Arch Linux USB Installation Media Reboots to Windows After Few Minutes

Are you experiencing a frustrating issue where your Arch Linux USB installation media keeps rebooting to Windows after a few minutes? Don't worry, you're not alone. This is a common problem that many users encounter when trying to install Arch Linux from a USB drive. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this issue and provide step-by-step solutions to help you resolve it.

Why does the Arch Linux USB installation media keep rebooting to Windows?

Before we dive into the solutions, let's first understand why this issue occurs in the first place. There can be several reasons behind this problem:

1. Boot order: The boot order in your computer's BIOS might be set to prioritize the Windows boot manager over the USB drive. As a result, the system automatically boots into Windows instead of the Arch Linux installation media.
2. Corrupted bootable USB: The USB drive you created to install Arch Linux might be corrupted or not properly created. This can cause the system to fail to boot into the installation media and instead boot into Windows.
3. UEFI/BIOS settings: Your computer's UEFI or BIOS settings might not be properly configured to allow booting from external media. This can prevent the system from recognizing the Arch Linux USB drive as a bootable device.

How to fix the Arch Linux USB installation media rebooting to Windows issue

Now that we understand the potential causes, let's explore the solutions to resolve this issue:

1. Check the boot order in BIOS/UEFI settings

The first step is to ensure that the boot order in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings is correctly configured to prioritize the USB drive over the Windows boot manager. Here's how you can do it:

1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually Del, F2, or F12) during the boot process. The key might vary depending on your computer's manufacturer.
2. Navigate to the "Boot" or "Boot Order" section in the BIOS/UEFI settings.
3. Move the USB drive to the top of the boot order list. You can usually do this by selecting the USB drive and using the appropriate key (usually F5 or F6) to move it up.
4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings.

After making these changes, restart your computer and check if the Arch Linux USB installation media boots correctly.

2. Create a new bootable USB drive

If the bootable USB drive you created is corrupted or not properly created, it can cause the system to fail to boot into the Arch Linux installation media. In this case, you should create a new bootable USB drive using a reliable method. Here's how:

1. Download the Arch Linux ISO file from the official website.
2. Insert a USB drive with sufficient storage capacity into your computer.
3. Use a reliable USB imaging tool like Rufus (for Windows) or Etcher (for Windows, macOS, and Linux) to create a bootable USB drive from the Arch Linux ISO file. Follow the instructions provided by the tool to complete the process.

Once the new bootable USB drive is created, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

3. Check UEFI/BIOS settings for booting from external media

In some cases, your computer's UEFI/BIOS settings might not be properly configured to allow booting from external media. To fix this, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.
2. Navigate to the "Security" or "Boot" section in the BIOS/UEFI settings.
3. Enable the "Secure Boot" option if it's disabled.
4. Enable the "CSM" or "Legacy Boot" option if it's disabled.
5. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings.

After applying these settings, restart your computer and check if the Arch Linux USB installation media boots correctly.

Conclusion

Experiencing the issue of the Arch Linux USB installation media rebooting to Windows can be frustrating, but with the right steps, you can resolve it. By checking the boot order in BIOS/UEFI settings, creating a new bootable USB drive, and configuring UEFI/BIOS settings for booting from external media, you should be able to successfully boot into the Arch Linux installation media. If the issue persists, it's recommended to seek further assistance from the Arch Linux community or support forums.