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Reginald F. Johnson
Reginald F. Johnson

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Step‑by‑Step Ubuntu Linux Installation Guide

#linux #ubuntu #homelab

🧭 Full Environment Shift: Step‑by‑Step Ubuntu Installation Guide

You’re doing a full environment shift here, so this guide is intentionally explicit and linear. Even “obvious” steps are included so nothing gets skipped.

1. Decide What Kind of Install You Want

Before touching anything, decide:

1. Install Type

  • Erase Windows and use only Ubuntu (simpler)
  • Install Ubuntu alongside Windows (dual‑boot, more complex)

This guide notes differences where they matter.

2. Data Backup

  • If erasing Windows: Back up all files (Documents, Desktop, Downloads, browser data, etc.) to an external drive or cloud.
  • If dual‑booting: Still back up important data — partition changes always carry risk.

3. Free Space Requirement

  • Recommended: 30–50 GB free for Ubuntu.
  • If dual‑booting, check Windows free space: Win + E → This PC → Local Disk (C:)

2. Prepare a USB Drive & Downloads (Windows 10/11)

2.1. Get a USB Drive Ready

  1. USB size:

    • Use an 8 GB or larger USB flash drive.
    • All data on it will be erased.

  2. Plug in USB:

    Insert the USB drive into your laptop.

  3. Optional: Format USB (clean start):

    • Win + E → right‑click USB drive → Format…
    • File system: FAT32 or NTFS
    • Click Start → confirm.

2.2. Download Ubuntu ISO

  1. Open a browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox).

  2. Go to Ubuntu download page:

    https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop

  3. Choose version:

    • Download the latest LTS version (e.g., Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or 22.04 LTS).
    • Wait for the .iso file to finish downloading.

  4. Verify download location:

    • Win + E → Downloads
    • Look for something like: ubuntu-24.04-desktop-amd64.iso

2.3. Download Rufus

  1. Go to: https://rufus.ie
  2. Scroll to Download section.
  3. Download Rufus x.xx Portable or the latest version.
  4. Save it (usually in Downloads).

3. Create the Ubuntu USB with Rufus

3.1. Run Rufus

  1. Win + E → open Downloads
  2. Double‑click the Rufus .exe (e.g., rufus-4.5.exe)
  3. Approve the Windows UAC prompt if it appears.

3.2. Select USB Drive & ISO

Inside Rufus:

  1. Device:

    • Select your USB drive from the dropdown.

  2. Boot selection:

    • Click SELECT
    • Choose the Ubuntu .iso file.

  3. Partition scheme & target system:

    • GPT for most modern laptops
    • MBR for older BIOS‑only systems
    • Target system adjusts automatically.

  4. Volume label:

    • Optional: name it UBUNTU

  5. File system:

    • Leave default (FAT32 for UEFI).

3.3. Rufus Ubuntu‑Specific Prompts

  1. ISOHybrid image detected:

    • Choose Write in ISO Image mode (Recommended) → OK

  2. Data warning:

    • Confirm that all USB data will be destroyed.

3.4. Create the USB

  1. Click START
  2. Wait 5–20 minutes
  3. When complete, Rufus will show READY
  4. Click CLOSE
  5. Leave the USB plugged in

4. Prepare Your Laptop BIOS/UEFI

You need to ensure the laptop can boot from USB.

4.1. Enter BIOS/UEFI

  1. Restart Windows:

    Start → Power → Restart

  2. Press the firmware key repeatedly during boot:

Manufacturer Key(s)
Dell F2 or F12
HP Esc → F9 or F10
Lenovo F1, F2, or Novo button
Acer F2
ASUS F2 or Del
MSI Del

If Windows boots normally, restart and try again earlier.

4.2. Adjust Boot Options

Inside BIOS/UEFI:

  1. Find boot menus:

    Look for Boot, Boot Options, or Startup.

  2. Enable USB boot:

    Ensure USB/Removable boot is Enabled.

  3. Secure Boot:

    • Ubuntu can boot with Secure Boot ON, but if issues occur:
      • Set Secure Boot → Disabled
    • Ensure Boot Mode is UEFI (not Legacy).

  4. Boot order:

    • Move the USB drive to the top of the boot priority list.

  5. Save & exit:

    • Usually F10 → Yes

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