I'm trying to install Linux on a newer Lenovo ThinkPad X1, probably a Gen 13 model. I already have a bootable USB, but I'm having trouble getting the laptop to start from it. The BIOS interface looks different from older Lenovo systems, and whenever I select the USB-related boot options, the computer just starts Windows. I'm not very familiar with UEFI settings, so I'm looking for guidance on the correct boot-menu or BIOS settings to use.
3 Answers
The easiest method is usually to plug in the USB, restart the laptop, and repeatedly press F12 as soon as it powers on. That should open Lenovo’s one-time boot menu, where you can select the USB drive. You normally don’t need to change a bunch of BIOS settings. Also make sure the USB was actually created as bootable media and that it appears by name in the boot menu.
You generally want to use UEFI mode, which is the modern firmware boot system used by current ThinkPads. Don’t switch to legacy mode unless the Linux distribution specifically requires it. Secure Boot can stay enabled for many popular distributions, including Fedora and some Ubuntu-based installers, but if the USB refuses to start, temporarily disabling Secure Boot is worth testing. Re-enable it afterward if possible.
The exact ThinkPad X1 generation and the Linux distribution matter here. Some installers support Secure Boot while others don’t, and a USB that was written incorrectly may show up in the menu but fail to boot. Confirm the ISO download, recreate the installer with a reliable USB-writing tool, then use F12 and select the entry labeled with the USB drive or its manufacturer.
I can get into the boot menu, but there are several USB options and none of them worked. I’ll try recreating the USB and looking for the drive by its actual name.