Bootable USB Guide
Use Your Bootable USB Drive
Follow the steps below to boot from your pre-made Beamo USB drive. Select your current operating system to get started — the OS you're switching from.
Windows Instructions
Your Beamo USB is already set up — there's nothing to install or copy. These steps simply tell your computer to start up from the USB drive instead of its built-in hard drive.
What You'll Need
- Your Beamo Bootable USB Drive (ready to use, no setup required)
Plug in the USB and shut down
Plug your Beamo USB drive into any USB port on your computer.
Then turn the computer fully off: open the Start menu and choose Shut down — not Restart. A complete shutdown makes the next step work reliably.
Open the one-time boot menu
The boot menu is a quick list that lets you pick what your computer starts from this one time.
Press the power button, then immediately tap your boot-menu key over and over until the menu appears. Find your key in the table further down the page — for example, Dell and Lenovo use F12, and HP uses F9.
No boot menu? Start from the USB inside Windows (Windows 10 & 11)
If the boot menu won't appear — the timing keeps slipping, the key does nothing, or your keyboard isn't recognized that early — you can start from the USB from inside Windows instead. This needs no startup keys and works on any Windows 10 or 11 PC. Use either option below.
Option A — From Windows Settings:
- Make sure your Beamo USB drive is plugged in.
- Open Settings → System → Recovery (Windows 11) or Settings → Update & Security → Recovery (Windows 10).
- Next to Advanced startup, click Restart now.
- When the blue menu appears, choose Use a device.
- Pick your Beamo USB drive from the list. Your PC restarts straight into it.
Option B — From the sign-in screen:
- Hold the Shift key, then click Power → Restart on the sign-in screen.
- When the blue menu appears, choose Use a device and select your USB drive.
Pick the Beamo USB from the menu
When the boot menu appears, use the arrow keys to highlight your Beamo USB drive and press Enter. It may be listed as USB HDD, USB Storage Device, or the brand name printed on the drive.
Troubleshooting
The USB still isn't showing up. Try a different port — a USB 2.0 port (usually black, not blue) often works best. In BIOS/UEFI settings you may also need to turn on Legacy Boot or CSM.
The screen goes black after you pick the USB. This usually means the graphics driver needs a nudge. At the GRUB menu, press e, find the line that starts with linux, and type nomodeset just before quiet splash. Press Ctrl + X to boot.
Boot Menu Keys by Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | Boot Menu Key |
|---|---|
| Dell | F12 |
| HP | F9 |
| Lenovo | F12 |
| ASUS | F8 |
| Acer | F12 |
| MSI | F11 |
| Gigabyte | F12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to set up or flash the Beamo USB drive before using it?
- No. Every Beamo USB drive ships pre-made and ready to use — there is nothing to download, flash, or configure. Just plug it in and boot from it using the steps above.
- What do I do if my computer doesn't show a boot menu?
- On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings → System → Recovery, click "Restart now" under Advanced startup, then choose "Use a device" and select the Beamo USB drive. This boots from the USB without needing the manufacturer's boot-menu key.
- Why isn't my computer detecting the Beamo USB drive?
- Try a different USB port — a USB 2.0 port is the most compatible — then restart. If it still doesn't appear, enter your BIOS/UEFI settings, turn off Secure Boot or enable Legacy Boot/CSM, and try again.
Need Help?
Our expert support team is ready to assist you. Reach out via email or text, Mon–Sat 10AM–7PM CST.
Text (615) 983-0838 or email [email protected]
Note: our support number is text-only — please do not call.