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Need Help Installing Linux Mint Without a USB Drive

March 19, 2026 4 answers
Asked by NightOwl93
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?
help installation Linux Mint no USB troubleshooting Tutorial Windows 11

Answers

ExperiencedLinuxGuy
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.

HopingForSuccess: I appreciate the tip! I’ll look up some guides and give this another try.

FutureTechGenius: Just a heads-up; make sure the instructions you find are recent—Windows updates can change things!

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NewbieLinuxFan
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.

KindlyNeighbor: Could you try with a 4GB USB? That should be enough for Mint!

Techie409: Honestly, I'd recommend getting a USB anyway to avoid a headache later. You don't want to risk your whole system for this!

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CuriousCat92
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.

SleepyBear07: Right? If you're not super experienced, it sounds risky. An 8GB USB drive is really the easiest way to go.

HelpMeOS: Just remember, the USB isn't just the installer; it's also your recovery tool if anything fails.

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SunnySkies21
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.

TechWizard88: 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.

FutureTechGenius: 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.

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