# How to Install Linux: Download the ISO, Make a Bootable USB and Install Ubuntu

URL: https://skillaria.top/en/guides/linux/how-to-install-linux

To install Linux, download the ISO image of a distribution from its official website, verify its SHA-256 checksum, write it to a USB drive with Rufus, balenaEtcher, Ventoy or dd, boot from the USB through the UEFI boot menu and follow the installer. To try Linux without risking your data, use a virtual machine such as VirtualBox or the Live USB mode.

Installing Linux is simpler than it seems: you need an ISO image of a distribution, a USB drive of at least 8 GB and 20–30 minutes. The order is always the same: download the image and verify it, write it to a USB drive, boot from the drive, partition the disk and go through the installer. Below you will find every step using Ubuntu as the example, plus installing next to Windows, installing in a virtual machine and what to do right after the first boot.

## What installing Linux means and which options you have

Installing Linux means copying the system from bootable media onto the computer's disk and setting up the bootloader that will start it. There are four options, and the choice depends on how willing you are to touch your current system.

| Option | Risk to data | When it fits |
| --- | --- | --- |

| Live USB (no installation) | None | Trying the system, checking hardware compatibility |

| Virtual machine (VirtualBox) | None | Learning, experiments, practicing administration |

| Next to Windows (dual boot) | Medium | You need both systems on one computer |

| Instead of Windows (whole disk) | Disk is erased | A dedicated computer or a full switch |

If you only need the Linux command line inside Windows, there is also WSL, a subsystem that installs with one command and requires no USB drive or disk partitioning.

## Which distro to choose

A distro is the Linux kernel plus a set of programs, a package manager and an installer. For a first installation, the choice comes down to a few options; a detailed comparison of distros is a topic of its own.

- **Ubuntu** — the most widespread distro for desktops and servers, with a huge knowledge base for any question. Choose an LTS version: it is supported for 5 years.
- **Linux Mint** — based on Ubuntu, with a Cinnamon interface that looks like Windows. A good choice for a home laptop.
- **Fedora** — recent software versions, close to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which companies often use.
- **Debian** — the stable foundation of Ubuntu, popular on servers.
- **Arch Linux** — installed manually from the console. It suits people who want to understand how the system is built, but it is not for a first attempt.

If your goal is working with servers, choose Ubuntu Server or Debian: you will meet the same commands, `apt` and `systemd`, on most cloud machines.

## Linux download: where to get the ISO image

An ISO image is a file containing a full copy of an installation disk. Download it only from the distro's official website or from the mirrors that the website links to. Images from third-party file-sharing sites may have been modified.

| Distro | Official download page | Image size |
| --- | --- | --- |

| Ubuntu Desktop / Server | ubuntu.com/download | about 6 GB / 3 GB |

| Linux Mint | linuxmint.com/download.php | about 3 GB |

| Fedora | fedoraproject.org | about 2–3 GB |

| Debian | debian.org/distrib | from 0.6 GB (netinst) |

| Arch Linux | archlinux.org/download | about 1.2 GB |

Sizes are approximate and change from version to version. For modern computers choose the amd64 (x86_64) image; Apple Silicon Macs and Raspberry Pi need arm64 images.

### What a bootable Linux image is

A bootable ISO contains a bootloader, a kernel and a compressed filesystem. The computer can start directly from it: first a live system runs in RAM, and from there the installer is launched. That is why the same Linux ISO works both for a trial and for installation.

### How to verify the ISO checksum

Next to the image on the website there is a `SHA256SUMS` file with a list of hashes. Compare the hash of your downloaded file with the published one: this confirms that the download is not corrupted and the image has not been replaced. On Linux:

```
sha256sum ubuntu-24.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso
# or check against the whole list at once:
sha256sum -c SHA256SUMS --ignore-missing
ubuntu-24.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso: OK
```

On Windows, PowerShell does the same job, and on macOS you use `shasum`:

```
Get-FileHash .\ubuntu-24.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso -Algorithm SHA256
shasum -a 256 ubuntu-24.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso
```

If the hash differs in even one character, download the image again. For full certainty you can also verify the GPG signature of the `SHA256SUMS.gpg` file; the instructions are on each distro's website.

## How to create a bootable Linux USB drive

A Linux USB drive is a flash drive onto which the image is written in a special way, not simply copied as a file. All data on the drive is deleted during writing. Use at least 8 GB; for Ubuntu Desktop 16 GB is better.

| Tool | System | Feature |
| --- | --- | --- |

| Rufus | Windows | Flexible settings: GPT/MBR scheme, bad-block check |

| balenaEtcher | Windows, macOS, Linux | Three buttons, verifies the write after flashing |

| Ventoy | Windows, Linux | Installed on the drive once; afterwards ISO files are simply copied to it |

| dd | Linux, macOS | Built-in command, no extra programs needed |

### Rufus

Select the drive in the "Device" field, click "Select" and choose the ISO. On modern computers keep the GPT partition scheme and the UEFI target system. If Rufus asks about the write mode, choose "ISO image (recommended)", and if the boot fails, repeat with "DD Image" mode.

