LICK is a free program to install Linux from Windows without burning a CD or using a USB. It is as simple as installing and running LICK, selecting a Linux ISO image, and clicking install. A few seconds later, you can reboot into Linux. Currently only Puppy Linux-based distributions are supported.
LICK runs on any Windows version, from Windows 95 to Windows 10. Check below for any special notes on your Windows version type.
You can download the latest version of LICK from Github.
Windows 8 and up have a feature called 'Fast Startup'. This cannot be enabled if LICK is installed. LICK disables Fast Startup upon installation.
LICK supports secure boot, but requires a manual step during the first reboot.
- On the first reboot, if you see a blue screen with writing, press enter
to select
OK. - Press enter again to select
Enroll Hash. - Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight
loader.efi, and press enter. - Press the down arrow to select
Yes, then press enter. - Use the down arrow to highlight
Exit, then press enter.
On subsequent reboots, these steps will not need to be taken.
By default, Windows ME does not have all dependencies LICK requires. To fix this, install Me2Dos. You can also read the README.
The GUI does not work on some early versions of Windows, including 95, 98, and 2000. If run, it will complain that a procedure could not be found in a dll file.
If this occurs, you must use the command line interface.
An example CLI session is shown below. I suggest you place the ISO file
in a path with a short name (eg. in C:/). On some versions of Windows,
you can drag and drop the ISO file onto the command prompt window to
automatically type the ISO path.
Main menu:
1) Install ISO or from CD
2) Entry submenu (view/delete)
3) Install/uninstall boot loader
4) Quit
Choice:
1<enter>
ISO file or CD drive:
C:/xenialpup64-7.5-uefi.iso<enter>
Install to drive:
1) C:/
2) D:/
1<enter>
Enter ID [xenialpup64-7.5-uefi]:
<enter>
Enter Name [xenialpup64 7.5 uefi]:
<enter>