Run Fedora with out Installing Linux

Fedora is a popular Linux distribution known for its modern features and reliability. You don’t need to install Fedora to try it out. Instead, you can run it directly using simple methods like a live USB or virtualization software.

A live USB lets you boot Fedora from a USB drive, while virtualization software allows you to run Fedora in a virtual machine on your current operating system. This article explains how you can easily run Fedora without making any changes to your computer.

How to Run Fedora without Installing Linux

Running Fedora without installing it on your Linux system is an efficient way to explore its features, test applications, or troubleshoot without modifying your existing setup. There are two primary methods to achieve this: using a live USB or a virtual machine (VM). Here’s a detailed explanation of each method.

1. Using a Live USB

A live USB is a bootable flash drive containing the Fedora operating system. It allows you to run Fedora directly from the USB without installing it on your hard drive. This method is ideal for testing Fedora on real hardware.

Steps to Create and Use a Live USB:

• Download Fedora ISO: Visit the official Fedora website and download the ISO file for the edition you want to try, such as Fedora Workstation.
• Prepare a USB Drive: Use a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage and ensure it’s empty or backed up, as the process will erase all its data.

Create a Bootable USB:

• On Linux: Use the dd command or tools like GNOME Disks.
• On Windows/Mac: Use software like Rufus, balenaEtcher, or Fedora Media Writer.

Boot from USB:

• Insert the USB drive into your system.
• Restart your computer and access the boot menu (commonly by pressing keys like F12, Esc, or F2 during startup).
• Select the USB drive to boot into Fedora’s live environment.

Once booted, you can explore Fedora’s interface, run applications, and even connect to the internet. If you decide to install Fedora, an option for a full installation is available in the live session.

Also Read:

• How to Create a Bootable USB Flash drive in Windows/Linux using CMD?

2. Using a Virtual Machine

Virtual machines allow you to run Fedora as a guest operating system on your existing system using virtualization software. This method is preferred for users who want to test Fedora alongside their current operating system without rebooting.

Steps to Run Fedora in a Virtual Machine:

• Install Virtualization Software: Download and install virtualization software like VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, or KVM (Linux only).
• Download Fedora ISO: Get the ISO file from the official Fedora website.

Create a Virtual Machine:

• Open the virtualization software and create a new virtual machine.
• Assign system resources like CPU cores, RAM (minimum 2GB), and disk space (at least 20GB for a full experience).

Attach the ISO File: Mount the downloaded Fedora ISO as the virtual machine’s boot disk.

Start the Virtual Machine: Boot the virtual machine to load Fedora. You can use the live environment to explore Fedora or proceed with an installation in the VM for persistent use.

Also Read:

• How to Create Virtual Machines with VirtualBox in Linux?
• Installing Linux Using a Virtual Machine

Key Differences Between Live USB and Virtual Machine

Installing Fedora without USB or CD

If you don’t have a USB drive or CD/DVD to install Fedora, there are alternative methods to install it directly on your system. These methods use network-based installation tools, ISO booting directly from a hard drive, or specialized utilities. Here’s how you can achieve this:

1. Using a Network Boot (PXE Boot)

Network booting, or Preboot Execution Environment (PXE), allows you to install Fedora by booting from a network server. This method is useful for systems without USB or CD options and is commonly used in enterprise environments.

Steps for PXE Boot Installation:

1. Set Up a PXE Server:

• Configure a PXE server on a different system using tools like dnsmasq or tftpd.
• Place the Fedora ISO or its installation files on the server.

2. Prepare Your System:

• Enable PXE boot from your system’s BIOS or UEFI settings.

3. Boot via PXE:

• When the system starts, select the network boot option.
• Connect to the PXE server, and follow the instructions to install Fedora.

Note: PXE setup requires some networking knowledge and another device to act as the PXE server.

2. Using GRUB to Boot the ISO

You can install Fedora by directly booting its ISO from your hard drive using the GRUB bootloader. This method eliminates the need for external boot media.

Steps for ISO Boot via GRUB:

1. Download the Fedora ISO:
   • Download the desired Fedora ISO file from the official website and save it to your hard drive.
2. Modify GRUB Configuration:
   • Locate the grub.cfg file, typically found in /boot/grub2/ or /boot/efi/ on your system.
   • Add a new menu entry in grub.cfg to boot the Fedora ISO. For example:

menuentry "Fedora ISO Boot" {     set isofile="/path/to/fedora.iso"     loopback loop (hd0,1)$isofile     linux (loop)/isolinux/vmlinuz inst.stage2=hd:LABEL=FedoraLive iso-scan/filename=$isofile     initrd (loop)/isolinux/initrd.img }

3. Reboot and Select ISO Boot:

Reboot your system, select the new GRUB entry, and proceed with Fedora installation.

Conclusion

Running Fedora without installing it is a simple and effective way to experience this powerful Linux distribution. Whether you use a live USB to run Fedora on real hardware or a virtual machine to test it within your current operating system, both methods offer flexibility and convenience without altering your system. For those without access to a USB or CD, alternative methods like network booting or GRUB-based ISO booting provide practical solutions. These approaches make it easy to explore Fedora’s features, test applications, or troubleshoot without committing to a full installation.