This application is completely free with no catch and you don’t end up with a dozen different toolbars in your browsers or applications that you don’t want. The download is free of advertizing and so is the installation. You get a quick download in a .zip file and then simply double-click the .exe file to start the installation. This application does not open automatically after installation, but does offer a desktop icon for easy access. You can download RMPrepUSB from this link: http://www.rmprepusb.tk/

The interface is straightforward and fairly self explanatory. If you want an instructional manual, there is one available at the link provided, though you might have to search around a bit. The site gets changed often and updated versions are consistently released. It is best to use the latest version.

In order to create a bootable USB, first do the obvious and insert a blank USB drive into your computer. Using this application is so basic and easy that anyone can do it (yes, really). The interface displays a list of bootloader options to choose from. By default, the Image Tools setting is set for File to USB.

The File to USB option reads the image file content then writes to the selected drive. Only binary images will work and they cannot be compressed. The USB to File option reads file content and then writes it to an image file. With either option, supported image formats are IMG, ROM, BIN, RAW, BMDK, VDI, RAM, QCOW, QCOW2, CLOOP, DMG, VPC, VHD, VVFAT, and NBD. File Info option is included so that you can obtain file information.

Select the desired bootloader and then choose a file formatting system in the field just below the BOOT TYPE list.

If the USB that you are using has any files or portable applications on it, they will be erased once you create the bootable USB. That is why using a blank USB drive is emphasized. RMPrepUSB automatically formats the drive and, as we all know, formatting erases all data.

Once you have selected the format and the bootloader, all you need to do is click Prepare Drive at the bottom pane. This will initiate the process to create the bootable USB for the selected operating system. You will see a warning stating that all data will be erased and it will ask if it is OK to do so and create a new partition.

Click OK and the application process will start. When finished, it will show that the bootable USB was created. If you want to test it, there is a Test button in the right pane. The only catch is that testing also erases the USB and you have to start over, but it is good to do this to ensure that it is working properly.

Once tested successfully, start over and then you have your bootable USB.

Download and install the latest version of LiLi from the link that follows.

Follow all of the steps in the installer and click Finish at the end. Check the box to “Run LinuxLive USB Creator”. The application will launch and you can get started if you already have the LinuxLive ISO downloaded or on CD/DVD.

If you do not have a Linux ISO downloaded or on CD/DVD, you will need to download the ISO first. There is no need to burn it to a CD or DVD unless you want a hard copy. You can download it to your hard drive and LiLi can access it from there. Not all versions of Linux are compatible with LinuxLive USB Creator. Ubuntu, Knoppix, and LinuxMint are good LinuxLive options. One that works very well with this method is Fedora. A link to download the Fedora ISO is included here. Unlike many of the Linux ISO downloads, this one does not take long to download and is definitely compatible with LiLi. (check out Distrowatch’s list of major distributions for other downloads)

At the LiLi interface, you will find that it is broken down into 5 steps. Just follow the steps in the order listed to install Linux to your USB drive. The first step is to choose the USB drive or other portable USB device for installation.

If the volume is formatted in NTFS, you will later need to format it in FAT32. We will get to that, but you may as well format your USB in FAT32 before starting. In step 2 you will choose whether to use an existing ISO/IMG/Zip file, CD, or tow download an ISO from supported distributors.

LiLi will then check the ISO to ensure that it is a good file and is compatible.

In step 3, you set the amount of space for drive persistence. This is how you will be able to save files and installed programs between reboots. This does take up drive space, but it is well worth it to have the persistence. The larger the capacity of the USB drive, the better if you will be adding many programs and files.

In step 4, enable Launching LinuxLive in Windows and this will download portable VirtualBox to the USB. If the USB drive is already formatted in FAT32, you can leave that box unchecked. If it is formatted in NTFS, check the box to format in FAT32. Click the lightning bolt image in step 5 and the drive will be created. When it is complete, you will see the sign of success:

To use your new LinuxLive key, open Windows Explorer and open the USB drive, double-click VirtualBox\Virtualize_this_key.exe and portable VirtualBox will be launched and your installed version of Linux will open.

The disk storage format tool displays a simple dialog after execution. The connected and recognized USB devices are listed on top. After making a selection there the user can select a file system for the USB device including the NTFS file system. It is furthermore – but not at the same time – possible to make the USB disk storage device bootable from DOS which is an excellent way of installing new software or running diagnostic software programs on a computer system without having to boot in the operating system itself.

The HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool will recognize many but not all USB devices that are connected to a computer.

The disk storage format tool has a size of roughly 2 Megabytes and needs to be installed on the computer system before it can be used.