How to install Linux on a computer from a disk. Installing any Linux distribution

If you are a maximalist and one operating system is not enough for you, then we will figure out how to install Linux on your laptop.

Here are the challenges you will face:
• Choosing a Linux distribution - It is important to choose the right distribution for your laptop. I have solved this problem for you: in this appendix we will look at the Ubuntu bootloader. First, this distribution is simple enough for a beginner. Secondly, there is a special version of Ubuntu for netbooks - Netbook Remix. Thirdly, Ubuntu's system requirements are so low (only 256 MB of RAM) that it can be installed on any laptop. So you can revive an old laptop and use modern software on old hardware.
• Linux cannot be installed on a FAT/NTFS partition - you will have to repartition the hard drive and create Linux partitions. The good thing is that this can be done in the Linux installer. Be sure to back up any important data before installing Linux.

As already noted, Ubuntu can be installed on any modern (and not so) laptop. The main requirement is at least 256 MB of RAM and at least 3 GB of free hard disk space. If you have less than 256 MB of RAM, you can still install Ubuntu, but then you have to forget about the graphical installation. The installation will be in text mode, but swap partitions will be created during the installation process, and after installation it will be possible to work in graphical mode. In this case, everything will not work as slowly as you think. Anyway, Windows Vista on a computer with 512 MB of RAM is slower than Ubuntu on a computer with 256 MB of RAM. If you have 512 MB of RAM or more, then Ubuntu will just "fly".

As for disk space, it is desirable to allocate at least 5 GB for Ubuntu. After all, you need more than just an operating system, right? In the process of work, you will create new files (documents), download music and videos from the Internet, so you will need additional disk space. And if you eventually want to create your own version of Ubuntu, then you need to allocate all 10 GB. Of course, you can use Windows partitions, but putting files (especially documents) on the native Linux file system is more convenient (at least in that you can set file permissions, and this is especially important if you are working on a network or working on a computer someone else besides you).

In addition to the space for the data, you will also need space for the swap partition. Usually 512 MB for a swap partition is enough, and if you have 2 GB of RAM or more, then you don't need to create a swap partition at all.

Windows 7 needs a modern graphics card (if you want to use all the effects of the Aero GUI), Ubuntu's old GeForce GeForce is enough to run a 3D desktop in Ubuntu.

In fact, based on Ubuntu, you can build a great desktop (a system for home or office use) that will be in no way inferior to Windows, but at the same time will be able to work on not very new equipment.

You can download Ubuntu absolutely free (Linux is a free operating system) at www.ubuntu.com. You will download an ISO image that you will need to burn to a disc with any disk imaging program. To do this, you can use the appropriate tools of Windows 7. If you use Nero, then to burn the image you need to select the menu command Recorder => Burn image. After that, select the disk image that you want to burn to a disc.

You need to start installing Linux only after installing Windows, otherwise the Windows installer will remove the Linux boot loader and you will no longer be able to boot Linux. The Linux bootloader is more loyal: it will detect the installed version of Windows and ensure that both operating systems are dual-booted.

There is a way to set up the Windows bootloader (called NT Loader) to boot Linux, but it's much easier to install Windows first and then Linux.

As already noted. Linux uses its own type of file system (usually ext3), so you won't be able to install Linux on an existing Windows partition. You need to reduce the volume of one of the Windows partitions, and create a Linux partition on the freed space. Don't worry, all of this can be done in the Linux installer, so you won't need additional programs like Partition Magic. You also don't have to worry about your data: partition resizing occurs without data loss. Although, if there is very important information on the hard drive, it is still better to make a backup copy (on DVD) - just in case.

Decide which Windows partition you want to shrink. On this section, as already noted, there should be enough free space: 3-5 GB. If there is not enough free space, you can burn some of the information on DVD (for example: movies, music). After such freeing up space, it is highly recommended to defragment the partition that you are going to reduce.

Preparing to install on a netbook

Recently, netbooks are becoming more and more popular. Considering the low system requirements, Ubuntu is excellent for netbooks. However, for reasons of economy, netbooks are not equipped with CD/DVD drives.

To install Linux on a netbook, we need:
• bootable CD / DVD - we created it a little earlier;
• flash drive - netbooks cannot boot from CD/DVD, but can boot from flash drive, therefore we need to create a bootable flash drive and boot from it (flash drive size is 4 GB or more);
• a desktop computer or laptop - we will need it to create a bootable USB flash drive.

Creating a bootable flash drive is very easy. To do this, boot on a laptop (or desktop computer) from a boot disk, then (after booting) select the menu command System => Administration => USB Startup Live Disk Creator (System => Administration => Create a bootable USB disk). Connect the flash drive and click on the Make Startup Disk button.

Now it remains to boot from a bootable USB flash drive on a netbook and install Linux. Installing from a flash drive is no different from installing from a CD/DVD.

