This article provides you with a detailed description of installing Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa from USB after such bootable USB (also referred to as live USB) had been created.
In this tutorial you will learn:
- How to download Ubuntu 20.04
- How to create Bootable USB or DVD
- How to access Boot Menu and BIOS/UEFI
- How to boot Ubuntu 20.04 from USB
- How to try Ubuntu 20.04 before installing
- How to install Ubuntu 20.04 from USB
| Category | Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used |
|---|---|
| System | See Ubuntu 20.04 System Requirements |
| Software | N/A |
| Other | Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo command.64bit architecture computer with hard drive free of personal non-recoverable data. This could be any spare, old, low profile desktop or laptop. Internet connection. USB flash drive of minimum 4GB size. |
| Conventions |
# – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command$ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user |
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Check System Requirements
Ubuntu 20.04 is an inherently lightweight operating system, capable of running on some pretty outdated hardware. Canonical (the developers of Ubuntu) even claims that, generally, a machine that can run Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, or x86 OS X can run Ubuntu 20.04 perfectly fine. Take a closer look at the hardware requirements by navigating to Ubuntu 20.04 System Requirements.
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Download Ubuntu 20.04
First, step is to download Ubuntu 20.04 ISO image. Ubuntu desktop only supports the 64-bit PC (AMD64) desktop image so download it into your directory by navigating to Ubuntu 20.04 Download.
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Create Bootable USB or DVD
You can find instructions on how to create a bootable USB in: Create bootable Ubuntu 20.04 USB startup disk.
For DVD instructions see How to Burn ISO to DVD on Ubuntu 20.04 Desktop. or Ubuntu 20.04 Burn ISO to DVD from command line.
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Change Bios Settings
Make sure that the USB (may be called: Removable Devices, USB-HDD) selection is at the top of the list in the Boot Menu. This will always make your PC to boot from a USB flash drive first. If USB is not present, the computer will boot from the hard drive. We outlined below how to access Boot Menu on various computers.
If the Boot Menu is not available you will have to access BIOS/UEFI. This will allow you to boot from removable media. Select the USB flash drive in BIOS/UEFI in the Boot Devices Menu. We outlined below how to access BIOS/UEFI on various computers.
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Boot Ubuntu from USB or DVD
The process of booting Ubuntu 20.04 form USB includes four simple steps: First, switch OFF your PC. Second, insert the USB bootable flash drive into your computer in order to start the USB boot. Then, make sure that all other USB devices are removed (e.g. memory cards, printers) as an extra precaution. Finally, switch ON your computer. Your PC will now start the booting sequence from the USB external media.
NOTE
Some computers (e.g. ultrabooks) have a fast boot option. It is important to disable this option before the Ubuntu 20.04 USB boot is initiated. Go to BIOS/UEFI settings and look for Boot Device Select Menu. Furthermore, on some of the computers with UEFI/EFI you will have to disable secure boot (or enable legacy mode). -
Try Ubuntu 20.04
Given that you did successfully boot from your previously created Ubuntu bootable USB you will be briefly shown a black screen. If you act quickly enough, hitting the TAB key you will bring up the Boot Menu where you can choose to simply just try Ubuntu without installation. Alternatively, you can simply wait and make the same selection once the Ubuntu 20.04 boots into the installation wizard.
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Install Ubuntu 20.04
After that, proceed with
Step 4 outlined in How to install Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Desktop.
Access Boot Menu
To access Boot Menu on your computer you will need to hit different keys (or combination of keys) depending on your computer type. Here is the list of possible keys you may have to press depending on your PC:
| Device | Key Combination | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Acer | Esc, F12 or F9 |
F12 key most likely |
| Asus | F8 or Esc |
|
| Compaq | Esc or F9 |
|
| Dell | F12 |
|
| eMachines | F12 |
|
| Fujitsu | F12 |
|
| HP | Esc or F9 |
|
| Lenovo | F8, F10 or F12 |
Other possibilities: Novo button or Fn + F11 |
| Samsung | Esc or F2 or F12 |
For ultrabooks from Samsung disable the fast boot option in BIOS/UEFI. See next section. |
| VAIO | Esc, F10 or F11 |
Other possibilities: Assist button |
| Toshiba | F12 |
Access BIOS/UEFI
To access BIOS/UEFI on your computer you will also need to hit different keys (or combination of keys) depending on your computer type. Here is the list of possible keys you may have to press depending on your PC:
| Device | Key Combination | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Acer | Del or F2 |
F2 key most likely |
| Asus | Delete or Del |
|
| Compaq | F10 |
|
| Dell | F2 |
|
| eMachines | Tab or Del |
|
| Fujitsu | F2 |
|
| HP | Esc, F10, F11 |
Other possibilities: on Pavilion – F1 |
| Lenovo | F1 or F2 |
Other possibilities: small button next to the Power button (if laptop) |
| Samsung | F2 |
For ultrabooks from Samsung it might be F10 |
| VAIO | F1, F2, F3 |
Other possibilities: Assist button |
| Toshiba | F1, F2, F12 or Esc |