How to Install Ubuntu Linux in the Simplest Possible Way – It’s FOSS

When it comes to choosing a Linux distribution for beginners, Ubuntu always comes at the top. While it already offers a simple installation experience, there are several ways to install Ubuntu (or other Linux):

You can install Ubuntu inside

1. a virtual box

on Windows You can use the

2. Bash feature on Windows to install it inside

Windows

3. You can boot Ubuntu dual with Windows (so you can choose which operating system to use at the time your system boots

). You can

4. replace Windows with Ubuntu by completely erasing it from your system

The method I’m going to show in this tutorial is the fourth. You remove the entire system and let Ubuntu be your only operating system. In my experience, this is the easiest way to install Ubuntu smoothly.

How is this the easiest way to install Ubuntu?

You don’t have to worry about creating partitions on your own. Automatically creates an ESP partition for UEFI.

It uses the rest of the disk space to create a single root partition. The root partition (typically) has a 2 GB swap file. You do not need to create a separate swap partition, and if necessary, you can increase the size of the swap file.

The root partition also has the boot directory for grub-related files. It also contains the home directory that is used to store user-related files such as documents, pictures, music, videos, downloads, etc.

It’s a no-brainer. Let Ubuntu do the work for you instead of wondering about creating ESP, root, Swap, and Home partitions.

Ubuntu

Of course, this is the best way if you don’t want any other operating system besides Ubuntu on your machine.

The procedure shown here works for Ubuntu and all other distributions based on it, such as Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Linux Mint, Linux Lite, etc. The screenshot may look a little different, but the steps are basically the same.

Suggested Read 📖

Install Ubuntu replacing Windows and other operating systems

What you need to install Ubuntu:

• A USB at least 8GB in size, preferred.

Internet connection (to

• download Ubuntu and live USB creation tool, not required

to install Ubuntu)

• Optionally, you may need an external USB drive to back up your important data (if applicable) present on

the current system

If you are installing Ubuntu’s default GNOME, System requirements are

:

• A system with a 2 GHz or higher dual-core processor

4 GB RAM

• or more
• At least 25 GB of

hard disk space

Step 1: Download Ubuntu

Before you do anything, you have to download Ubuntu. It is available as a single ISO file around 3-4GB in size. An ISO file is basically an image of a disc, and you need to extract this ISO to a USB disc or DVD.

You can download the Ubuntu ISO from their website.

If you have slow or inconsistent internet, you can use torrent to download Ubuntu. Torrent files are located on the alternative download page (scroll down a bit).

Step 2: Create

a live USB

Once you have downloaded the Ubuntu ISO file, the next step is to create an Ubuntu live USB.

A live USB

basically allows you to boot into Ubuntu from a USB drive. You can try Ubuntu without even installing it on your system. The same live USB also allows you to install Ubuntu.

There are several free tools available to make a live USB Ubuntu like Etcher, Rufus, Unetbootin, universal USB installer.

You can follow this tutorial to learn how to make Ubuntu Live USB with Universal USB Installer on Windows.

You can also watch this video to learn how to make a bootable Ubuntu USB on Windows.

USB on Windows

If you are already using some Linux distribution, you can use Etcher

.

Step 3: Boot

from the live USB connector on your

Ubuntu live

USB disk to the system.

Now, you have to make sure that your system boots from the USB disk instead of the hard drive. You can do this by moving the USB up in the boot order.

Restart the system. When you see a logo from your computer manufacturer (Dell, Acer, Lenovo, etc.), press F2 or F10 or F12 to access BIOS setup.

Now, the BIOS screen might look different for your computer.

Change

the boot order to boot from USB

The idea is that you put USB (or removable media) at the top of the boot order. Save the changes and exit.

Step 4: Install

Ubuntu

Now you need to boot into the live Ubuntu environment. You will have the grub screen that gives you the option to try Ubuntu without installing it or installing it right away.

Once you select it, you will be prompted to proceed with "Try Ubuntu" or install it.

<img src="https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/03/boot_order-BIOS-2.jpg" alt="Test or install Ubuntu on

first boot in the Ubuntu Live environment” />

Alternatively, you can click the install icon on the desktop to start the installation if you dismiss the previous window.

Live It will ask you to choose some basic settings like language and keyboard layout. Select the most appropriate ones for your system.

and keyboard layout

You should opt for the normal installation here because it will install some software like a music player, video players, and some games

.

If you are connected to the internet, you will have the option to download updates while installing Ubuntu. You can uncheck it because it may increase the installation time if you have a slow internet. You can also upgrade Ubuntu later without any problems.

The most important screen comes right now. If other operating systems are installed, you can get the option to install Ubuntu along with them on dual boot.

But since your goal is to have only Ubuntu Linux on your entire system, you should opt for the Erase Disk option and install Ubuntu.

<img src="https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w600/2023/03/try-or-install-ubuntu-1.png" alt="Select "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" option for a

clean Ubuntu installation" />

When you press the "

Install Now" button, you will see a warning that you are about to delete the data. You know, don’t you?

Things are straightforward from here. You’ll be asked to choose a time zone.

And then you will be asked to create a username, computer name (also known as hostname) and set a password.

<img src="https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/03/install-ubuntu-inside-live-environment.png" alt="Set username, password and

computer” />

Once you do that, you just have to wait and observe for 5-10 minutes. You will see a slideshow of Ubuntu features right now.

installation

Once the process is finished, you will be prompted to reboot

the system.

the system

When you restart the system, a shutdown screen may appear prompting you to remove the installation media and press Enter.

Remove the USB disk and press enter. Your system will reboot and this time, it will boot into Ubuntu.

That’s all. Look, how easy it is to install Ubuntu. You can use this method to replace Windows with Ubuntu.

Now what?

Now that you have successfully installed it, I strongly suggest you read this guide on things to do after installing Ubuntu to make your Ubuntu experience smoother.

I also recommend checking out this list of Ubuntu tutorials and learning how to do several common things with Ubuntu.

I hope you find this tutorial useful to install Ubuntu. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to ask them in the comments section.