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netboot.xyz
Recommended

Boot OS installers or utilities even if you don't have the media

Rating:
(0)
Operating Systems:
Linux, Windows 10, Windows 7 (32 bit), Windows 7 (64 bit), Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP
License:
Open Source
Developer:
netboot.xyz
Software Cost:
Free
Category
Operating Systems & Distros
Date Updated:
02 February 2016
Downloads To Date:
2988
Languages:
English

Netboot.xyz is a bootable environment which provides a way to choose, download and run various installers or utilities - 16+ Linux distros, AVG Rescue CD, Clonezilla, GParted, DBan, Partition Wizard, more - from a pre-boot menu.

To get started, download the ISO we've linked to here, and burn it to a CD or DVD, create a bootable USB key, or assign it to your favourite virtualization tool.

Boot from netboot.xyz and - before Windows has booted - the build we've selected will automatically connect to http://netboot.xyz and display your various options: "Boot from local hdd", "Linux Installers", "BSD Installers", "FreeDOS installers", "Utilities", "iPXE shell", "Network card info".

If you want to install Ubuntu, say, you'd select Linux Installers > Ubuntu, choose your preferred release and install type (Install, Rescue Mode, Expert Install, Specify preseed url). Netboot.xyz then fetches the appropriate image from the project directory or a trusted mirror (important for security), your system boots from it, and you carry on just as if you'd booted from a local DVD or USB key.

If you're running a PC then you'll be most interested in the Tools menu, where you'll find applications to edit the Windows password, recover lost partitions, test RAM, detect viruses, run or restore image backups, securely erase your hard drive, and more.

Please note, we've linked to an ISO image with a dynamic bootloader, which is probably going to be the easiest to use for most people. But there are other options, including specific USB key builds, for booting from GRUB/EXTLINUX, or with static bootloaders which will prompt you for the necessary network info. If you need one of these, check out the main download page.

Verdict:

Netboot.xyz is a great way to access the latest version of various installers without having to download them all yourself. We wouldn't like to rely on it - in emergencies you need something that's guaranteed to work, without having to rely on DHCP, DNS, your internet connection and at least two websites being up and running - but it's good to have as an option, and will save you plenty of time and hassle.

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