Installing Linux

The first step is to set up your computer to boot from the CD.

Usually, when you start your computer, you see a message:
• Press DEL to enter SETUP
  or
• Press F2 to enter SETUP

In the SETUP program, you need to set up your computer to boot from CD/DVD. If you don't know how to do this, read your motherboard manual.

After that, save the changes (usually a key is used for this) and restart the computer. Before rebooting, you need to insert the distribution DVD into the drive.

When booting from the distribution disk, you will see a language selection menu. It is noteworthy that the GRUB menu (Linux bootloader) in version 9 is completely Russified. Select Run Ubuntu without installing it on your computer. After downloading the LiveCD, double click on the Install icon, you will see the Ubuntu installer window. At this point, just click the Forward button.

The next step is to select a time zone. Here, I think you can manage without my comments.

After selecting the time zone, you need to specify the keyboard layout. If you need a Ukrainian layout, select Ukraine - Winkeys. To do this, first select the Select your own radio button, then select the Ukraine option, and then the Ukraine - Winkeys option. The fact is that the standard Ukrainian layout is slightly different in the location of some keys from the one you are accustomed to in Windows. There are no problems with the Russian layout, so if you need the Russian layout, just click on the Forward button.

The next step is to run the markup program. If your drive has many partitions or you have multiple hard drives, be prepared to wait a bit. After that, the partitioning program will offer two options: in automatic mode (the entire hard disk will be used) or in manual mode.

If you are installing the system on a new computer that does not yet have an operating system, you can choose the first option. But if Windows (or another Linux distribution) is already installed, then you need to select the second option, otherwise the first markup option will delete all data on the hard drive.

I installed Ubuntu on a netbook that didn't have an operating system installed yet, but I chose manual partitioning anyway to demonstrate the capabilities of the partitioning program. Since my hard disk has not yet been partitioned, I need to click on the New Partition Table button.

After creating the new partition table, all available disk space was marked as free. To create a new section, click the New Section button.

In the window that appears, specify the following:
• The type of the new section. If you are installing Linux on a new hard drive where no operating system has been installed yet, select the Primary option. Remember that only four primary partitions can exist on one disk. If you are installing Linux on an already partitioned disk, select the logical partition type.
• The size of the new partition in megabytes. Ubuntu needs a minimum of 3 GB (1 GB is 1024 MB), 6 GB is enough. In my case, 8000 MB is installed (that's a little less than 8 GB), and the rest of the space will be used as a swap partition.
• The location of the new section - select the Start option (no need to change anything).
• Use As - You must select a file system type. If you need stability, then choose ext3 file system (Ext3 Journaling File System), but if you need maximum performance and you are a fan of experiments, then choose ext4 (Ext4 journaling file system) - this is the newest file system for Linux. For the sake of experiment, I chose ext4 - I really wanted to know if this system is good - because it is very praised.
• Mount point - select the "/" symbol.

I understand that you still have no idea about mounting, but, looking ahead, I will say this. You can create two Linux partitions (or more, but two partitions are usually enough for a home machine). One will be used for the / mount point and the other for /home. In this case, when reinstalling the system, you do not need to make a backup copy of your home directory - it will be located on a different partition. All you have to do after reinstalling the system is to change the permissions on the home directory.

After creating the primary partition (or primary partitions if you read the note above and followed my advice), you need to create a swap partition. What is swapping, I think everyone knows. Roughly speaking, when the physical RAM runs out, the system starts discarding the "extra", i.e. currently unused data to the hard drive. As soon as the system needs this data, it will flush other data to disk, and data from the swap partition will be loaded in their place.

Another question is how much space to allocate for the swap partition. Given the small system requirements of Ubuntu, 512 MB is enough for a swap partition. As a last resort, you can always create a swap file that will be used as an additional swap partition. To learn how to create such a file, read the article Create a paging file (swap file) in Linux. And if you have 2 GB or even more, then you don't need to create a swap partition at all - you don't need it.

The swap partition is created in the same way as the main partition - you need to click on the New partition button, and in the Use as list, select the swap partition. After creating the swap partition, look again at the partition table.

If everything is OK, click the Forward button.

The next step is to enter the username and password. Here, I think, you will understand without me. Note that many distributions ask for the root password during installation. In Ubuntu, the root account is disabled, during installation, the password of the user under which you will work in the system is entered.

In the same window, you can specify the computer name. By default, the computer is named<имя пользователя>-desktor, but on a corporate network, you may sometimes need to change this name.

The next step is related to the Migrate Documents and Settings from Windows wizard, if one is found on your computer. Use this wizard or not - it's up to you. Personally, I did not import anything from Windows.

All that remains to be done is to click on the Install button, after which you need to wait a bit. The waiting time depends on the "capacity" of your computer.

Install Ubuntu and other versions linux on computers with other operating systems or without them at all, quite simply. The main thing is to know the correct sequence of all actions.

