Whether you're trying Linux for the first time or just desire a reliable alternative to Windows, Ubuntu is a neat option.

It offers a functional desktop thank you to the GNOME desktop surround, a collection of splendid open source productivity tools (including LibreOffice), and gets regular security updates. Installation is similar to putting Windows on a computer, merely information technology's smart to know what choices you lot're going to face.

Here's how to install Ubuntu on a PC.

5 Ways to Install Ubuntu

How you install Ubuntu is up to you. You might install it on your PC (every bit per the primary portion of this tutorial) or you might find another style to practise it. Every bit with well-nigh Linux distributions, it can exist installed on many devices.

  1. Install Ubuntu onto a Windows PC
  2. Install on your Chromebook
  3. Yous tin can fifty-fifty install on a MacBook or iMac
  4. Ubuntu can exist installed in a virtual machine
  5. Amazingly, Ubuntu tin even run on a Raspberry Pi!

As well every bit desktop uses, y'all can install Ubuntu Server for hosting information of all kinds, from games to websites to file servers. Here'south how Ubuntu Server differs from Ubuntu desktop.

A few other devices can as well handle Ubuntu. Nosotros're going to assume that you're using a standard Windows computer or laptop and wish to install Ubuntu from scratch.

Go Started: Cull and Download Your Preferred Ubuntu Version

At whatsoever ane time in that location are typically 2 Ubuntu desktop operating systems bachelor.

  • The LTS (Long-term Support) version
  • The latest version

Every three years, the LTS version is also the latest version. At the time of writing, the LTS is Ubuntu 20.04, simply three non-LTS versions have been released since.

Ubuntu is released every April and October which is reflected in the version number. The April 2022 version will be Ubuntu 22.04, while the October release will exist Ubuntu 22.10.

So, what is the divergence between an LTS release and a more recent one? Simple: the LTS version is more stable, but lacks afterwards improvements found in newer versions (hence "long-term support").

If you're interested in Ubuntu every bit a reliable daily driver, the LTS version is recommended. Otherwise, select the most recent non-LTS release.

Download: Ubuntu

With the ISO file downloaded, it is time to create the installation media. When this is inserted and the target laptop or PC restarted, the installation should brainstorm.

To install Ubuntu on a figurer, you can use:

  1. USB stick
  2. SD card

Whichever pick y'all cull, be certain that at that place is a free port on the target computer.

Your operating system may take a built-in tool for creating bootable installation media from an ISO file. If you don't know what it is, or how to utilise it, then the best option is to utilise Etcher.

Download: Etcher

This is multi-platform software that can effortlessly write an ISO file (or any other disk image) to flash media.

See our detailed guide on using Etcher to write an ISO file to a suitable USB wink stick or SD card.

Kicking Your Computer from USB or SD Card

With the installation media connected to the target computer, restart or power it up. Hopefully, it should detect the USB or wink storage and give yous the option to boot from it.

If not, y'all'll need to access your computer's UEFI/BIOS [LINK] to edit the kicking menu. In this upshot, you'll need to prioritize the USB or card reader (they're often regarded as the aforementioned thing in the BIOS) ahead of the figurer'due south hard disk or solid land drive.

With that change made, reboot your figurer. This time, it should kick from the ISO file you burned to the USB or SD card.

Ubuntu Installation: A Look at the Options

When the reckoner starts, you lot'll see the Chow screen with four options:

  • Ubuntu
  • Ubuntu (safe graphics)
  • OEM install (for manufacturers)
  • Test retentiveness

In most cases, select Ubuntu, using the arrow keys, and tap Enter.

GRUB boot selection

If your beginning attempt at installing Ubuntu fails and an mistake bulletin concerning the display or your computer'southward GPU (graphics carte) is blamed, try Ubuntu (safe graphics). Meanwhile, if you lot want to check your PC's RAM is up to the job, use the Test retention pick. When this completes, you can then select Ubuntu and proceed with installation.

The installation surroundings will boot, and yous will see the Install screen.

Ubuntu Install select screen

Select your preferred language, then Install Ubuntu.

Endeavor Ubuntu to Bank check the Alive Environment

If you chose Try Ubuntu, you'll soon see the Ubuntu desktop.

However, this isn't the genuine desktop, just a "alive" environs. Rather than being installed on your HDD or SSD, Ubuntu is running from the organisation RAM. This gives you the option to take a wait around, and get to grips with some settings and options.

For instance, yous can suit the desktop background, or launch the browser and access the net.

If you have never used Ubuntu earlier, this is a practiced opportunity to larn more about it earlier installing.

If everything seems to work okay in the live environment, you're in a good position to proceed, so discover the Install Ubuntu option on the desktop and double-click.

Install Ubuntu in 7 Steps

The Ubuntu 22.04 LTS installer makes installation of the Bone simple. It can be completed with in seven stages.

1. Keyboard Layout

Cull your keyboard layout. This should usually match the concrete keyboard you lot own.

Select the keyboard language in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Click Continue.

ii. Updates and Other Software

Determine which apps and updates y'all want to install alongside the operating arrangement. Y'all tin select a Normal installation with media tools and office software, or the Minimal installation with none of these things.

You lot can besides choose to Download updates while installing Ubuntu, which saves fourth dimension after installation. For ability users there is also the choice to Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats. This includes things like drivers for NVIDIA GPUs.

Choose additional software

Click Proceed when yous take made your option.

iii. Installation Type

Choose between Erase disk and install Ubuntu or Something else. The first option has an Advanced features option, enabling the selection of not-standard file tables. The 2nd option gives you the tools to create and resize partitions.

Select to erase or partition disk

Click Install Now to go along.

4. Write the Changes to Disks?

The installer will confirm the selections you accept fabricated to the disks (Ubuntu formats two partitions by default).

Confirm disk format

Click Become Back to make changes, or Go along with the installation.

five. Select Time Zone

Use the map to select the correct time zone, or input the nearest city to your location into the text field.

Choose your location

Click Go on when you're done.

6. Who Are Y'all?

You're now ready to input your proper noun, give the reckoner a name, and select a username and password. If yous're on a corporate or academic network, yous might need to bank check the Apply Agile Directory checkbox.

Set a username and password in Ubuntu

Click Go on and enjoy the Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Jammy Jellyfish welcome screen.

vii. Restart

A few minutes (or a loving cup of coffee) subsequently, the process volition be complete, and you will be prompted to Restart Now to outset using your new Ubuntu computer.

Restart Ubuntu after installation

When the figurer restarts, you'll be asked to remove the installation media. Ensure the disk is ejected before hitting Enter.

Installing Ubuntu Is Easy

As noted, Ubuntu can be installed on most whatever computer you tin think of. Simply the simplest and most painless installation is on a PC or laptop – where the desktop Ubuntu operating organization is at its best.

Ubuntu installation is generally elementary, although your experience may differ, specially if you have unusual hardware. In the main, all the same, installing Ubuntu is efficient, and you can accept your computer running within thirty minutes.

At present it's time to install the right software.