How to Safely Try Ubuntu on a Windows 11 PC in 2025: USB Boot & WSL Guide

1. Goal of This Article and Reader Assumptions

This page summarizes clear, practical, and safe steps for Windows 11 users to install Ubuntu on their own PCs.

In particular, as of November 2025, Windows 10 has already reached end of support. Therefore, this guide assumes Windows 11 as the baseline environment for new OS setup and verification.
We do not recommend “installing on Windows 10” or “reusing outdated procedures” in this article.

Intended Audience

• Primarily Windows users who want to explore Linux
• Those who want to run Ubuntu in a real, usable environment for work or study
• Those who want to experience “real Ubuntu” via USB boot, not just WSL
• Those who want to proceed safely and avoid damaging their PC

In short:

“I want to try Ubuntu properly for free.

I don’t want to erase Windows.

I don’t want to lose my data.”

This guide is for exactly those users.

What You Will Achieve with This Article

• Create a bootable Ubuntu USB by yourself
• Configure UEFI settings to boot from USB
• Safely run Ubuntu on real hardware using “Try Ubuntu”
• Optionally proceed to a full SSD installation later
• Compare a modern alternative: using Ubuntu via WSL2

Policy of This Article

Many “installation guides” simply list steps without context.
That approach causes many beginners to get stuck and give up.

This article focuses on:

• Not avoiding common “USB won’t boot” problems
• Preventing losses caused by fear or mistakes around partitions
• A safe flow: “try first” → “install only if you like it”

One Thing to State Clearly Up Front

Ubuntu can be tried entirely from a USB drive.
You can use it without touching your SSD or overwriting your OS.

First, reach that point as quickly and safely as possible.

After that, you can decide whether you want to install it permanently.

This is the correct way to approach Ubuntu in 2025.

2. Two Ways to Use Ubuntu

For Windows users, there are two main ways to use Ubuntu.

① Boot from USB and Run “Real Ubuntu” (Native Method)

This method is closest to how Linux is traditionally used.
You create a bootable Ubuntu USB and configure your PC to boot from it first.

Advantages

• Operate a clean, unmodified Ubuntu environment
• Uses the full performance of your actual hardware
• Provides a much deeper understanding of Linux

Disadvantages

• Requires understanding UEFI and partitions
• Mistakes can potentially affect Windows data

This article mainly explains this method.

② Run Ubuntu Inside Windows 11 Using WSL2

As of 2025, WSL2 is highly polished.
For development work, Ubuntu can be treated as a virtual Linux environment.

Advantages

• No risk to Windows
• Can be installed with a single command
• Extremely fast for CLI-based work

Disadvantages

• No exposure to boot loaders or partitions
• Not ideal for deep system-level Ubuntu learning

You can install it with a single PowerShell command.

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

Which Is Better for Beginners?

Practice and learning → WSL2
Understanding Linux as a full OS → USB boot

These approaches serve different purposes.
This article focuses on the USB method as the safest shortest path.

3. What You Need (USB / ISO / Rufus)

Before installing Ubuntu on a Windows 11 machine,
you first need to prepare the minimum required items. None of them are difficult.

Checklist of Required Items

Important note: As of November 2025, Windows 10 is no longer supported.
→ This article assumes Windows 11.

Important Notes About the USB Drive

Use a USB drive whose contents can be completely erased.
The USB will be fully initialized during the Rufus process.

There is a very high chance that all data on the USB will be erased, so do not use a USB that contains important files.

Obtaining the Ubuntu ISO

If you search for “Ubuntu download,” the official site will appear near the top.
Always download from the official website only.

Ubuntu Download (Official)

Ubuntu has many variants, but for learning, practical use, and stability,
the LTS (Long Term Support) releases are the best choice.
At present, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is the standard recommendation.

Obtaining Rufus

Rufus is a widely trusted tool for creating bootable USB drives from ISO files.
Its simple UI allows you to complete the process in just a few minutes.

Rufus Download (Official)

Alternatives such as Ventoy also exist,
but if you are creating a single, clean Ubuntu USB, Rufus is easier to explain and understand.

4. Download the Ubuntu ISO

Now the actual work begins.
First, download the Ubuntu ISO file.
This file will be written to the USB drive to create a bootable Ubuntu environment.