Linux is interesting in many ways. At least, because those tasks are available to him, which the same Windows did not even dream of. Let's say you have an antediluvian computer model and, of course, new versions of Windows are not available for old units. In addition, by choosing free Linux, you save on OS installation.

You don't need any special skills to install Linux. However, initially you should decide on a specific version. Arch is not recommended for beginners as it is more difficult to install than other distributions. But most of the others are easy and quick to install, even Windows can't compare to the ease and speed of installing Linux.

Note! Before installing Linux, it is important to do backup important information on your computer. During installation, the hard drive may lose necessary files. Therefore, it will be useful to save data on a portable device. Although, if you strictly adhere to the instructions below, data loss should not occur. But insurance, in any case, does not hurt.

If you have operating systems such as Windows, macOS, or a bare PC installed on your computer, then you can safely install Linux. Linux is written as the main OS, as well as to run in parallel with another system. In general, how exactly to use it is up to you.

1. Download the Linux version

You don't know which distribution is right for you? Read how to choose.

After you have decided on the option you need, you should go to the official website of the selected distribution, where you go to the download section, and select the version that matches the bit depth with your processor.

Usually, official Linux sources offer to download according to two principles to choose from:

via P2P (torrent).

Of course, the last method is the fastest.

2. Write the Linux Version to the Portable Device

When downloading Linux in ISO format, it must be mounted on removable media (CD, flash drive). Transferring information to removable media is simple - a regular recording. To do this, right-click on the selected element and select the appropriate item in the window that opens, the function is “Burn disk image”.

To burn ISO to a flash drive, then for:

• Windows - Rufus

Dealing with the listed programs is incredibly simple.

3. Prepare disk partition

This procedure is necessary if you want to use several systems at the same time. But, if Linux is the only working system, then this step can be skipped.

Windows

• open the "Disk Management Tool", where we select the disk or a separate partition where we plan to record the future operating system. 10 GB is enough memory. If the plans include downloading other files, then you need to select “Compress volume” with the same right mouse button, then “OK”;
• the process is very long. At the end, a void will appear on the media, highlighted in black. This is where Linux should be placed. If Linux ever gets boring, then another operating system can be overwritten in its place in the same way that we suggested for Linux.

macOS

If you have macOS, then you can find a place for Linux thanks to the "Disk Utility" function. We select our disk and click on the "+", thus creating a partition for Linux. As in the previous version, the process will be long.

4. Preparing the bootloader

Windows

Now the conversation concerns exclusively new PCs on which Windows of the following series is installed: 8; 8.1 or 10. The feature of these computers is that a UEFI bootloader is applicable for them, which does not load any operating system, with the exception of the "native" Windows.

But we know how to trick such a principle. We go into the BIOS, disable the Secure Boot function and reboot. All! The computer is now ready to download and install new operating systems. You can put these operating systems next to your Windows.

macOS

This is a bit of a stretch, as macOS requires a lot more steps to install Linux with macOS.

The sequence of actions is as follows: disable SIP, reboot the system, press Cmd + R. After that, the Recovery menu will appear, in which you must select "Terminal" and enter without quotes "csrutil
disable". Reboot again. SIP is now disabled.

By default, you have built-in Boot Camp, which is designed exclusively for installing Windows. Therefore, we need to download and install rEFlnd. Thanks to this application, you can download the OS that you need, including Linux.

Then you need to unzip the downloaded file. To open it after unpacking, you need to open the "Terminal" and enter without quotes "diskutil
list". In the window that appears, you need to find the necessary EFI loader. It is usually named /dev/disk0s1. Type "mount /dev/disk0s1" and run rEFlnd by moving install.sh from the unpacked folder to the "Terminal" menu.

5. Booting Linux from media

First of all, you need to reboot. Next, select our carrier with Linux. The steps depend on the type of operating system. If we are talking about Windows, then our main assistants are Esc, F9 or BIOS. For Macintosh, long press Ortion.

6. Start Linux installation

Consider processes using Ubuntu as an example. It should be added that most versions of Linux (openSUSE, Mint, Debian, Fedora, Manjaro, and many others) install the same way as Ubuntu. Some versions require a pseudo-graphical installer. The difference in the actions of the installer is that with the pseudographic version, it is necessary to select the functionals using the keys. Other manipulations are performed in a similar way.

So, select the system language, click "Install". Then we mark "Install third-party software", so our brand new "Linux" will be able to use proprietary drivers. Next, select "Download updates during installation", which can be left enabled, but this does not apply to a fast Internet connection.

7. Disk partitioning

Now you need to be as careful as possible, since you can erase the disk on which the old OS is saved. Further actions depend on whether Linux will be the only working system or an additional one.