### balenaEtcher

Click "Flash from file", choose the image, then "Select target" — your drive — and "Flash". After writing, the program verifies the data itself. Windows may then offer to "format the disk": decline, because the drive simply contains Linux partitions that Windows cannot read.

### Ventoy

Ventoy is installed onto the drive once, after which an ordinary partition appears on it where you can copy several ISO files: Ubuntu, Mint, Windows. At boot, Ventoy shows a menu for choosing the image. It is convenient if you often install different systems.

### The dd command on Linux and macOS

First identify the drive name precisely: a mistake here will wipe the wrong disk:

```
lsblk
NAME   MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
sda      8:0    0 476.9G  0 disk
├─sda1   8:1    0   512M  0 part /boot/efi
└─sda2   8:2    0 476.4G  0 part /
sdb      8:16   1  14.6G  0 disk
└─sdb1   8:17   1  14.6G  0 part /media/user/USB
```

Here the USB drive is `sdb` (size 14.6G, RM=1 means removable media). Unmount it and write the image to the whole device, not to the partition `sdb1`:

```
sudo umount /dev/sdb1
sudo dd if=ubuntu-24.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdb bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync
```

On macOS the device is called `/dev/disk4` (check with `diskutil list`), and before writing run `diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk4`.

## How to boot from USB: BIOS, UEFI and Secure Boot

Insert the USB drive and, when the computer turns on, open the Boot Menu. The key depends on the manufacturer: most often F12, F11, F10, F8 or Esc. In the menu select the drive — on UEFI systems it is usually labelled "UEFI: drive name".

- **UEFI or Legacy BIOS.** Computers from recent years use UEFI. If Windows is installed in UEFI mode, boot the USB drive in UEFI mode too — otherwise the installer will not see the Windows bootloader for dual boot.
- **Secure Boot.** Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora and Debian boot with Secure Boot enabled thanks to the signed shim bootloader. You need to disable it for distros without a signature (for example, Arch Linux) or if the drive does not start.
- **Fast Startup in Windows.** Before dual boot, turn off "Fast startup" in Windows power settings, otherwise the Windows partition will stay in hibernation state.

If the computer still boots Windows, open the UEFI settings (usually F2 or Del) and set the USB drive first in the boot order.

## What Linux Live USB is

After booting from the drive, Ubuntu offers "Try Ubuntu" or "Install Ubuntu". The "Try" mode is Live USB: a full system runs from the drive and from RAM without writing anything to the disk. Check whether Wi-Fi, sound, the touchpad and video work. Changes made in Live mode disappear after a reboot.

## Installing Ubuntu step by step

The Ubuntu 24.04 installer looks like this (other distros have similar steps):

1. **Language and keyboard layout.** You can choose the language and layouts right away.
2. **Network connection.** With internet access, the installer downloads updates and drivers immediately.
3. **Installation type.** "Interactive" is the usual path. Tick "Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi" and the option for extra media formats — this takes care of NVIDIA drivers and codecs.
4. **Application set.** "Default" includes only the browser and basic utilities; "Extended" adds an office suite and other programs.
5. **Disk partitioning.** "Erase disk and install Ubuntu", "Install alongside Windows" or "Something else" (manual partitioning) — details below.
6. **User account.** Username, computer name and password. This user gets `sudo` rights.
7. **Time zone** and the final summary — after you confirm, copying of files begins.

When the installation finishes, click "Restart Now" and remove the USB drive as the screen prompts you.

## Disk partitioning when installing Linux

Automatic partitioning suits most cases. Manual partitioning is needed if you want a separate `/home` partition, a custom swap size or installation on a specific disk. The minimal layout for UEFI is:

| Partition | Mount point | Filesystem | Size |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

| EFI System Partition (ESP) | `/boot/efi` | FAT32 | 300 MB–1 GB |

| Root partition | `/` | ext4 | from 25 GB |

| Home partition (optional) | `/home` | ext4 | the remaining space |

A separate swap partition is not required: Ubuntu creates a `/swap.img` file by itself. A separate `/home` is handy because your personal files stay in place when you reinstall the system.

### Mounting disks during installation

A mount point is the directory into which the system "attaches" a partition. When you assign a partition to `/` or `/home`, you specify where it appears in the single Linux file hierarchy. A second data disk does not have to be partitioned during installation; you can attach it later through `/etc/fstab`.

