I'm really frustrated and exhausted after trying for hours to install Linux Mint Cinnamon on my Windows 11 PC without using a USB drive. I don't have the money to buy one, and I've been at it for literally 9 hours with no success. Can anyone offer suggestions or help me figure this out?
4 Answers
First off, take a breath! I totally get how stressful this can be. Honestly, I’ve never heard of anyone successfully installing Linux Mint without a bootable USB or DVD. If it’s possible, it probably involves some risky methods that may lead to issues with your current setup. It might be better to save up a few bucks for an 8GB USB drive, which is pretty cheap these days.
Or if you can borrow a USB drive, that’s a quick fix! Even a 4GB drive might be enough since Mint is about 2.87GB.
I’m new to Linux too, but I think your best bet is to get a bootable USB. If you don't have one, you could try using a DVD if you have an optical drive. Some users have managed installations without USBs using complicated methods, but those can really break your system if something goes wrong.
Right? If you're not super experienced, it sounds risky. An 8GB USB drive is really the easiest way to go.
Just remember, the USB isn't just the installer; it's also your recovery tool if anything fails.
Doing it without a USB is like walking a tightrope without a net. If anything goes wrong during installation, you may end up with a computer that won’t boot at all. If you can somehow get a USB drive—even a borrow should help! Just to be safe, really.
Could you try with a 4GB USB? That should be enough for Mint!
Honestly, I'd recommend getting a USB anyway to avoid a headache later. You don't want to risk your whole system for this!
I once had to modify Windows' boot loader to add a Linux option since my USB ports were kaput. It worked, but it was a huge pain! You might get there a lot easier with a thumb drive. You can even find a ton of guides online that walk you through it step by step, so you should definitely check that out.
I appreciate the tip! I’ll look up some guides and give this another try.
Just a heads-up; make sure the instructions you find are recent—Windows updates can change things!
Yeah, I mean, you can find a pack of USB drives for about $20. Just seems like a solid investment for anyone wanting to experiment with Linux.