I had a 32-bit PC with Ubuntu 16.04 but couldn't update directly to 18.04 because the latter is for 64-bit. Nevertheless, I found some code which allowed me to do so, and now I can run 64-bit programs (but slower). As I'm not good at coding and it took me a whole afternoon, I want to make an ISO image to boot and run Ubuntu 18.04 temporarily on another 32-bit PC without installing it over Windows.

How can I make the correct ISO image, and what files should be in it? If the modified ISO is already available in a repository, please let me know. Thanks.

  • 1
    You can backup your disk to an image file using Disks from a Live USB. You can then restore that image to another USB using Disks from a Live USB. Let me know if you want step by step instructions. Or you can clone your install to a bootable USB using dd or Clonezilla. See also: askubuntu.com/questions/1224659/… – C.S.Cameron Jun 13 '20 at 3:20
  • Ubuntu 18.04 LTS is available for x86/32-bit computers, the desktop ISO is what was not generated. Why not use an existing x86 ISO? (Xubuntu & Lubuntu provided ISOs for x86 for 18.10, and into the 19.04 (*alpha) cycle, though other flavors stopped at 18.04*). If you're using x86, I'd recommend a flavor instead of GNOME as a desktop. – guiverc Jun 13 '20 at 5:35
  • Thanks, C.S. and guiverc. Before I ask for more detailed instructions than for Q#1224659, Xubuntu, or Lubuntu, I found a netboot source at archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/bionic-updates/main/…. Can I copy some or all of these files/folders onto USB to make a bootable temporary installation? If so, which file/folders, and do I need additional software like rufus? – Newbie Jun 14 '20 at 20:13

Your Answer


Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.