Installing Linux instead of the current one

There are two ways to install Linux as the only operating system.

auto

creates new partitions and installs the system, removing all previous data from the disk. The advantages of this method are obvious, because you do not have to rack your brains over manual actions. For this method, you need to select "Erase disk and install Linux." It is recommended that you first save the information to another hard drive;

manual

this option is better than the previous one in that you independently determine the sizes for partitions. To select the manual installation mode, you must click "Other option", then - "Continue".

Linux will show all the partitions on the computer. They can be removed and used at your own discretion. However, in no case should you touch those sections where the information you need is stored.

To install Linux as the main operating system, select the partition with the installed OS and delete using the "-" key. After that, on the vacated places we create the following partitions:

• root - for storing system files of the operating system. Why choose - Ext4 and /;
• swap or paging is needed as additional RAM. You just need to select "Swap partition" in the file system menu;
• home is the repository for your files. To select this particular partition, click on Ext4 and /home.

Upon completion, click "Continue" and confirm the action. The program erases the partitions you specified, and creates new ones in their place.

Installing Linux as Second Operating System

Linux as a neighboring operating system with another OS, just like the previous version, is installed automatically and manually.

auto

As for automatic configuration, Linux installers almost always see the systems loaded on the computer, of course, if they were created. If not created, then select "Install next to Windows". Then everything happens automatically.

Manual

Manual installation will be required when you yourself want to allocate the number of seats that you consider necessary. To do this, select "Another option", then - "Continue". After that, the system will show an empty place you prepared for Linux. This is where the root partition is created. The home section is optional in this situation.

Click "Continue". The program does not touch your documents, leaving them in their original places. At the same time, it creates new ones in the freed space. You decide which OS to boot at startup time.

8. The final stage

The program for determining your time zone may ask for your location, and also offer to choose a language, give your name and come up with a password.

Now wait for the installation to finish. Upon completion of the installation process, the system will prompt you to remove the installation disk and reboot. Be sure to disable BIOS if it was enabled.

After the reboot, you will have the desktop of the installed system. You can perform all the same actions as on another OS.

Installing an operating system (OS) is a complex process that requires a fairly deep knowledge in the field of computer ownership. And if many have already figured out how to install Windows on their computer, then with Linux Mint everything is more difficult. This article is intended to explain to the average user all the nuances that arise when installing a popular OS based on the Linux kernel.

The Linux Mint distribution, like any other Linux-based distribution, is not picky about the hardware of the computer. But in order to avoid wasting time, it is recommended to read it on the official website.

The article will demonstrate the installation of a distribution kit with a Cinnamon working environment, but you can define any other for yourself, the main thing is that your computer has sufficient technical characteristics. Among other things, you must have at least a 2 GB Flash drive with you. An OS image will be written to it for further installation.

The first step is to download the Linux Mint distribution image. This must be done from the official site in order to have the latest version of the operating system and not pick up viruses when downloading a file from an unreliable source.

Step 2: Create a bootable flash drive

Like all operating systems, Linux Mint cannot be installed directly from a computer, you must first write the image to a Flash drive. This process can be difficult for a beginner, but the detailed instructions that are on our website will help you cope with everything.

Step 3: Starting the computer from the flash drive

After burning the image, you need to start the computer from the USB flash drive. Unfortunately, there is no universal instruction on how to do this. It all depends on the BIOS version, but we have all the necessary information on our website.

Step 4: Beginning the installation

To start installing Linux Mint, you need to follow these steps:

After that, the program for partitioning the hard disk will open. This process is quite complex and voluminous, so we will consider it in more detail below.

Step 5: Partitioning the Disk

Manual disk partitioning mode allows you to create all the necessary partitions for optimal operation of the operating system. In essence, Mint only needs one root partition to run, but to increase security and ensure optimal system performance, we will create three: root, home, and swap.

1. The first step is to determine the media on which the GRUB bootloader will be installed from the list located at the bottom of the window. It is important that it be placed on the same disk where the OS will be installed.



2. Next, you need to create a new partition table by clicking on the button of the same name.

   

   

   Note: if the disk was previously marked, and this happens when one OS is already installed on the computer, then this step of the instruction must be skipped.

3. The partition table was created and the item appeared in the program workspace "Free place". To create the first section, select it and click the button with the symbol «+» .



4. A window will open "Create Partition". It must specify the size of the allocated space, the type of new partition, its location, application and mount point. When creating a root partition, it is recommended to use the settings shown in the image below.

   

   After entering all parameters, press "OK".

   Note: if you are installing the OS on a disk with existing partitions, then define the partition type as "Logical".

5. Now we need to create a swap partition. To do this, select "Free place" and press the button «+» . In the window that appears, enter all the variables, referring to the screenshot below. Click "OK".

   

   Note: The amount of memory allocated for the swap partition must be equal to the amount of installed RAM.

6. It remains to create a home partition where all your files will be stored. To do this, again, highlight the line "Free place" and press the button «+» , then fill in all the parameters in accordance with the screenshot below.

