How to use Linux from USB without booting into it?

[saifshahriar]

I am a high school student. Sometimes I need a portable way to use linux when I am at school. I am very used to using some linux utilities like VIM, compilers and others for my CS project. As my school runs on Windows, sometimes its very hard to setup a environment for a new language and figure out things. It also takes quite a bit of time. And I can't just boot into a live session (in this case, with persistent). So, I was hoping if there is a way to run Linux (CLI) from USB without booting into it.​

 

[Brickwizard]

not that i know of

 

[f33dm3bits]

You can run WSL saves you from having to boot from a live-usb drive and can just use what is already installed on your school computers.

What is Windows Subsystem for Linux

Learn about the Windows Subsystem for Linux, including the different versions and ways you can use them.

docs.microsoft.com

 

[Brickwizard]

Just a thought.. if you use the same computer at school every time, ask your IT teacher if they will set you up a VM to run Linux in
the problems with this are, many IT teachers only know windows and will be reluctant to allow you to use something else and the fact they will loose some control over what you do.
I have not tried it myself but @f33dm3bits suggestion would be feasible , again only if your teacher will approve of it

 

[saifshahriar]

You can run WSL saves you from having to boot from a live-usb drive and can just use what is already installed on your school computers.

What is Windows Subsystem for Linux

Learn about the Windows Subsystem for Linux, including the different versions and ways you can use them.

docs.microsoft.com

Problem with this is that I don't always get to use the same computer. There are 40 computers and other students also uses the same computer as mine. So even if I install WSL then I won't be able to use it most of the time.

 

[saifshahriar]

Just a thought.. if you use the same computer at school every time, ask your IT teacher if they will set you up a VM to run Linux in
the problems with this are, many IT teachers only know windows and will be reluctant to allow you to use something else and the fact they will loose some control over what you do.
I have not tried it myself but @f33dm3bits suggestion would be feasible , again only if your teacher will approve of it

Thank you, but I don't always get to use the same computer. I did find a way to set up a portable virtual machine in an USB. But seems like Oracle doesn't support that anymore.

Also to NOTE that the computers' system are restored to how it was before after every month or so to keep pcs not get bloated as many students install a bunch of softwares which makes them slow. They only keep a limited number of softwares (VScode, adobe suite) and environments for C/C++ and Python as they teach that in class. So, no GO for me.