How to install Linux: For detailed instructions,
Educational Program Technologies / / December 19, 2019
Linux can be useful to you for many reasons. For example, your old computer can not be upgraded to newer versions of Windows or MacOS, or you need a specific Linux applications, or you are just curious to try new things. Or maybe you just purchased a new computer with no operating system and want to save money by selecting a free Linux.
Linux is easy to install. Of course, there are distributions like Arch, the installation of which is quite difficult for a beginner. But most modern distributions set is very simple. Perhaps even faster and easier than Windows.
You can install Linux on computers running Windows and macOS or on an empty hard disk. You can choose your main Linux system or use it along with your old system.
1. Download the Linux distribution
First of all, you need to choose a distro Linux. Will help you to decide Rating DistroWatch.com.
Then you need to download the selected distribution. Make it easier to light: open the site of the desired distribution, find the download section and select the one that suits the bit of your processor.
Usually, Linux distributions on the official websites invited to download in two ways. The first way - the usual load. The second - after the torrent through P2P client. The second way, of course, faster. So choose it if you want to save time.
2. Record distribution to media
When the distribution is downloaded in ISO format, you need to burn it to a CD or a normal USB-stick.
Burn to CD can be performed by standard system tools "disk image recording» Windows or "Disk Utility» macOS. Just click on the downloaded image, right-click and select the appropriate item in the menu.
To burn an ISO to a USB flash drive, you will need special tools. For Windows is best to choose RufusAnd for MacOS - UNetbootin. These programs are very simple interface, which is quite difficult to get lost.
3. Prepare a disk partition
This item should be performed if you want to keep your installed Linux system and use it at the same time. If you decide to switch your computer on Linux or fully install the OS on a blank hard drive, skip the section.
Windows
Open the "Disk Management» Windows. Select the drive or partition from which you plan to cut a bit of space for the Linux installation. Most distributions is more than enough 10 GB. But if you plan to install many applications take longer. Click on the list, right-click and select "Shrink Volume." Enter the size and click OK.
The process can take quite some time, so be patient.
When the "Disk Management" to finish resize partitions, empty unallocated space on the disk will be marked with black. There we will install Linux.
Later, if Linux, you do not need, you can delete the partitions with him, and to give back to the vacant place with the help of Windows all the same "Disk Management".
macOS
Allocate space for Linux installation is possible through the "Disk Utility» macOS. Select your drive and click the "+" icon to create a partition for Linux. Creating a new partition may take some time.
4. Prepare loader
Windows
This paragraph applies only to new computers running pre-installed Windows 10, 8.1, or 8. On such computers use UEFI boot loader, which does not allow you to download any sort was a system than Windows.
To fix this, go to the BIOS settings of your computer and disable Secure Boot option. Then reboot. Done, now you can download and install other systems close to their Windows.
macOS
Unlike most computers, Mac requires a couple extra steps in order to install Linux in dualbute with MacOS.
First of all, disconnect the SIP. Reboot the Mac and press Cmd + R. Recovery menu. Select it in the "Terminal" and enter csrutil disable
.
Restart your Mac again. SIP is disabled.
Download and install rEFInd. Built-in utility Boot Camp can help you install Windows only. rEFInd can download and MacOS, and Windows, and Linux. So you can choose which system will be loaded at startup.
Unpack rEFInd. Then open the "Terminal" and enter diskutil list
. Find the list that appears as the name of your bootloader EFI. Most often this is / dev / disk0s1.
enter mount / dev / disk0s1
and start the installation rEFInd, dragging install.sh from the unpacked folder in the window "Terminal.
5. Boot Linux from the media
Reboot and select the USB flash drive or a CD with Linux as boot media. On different computers it is done in different ways. On computers running Windows boot order can be determined by Esc, F9 or BIOS menu. On a Mac, this is done by long pressing the key Option.
6. Start the installation of Linux
We welcomed the installer Linux. For example, we take the distribution Ubuntu. But the installation process Mint, openSUSE, Fedora, Debian, Manjaro and most other Linux distributions are almost identical.
Exception - distributions using pseudo-installer. The only serious difference of the installer - there will have to choose the option with the keys. In everything else the same.
Select the language you want to use the system, and click "Install". Next, select "Install third-party software", so that Linux was able to use proprietary drivers and codecs. Option "Download updates while installing" can be turned on or left off, unless you have a very fast internet connection.
7. mark the drive
This is a crucial stage in which you have to be very careful.
Next steps vary depending on whether you want to install Linux alongside his system or replace your system. Not accidentally erase the disk, if you want to leave your system.
How to install Linux instead of the current system
So you've decided to install Linux instead of your current system (or on an empty hard disk). There are two options.
Auto
The installer will erase all data from your hard drive, create a new partition and install the system without bothering you any questions. To do this, select "Erase disk and install Linux». Before you perform a clean installation, save your files to another hard disk or cloud storage.
Manual
Suitable if you want to ask yourself size for your partition or, for example, create a separate partition for your files. To do this, select the "Other" option and click "Continue".
Linux will show what sections you have on your computer. You can delete, format, or vice versa, do not touch areas with the information you want to save.
To install Linux instead of your system, select the partition from the installed system and delete the "-" button. Then, on the empty place, create new partitions.
- Linux root partition for system files. Select the file system Ext4, and the mount point /.
- Swap-partition or swap partition will come in handy if you do not have enough RAM, but a fast SSD-drive. In the file system list, select the "swap partition".
- Home-section, where you will put your files. Select the file system Ext4, and the mount point / home.
Click "Continue" to confirm the change. The installer will erase your selected partitions and create new ones to make space.
How to install Linux alongside current system
Install Linux alongside your system in two ways.
Auto
Most Linux installers immediately detect your installed system. If you did not create a separate disk space for Linux, you can try to select "Install next to the Windows». The installer will create the necessary partitions independently, and you do not have to do anything manually.
Manual
If you want to decide how much space to allocate system and follow the instructions in step 3, click the "Other" option and click "Continue". You will see sections of your disk, and an empty space, which we have prepared for Linux. Create there root (mount point /) as described above. Home section in this case is not necessary: you can copy and modify files in your main system.
Click "Continue". The installer will leave your files in their places. He just create a new partition on free space. You will be able to choose which system you want to load at startup.
8. Complete Linux installation
Then everything is simple. The installer might ask you where you are in order to determine the time zone, and prompts you to select your preferred input language.
Then you will be asked to introduce themselves. Enter your name and create a password. Do not forget your password as it will always need you to perform tasks on behalf of all. You can encrypt your home folder if you wish.
Then just wait. When the installation is complete, you will be prompted to remove the installation disk and reboot. Do not forget to disable the BIOS to boot from an external drive if you included it.
What to do after installation
When you reboot the system and the desktop of your Linux will appear in front of you, you will be able to do everything the same as in Windows and MacOS: surf the Internet, edit documents and listen to music. Do not forget to update and look in the "app store" (or its equivalent, depending on the distribution) to doustanovit the applications you need.
Try the Linux, and you will see that in everyday life it is just as easy as Windows or MacOS.
See also:
- 6 tasks that Linux handles better than Windows →
- How to install Linux on Android-smartphone or tablet →
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