   

   Note: Under the home partition, allocate all the remaining space on the disk.

7. Once all partitions have been created, click "Install Now".



8. A window will appear listing all the actions that were performed earlier. If you don't notice anything extra, click "Proceed" if there are any discrepancies "Return".

This completes the disk layout, and it remains only to make some system settings.

Step 6: Finishing the installation

The system has already begun to be installed on your computer, at this time you are offered to configure some of its elements.

After specifying all user data, the setup will be completed and you just have to wait for the end of the Linux Mint installation process. You can follow the progress by looking at the indicator at the bottom of the window.

Note: The system remains operational during installation, so you can minimize the installer window and use it.

Conclusion

Upon completion of the installation process, you will be offered a choice of two options: stay in the current system and continue to explore it, or restart the computer and enter the installed OS. If you stay, keep in mind that after a reboot, all the changes you made will be gone.

Windows users sometimes think of alternatives that suit them to the extent that they lack when using a commercial OS, but without removing it. This article will cover how to install Linux as a second operating system.

Why two systems

The current terms of use for Windows are far too proprietary. Not everyone likes this company policy. As a consequence, people have questions about using alternatives that don't have to sacrifice freedom for convenience.

Windows does not always satisfy the user's requirements in terms of software and he has to look for alternatives. Many people know about the existence of macOS, but the price of the system (including integration with Apple's proprietary hardware) is a key obstacle to acquiring it. Most Linux operating systems are free.

The main reason for using two systems is the wide coverage of activities. Although each OS has the ability to do any job, they provide different (including in terms of efficiency) tools. There are many programs that work on both systems (Skype, Steam, etc.). This is possible due to their open source code and is done to popularize Linux among Microsoft product users.

Benefits of Linux

There are many reasons why Linux is an order of magnitude higher than Windows. They relate to functionality, security, resource consumption, appearance, and so on. Unlike Windows and macOS, Linux allows the user to dispose of it as they please, without all kinds of coercion and restrictions.

These systems are installed on 95% of the servers of all structures, from ordinary sites to banks, because the most important advantage of Linux is security. Several factors influence this. The most important of these is the use of GNU tools.

Strictly speaking, Linux is the core of the system, and the shell is 90%+ of GNU applications and utilities, free software (or based on it). Therefore, a more "fair" (but not mandatory) distribution name is GNU/Linux, to separate the software from the Linux kernel. The advantages of Linux are based on this.

Malicious software that is created to damage the Windows OS or individual applications does not work on GNU/Linux. This is due to different file systems, user security policy, software management and OS architecture in general.

So, in Linux, you must enter a password every time you change system files, install or remove applications. This functionality cannot be disabled, but the password is requested once during one session of the program, which does not cause irritation.

Free software is a guarantee of OS security, because its code is available to any person and meets modern development requirements. Older versions of the Linux kernel are less reliable. This is used by virus developers, but for owners of new versions it is not a threat.

If a virus for Linux gets into the system (which is rare in practice), only unprotected user files can be damaged, but not system files, since privileged rights must be obtained for this. But the virus does not know the password, which is stored in a highly encrypted file.

Thus, viruses for Linux are negligible. As a result, there is no need for an antivirus. But you should pay attention to programs that require a password so as not to harm the OS.

free

The major GNU/Linux distributions are free and available for download from their official websites. This is due to the approach of developers to the life of people.

The American company Red Hat releases a paid system of the same name. It is designed for businesses. Payment provides round-the-clock support for the company in setting up and using the OS. They also have free products: Fedora, CentOS.

Stability

The Ext4 journaling file system is the most popular for disks. The peculiarity of its work is in logging, storing the state of applications and OS. In the event of an unexpected and abrupt shutdown / restart of the computer, Linux will restore performance due to these entries in the logs.

GNU/Linux distributions do not need to be reinstalled unnecessarily. Computers under their control may not be turned off for months, and this will not affect the speed and stability of work, unlike Windows.

Device Support

Linux supports 95%+ of all devices connected via various interfaces (printers, scanners, modems, sound cards, etc.). Feature support - in the automatic installation of drivers; Simply connect your device to your computer.

Manual driver installation applies to Nvidia video cards, Wi-Fi modules and some types of processors on laptops. But they do not need to be searched on the Internet - in the settings of almost any distribution kit, an interface is available for selecting the driver you already need, you just need to click "Install".

Appearance

GNU/Linux has a wide range of desktop environments (Windows has one environment), which differ from each other not only in small details, but also in concept. Designs of windows, icons, animations are available for every taste and for the requirements of any hardware. By the way, many ideas for the appearance of Windows 10 were copied from Linux.

In addition to the built-in themes, third-party skins are also available, which are installed using the appropriate system tool or through an Internet search.

Terminal

In 2017, Microsoft decided to build support for the Linux terminal into Windows, recognizing its power compared to their own command line and even PowerShell.

