How to Create a Bootable USB Drive for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Creating a bootable USB drive is one of the easiest ways to install Ubuntu 26.04 LTS on your computer. A bootable USB lets you install Ubuntu, try it without installing, or even use it as a live operating system for troubleshooting and recovery.

Whether you’re installing Ubuntu on a new PC or replacing your current operating system, all you need is the Ubuntu ISO file, a USB drive, and a simple tool to make it bootable.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a bootable USB drive for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS step by step.

How to Create a Bootable USB Drive for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Before we begin, make sure you have a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage. Keep in mind that the process will erase all data on the USB drive, so back up anything important before proceeding.

1. Download the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS ISO File

The first step is downloading the official Ubuntu ISO file from Canonical’s website. This file contains the operating system installation files. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (“Resolute Raccoon”) officially released on April 23, 2026.

1. Open your web browser on your computer.
2. Visit the official Ubuntu download page.
3. Select Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Desktop.
4. Click Download and wait for the ISO file to finish downloading.
5. Save the file in an easy-to-find location.

2. Download a Bootable USB Creation Tool

Next, you’ll need software that can write the ISO file to your USB drive.

1. On Windows, download Rufus or balenaEtcher.
2. On macOS, download balenaEtcher.
3. On Linux, you can use Startup Disk Creator or balenaEtcher.
4. Install the tool on your computer.

3. Insert Your USB Flash Drive

Now connect the USB drive you want to make bootable.

1. Plug the USB flash drive into your computer.
2. Make sure it has at least 8GB of free space.
3. Back up any files stored on it because the process will erase everything.

4. Create the Bootable USB Drive

This is where the actual bootable drive creation happens.

1. Open Rufus or balenaEtcher on your computer.
2. Select your USB drive from the list.
3. Click Select or Flash from file and choose the Ubuntu 26.04 ISO file.
4. In Rufus, keep the default settings unless you need GPT/UEFI or MBR/BIOS specifically.
5. Click Start or Flash to begin the process.
6. Wait for the tool to finish creating the bootable USB drive.

5. Boot From the USB Drive

Once the process is complete, you can use the USB drive to install or try Ubuntu.

1. Restart your computer with the USB drive connected.
2. Press the Boot Menu key during startup (such as F12, Esc, or F9 depending on your PC).
3. Select the USB drive from the list.
4. Choose Try Ubuntu or Install Ubuntu from the boot menu.

Final Thoughts

Creating a bootable USB drive for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS is simple and only takes a few minutes. Once it’s ready, you can install Ubuntu on your PC, test it in live mode, or use it for system recovery and troubleshooting.

With tools like Rufus and balenaEtcher, the process is straightforward—even if you’ve never installed Linux before.