unetbootin
UNetbootin is an open-source utility that allows users to create bootable Live USB drives for Ubuntu and various other Linux distributions without needing an optical disc. It can either download a supported distribution directly from the internet or write an existing ISO image from your local storage to a USB flash drive.
github.com · Official website
- ✓ Official source (winget)
- ✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- This is not a virus scan. Check on VirusTotal
- Version
- 702
- Release date
- Feb. 4, 2021
- License
- GPL-2.0 or Greater
- Installer type
- portable
How do I use this?
Type Terminal in the Start menu and open it, paste the command (Ctrl+V or right-click) and press Enter. It uses winget, Windows' own package manager, to install the program from its official source.
winget install --id unetbootin.unetbootin -eSHA256 (file verification)
65ba5ff090be1cc96dec40509c9002582f4663634cb63b311941321907701483We couldn't find a macOS version of unetbootin in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
We couldn't find a Linux version of unetbootin in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
We couldn't find a Android version of unetbootin in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
Highlights
- Direct downloading of popular Linux distributions and rescue tools within the application
- Support for loading custom disk images via pre-downloaded ISO files
- Persistence support for Ubuntu-based distributions to preserve files across reboots
- Simple, single-window user interface requiring minimal configuration
Who is it for?
It is built for users and administrators who need to test or install Linux operating systems and rescue environments without burning CDs or DVDs.
Good to know before installing
- May encounter boot compatibility issues with certain modern UEFI-only hardware configurations.
- Not suited for creating modern Windows installation media.
- The built-in list of downloadable Linux distributions can sometimes lag behind the newest releases.
How to install
Windows
- Click the official download button on this page, or run 'winget install --id unetbootin.unetbootin -e' in a terminal.
- Open the downloaded executable file.
- Accept the administrator prompt to launch the utility.
Alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Does UNetbootin format the USB drive before writing?
UNetbootin generally copies files alongside existing content rather than completely reformatting the drive, though using a clean FAT32 USB drive is recommended to avoid boot conflicts.
Can UNetbootin create a bootable Windows installation USB?
UNetbootin is primarily engineered for Linux distributions and diagnostic tools; it does not reliably support newer Windows installation images.
Is UNetbootin free to use?
Yes, it is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL-2.0 or greater) and is completely free and open source.