How to install Linux Ubuntu from a bootable USB drive with disc image when no “Install Ubuntu” icon appears.
I have booted Ubuntu from USB drive and would like to permanently install it on the computer. No install button appears.
That’s a common issue, and it’s usually easy to fix.
Here are the most likely reasons why the “Install Ubuntu” button isn’t appearing — and how to solve it step by step:
🧭 1. Check if You’re in “Try Ubuntu” Mode
When booting from the USB, if you selected “Try Ubuntu without installing”, the live session will not automatically show an installer window.
👉 What to do:
- Look in the top-left corner of the screen for the “Activities” menu.
- Type
Install Ubuntuin the search bar. - If it appears, click it to launch the installer.
(Alternatively, check the desktop for an icon named “Install Ubuntu” — double-click it.)
⚡ 2. If No Installer Icon or Program Appears
This can happen if the ISO image was written incorrectly or you used a minimal image.
👉 Check these:
- Make sure the USB was created with a proper bootable ISO (e.g. with Rufus or balenaEtcher).
- Reboot the machine.
- At the boot menu, select “Install Ubuntu” instead of “Try Ubuntu” if available.
🧰 3. Manually Launch the Installer
If the files are correct, you can launch the installer manually from the terminal:
ubiquity --no-migration-assistantor
sudo ubiquityIf the installer opens, you can proceed with installation normally.
💿 4. If It Still Doesn’t Work
- Check that the ISO image is the desktop/live installer, not the server or minimal version. The minimal/server images do not have a graphical “Install Ubuntu” button.
- If needed, download a new ISO from the official site of Ubuntu and remake the USB.
🧭 5. Once the Installer Runs
You can choose:
- Install alongside existing OS (if dual-booting)
- Erase disk and install Ubuntu (wipes everything)
- Something else (manual partitioning)
Then follow the on-screen steps.