The terminal is an effective tool for process automation and productivity acceleration. An important mechanism is available in it: the management of daemons (analogous to services in Windows), on the basis of which the OS runs.

Note! Proficiency in working with this element is not necessary for the average user.

Using the terminal, you can do the same work as with the mouse: installing and removing software, configuring and managing the network, and even browsing the web. Some of these processes can be automated using task schedulers (anacron or crontab daemons), which is especially useful when managing multiple computers.

Distribution selection

There are a lot of GNU/Linux systems. The authoritative distro popularity site Distrowatch only covers the top 100. But those that are installed for everyday work are about 20. Here we will consider the 3 most famous distribution kits suitable for home use.

Note! Choosing a Linux distribution is not easy, and getting confused in their number is not difficult. The article "" talks about this in more detail.

Linux Mint

The second most popular distribution from Ireland, the most common among the systems of the Debian family.

Downloaded programs for installation have a .deb extension (similar to .exe in Windows). These are builds of packages from source designed for easy use.

* - The indicator varies depending on the desktop environment used.

Important! With weaker computer characteristics, unstable operation is possible with its uneven load.

Elementary

The American distribution is one of the five most popular GNU/Linux operating systems. Based on Debian.

Feature Elementary - appearance, ideologically similar to macOS. Has a unique Pantheon desktop environment. Supports installation of applications via deb packages.

Manjaro

The most popular distribution of European origin in the last six months. Based and maintained by enthusiasts on the Arch OS, therefore, it includes all its working methods and principles of operation.

Manjaro's feature is a friendly interface with the power of Arch. The software is installed automatically from source codes.

This OS will be considered as an installation example.

Disc preparation

Before installation, you should decide on the location of the OS - on the same disk with Windows or a separate one. Usually, the second option is chosen if there is not enough free space on the C drive.

Via Windows

To allocate a disk partition, you should use a standard utility.

Note! The instruction is applicable for Windows 10. In other versions of the system, the location or appearance of the elements is different.

Note! You will not be able to specify a number greater than the maximum available volume.

After that, a new distributed partition will appear, indicated in black.

To burn an image to a flash drive:

Via Linux distribution

The GParted program does disk partitioning in GNU/Linux. If it is missing, you can install it through the App Center.

1. Start GParted.
   
   
2. Right-click on the required partition → "Resize / Move".
   
   
3. Specify the required amount of partition change or drag the disk size slider using LMB → "Resize/Move".
   
   
4. Click "Apply All Operations" to perform the actions.
   
   
5. Wait for the operation to complete.
   
   

To write GNU/Linux to a flash drive:

Installing a second system

To start the OS installation, you need to tell the computer to boot the USB flash drive, not the hard drive.

Important! This manual describes installing GNU/Linux in Legacy mode, not UEFI.

1. Restart your computer.
2. During the POST test (when the motherboard logo or text about testing hardware nodes appears), press the button to select the primary device to boot. Usually, this is F11 or F12 (depending on the BIOS model).
   

   Advice! The required button is indicated on the screen during the POST test.

3. Select USB drive with Linux → "Enter".
   You can also enter the BIOS and in the Boot section select "USB-HDD" as the first boot device.
   
   
4. After that, the flash drive will start with a welcome window → select "Boot Manjaro ..." → "Enter".
   
   
5. When the Live system is finished loading, run "Install ..." on the desktop.
   
   
6. In the welcome window of the installer, select "Russia (Russia)" from the list to change the language of further instructions → "Next".
   
   
7. Specify the time zone by clicking on the map to the desired location or by selecting "Region" and "Zone" from the list. Make sure that the correct system language and regional number and date format is set. Otherwise, use the buttons "Change ..." → "Next".
   
   
8. Select the English keyboard layout as the default by selecting "English (US)" on the left and "Default" on the right. After installation, you can add other layouts → "Next".
   
   
9. Make sure the required hard drive is listed in the Select Storage Device field. In the list of installation types, select "Manual partitioning" → "Next".
   
   
10. Select the partition intended for Linux → "Create".
    
    
11. Enter "Size" - 15000, specify "File system" - ext4, "Mount point - / → "OK". The root directory will be created.
    
    

    Advice! If your computer has 6 GB or more of RAM, proceed to step 14 after creating the root.

12. Select the remaining section → Create.
13. Specify "Size" equal to the amount of RAM in megabytes, "File system" - linuxswap, "Flags" - swap → "OK". A swap partition will be created, which is used when the RAM is full (similar to the swap file in Windows).
    
    
14. Create the remaining partition with the parameters: "File system" - ext4, "Mount point" - /home. The user's home directory will be created.
    
    

    Advice! Creating a separate mount point for the home directory allows you not to be afraid of OS failures or reinstalling it in the future, because it does not have to be formatted, but only connected.

15. In the "Install bootloader in" field, specify the installation location of the Windows bootloader (usually, its size is 200-400 MB) → "Next".
    
