How To Create A Bootable Live CD/DVD

Creating a bootable live CD/DVD allows you to Install Ubuntu, or another Linux Distro, on your Computer or even just try it without installing it.

Note: Ubuntu 12.10 onwards requires a DVD, due to the increase in the image size it will not fit on a CD.

2 min read

Table of Contents

• Requirements
• Steps for creating a Live CD with Ubuntu
• Steps for creating a Live CD with Windows
• Steps for creating a Live CD with MacOS

Requirements

• Ubuntu ISO

• DVD burner and blank DVD

If you would instead like to create a Live USB view our article How To Create A Bootable Live USB.

Steps for creating a Live CD with Ubuntu

1. Insert a blank CD or DVD into your Optical drive.

   You may see a pop up window asking you what to do with the Disc, click 'Cancel' as you do not need it.

   

2. Locate the ISO image then Right-Click and select 'Write to Disc...'.

   

3. Check that the correct disc is selected then click 'Burn'.

   

Steps for creating a Live CD with Windows

1. Insert a blank CD or DVD into your Optical drive.

   You may see a pop up window asking you what to do with the Disc, close the window as you do not need it.

   

2. Locate the ISO image then Right-Click and select 'Open With > Windows Disc Image Burner'.

   

3. Check 'Verify disc after burning' and click 'Burn'.

   

Steps for creating a Live CD with MacOS

1. Insert a blank CD or DVD into your Optical drive.

   You may see a pop up window asking you what to do with the Disc, click 'Ignore' as you do not need it.

   

2. Locate the ISO image then Right-Click and select 'Open With > Disk Utility'.

   

3. With the ISO file selected click on the 'Burn' button in the toolbar.

   A drop down will appear, check 'Verify burned data' and click 'Burn'.