Why an ISO File Is Required

An ISO file is a complete snapshot of an operating system packaged into a single file.
Unlike regular applications, an OS cannot boot simply by copying files.
The ISO provides the structure required to boot the OS properly.

Choose an LTS Release

Ubuntu is released twice a year, but if stability is your priority,
choosing an LTS (Long Term Support) release is the correct decision.

As of November 2025, the natural choice is:

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

LTS releases are supported for many years,
making them reliable for daily use, development, and learning.

ISO Download Steps

1. Search for “Ubuntu download”
2. Click the official Ubuntu website in the search results
3. Select “Ubuntu Desktop” from the download category
4. Choose the version labeled LTS
5. The ISO file will be downloaded to your PC

→ Keeping the file in the default “Downloads” folder is perfectly fine.

What to Check After Downloading

• Confirm the file extension is .iso
• Confirm the file size is several gigabytes (an unusually small file may indicate corruption)

Verifying the ISO checksum (SHA256) is part of the official procedure,
but for learning purposes, it is not mandatory here.
(For production or server use, verification is strongly recommended.)

5. Create a Bootable USB Using Rufus

Here, you will write the downloaded Ubuntu ISO
to the USB drive in a bootable format.
Rufus is the dedicated tool for this task.

Launch Rufus and Configure Settings

1. Insert the USB flash drive into your PC
2. Launch Rufus
3. Confirm the inserted USB is selected under “Device”
4. Click “Select” and choose the Ubuntu ISO
5. Partition scheme: GPT
6. Target system: UEFI (non-CSM)
7. File system: FAT32
8. Click “Start”

These settings are usually all you need.

What You Must Not Do During Writing

• Remove the USB drive
• Power off the PC
• Run other disk-intensive applications in Windows

The writing process typically completes in a few minutes.
Once finished, simply click “Close.”

What Is Created After Writing Completes

The USB drive becomes
a bootable device that can directly launch Ubuntu.

Next, you will use this USB drive to
boot the PC with USB as the first priority.

This next step is where beginners most often get stuck.

6. Restart the PC and Change the UEFI Boot Order

Once the Ubuntu USB is ready,
the next step is to configure the PC so that it boots from the USB first.
If this is not done correctly, Windows will start normally even if the USB is inserted.

Enter the UEFI Setup Screen During Restart

Immediately after restarting the PC, repeatedly press one of the following keys.

• F2
• F12
• DEL
• ESC

The key differs by manufacturer,
so searching for “PC model + UEFI” will usually provide the answer.

Change the Boot Priority

In the UEFI screen, look for items such as “Boot” or “Boot Priority.”
Here, simply do the following:

Set the USB device as the top priority

That is all.

The key point is to configure the order as:

USB (1st) → SSD (2nd)

Secure Boot Considerations

Ubuntu generally supports Secure Boot,
but depending on the environment, disabling Secure Boot may improve stability.

• Many systems work when Secure Boot is OFF
• Some systems work when Secure Boot is ON

If it does not boot, try turning Secure Boot OFF.
This mindset is sufficient.

Important: This Is the Most Common Cause of USB Boot Failure

Nine out of ten beginners get stuck here.

• The USB device is not set as the top boot priority
• The USB is inserted into a USB 3.0 port (some PCs fail due to compatibility)
• Secure Boot settings

Simply switching to a USB 2.0 port solves the issue on many PCs.

If the settings are correct,
the next reboot will show the Ubuntu boot screen instead of Windows.

7. Ubuntu Startup and Initial Settings

Once booting from the USB succeeds,
you will see a purple screen with “Try or Install Ubuntu.”
From here, follow the on-screen instructions provided by Ubuntu.

First, Select “Try Ubuntu”

The screen presents two options: “Try Ubuntu” and “Install Ubuntu.”
At this stage, select “Try Ubuntu.”

At this point, nothing is written to the PC’s SSD.
Ubuntu runs directly from the USB.

→ You can immediately experience real Ubuntu
→ Windows remains completely safe

This is the safe first step every beginner should take.

Language Settings

Select “Japanese” on the left side of the screen.
For the keyboard, “Japanese (OADG 109A)” is suitable for most standard PCs.

