Why You Should Have a Persistent Linux Live USB
⭐ Originally published on September 16, 2026 on The Privacy Cloud, my privacy Substack.
A live USB is needed if you want to install one of the many Linux distros on your device. You can also create a live USB to test out the distros to better understand which one works best for you. However, when you do so and restart, nothing will be saved. It will be wiped clean and you will have to start from scratch.
If you want to keep what you have installed during your live session, you will need to create a tool called a persistent live USB drive.
A persistent live USB drive allows you to keep all of this while giving you the benefit of trying out the distro. This means that you can save your settings, files, and installed apps and when you boot up the USB again, they will still be there instead of being wiped.
Here some advantages to having a persistent live USB of Linux.
1.) Best way to test out a Linux distro
A regular live USB is hard to really get a feel for the Linux distro because once you reboot, it completely wipes out everything you installed. Your going to need time to see whether or not the distro will work for you. With a persistent live USB, this gives you the chance to find out since you are not starting from scratch and your settings, files, and installed apps are still there.
2.) Another operating system
With a persistent live USB, this basically gives you another operating system to possess without having to install it on your computer. Simply boot up the drive and there you go! You have the benefit of having two operating systems, one internal and one external.
Additionally, you have the benefit of having a more privacy-friendly operating system on hand. Windows is a privacy nightmare and while macOS is better by comparison, they still violate your privacy as well. While it can vary, Linux distros are better since they keep data collection minimal and ultimately gives you more control over your privacy.
3.) Portable OS
With the USB, you essentially have a portable OS. Since it’s on the drive, you can plug it in any computer and use it. And since it’s contained in the device, the distro will not spread to the computer and no trace will be left once you reboot. This is especially helpful if you use a shared device or public devices such as at libraries.
4.) It's free
Aside from paying for a USB drive, Linux distro’s are generally free to download. Some do require a payment however, if you wish to use their distro. This is because the payment goes directly to continue supporting the development of the software.
‼️Even if the distro is free, if you enjoy the software, please consider making a donation. Donations help continue work on the distro, supporting new features, and just all-round making sure the distro keeps going. Even a simple $5 donation can make all the difference!
Distros that support persistent live USB
Obviously, this is not a complete list, but these are the most popular distros that are able to support persistent storage. Make sure you do your research to see if the distro you wish to try out supports it!
Here’s the guide I used when I created a persistent live USB of Linux Mint.
How to Create Persistent Live USB of Ubuntu
Drawbacks
While a persistent live USB of Linux is a great tool, it does have it’s drawbacks.
USB drives don’t last forever and degrade over time, so make sure you create backups. You might also run out of space on the drive, so keep that in mind.
❗You can create persistent storage of the Linux distro with a solid-state drive (SSD), which is a computer storage device. They are more powerful than a USB and last longer, however they are more expensive and not as portable.
- Persistent live USB’s are slower to boot up.
- It doesn’t require a login. You just boot up the drive and your in. The disadvantage here is that if anyone gets a hold of it, they can simply boot it up and have access to your data. If you install Veracrypt on the USB, this won’t be an issue. Veracrypt encrypts the drive to ensure only you can access to it. Even if you lose it, no one can access the contents unless they know the password.
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