Here is a tip for easier installation of Linux that people don't seem to know about.

I was checking out this post here on this subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/1ipyc1o/linux_in_any_distribution_is_unobtainable_for/

There is talk about how creating the boot media is beyond many new users and people were talking about creating boot flash drives and downloading tools to do it etc. I've found that this stuff is not even necessary.

In the past I would just burn a dvd because I didn't want to bother using some 3rd party boot drive creator from who knows who. Well several versions ago of Linux Mint, I decided to just try something different instead of doing the dvd and not using a boot drive creator, I found something that worked even easier.

Basically the steps are this:

Download the Linux ISO image. (I always verify it but some don't bother)

Format your usb flash drive. (I'm just talking about just a regular format and not some type to make it bootable)

Open/extract the Linux ISO. (This is a standard thing that both Windows and Linux can do easily)

Copy everything (files and folders) that are in the ISO over to the empty usb drive.

You're done.

Now plug it into a computer, turn it on and pull up the boot menu by pressing whichever key is required for your motherboard. (F12 key for example)

You will see the usb flash drive listed and just select that and it will boot into Linux.

I've used this on older computers (2014 system) and newer ones and it has worked fine.

I personally like using sd cards that have the write protection lock and an inexpensive usb adapter. Having it write protected should mean the data remains safe if you plug it into a system with malware on it as nothing can write to the card. Here's a what those cards look like: https://www.integralmemory.com/faq1/my-sd-card-is-write-protected-how-do-i-unprotect-it/

Anyway just wanted to share this easier method which people don't seem to know about it.