Ubuntu’s open-source nature makes it, like any Linux distribution, extremely flexible.
Because of that, live disks use different methods to boot.
Should I Boot Ubuntu From External Storage?
Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek
Installing an operating system (OS) on your setup is relatively simple nowadays.
However, doing the same on a removable drive is a bit trickier.
The first issue is the drive’s speed.
Out of the box, Ubuntu is somewhat lighttraditional live disks run considerably snappy from USB 2.0 ports.
It may require a couple of additional steps, though, so be prepared for some technical work.
Persistent storage means the drive also has a partition where files can be placed safely.
Regular live disks delete all the files and apps when you finish using them.
Other than that, both solutions are the same.
For that reason, the installation is also the same.
If you’re on Windows,tools like Ventoy and Rufusdo the trick.
All you should probably do is opt for persistent partition if using RufusVentoy has a persistent partition by design.
balenaEtcher, the other tool on the linked article, doesn’t have this feature.
If you’re already on Ubuntu, the best method ismkusb.
It’s supported by the community and is safe and stable.
Running Ubuntu from external storage has several advantages over a live disk with a persistent partition.
It boots faster, allows user accounts, and is upgradeable, to name some.
This guide on GitHubexplains how to install Ubuntu on an external hard drive.
That way, you don’t even need to create a live disk.
However, this method is a bit more complex.
If you’re on Windows, you’ll need to do some partitioning by hand.
If you’re using Ubuntu for that, you may also have to modify the GRUB bootloader.
This post on Ask Ubuntuhas a detailed guide to do just that.
It assumes that you have an internal disk, but the steps are the same for external drives.
The method for UEFI devices works with Windows as well, justuse the Disk Management Utilityinstead of GParted.
A USB card reader isn’t 100% guaranteed either, but it works far more frequently.
This post on Ask Ubuntuwill guide you step by step.
Running Ubuntu from an SD card also has more shortcomings than the other methods.
Check ourlist of the best SD cardsto see to it you get a model that fits your needs.
Also, this punch in of storage is more susceptible to tearing due to limited rewriting cycles.
We have a guide onstoring Docker containers on external disks.
It requires a bit of tinkering, but it’s perfectly doable.
If you want to store a whole Ubuntu virtual machine in an external disk, it’s extremely simple.
If not, then change this setting before booting the virtual machine.
