Best way to clone or img my ubuntu HDD to a USB for multiple installs?

wdcook87

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Aug 31, 2017
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I have a nice setup ubuntu desktop just the way I like it and am hoping to be able to easily recover it or set it up on multiple pcs in my house if I want or even install on a friends computer that likes my setup. A problem I'm trying to work around is that I only have roughly 57gb of data on my HDD while the drive itself is much bigger. I want to move the 57gb over to a 64gb usb flash drive and be able to shrink and unshrink as needed.

I have other windows 10 pcs and linux pcs so whatever the best solution to easily copy it over I'm willing to do. I have tried clonezilla live but was unable to get it to show anything but a black screen after boot no matter what version. I thought there must be a good alternative method that might possiblly be even easier without having to run a live version. So any information on what you would consider would be the best way to go about making a reusable usb flash drive for this would be greatly appreciated!
 
Solution
I don't think cloning is a good idea since the settings might not be compatible with the other PC.

Not sure what you mean by shrink/unshrink but if you want light usage Ubuntu on another PC then I'd just stick with the Live method on a USB stick and copy over any files you may need.

Also, dual-booting Linux is tricky with Windows 10. Windows made my Linux drive unbootable even though I installed Linux with all other drives DISCONNECTED and had no dual-boot option.

I was manually selecting via the BIOS but at some point Windows 10 noticed a Linux drive and screwed things up somehow to the point it won't boot even when it's the ONLY drive again.
I don't think cloning is a good idea since the settings might not be compatible with the other PC.

Not sure what you mean by shrink/unshrink but if you want light usage Ubuntu on another PC then I'd just stick with the Live method on a USB stick and copy over any files you may need.

Also, dual-booting Linux is tricky with Windows 10. Windows made my Linux drive unbootable even though I installed Linux with all other drives DISCONNECTED and had no dual-boot option.

I was manually selecting via the BIOS but at some point Windows 10 noticed a Linux drive and screwed things up somehow to the point it won't boot even when it's the ONLY drive again.
 
Solution