Portable OS

[fatjames]

Hey,
Can anyone recommend a portable OS that I can boot into using USB. Once in, I'd like to copy some files from the HDD onto a flash drive.

[stinkwheel]

Puppy linux runs entirely in RAM on just about anything (right down to a 1st generation amstrad PC from the late 80's with no hard drive) and will mount most drives if asked to. Will also boot from a CD (or floppy!). It's my goto to rescue data off a fucked PC.

https://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%20and%20Getting%20Started.htm

Also knoppix.
https://knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

If you want more bells and whistles. Mint will also run as a live CD/USB.
https://www.linuxmint.com/
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[fatjames]

Very super helpful. Thank you kindly.

[M.C]

Knoppix was always good although I admit I've not used it in a while. I've never tried it but can't you run Windows 8/8.1 from a USB?

[Derivative]

Basically any modern Linux distribution will boot from USB into a live environment (with an install button that would produce a permanent environment on the HDD should you wish).

Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora IIRC at least had this feature last I checked.

Nerdy bits: With a bit of hackery you can usually pass a --toram flag to the kernel which will allow you to remove the usb drive once it's booted (useful if you have e.g. 2 usb ports and want to copy from one flash drive to another)

[kgm]

Knoppix is still reasonably decent except it has fully fledged compiz with flying wobbly windows and shit enabled by default. Very annoying. The --toram flag works with knoppix too.

[Loui5D]

Tails is another you could use.