Arch Virtual Box USB Safely Install Arch onto USB drive via Oracle VirtualBox
There many reasons why to have a USB drive available with a complete operating system installed on it using V-Box instead of the conventional way. Installing via a VM dramatically reduces the chances of borquing your host machines Hard drive during an install. One youtuber suggests removing the Hard drive altogether from the host machine. Poppy cock! Just use a VM and you probably won't even see your host machines drive. So a safer install is why use a VM.
Some reasons why to have a USB loaded with an O.S.:
The top 3 in my scenarios would be: 1) rescue disk: possible saving data on a failed or failing Hard drive. 2) Privacy maximized: Boot to whatever host machine and pay bills, shop or just browse the internet and when you are finished, power down, remove USB drive and you now have your info in your pocket. Safe from all others. 3) Are you kidding: To Be Cool Of Coarse. Install Arch (cool) Run Arch (even cooler) Boot up Arch at a friends place (The Coolest times infinity).
I will admit that this system works on all the distro's that I have tried, Mint, Peppermint, MX and some others. One advantage to installing the system on USB is that what ever you save is saved to the USB and avoid the persistence thing.
I tried in the neighborhood of a dozen brand name USB's and finally found one that has worked for me.
SanDisk 3.0
Back in August 2019 I built several USB's for Family and friends and as far I know today, they all still work and I know of at 2 that use theirs at least weekly.
Good Luck and Enjoy!
Arch On!!!