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Hi I want to try Ubuntu 20.04 without installing it due to some driver issues in my laptop. But I already have 2 OS ( Windows 10 and Ubuntu 20.04 [Dualboot] ), so will trying Ubuntu mess with the already installed Operating systems? And I know how to make live usb and booting from it but don't know how to exit it and then bring my laptop back to normal. Tried finding procedure on internet but reliable results are not found.

  • https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/try-ubuntu-before-you-install
    https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-how-to-verify-ubuntu#0 https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu#1-overview https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-macos#1-overview https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#1-overview
    – guiverc Feb 01 '21 at 08:29
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    I don't know what you mean by "don't know how to exit from it"... If you mean shutdown, you can shutdown the system using the menu (if using Ubuntu or flavor desktop), via command, or even using magic SysRq keys to command the kernel directly (it's faster than anything else) – guiverc Feb 01 '21 at 08:33
  • Creating a Full install of Ubuntu on an SD card and keeping it in the laptops SD card reader works well. Both a Persistent install to USB and a Full install have their own advantages. – C.S.Cameron Feb 01 '21 at 09:47

2 Answers2

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No, you can try Ubuntu on a system with

  • a single OS installed (any OS)
  • multiple OSes installed (any combination of OSes)
  • no OS installed

without impacting the installed systems.

I do this when live QA-testing (Quality Assurance) testing on borrowed devices (ie. not my own).

The only negative issue I've had, is it has changed the borrowed computers clock to UTC time, and the owner of the machine gets a message on next boot of their installed OS, telling them it's setting time back to local. This occurs on some boxes.

To try Ubuntu before installing, see

After download of a Ubuntu ISO, validate it using

To write a Ubuntu (or flavor) ISO you can use

guiverc
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Advantages of a Persistent install

  1. You can use the Persistent pendrive to install Ubuntu to another computer.

  2. A Persistent install takes up less space on the pendrive.

  3. You can reset the Persistent pendrive by overwriting the old casper-rw file with a new one.

  4. The Persistent install to pendrive takes less time.

  5. Slightly less wear on the drive.

Advantages of a Full install

  1. You can update and upgrade a Full Install.

  2. If you have problems or wish to modify, the solution is the same as with an internal install, (You can ask for help in forums).

  3. No ugly startup / install screen.

  4. Better security, you can encrypt a Full Install.

  5. You can use proprietary drivers.

  6. Hibernation works.

  7. There is no 4GB casper-rw or 4GB home-rw persistence file size limitation.

  8. Generally faster boot than Live or Persistent USB's.

  9. More stable.

A quick and easy method to flash a Full install to USB can be found here: Easy Full Install USB that Boots both BIOS and UEFI

A comparison between Rufus and Etcher Live USB installers can be found here:Rufus Bells and Whistles or Rufus vs Etcher

C.S.Cameron
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