Running Ubuntu directly from either a USB stick or a DVD is a quick and easy way to experience how Ubuntu works for you, and how it works with your hardware. Most importantly, it doesn’t alter your computer’s configuration in any way, and a simple restart without the USB stick or DVD is all that’s needed to restore your machine to its previous state.

With a live Ubuntu, you can do almost anything you can from an installed Ubuntu:

Safely browse the internet without storing any history or cookie data

Access files and edit files stored on your computer or USB stick

Create new office suite documents and save them remotely

Fix broken configurations to get a computer running again

Requirements

All you need is either a USB stick or DVD with Ubuntu pre-installed. For instructions on how to create these, take a look at one of the following tutorials: