Booting with USB Flash Drive (Generic Computers)

Important
Back up your data if possible before booting from USB, installing Linux, or changing BIOS/UEFI settings. If you accidentally erase/corrupt the wrong drive, files can be permanently lost.
Boot Guide • Works for most PCs & Laptops

Booting with USB (Generic Computers)

Use this page if you need to boot from a USB drive and you’re not sure which key opens the Boot Menu or BIOS/UEFI. Watch the video first, then follow the steps below.

✔ Boot Menu keys
✔ BIOS/UEFI tips
✔ Secure Boot / BitLocker notes
USB and USB-C ports example
Tip: Try different ports. On desktops, rear USB ports are usually the most reliable for booting.

Video walkthrough

Not sure which USB you need?

Quick picks based on your goal (click to view):

Computer IT Repair Bootable USB
Best for Windows boot issues, diagnostics, recovery, and troubleshooting.
View Repair USB
Linux Mint Cinnamon Bootable USB
Great “first Linux” option — revive older PCs and test hardware without installing.
View Linux Mint USB
Linux OS Collection Set Multi-Boot USB
Try multiple distros and tools from one USB — excellent for compatibility checks.
View Linux OS Set

Step-by-step (Generic Boot)

  1. Insert the USB drive into a USB/USB-C port (avoid hubs if possible).
  2. Turn On / Restart the computer and immediately start tapping the Boot Menu (Boot Media) key.
  3. If it boots into the operating system, restart and try again — timing matters.
  4. When the Boot Menu appears, select the USB option and press Enter.

Common Boot Menu keys by brand

Usually: F1, F2, F10, DEL, or ESC (often F12 on many PCs).
  • ACER: Esc, F9, F12
  • ASUS: Esc, F8
  • COMPAQ: Esc, F9
  • DELL: F12
  • EMACHINES: F12
  • GATEWAY: F10 or ESC, then F10 (To get into BIOS: ESC > Del)
  • HP: Esc, F9
  • IBM LENOVO: F12 (or Fn+F12), F10, F8
  • INTEL: F10
  • NEC: F5
  • PACKARD BELL: F8
  • SAMSUNG: Esc, F12
  • SONY: F10, F11
  • TOSHIBA: F12
Mac (Intel / Apple Silicon) — Startup Options (Boot Menu)
Apple boot behavior is different. Use the Startup Options screen.
Mac startup options
If Mac continues booting with no boot menu: open Startup Security Utility (Command+R on Intel Macs) and allow booting from external/removable media.
Apple Startup Security Utility settings

Typical Boot Menu examples

BOOTING TROUBLESHOOTING

✅ 1) “Press any key to boot from USB…”
If you see this message, you MUST press any key within a few seconds. If it continues booting into Windows, restart and try again — watch the screen carefully.
⚠️ 2) Black screen with a blinking cursor
Usually this means the computer is trying to boot a non-bootable device OR it’s booting the internal drive instead of the USB. Trigger the Boot Menu and select the actual USB Flash Drive.
🔌 3) No USB option in the Boot Menu
Power off → unplug USB → plug into a different USB port → try again. If it still doesn’t appear, USB booting may be disabled in BIOS/UEFI. Enable it:
🔐 4) BitLocker / Device Encryption (VERY COMMON)
If your Windows drive is encrypted, changing BIOS/UEFI settings (Secure Boot / Boot Mode / Boot Order) can trigger a BitLocker Recovery screen OR cause boot changes to behave unexpectedly.
Recommended: Suspend BitLocker BEFORE changing Secure Boot / Boot Mode
  • Windows Pro/Enterprise (BitLocker): Control Panel → System and Security → BitLocker Drive Encryption → next to (C:) click Suspend protection. After you finish, go back and click Resume protection.
  • Windows Home (Device encryption): Settings → Privacy & Security → Device encryption → turn it Off (if present), then try again.
If you see a BitLocker Recovery Key prompt: enter the recovery key to boot Windows. Many users have it saved in their Microsoft Account. After Windows boots, suspend BitLocker first, then adjust BIOS/UEFI settings again.
🛡️ 5) “Verification failed: (0x1A) Security Violation”
Press OK → Press any key to perform MOK management → Enroll key from disk → YUMI → ENROLL_THIS_KEY_IN_MOKMANAGER.cer → Continue → Yes → Reboot and try again. If it still gives the same error, try disabling Secure Boot (see below).
🛡️ 6) “Verifying shim SBAT data failed / SBAT self-check failed”
This is a Secure Boot policy issue. Try disabling Secure Boot (below). Note: Some Acer models require setting a Supervisor Password before Secure Boot can be disabled (you can clear it afterwards). BitLocker note: suspend BitLocker first (Section 4) to avoid recovery prompts.
🧩 7) Enable “Legacy Boot Mode / CSM” (only if needed)
If your system is very old or UEFI boot fails, you may need Legacy/CSM enabled. Here are common names:
  • Legacy Support: "On" or "Enabled"
  • Legacy CSM: "On" or "Enabled"
  • UEFI/Legacy Boot: "Both" or "Legacy Only"
  • Boot Mode: "Legacy Support"
  • Boot Option Filter: "UEFI and Legacy" or "Legacy Only"