    
16. Create a new user by filling in all fields. A checkmark for "Use the same password" will make the created user a system administrator → "Next".
17. Check the box "Reboot" → "Done".
    
    

How to choose an OS

Once installed, Linux will overwrite the GRUB bootloader that Windows was running. This means that now after the POST test, the choice of the bootable OS will be available.

To start Linux, select "Manjaro Linux" → "Enter". Windows starts in the same way. Items are selected using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

conclusions

GNU/Linux distributions are gaining popularity among home PC users. The advantages of these operating systems are security, stability and freeness relative to Windows.

To install Linux as a second operating system, you need to allocate a partition on the disk for it, burn the image from the OS to a USB flash drive, specify it in the boot device selection menu, run the installer and follow the instructions.

If you are not impressed with the new version of the Windows operating system, then you can try installing an alternative option on your computer - Linux OS. This review will provide detailed instructions for installing the Linux operating system on a laptop or computer.

The article will also discuss various versions of the Linux OS. Well, let's get started...

What version of Linux OS is better to install

Today, one of the most popular versions of the Linux OS is Ubuntu. It is this distribution that can most often be found on new laptops. Ubuntu is currently one of the most progressive distributions. But today, many connoisseurs of the Linux operating system are already expressing the opinion that Ubuntu no longer follows its original philosophy. It is no longer as simple as it used to be. This is indeed how things are. Over the past couple of years, many innovations have been made to the OS. For this reason, Ubuntu has become quite resource intensive. It is no longer as simple as it used to be. But this was its main advantage.

The most popular Linux distributions also include Linux OpenSUSE and Linux-mint. Both distributions have already gained wide popularity among users. The main reason for this attitude is the simplicity of the operating system. In addition, it is not too demanding on resources. The choice of distribution kit will depend only on you. You can try all types of Linux operating systems simply by running them from the appropriate installation disk.

This guide to installing the Linux operating system will be built on the example of Linux Ubuntu, since this version is the most popular.

Installing the Linux OS

First of all, let's see how you can install Linux using a disk. You need to go to the Russian-language Ubuntu website. From here you can download the latest system image. From the list of suggested images, you will need to choose the one that best suits the architecture of your laptop or computer. It is better, of course, to install a 64-bit OS, but if the technical characteristics of your computer do not allow you to install such a version, you will have to use a 32-bit one.

Minimum system requirements for installing the Ubuntu Linux operating system
If you want to install the Ubuntu operating system on your computer, it must meet the following system requirements:

- RAM at least 512 MB;
- 1GHz processor;
— free memory 5 GB;
- discrete or integrated video adapter;

- processor: 2 GHz
- RAM, 4 GB;
— 20 GB of free hard disk space;
- discrete or integrated video adapter.

Ubuntu operating system image

The link to the operating system image should be in the following format: releases.ubuntu.com/13.04/Ubuntu-xx.xx-desktop-amd64.iso.torrent. The letters xx.xx are replaced by the year and month of release of the operating system version. The word "desktop" means that the OS is not intended for a server, but for a home PC. The last parameter specifies the 64-bit version. After the link you need is found, click on it and download the OS image to your computer's hard drive. In order to download the image to your computer, you must have a special torrent client program installed. For Windows OS, uTorrent is usually used. After that, you need to insert a blank disc into the optical drive and burn the image to disc. While the disc is being written, you can start resaving the data.

Copying data

If your PC is currently running the Windows operating system, it is best to save the files located on the C drive. Pay special attention to the Documents and Downloads folders. This partition will be formatted during the installation of Linux OS. Gamers are also better off resaving all their saves in PC games. You can also go to the Internet browser you are using and save all your bookmarks and passwords there.

Preparatory process

After all the necessary information has been saved, insert the image disk into the drive and restart your computer or laptop. When restarting the PC upon reboot, go to the BIOS settings and set the following parameters in them: for primary boot - CD-ROM, for secondary - HARD DRIVE. This is necessary so that the computer does not ignore the installation disk and boot from it. Otherwise, the system will boot from the hard drive. After setting these parameters, save your changes. In order for the computer to boot from the disk, you will need to confirm the type of boot you have selected. A few seconds later, the Ubuntu bootloader window will appear.

Installation process

After the disk is loaded, a welcome window will appear on the screen. Here you will be prompted to select a language.
After selecting a language, you must select one of the following:

- try Ubuntu;
- Install Ubuntu.

Since this article focuses on installing the Ubuntu operating system, we will focus on the installation process itself, and not on the test. Once you choose the Ubuntu installation option, you will need to make certain settings.

First, the installer will make sure that your computer meets the required parameters, namely:

- whether there is free space on the hard drive;
- whether the device is connected to a power source;
- whether there is an Internet connection.

You can also specify in advance that the operating system downloads the required package of codecs and drivers on its own. All you need to do is check the box next to "Download updates on installation". After that, you need to click on the "Continue" button.

