How to Try a Linux Distribution Without Installing It
Using Live mode from a USB drive, without modifying your hard drive at all.
"Live mode" lets you run Linux directly from a USB drive, without installing anything on your hard drive — perfect for trying it before committing.
- Download the distribution's ISO image.
- Create a bootable USB drive with Rufus (Windows) or Balena Etcher (any system).
- Restart the machine and boot from the USB drive (quick-boot key, F12 or Esc depending on the manufacturer).
- Choose "Try" instead of "Install" on the initial menu.
In Live mode, the system runs entirely from RAM and the USB drive — it doesn't touch your hard drive at all. Restarting without the USB drive, your machine goes back exactly to how it was before, with no changes.
Note: performance in Live mode is slower than a real installation (everything reads from the USB drive, slower than an internal disk) — it's representative of the interface and apps, but not of the final performance after genuinely installing it.
Frequently asked questions
Does Live mode modify anything on my hard drive?
No, it runs entirely from the USB drive and RAM — your hard drive isn't touched at all, and everything goes back to normal when you restart without the USB drive.
Does performance in Live mode reflect how it would run installed?
Not exactly — it's usually slower, since everything reads from the USB drive instead of the internal disk. It's useful for seeing the interface, but not for judging final performance.