a UEFI boot option and is listed before the internal drive.
That error usually means the EFI boot files on the USB are missing or the USB was not written correctly. BitLocker being disabled should not normally prevent the live Mint environment from booting. Re-download the Mint ISO, verify its checksum if possible, and recreate the USB with balenaEtcher. If it still fails, try another USB drive or a different USB port, preferably a direct port rather than a hub.
The USB did boot successfully once, so I’m going to recreate it and check whether the image or flash drive has become corrupted.
I tried changing the boot order in the BIOS, but selecting the USB still produces the missing EFI file and MokManager error.