I'm looking for a way to run Linux directly from a USB stick while I'm using Windows. I used to use Damn Small Linux on a USB drive, which allowed me to just click a file and start it without any installation needed. Unfortunately, I don't have permission to install anything on my Windows PC right now. So, is there an easy way to have a functional Linux environment on a USB that I can execute without needing to boot from it?
5 Answers
Have you considered using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)? It’s a pretty straightforward way to run Linux on Windows without needing a USB stick at all! You can check out the installation process [here](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install).
If you have the option, you could try asking your IT department to install WSL2 for you. That way, you can use Linux without messing with hardware.
You might want to look into using portable QEMU. I haven't personally tested it, but it seems like you could potentially run a VM from your USB. Just keep in mind that this might go against some workplace policies if you’re trying to avoid installing anything on your Windows machine. You can find more info on it [here](https://www.willhaley.com/blog/simple-portable-linux-qemu-vm-usb/).
You could also just grab Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store. It’s a quick setup and no USB required!
Another option could be to just run any Linux distro from a USB as a non-persistent OS. You might also want to give Tails a shot if you need something more private.
Yeah, definitely check if your workplace is okay with this. They might have a strict no-installation policy.