How to Use an Operating System from a USB Stick

Boot up your OS from a USB drive

You can install an operating system onto a flash drive and use it like a portable computer by using Rufus on Windows or the Disk Utility on Mac. For each method, you'll need to acquire the OS installer or image, format the USB flash drive, and install the OS to the USB drive. Don't forget to activate USB booting in the BIOS for Windows and switch the startup disk for Mac!