Next, you will be prompted to select the installation type. In the event that your computer has a hard drive that does not contain any data, you can choose the option "Erase disk and install Ubuntu". Experienced users are better off using "Other Option".

If the installer detects other operating systems, then the plot will develop a little differently. The installer may prompt you to tear down the previous version of the operating system and install Ubuntu in its place. If you choose to use this option, please note that the installer will format your hard drive.

It is better to choose "Other option". After selecting this option, you need to go to the hard disk partition management menu. If you are using an unformatted or blank drive, you will need to create a "New Partition Table". If partitions already exist on the disk, there is no need to create a new table. In the event that the hard disk has not been formatted, select a free area and press the + button. To create a partition with the desired size, you need to set the parameters:

— partition type: primary;
- partition location: the beginning of this space;
— use as: Ext4 journaling file system;
- mount point: /.

After that, press the "OK" button. Just keep in mind that if you are installing the operating system on a blank hard drive, then in this case, unlike Windows, it does not need to be divided into several sections. It uses a slightly different architecture. It is enough to make only two partitions: the main one, on which the operating system and files will be located, and the swap partition. The size of the swap partition must be equal to the amount of RAM.

If the amount of RAM is 2 GB, then the swap partition should be no more than 2 GB. If the amount of RAM is more than 2 GB, then the swap file must be equal to the amount of RAM. To create a swap partition, use the same methods as to create a primary partition. It is necessary to select free space, click on the + button and enter the following parameters:

— type of main partition: logical;
- the location of the new section: the beginning of this space;
- use as: swap partition;
- Confirm the creation of the swap partition by clicking on the "OK" button.

If some information is already recorded on disk D, then you need to select this section and click on the "Change" button. In the window that appears, select the following options:

- use as NTFS;
- section: do not format;
- mount point: /media/name.

Click on the "OK" button. The same actions must be done with other NTFS partitions, only by setting different names, for example, media/documents or media/download. Once again, we double-check all the system settings and click the "Install now" button. After that, you can proceed to the preparatory stage. The installer will ask you to locate your location on a map. Select it and click on the "Continue" button. Now choose your keyboard layout. It is recommended to choose the English layout. After installing the system in the settings, you can add the Russian layout. After that, click "Continue". The installer will then ask you to enter your account settings. You will need to specify:

- your name: you must enter in Latin letters;
- computer name: it is also desirable to enter the user account settings;
- Username;
- password and confirmation of the password from the account;
- type of login: only when entering a password or automatic.

Let's talk a little about passwords. Obviously, the stronger the password, the better. Keep in mind that you will need to enter it quite often, so it's best to come up with a combination that will be easy for you to remember.

If your computer is for home use only and you will be the only one using it, you can choose to log on automatically. In this case, you will not need to enter a password each time. Verify that the information you entered is correct and click the "Continue" button.
Next, the installer will show you several slides that show you the features and benefits of the Ubuntu OS. We will not dwell on this in detail in this review.

After completing a short presentation, you will see a window in which you will be asked to visit the official website of the system. You will find out about the completion of the installation process by seeing the corresponding informational message. After that, you need to click on the "Restart" button. The corresponding console will appear.

When you restart the computer, you need to return the OS startup parameters: primary boot - Hard Drive, secondary - CD-ROM. We recommend that you use these launch settings. In this case, the operating system will boot faster. After that, remove the installation disk from the computer, save all settings changes and restart the computer. That's it, Ubuntu OS is installed!

Is it worth it to install Ubuntu on a PC

This is more of a rhetorical question. It is quite difficult to answer it unambiguously. Linux has a lot of advantages, but at the same time, it is not without its drawbacks. Let's try to put everything on the shelves. The first advantage of Linux over Windows is that the operating system is free. This is the main benefit that allows users to save around $100. The disadvantages of the Linux operating system include software.

In the new operating system, unfortunately, most of the programs you are used to will not work. Users have to spend some time selecting worthy analogues. Today there are quite a lot of analogue programs for the Linux operating system. In some ways they are inferior to the original versions, but this undoubtedly has its advantages. Also, for the Linux operating system, some programs that work on Windows are specially released.

Using special emulator programs that create a virtual Windows shell, you can install on a Linux PC many programs designed to work on Windows, such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop. Programs for the Linux operating system are mostly distributed completely free of charge, which is what their advantage.

If we talk about computer games, then the situation is much worse: most popular games installed on Windows will not be available for the operating system. Only online versions of games will be available to users.

Linux is not the best option for a working computer. Specialized software today is written mainly for the Windows operating system.

Conclusion

We can draw some conclusions. For a home computer, the Linux operating system is a pretty good option if you are going to use the computer to listen to music and watch movies. If you have an idea to install the Linux operating system on your computer, then you can first try to test it from the disk without removing Windows.