Create Portable Ubuntu USB with GRUB - Full Installation Guide (Not Live USB)
· 12 min read
This comprehensive guide explains how to install Ubuntu on a USB drive with a portable GRUB bootloader configuration. This setup allows you to run Ubuntu from any computer while keeping the host system's bootloader intact.
Overview
Installing Ubuntu on a USB drive provides several advantages:
- Portability: Run your Ubuntu environment on any compatible computer
- Non-invasive: No changes to the host computer's internal storage
- Isolation: Complete separation from host operating system
- Development Environment: Portable development setup for embedded systems
- Recovery Tool: Bootable Ubuntu system for system recovery tasks
Understanding the Boot Process
Traditional Installation vs USB Installation
Traditional Installation:
- GRUB installed on internal disk
- EFI files stored in host system's ESP (EFI System Partition)
- GRUB menu appears even without USB drive
USB Installation (This Guide):
- GRUB installed entirely on USB drive
- EFI files contained within USB drive
- Host system remains unchanged
- GRUB only appears when USB is connected