Platforms: Legacy PC, UEFI-based Windows computer, Apple computerĪskUbuntu: Is it still possible to install Ubuntu to an external harddrive with UEFI? Installed system: add an ESP to an existing installation with MBRĪdding required partitions for different platforms If you want a pendrive with a live and an installed system, that works in UEFI and BIOS mode, you can tryĪ new and so far successful attempt to create a stable portable system, that works in UEFI and BIOS mode,Ĭompressed image file with a live Ubuntu 14.04.2 and an installed Ubuntu 15.10 andĪnother new, simpler and so far successful attempt to create a stable portable system, that works in UEFI and BIOS mode See this tutorial about One pendrive for all (Intel/AMD) PC computers.Ī new and so far successful attempt to create a stable portable system, that works in UEFI and BIOS mode There is a compressed image file and also a recipe how to make it, so that you can extend it or change it for what you need. It is useful for travelling and borrowing computers or for installing. You may want a 'Swiss Army Knife' pendrive, that works in most computers, from old 32-bit computers via 64-bit computers in BIOS mode to computers running in UEFI mode. One pendrive for all PC (Intel/AMD) computers Persistent USB drive that works with UEFI and BIOSĪ persistent USB install of *buntu, usable with both Legacy and UEFI systems is described in the following post at the Ubuntu Forums Stable portable systems - good for USB sticks The following command line is more robust and also easier to understand, so you may prefer it (if you copy & paste and are not bothered by typing a long command line), if test -d /sys/firmware/efi then echo efi else echo bios fi

An installed system and a live system too is using the directory /sys/firmware/efi, so you can run the following command line, test -d /sys/firmware/efi & echo efi || echo bios You may want to test if your Ubuntu flavour is running in EFI mode.

You can also try the simple extraction described in this link. If you have problems, try another tool to create the USB boot drive. Some 'grub and ISO' systems work in UEFI mode, others work only in BIOS mode. These tools clone the iso file and are likely to succeed.

Make the boot drive with for example mkusb, Disks, the new Ubuntu Startup Disk Creator (version 0.3.2) or the Win32 Disk Imager. If you want to boot in UEFI mode and install your Ubuntu flavour alongside Windows, you should use a 64-bit ISO file, for example There is a good wiki page about booting with UEFI, and a good tutorial thread, UEFI Installing - Tips.

Installed system: add an ESP to an existing installation with MBR.

A new and so far successful attempt to create a stable portable system, that works in UEFI and BIOS mode.

One pendrive for all PC (Intel/AMD) computers.

Persistent USB drive that works with UEFI and BIOS.

Stable portable systems - good for USB sticks.

Portable ubuntu usb stick