### What LVM is during Linux installation

LVM (Logical Volume Manager) is a layer between disks and filesystems. Instead of rigid partitions, you create logical volumes that can be resized, combined from several disks and snapshotted. Ubuntu Server offers LVM by default; in Desktop it is available under advanced options together with encryption. For a home laptop LVM is not required; for a server it is handy, because you can add space to a volume without reinstalling.

## Installing Linux next to Windows (dual boot)

Dual boot means two systems on one computer, with a choice at startup in the GRUB boot menu. The order of actions:

1. Back up your important files — any partition operation carries risk.
2. If BitLocker encryption is on, save the recovery key or suspend protection.
3. Free up space: in Windows open "Disk Management" (`diskmgmt.msc`), right-click drive C: and choose "Shrink Volume". Leave 40–50 GB of unallocated space for Linux.
4. Turn off Windows "Fast startup".
5. Boot from the USB drive in UEFI mode and in the installer choose "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager", or manual partitioning of the unallocated space.

Ubuntu uses the existing EFI partition and does not delete anything from it. After a reboot, a GRUB menu appears with Ubuntu and Windows Boot Manager entries. If Windows is missing from the menu, boot into Ubuntu and run:

```
sudo nano /etc/default/grub      # add the line GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false
sudo update-grub
```

If the computer boots Windows directly without showing the menu, set "ubuntu" first in the UEFI boot order.

## Installing Linux in a VirtualBox virtual machine

The safest way to learn is a virtual machine: you can break the system and roll back to a snapshot. VirtualBox is free and runs on Windows, macOS (Intel) and Linux.

1. Install VirtualBox from virtualbox.org and enable virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) in the UEFI settings if it is disabled.
2. Click "New", enter a name, select the ISO image, type Linux and version Ubuntu (64-bit).
3. Allocate resources: 4 GB of memory and 2 processors for Desktop (2 GB is enough for Server), and a 25–40 GB disk in dynamic size.
4. Start the machine — it boots from the ISO, then the usual installation follows. Choose "Erase disk" for partitioning: only the virtual disk is erased.
5. After installation, attach the "Guest Additions" (in the Devices menu) for a shared clipboard and automatic window resizing.

Make a snapshot before experimenting — then restoring the system to a working state takes seconds.

## First steps after installation

Open the terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and update the system — the image may be several months old:

```
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
```

Then install the recommended proprietary drivers if you did not select them during installation. The utility detects your graphics card and Wi-Fi adapter by itself:

```
ubuntu-drivers devices
sudo ubuntu-drivers install
sudo reboot
```

It is also useful to install basic tools right away and check that the system sees your disks and network:

```
sudo apt install -y curl git htop
lsblk
ip a
```

The graphical equivalent is the "Software & Updates" application, the "Additional Drivers" tab. On a server installation, the first thing to set up is SSH key login and the firewall.

## Common installation errors

- **The USB drive is missing from the Boot Menu.** Rewrite the image with a different tool, try another USB port (USB 2.0 ports often help) or enable USB boot in UEFI.
- **Black screen after booting from USB.** A typical problem with NVIDIA graphics: in the GRUB menu choose the "safe graphics" option or add the kernel parameter `nomodeset`.
- **The installer does not see the disk.** On many laptops the controller runs in Intel RST/RAID mode — switch SATA Mode to AHCI in UEFI (prepare Windows first, otherwise it will not boot).
- **Installing next to Windows is not offered.** Windows and the USB drive were booted in different modes (UEFI and Legacy), or the Windows partition is hibernated — check "Fast startup".

## Summary

Installing Linux comes down to five steps: download the ISO from the official website, verify its SHA-256 checksum, write it to a USB drive, boot from it in UEFI and go through the installer with the right partitioning. To learn, start with VirtualBox or Live USB; for everyday work, use dual boot or a whole-disk installation. File systems, partitions and LVM are covered in depth with hands-on practice in our Linux course.

## FAQ

**Can I install Linux without a USB drive?**

Yes: in a virtual machine the ISO is attached directly, and on Windows you can use WSL. Installing on a real computer without a USB drive requires network methods (PXE) or loading the ISO through GRUB, which is harder for beginners.

**How much disk space does Linux need?**

Ubuntu Desktop requires at least 25 GB, and 50 GB or more is comfortable. Server installations without a graphical interface get by with 10–20 GB.

**Will installing Linux delete my files on Windows?**

No, if you choose installation next to Windows or manual partitioning of free space. The "Erase disk" option deletes everything, so make a backup before any installation.

**Is Linux free?**

Yes. Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, Debian and Arch are distributed for free, including commercial use. Paid support is only available for companies that need technical assistance.

**Do I need antivirus software after installing Linux?**

For a home computer, usually not. It is more important to install updates regularly through apt and not to run scripts from unverified sources.


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Source: Skillaria.Top (https://skillaria.top)