Put Linux on a USB Drive, Bypass Windows Updates - shipleywatiod

A flash get is one of the single most useful tools a person rump own. With it you can back up dire data, deligh large files, deliverance a malware-infested PC, and even run an entire operating system. Regarding this worst selection, a while back I explained how to put Windows 8 on a meretricious drive. (IT works with Windows 7, too.) Today, let's talk about putting Linux on a flash drive.

Why would you need to do that? Cardinal reasons: to see how the unusual half lives, so to speak, and to create a rescue tool that can work around nearly whatever Windows-related disaster.

For example, I recently expended days troubleshooting a relative's malware-infested, effectively non-operational laptop. She wasn't haunted about getting the system working again, but she desperately wanted to retrieve her business documents, personal photos, and the like. (I did not, you'll embody gladsome to know, take the opportunity to scold her about making backups. I waited until later.)

Just because Windows is hosed doesn't mean you can't access the files on your problematic drive. By booting Linux from a flash drive, you get a full-blown operational system, one that can read the main drive and, usually, copy its table of contents somewhere safe (like the cloud, an outer hard drive, Beaver State even a network get).

Approve, simply you don't induce a subdue's degree in programming, so how are you putative to create this mythical Linux boot drive? It's easier than you power think thanks to an active-reference utility called UNetbootin. The beauty of this puppet is that it does everything for you (except cater the flash ram–I urge something same the Kingston DataTraveler 108 8GB drive, which Newegg sells for the amazingly low price of $8 shipped).

Sporting download and feed the program, and so choose a Linux distribution (i.e., a version of Linux) or, if you already have one, an ISO file. I think most people will prefer for the former, at which point UNetbootin downloads Linux for you, then copies it to your flash drive (and makes the drive away bootable).

If you'Ra new to Linux, I recommend choosing Ubuntu–though readers English hawthorn have other ideas as to which distribution is the most user-friendly.

Reboot with your drive still inserted and presto: Linux should load. (You may need to monkey with your BIOS or boot settings so that the ostentate drive is at the top of the order.)

Keep in mind that this North Korean won't overwrite anything happening your Winchester drive; the OS runs exclusively from the flash drive. When you're done, you can honorable squinting out, remove the drive, then rush in reply into Windows normally. But I advocate familiarizing yourself with that Linux environment, with great care you're prepared if and when you need to use it for delivery purposes. Plus, it's kind of amusive!

Squinched Drink down Windows Without Installing Updates

Has this happened to you? You're sitting at your laptop, typewriting away, when you glance at the clock and realize IT's prison term to go. So you shut down Windows–only to be educated that IT needs to install any updates first. Tenner minutes later, you'Re still waiting for the job to finish–efficaciously held hostage away your OS.

That, my friends, is a hassle with a chapiter H.

How hard would it be for Microsoft to add a deferment, an "install updates later" or "not right-minded like a sho" option? This whole affair about constrained updating during shutdown is border disrespectful.

Fortunately, if you get a line the bittie update-alert picture alongside the Tight Down button, there's a simple way to get around it. Here's how:

Shut down all your programs so that only the desktop corpse.
Pressur Alt-F4.
Mouse click the pull-down menu, and change it from Install updates and close up to simply Shut down.
Click OK.

Presto: Windows shuts down straight away, without installing any updates. That'll teach you to take me hostage, Microsoft!

Actually, formerly you bugger off in the substance abuse, you might detect imperative Alt-F4 a quicker and more desirable manner to close up your PC. Matchless less mouse chink!

If you've got a hassle that of necessity resolution, send it my way. I can't promise a response, but I'll definitely read every e-mail I get–and brawl my best to address at least some of them in the PCWorld Hassle-Free PC blog . My 411: hasslefree@pcworld.com . You can buoy also sign up to have the Chevvy-Free PC newsletter e-mailed to you each workweek .