If you have ever tried to install Ubuntu on a USB drive, you know that the default tool that ships along with Ubuntu Live CD doesn't really install the popular Linux distribution on the removable drive, but just turns it into a "Live USB" that can be used to boot into Ubuntu. It does not let you save your files nor does it allow you to install your own applications and customize the portable operating system.

Usbuntu is a Windows application that will give you a portable Ubuntu installation that can be customized and will allow you to save your files and other works. Usbuntu is a tiny (less than 2MB) application that uses iso image file or Live CD of Ubuntu to install the operating system on a USB. Alternatively, it can also download Ubuntu. It also allows to download and install VirtualBox on the USB so that you can run Ubuntu within Windows.

1. Download USbuntu Live Creator.
2. Extract the contents of the archive and run the executable application.



3. If your USB drive isn't connected, plug it and click refresh icon.
4. Select the USB drive from the dropdown list.
5. Choose a source for Ubuntu installation.



6. If you have a Ubuntu CD, insert the CD and choose the CD option in Step 2.
   
7. Specify the space to be used for saving your customizations and files.



8. In Step 4, choose the desired option.
   
9. Click on the thunder icon to begin installation.
10. Installation will take some time.

Once done, you will have to remove USB drive and reinsert it for launching Ubuntu in windows. Right-click on the USB drive icon in My Computer, or just Computer in Vista, and choose to run Ubuntu in Virtual box or run Virtual Box or open Ubuntu Live CD menu.

Booting into USB drive

To boot separately into Ubuntu, boot device order will have to be changed so that the computer tries to boot from USB drive before looking into hard drive. This can be done by changing BIOS settings. Press the appropriate key prompted at the time of start-up to enter BIOS settings. Now go to boot device order or something similar to set high priority for USB drive. Save and exit.

Pros and cons

Usbuntu is good if your sole aim is to create a portable Ubuntu installation that allows you to save customizations and files. Apart from that, it is as good as a Live CD. It takes lot of time to start up and is equally "fast".

If you wish to use it only for emergencies, go and install it. If you plan to use it more frequently, as a portable computer, install Slax on your USB drive. slax surpasses portable Ubuntu on every single aspect and behaves like any good operating system installed on a hard drive.

Unlike Slax, the Ubuntu-based Linux which install itself on a USB and allow you to install applications, customize the operating system and save your work like a normal hard drive-based operating system, Ubuntu just dumps an image of the Live CD on the USB.

Usbuntu