How to Create a Bootable USB with Fedora Media Writer

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

FedoraBootable USBFedora Media WriterInstallation MediaCreationSoftwareSetupOpen SourceBeginnersComputers

When it comes to installing a new operating system or trying out another version of Linux, creating a bootable USB drive is often a necessary step. Fedora, a popular Linux distribution, has simplified this process with the use of Fedora Media Writer. This tool simplifies the process of writing a Fedora ISO image to a USB drive, which can then be used to boot or install Fedora on a computer. In this detailed guide, we will explain each step required to create a bootable USB with Fedora Media Writer. This will be done in a way that users of all technical levels can understand.

What is Fedora Media Writer?

Fedora Media Writer is a tool that helps you write ISO images to USB drives, making them bootable. The tool was created specifically to make the process seamless for Fedora users, but its functionality can be appreciated by anyone who needs to burn images to a USB stick. The tool is free, open-source, and designed to work on a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Why use Fedora Media Writer?

Fedora Media Writer is particularly useful because it eliminates many of the compatibility and configuration issues that arise when creating bootable media. It automatically detects and downloads the latest Fedora release, although you can also choose a custom image file if you prefer. The application is easy to install and use, providing a user-friendly interface that makes the process simple, even for beginners.

Prerequisites

Before we move on to the steps, let's make sure you have everything you need:

• A computer with an Internet connection to download the Fedora image and Fedora Media Writer software.
• A USB drive with at least 2GB of storage space, but 4GB or more is recommended.
• An existing operating system such as Windows, macOS, or Linux distribution where you can run the Fedora Media Writer tool.

Installing Fedora Media Writer

The installation process for Fedora Media Writer varies slightly depending on the operating system you are currently running. We will look at how to install it on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Installing on Windows

1. Visit the official Fedora website to download the Fedora Media Writer executable for Windows.
2. Once downloaded, run the installer by double-clicking on the file.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions in the installer to complete the installation process.
4. Once installed, open Fedora Media Writer from your Start menu.

Installing on macOS

1. Download the Fedora Media Writer .dmg file from the Fedora website.
2. Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the Fedora Media Writer application to your Applications folder.
3. Go to your Applications folder and double-click on Fedora Media Writer to launch it.
4. If you get a security prompt, you may need to open System Preferences, then Security & Privacy, and then click "Open Anyway" under the General tab.

Installing on Linux

If you are using a Fedora-based system, the Fedora Media Writer is probably available directly from the repositories. You can install it using the dnf package manager:

sudo dnf install mediawriter

For other Linux distributions, you may need to download the AppImage directly. Visit the GitHub release page, download the AppImage file, and make it executable with the following:

chmod +x FedoraMediaWriter-x86_64.AppImage ./FedoraMediaWriter-x86_64.AppImage

Creating a bootable USB drive

Once Fedora Media Writer is installed, you are ready to create a bootable USB. Let’s take a look at the steps in detail:

Step 1: Launching Fedora Media Writer

After installing Fedora Media Writer, launch the application. On the initial screen, you will see options to create a Fedora Workstation live USB stick or a custom image.

Step 2: Choosing a Fedora version

Fedora Media Writer allows you to choose from several different Fedora flavors including Fedora Workstation, Fedora Server, etc. For most users who want a desktop interface, Fedora Workstation is the most suitable choice:

1. Click on the “Create Live USB” option under Fedora Workstation or the version you want.
2. If you have already downloaded the ISO, you can also choose to use a custom ISO image by providing the file path of the ISO.

Step 3: Preparing the USB drive

Insert the USB drive into your computer. Note that all data on the USB drive will be erased during this process, so make sure you have backed up all important files. Fedora Media Writer will detect available USB drives:

1. Select the USB drive you inserted from the list of detected drives.
2. Confirm that this is the correct USB drive as all data on this drive will be erased.

Step 4: Writing the image

Once you have selected the correct USB drive, click the button labeled "Write to Disk" or something similar. Fedora Media Writer will now begin the creation process:

1. The application will download the required Fedora image if it is not already downloaded.
2. After the download, it will proceed to write the image to the USB drive, making it bootable.

This process may take several minutes, depending on your Internet connection and the speed of the USB drive.

Step 5: Closing and removal

Once the process is complete, Fedora Media Writer will notify you that the USB drive is ready:

1. You may want to do a quick check to make sure the process was successful by safely ejecting and re-inserting the USB drive.
2. The USB drive will now appear in your system's file manager as a Fedora Live USB.

Step 6: Booting from the USB drive

Once your bootable USB drive is ready, you're ready to test or install Fedora on your system. To boot from a USB drive:

1. Restart your computer and access the Boot Menu. This is usually done by pressing keys such as F12, F10, ESC, or DEL during initial startup (see your computer's documentation).
2. Select the USB drive from the boot menu to boot.

You will now see the Fedora loading screen indicating that it is booting from the USB drive. This allows you to either try Fedora in a live session or begin installing it to your hard drive.

Troubleshooting common problems

Creating a bootable USB with Fedora Media Writer is generally a simple process, but some users may encounter some difficulties. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

USB drive not detected

If Fedora Media Writer cannot detect your USB drive, here are some troubleshooting steps to consider:

• Make sure the USB drive is properly inserted into the USB port.
• Try a different USB port or a different USB drive.
• Close and reopen Fedora Media Writer and see if it recognizes the drive.
• Check for driver updates on your host operating system.

Failed to write image

If the write process fails, you can try the following:

• Make sure the USB drive is not write-protected.
• Reformat the USB drive using system native tools such as Disk Management on Windows or Disk Utility on macOS.
• Try using another USB drive if available.

Conclusion

Creating a bootable USB drive using Fedora Media Writer is a convenient and effective way to install or try out Fedora on any system. It simplifies the steps required to format the USB and burn the image in a way that ensures compatibility and ease of use. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily create a bootable USB drive and face minimal setup challenges, allowing you to quickly find or install your desired version of Fedora.

This procedure is not only a guide for Fedora users, but also serves as a useful tutorial for creating bootable media in general, providing valuable information on how similar tools work in different Linux distributions and potentially other operating systems. Always back up your data and check system compatibility to avoid any potential data loss or hardware issues.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update