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The mount command in Linux explained

Updated 26 October 2026

The mount command attaches a drive or partition to a folder so you can use it. It is one of the most useful commands for anyone using a live USB drive or a fresh Linux install.

Syntax

sudo mount device folder

Examples

Tip

Desktop systems mount USB drives for you. Manual mounting is for minimal systems.

Keep learning

New to the terminal? Start with Linux terminal basics. You can try every command safely from a live session: see how to try Linux without installing it. Run man mount in a terminal for the full manual.

Frequently asked questions

How do I see every option for mount?

Run man mount for the full manual, or try mount --help for a short summary.

Do I need sudo to run mount?

Usually yes, for manual mounting.

Is it safe to practise mount on a live USB drive?

Mostly yes, because a live session starts fresh each time. Be careful with commands that write to your internal disk, such as rm on a mounted drive or dd.

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