Installing EndeavourOS without a USB drive is a practical solution for users who lack physical media or want to save time and effort. This list covers 10 concrete methods to install EndeavourOS directly from your hard drive, network, or other bootable environments. Whether you’re running Windows, another Linux distribution, or have access to a network, these approaches can help you get EndeavourOS up and running without needing a USB stick.
1. Using Ventoy to Boot ISO from Internal HDD
Ventoy is an open-source tool that creates a bootable partition on your internal hard drive, allowing you to boot directly from ISO files stored on that drive. By installing Ventoy on your HDD, you can place the EndeavourOS ISO in the Ventoy partition and boot from it without USB. This method is fast and reusable for multiple ISOs, making it ideal if you frequently test different distros.
2. PXE Network Boot Installation
PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) lets you boot an OS installer over a local network without any physical media. Setting up a PXE server with DNSMASQ and TFTP on another machine allows your target computer to fetch the EndeavourOS ISO and start the installer. This method is perfect for advanced users with multiple machines or those who want a fully network-based install.
3. Using GRUB to Boot ISO from Existing Linux
If you already have a Linux system with GRUB installed, you can configure GRUB to boot directly from the EndeavourOS ISO file stored on your hard drive. This involves editing the GRUB configuration to include a menu entry pointing to the ISO, enabling you to boot the installer without USB. It’s a straightforward method if you’re comfortable with GRUB and file paths.
4. Installing via Virtual Machine and Disk Transfer
You can install EndeavourOS inside a virtual machine (VM) like VirtualBox or QEMU, then transfer the installed system to a physical disk. After completing the install in the VM, use tools like Clonezilla or dd to clone the VM disk image onto your target hard drive. This approach bypasses the need for USB and lets you prepare the system in a controlled environment.
5. Using Windows Boot Manager with EasyBCD
Windows users can add EndeavourOS ISO boot entries to their Windows Boot Manager using EasyBCD, a tool that manages multi-boot setups. After adding the ISO as a boot option, rebooting will allow you to choose EndeavourOS installer without using USB. This method is convenient for Windows users who want to dual-boot or switch OSes without external media.
6. Using WSL2 and a Chroot Environment
Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) can be used to prepare EndeavourOS installation files and create a chroot environment for system setup. Although it’s not a direct boot method, you can use WSL2 to configure and install the base EndeavourOS system onto a separate partition. This method requires Linux knowledge and manual bootloader setup but avoids USB usage entirely.
7. Using SystemRescueCD or Another Linux Live Environment
If you already have access to a live Linux environment like SystemRescueCD installed on your hard drive or another medium, you can download the EndeavourOS ISO there and use tools like dd or cp to write the ISO to a target partition. Then, configure GRUB to boot from that partition. This indirect method uses an existing live system to facilitate the EndeavourOS install.
8. Using the Arch Linux Installation ISO as a Base
Because EndeavourOS is Arch-based, you can install Arch Linux first using its ISO (which you might already have installed or booted via other means), then convert the system to EndeavourOS by adding its repositories and packages. This method requires familiarity with Arch installation but eliminates the need for EndeavourOS USB media.
9. Using ISO Extraction and Manual Bootloader Setup
Extract the EndeavourOS ISO contents to a dedicated partition on your hard drive, then manually configure the bootloader (GRUB or systemd-boot) to boot the installer kernel and initramfs directly from that partition. This advanced method requires precise configuration but allows booting the installer without USB or network boot.
10. Using a Secondary Internal Drive for Installation Media
If you have a second internal hard drive or SSD, you can write the EndeavourOS ISO image to that drive using dd or similar tools from an existing OS. Then, set your BIOS/UEFI to boot from that drive. This method leverages internal hardware without needing external USB devices and is fast and reliable.
How to Choose
Choosing the best method depends on your technical skills, available hardware, and comfort with command-line tools. If you have another Linux system with GRUB, booting the ISO directly from the hard drive is quick and efficient. For network-savvy users managing multiple installations, PXE booting offers centralized control. Windows users benefit from EasyBCD for seamless multi-boot setups. Virtual machine installs are useful if you want to prepare the system ahead of time or experiment safely. Advanced users comfortable with bootloaders and partitioning may prefer manual ISO extraction or using secondary internal drives. Consider your setup and familiarity before picking the best approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install EndeavourOS without any USB or DVD at all?
Yes, using network boot (PXE) or booting the ISO directly from your internal hard drive via GRUB or Ventoy, you can install without physical media.
Is PXE booting hard to set up?
PXE requires a DHCP and TFTP server setup on another machine, which can be complex for beginners but is well-documented and powerful once configured.
Can I use Ventoy inside Windows to boot EndeavourOS?
Ventoy can be installed on USB drives or internal drives; on Windows, you can create a Ventoy partition on a spare drive and boot ISO files from it.
What if I don’t have another Linux system to configure GRUB?
You might consider using a virtual machine to install EndeavourOS and then clone the disk, or use PXE boot if you have another system on the network.
Is installing via VM and cloning the disk reliable?
Yes, as long as you configure the bootloader correctly and ensure hardware compatibility, this is a solid way to prepare an OS without USB.
Does using EasyBCD risk damaging my Windows installation?
EasyBCD modifies Windows bootloader entries but is generally safe if used carefully; always back up important data before modifying bootloaders.
Final Thoughts
Installing EndeavourOS without a USB drive is entirely feasible using a variety of methods tailored to different technical skills and hardware setups. Whether you prefer network booting, leveraging existing Linux bootloaders, or preparing installations via virtual machines, there’s a method to suit your needs. Understanding your system’s capabilities and being comfortable with bootloader configuration will help ensure a smooth installation experience. With these options, the lack of a USB drive is no longer a barrier to enjoying EndeavourOS.
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