If you’re stuck: these are the most common “right tools”

Boot issues often happen because the wrong tool was used for the goal. Here are the most common matches:

Windows Repair Reinstall Recovery Bootable USB
For Windows repair, reinstall, recovery and common “won’t boot” situations.
View Windows Repair USB
Windows & Linux Password Reset USB
For local password recovery/reset scenarios (when appropriate).
View Password Reset USB
Penguin Ultimate USB Toolkit
Premium “everything kit” with recovery + installers + tools (USB-A + USB-C).
View Penguin Ultimate

HOW TO BOOT INTO BIOS / UEFI

Boot into BIOS/UEFI: Turn on/restart the computer and immediately start tapping the BIOS Setup Key. Often the key is shown during the first splash screen (top/bottom).

If it is not displayed, common keys: F1, F2, F8, F12 or DEL.

Common BIOS/UEFI keys by brand

  • ACER: F2, Del
  • ASUS: F2, Del
  • COMPAQ: F1, F2, F10, DEL
  • DELL: F2, F12
  • EMACHINES: F10
  • GATEWAY: F1, F2, ESC > Del
  • HP: Esc, F10
  • IBM LENOVO: F2 (or Fn+F2), F1
  • INTEL: F2
  • NEC: F2
  • PACKARD BELL: F2
  • SAMSUNG: F2
  • SONY: F2
  • TOSHIBA: F2

When exiting BIOS/UEFI, make sure configuration options are saved:

Once successfully booted from USB, you should see a menu where you can use Arrow Keys + Enter to select an Operating System or Utility:
Previous versions USBs looked very similar
* If it takes too long (10+ minutes) to boot an OS/utility: try a different USB port if possible. If there is only 1 port, give it more time. If still stuck, try booting via “Boot without persistence”.

Recommended bootable USB products

These are the most common “next step” products after you successfully boot from USB:

Linux Mint Cinnamon Bootable USB

Linux Mint Cinnamon Bootable USB

Beginner-friendly Linux for reviving older PCs or testing hardware before installing.

View Linux Mint USB
Linux Ubuntu Bootable USB

Linux Ubuntu Bootable USB

Popular and widely supported Linux — great for modern hardware and general use.

View Ubuntu USB
Computer IT Repair Bootable USB

Computer IT Repair Bootable USB

Fix Windows boot problems, troubleshoot, recover files, and run diagnostics.

View Repair USB
Windows Repair Reinstall Recovery Bootable USB

Windows Repair / Recovery USB

For Windows reinstall/recovery workflows and common system repair tasks.

View Windows Repair USB
Penguin Ultimate USB Toolkit

Penguin Ultimate USB (All-in-One Toolkit)

One USB-A/USB-C toolkit with recovery + installers + many utilities for advanced users.

View Penguin Ultimate