Boot Into Linux Without USB or CD/DVD

If you want to try out Linux but you don't have a flash drive or your computer has no ODD, you can try the instructions below.

Please note that this works only if your computer has BIOS. For others with UEFI, there are separate instructions for you. To check if your computer is using BIOS, please do the following:

1. I would assume that you're using Windows. Press Windows + R simultaneously.
2. Type in the input box msinfo32 then hit OK.
3. You will have the System Information window open
4. Under the System Summary, check if the value of BIOS Mode is Legacy.

If you see the same setup as above, you are good to go.

Before we proceed, you need 2 things first:

1. UNetbootin - click here to download
2. You Linux distro image. This can usually just be downloaded from the community website of your chosen distro. - click here to check Ubuntu Desktop as example.

Now, with the two files above downloaded, let's begin!

1. Run UNetbootin as administrator
2. Select Diskimage at the lower part of the window.
3. In the Type dropdown, select Hard Disk and choose a partition.

4. Click on the ellipsis(...) button on the right side of ISO inputbox to select your download Linux distro image (.iso file)

5. Click OK and wait for it to complete the setup.

6. You can restart your computer now. When you do, you will have two options:

• Boot with your Windows OS (Windows 10 in my case)
• Boot with UNetbootin

7. You can select UNetbootin.

8. After selecting UNetbootin, you will have to press ESC button to get the Linux boot selection.

Cheers!