How to Run Android-x86 from a USB Drive on PC or Laptop (Without Installing)

If you’ve ever wanted to run Android on your computer without installing it, Android-x86 makes it possible — and all you need is a USB drive. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to turn a normal USB drive into a fully functional, portable Android computer that works on any PC or laptop.

With this method, you can carry Android in your pocket, plug it into any computer, boot it up, and use it just like a tablet — with all your apps, games, and files. Best of all, it won’t touch your computer’s main operating system.

Why Use Android-x86 from USB?

Running Android from a USB drive is great for:

Trying Android on a bigger screen
Reviving an old PC or laptop
Keeping personal and work environments separate
Testing apps without affecting your main system

Step 1: Download Android-x86

Open your web browser.
Search for "Download Android-x86" and click the official website link: https://www.android-x86.org.
On the website, click Download.
Choose the main mirror site.
Click Download Latest Version — this will start downloading the ISO file automatically within 5 seconds.
- File size: Around 700 MB to 1 GB.

Step 2: Download Rufus (Bootable USB Tool)

We’ll use Rufus to create a bootable USB drive.

Visit the official Rufus website: https://rufus.ie.
Download the latest version of Rufus.

Step 3: Prepare Your USB Drive

Insert your USB drive (at least 8 GB recommended).
Open Rufus.
Under Device, select your USB drive.
Click SELECT and choose the Android-x86 ISO file you downloaded earlier.
Enable Persistence Storage and set it to around 30 GB (optional, allows you to save files and settings).
Choose your Partition Scheme:
- MBR if your BIOS mode is Legacy.
- GPT if your BIOS mode is UEFI.

💡 How to Check BIOS Mode in Windows:

Press Windows + S, type System Information, and open it.
Look for BIOS Mode — if it says Legacy, choose MBR; if it says UEFI, choose GPT.

Rename your USB drive (optional).
Click Start. Confirm any warnings. Rufus will format the USB and copy Android-x86 files (takes a few minutes).

Step 4: Boot from the USB Drive

Leave the USB drive plugged in.
Restart your computer.
While booting, press your computer’s Boot Menu Key (varies by brand: F12, Esc, F9, etc.).
From the boot menu, select your USB drive and press Enter.

Step 5: Run Android-x86 Live

From the boot options, select Live CD – Run Android-x86 without installation.
- This ensures nothing is installed on your PC’s hard drive.
Android-x86 will start loading.
Once booted, you can:
- Connect to Wi-Fi
- Install apps from the Google Play Store
- Browse the web, watch videos, and play games
- Save your data if you enabled persistence storage

When you’re done, simply shut down your PC, remove the USB drive, and your computer will boot back into its original operating system.

Conclusion

With just a USB drive and a few minutes, you can carry a fully working Android OS anywhere and run it on almost any PC or laptop — without touching the existing system. It’s perfect for testing apps, reviving old computers, or keeping your own personal portable OS.

Now that you know how to run Android-x86 from a USB drive, you can enjoy the Android experience on a big screen anytime you want.