Network Can Be Left Disabled Initially

You may connect to Wi-Fi immediately,
but network access is not required during the USB boot stage.

• If Wi-Fi is not detected, it can be configured later
• Many PCs automatically detect drivers

What You Should Check at This Stage

This is where you confirm that Ubuntu runs properly on your hardware.

• Keyboard response
• Japanese input method
• Browser launch
• Touchpad sensitivity
• Screen brightness adjustment

If anything feels off at this stage, do not rush into a full installation.

Being able to notice issues here largely determines
whether the overall experience will be successful.

8. The WSL Option (Ubuntu on Windows)

Running Ubuntu as a “real OS” via USB is extremely valuable,
but there is another modern installation option.

That option is WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux).
This allows Ubuntu to run directly inside Windows 11 and is widely used in real-world environments in 2025.

WSL Lets You Try Linux Without Risking Windows

USB installation requires handling:
• UEFI
• Partitions
which can be stressful for users with limited experience.

With WSL, it feels like installing a regular Windows application.
It does not damage the SSD, and removal is simple.

From a developer’s perspective,
WSL is the strongest option as an instant Linux CLI environment.

Installed with a Single Command

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

Case sensitivity does not matter.
If prompted to reboot, simply restart the PC.

This installs an Ubuntu CLI environment directly inside Windows.

WSL and USB Serve Different Roles

It Is Not “Which Is Better?”—They Serve Different Purposes

• Want to experience and deeply understand Linux itself → USB boot
• Just need a Linux command-line environment → WSL

The key misunderstanding to avoid is this:

“USB is the only correct choice”

This is not true.
WSL has its own clear value.

After confirming Ubuntu via USB “Try” mode,
if you decide that Ubuntu fits your needs,
you can then consider installing it onto your SSD.

9. Summary: Safely Start by “Trying” Ubuntu with USB

Ubuntu can always be fully installed later.
There is no need to touch your PC’s SSD right away.

First, follow this process:

1. Prepare the ISO
2. Create a USB using Rufus
3. Boot from USB via UEFI
4. Verify operation with “Try Ubuntu”

With this trial step alone, you can confirm:

• Keyboard feel
• Wi-Fi behavior
• Trackpad response

After confirming these,
install only if you like it.

As of 2025, Windows 10 is no longer supported,
and mistakes around operating systems become personal risk.
There is absolutely no need to rush into rewriting your SSD.

Even just “trying” Ubuntu via USB
gives you an intuitive understanding of how Linux works.

Because you can try it, learning becomes easier.
That is Ubuntu’s greatest strength.

Most readers next ask:
“So how do I install it properly?”

Before moving on, placing an FAQ that covers common stumbling points
helps reduce reader drop-off and confusion.

FAQ: Common Questions About Installing Ubuntu

Q. Can this be done on Windows 10?

As of November 2025, Windows 10 is no longer supported.
While creating a USB is technically possible,
installing an OS on top of an unsupported OS environment is not recommended.
This article is written with Windows 11 as the prerequisite.

Q. Will my PC data be erased if I only “try” Ubuntu via USB?

No, it will not.
As long as you select “Try Ubuntu” instead of “Install Ubuntu.”

The SSD is only written to after clicking “Install.”
“Try” mode runs entirely from the USB.

Q. The PC does not boot from USB. What should I check?

The three most common causes are:

• The UEFI boot order still prioritizes the SSD
• The USB is inserted into a USB 3.0 port (some PCs have compatibility issues)
• Secure Boot is still enabled

→ Simply switching to a USB 2.0 port often resolves the issue.

Q. Which USB drive should I buy?

8GB or more is sufficient.
High speed is not required.
The key point is a USB drive that can be completely erased.

Q. How should I proceed if I want to install Ubuntu onto the SSD?

The recommended order is:

1. Reach “Try Ubuntu” via USB
2. Check hardware behavior and quirks
3. Click “Install Ubuntu” from the Ubuntu GUI
4. Select “Install alongside Windows (Dual Boot)” to preserve Windows

However, do not rush partitioning.
Mistakes there can cause serious damage.

Q. So which is better, USB or WSL?

• Want to learn Linux as a real OS → USB
• Just want to use Linux commands → WSL

They are not hierarchical; they serve different roles.