This guide explains how to create a bootable Windows USB from Linux Mint 20 and 21 using WoeUSB, outlining two main installation approaches: via the default apt repositories or by building the newer WoeUSB‑ng from source. It lists prerequisites such as an 8 GB USB drive formatted as FAT32, a verified Windows ISO, and root privileges. The tutorial provides step‑by‑step commands for installing the package, creating the bootable drive, and troubleshooting common issues like device busy errors or missing dependencies. Finally, it advises on choosing between the stable repo version and the cutting‑edge WoeUSB‑ng depending on user needs.

How to Install WoeUSB on Linux Mint 20 and 21

If you’re trying to burn a Windows installer onto a USB stick from your Mint box, the first thing you’ll need is WoeUSB. This handy tool turns any ISO into a bootable drive without dragging in all that Windows‑only clutter. Below I’ll walk through two reliable ways to get it up and running on Mint 20 “Ulyssa” or Mint 21 “Vanessa”.

Why You Might Need WoeUSB

You’ve probably been told to use Rufus on a Windows machine, but what if you’re stuck in a pure Linux environment? WoeUSB fills that gap. I’ve seen users hit the “ISO not bootable” snarl after copying files manually, only to realize they need proper MBR/GPT handling that WoeUSB automates.

Prerequisites Before Installing

1. USB stick – 8 GB minimum, formatted to FAT32 if you’re doing a legacy BIOS install.

2. Windows ISO – Download it from Microsoft’s site; make sure the checksum matches.

3. Root access – You’ll need sudo privileges for most steps.

Method 1: Install From Mint’s Default Repositories

Mint 20 and 21 ship a slightly older but stable WoeUSB package that works out of the box.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install woeusb

Why this matters: Updating first guarantees you’re pulling the newest security patches, and apt handles all dependencies automatically. If you run into “Missing libusb‑1.0.so” errors after a kernel upgrade, just reinstall with sudo apt --reinstall install woeusb.

Create your bootable USB

sudo woeusb --device /path/to/windows.iso /dev/sdX

Replace /dev/sdX with your actual USB device (e.g., /dev/sdb). The tool will format the drive and copy the files. It also prints progress, so you know when it’s done.

Method 2: Build the Newer WoeUSB‑ng From Source

If you’re on a bleeding‑edge Mint or need the latest features (like support for UEFI without EFI‑Boot partition), grab the “ng” fork. It replaces old Python 2 dependencies with modern libraries.

sudo apt install python3-pip git build-essential libgtk-3-dev
git clone https://github.com/WoeUSB/WoeUSB-ng.git
cd WoeUSB-ng
pip3 install .

Why this matters: Installing via pip pulls the very latest wheel, sidestepping any repository lag. The build-essential and libgtk-3-dev packages give you a full build environment so the GUI compiles correctly.

Run it

woeusb --device /path/to/windows.iso /dev/sdX

You’ll see the same progress bar as before, but now with UEFI‑friendly options if needed. If you get “Permission denied” errors on /dev/sdX, double‑check that you’re targeting a whole disk, not a partition (like /dev/sdb1).

Common Pitfalls and Quick Fixes

• “Device busy” error – Make sure the USB isn’t mounted. Run sudo umount /dev/sdX*.
• ISO not bootable on BIOS – Verify the ISO is a full installation image, not an ARM or Xbox version.
• Missing dependencies after upgrade – Re‑run sudo apt install --reinstall woeusb or reinstall the pip package.

That’s it. Pick the method that matches your Mint version and whether you want the tried‑and‑tested repo build or the cutting‑edge WoeUSB‑ng.