Hey everyone! My computer is having some major software issues and isn't booting properly. Before I reimage it, I need to recover some important files. I was thinking about using a Linux USB drive to boot it up and pull my files onto an external drive. I hope I don't need to remove the hard drive for this, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
So, how do I actually create this bootable Linux USB drive? Which Linux distro would you recommend for this—Ubuntu, Mint, or something else? I'll be using an older laptop with Windows 7 to create the USB, and the problematic desktop was running Windows 11, in case that matters. Also, what size USB drive do I need? I just need it for a one-time transfer, but I'd like to keep the option open for future use. Thanks!
8 Answers
Rufus or Ventoy are both solid choices for creating your USB. I’d recommend using Debian or Ubuntu Live. You’ll want at least an 8GB USB stick for this.
Have you checked what OS is running on the non-booting computer? If it's a Mac, it might be a bit trickier to pull data compared to Windows systems.
I suggest trying Ventoy with your preferred Linux ISO, like Mint or Kubuntu. For USB size, anything over 64GB should work well for running a live environment. If you’re using Ventoy, at least 8GB is needed, but avoid cheap USB sticks to ensure reliable performance.
I’d recommend using Rufus to create your bootable USB drive. For your needs, Debian or Ubuntu would be the best choices as they’re reliable and user-friendly.
Ventoy is an awesome tool to use! I personally have multiple distros on one HDD. Just so you know, Mint has persistence options if you need them. I have a couple of 1TB external drives specifically for persistent Linux usage.
If your Windows 11 machine is secure with BitLocker and isn’t booting, consider trying Medicat or Hiren's Boot CD for recovery. It might work better for getting your files back.
Debian Live is a great option since it’s lightweight and quick. You could have a USB for running Debian and another dedicated USB for transferring your files. That way, it’s clean and organized!
Ubuntu and Mint should work just fine for your file recovery. If the files are intact, you won't need to dive into anything too complex. Maybe consider SystemRescue if things get tricky, but start with the basics like Balena Etcher. It’s user-friendly—just select the USB drive and ISO file, and let it do its thing! 8GB is probably the minimum you’ll need.
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