How to Run Rocky Linux 9.5 from a Bootable USB Drive

Run Rocky Linux from a Bootable USB Drive

Requirements -

Local access to a Windows computer connected to the Internet

16GB or higher capacity USB drive

Check Windows - Settings - Windows Update for any pending updates, complete them and restart the system before proceeding

Insert the USB into a port on the Windows computer and Insure that it is recognized by Windows File Explorer before proceeding

Format the USB drive before proceeding ...

If any problems are encountered at this point; the USB drive may be considered unusable; start over with another USB drive.

Download and install Etcher from a Windows system -

Step 1: Obtain an OS ISO file --

Download an ISO file from Rocky Linux 9.5 ISO download ...

From the ' Desktop/Workstation Live Images ' section, select ' GNOME '

This will initiate the download process; once it completes, make note of the directory where the Rocky-9-Workstation-x86_64-latest.iso file was downloaded; which is normally, the ' Downloads ' folder.

Step 2: Download and launch Etcher --

Etcher is a free application for creating bootable USB drives.

It does not install to the Windows system; it simply runs in system memory until you exit it.

It can be downloaded quickly from the Etcher website .

Download ' Etcher for Windows (x86|x64) (Installer) ' ...

... run the balenaEtcher setup file from the web browser downloader ...

... or from the Windows ' Downloads ' folder as Administrator ...

Step 3: Flash the target USB drive with the Rocky Linux 9.5 ISO image --

Once Etcher is open and ready an interactive window similar to the following will appear ...

... select ' Flash from file ' and browse to the Rocky-9-Workstation-x86_64-latest.iso file downloaded in Step 1 and select it ...

... set the destination drive by selecting ' Select target ' ...

... check the appropriate box for the USB drive from the list that is presented then select ' Select 1 '

DO NOT SELECT ' C:\ System drive ' if it appears!!! ...

... select ' Flash! ' ; if prompted by the ' Windows Command Processor ' select ' Yes ' .

... if all is well, Etcher will begin flashing the USB drive ...

The Rocky Linux 9.5 bootable USB drive is complete.

Step 4: Boot the system with the Rocky Linux bootable USB drive --

Insert the bootable USB drive into a USB port on the system.

Power cycle the monitor and restart the system.

If a GRUB menu does not appear on startup; use <F11> or <F12> key at power on; when the Boot Menu appears, select ' Boot from USB Part1 ' .

When the GRUB menu appears; select ' Start Rocky Linux Workstation 9.5 '

Rocky Linux 9.5 will start from the desktop GUI.