How to install Ubuntu (with pictures)

Ubuntu is one of the more popular Linux flavors. It is free and can be installed on almost any computer. This guide covers how to install from CD / DVD or Windows.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Installing from CD / DVD

Step 1. Download the Ubuntu disk image and burn it to disk

You have two options:

• Version 12.04 LTS continues to be updated, technical support is also guaranteed. It is planned to be operational until 2017 and will provide the greatest compatibility with your current computer.

• 

• The most recent version of Ubuntu 13.04 came out with limited support. It has a lot of useful functions and capabilities, but they are not compatible with all hardware. Therefore, it is suitable for more experienced Linux users.

• 

• If you have Windows 8 or UEFI firmware on your computer, download the 64-bit version of Ubuntu. For older devices, the 32-bit version is fine.

• 

Step 2. Burn the file to disk

Use the burning program, there are a lot of paid and free programs with which you can burn an image of a CD or DVD.

• If your operating system is Windows 7, 8 or Mac OS X, you can burn ISO files yourself instead of downloading additional programs.

• 

Step 3. Boot from disk

After the file has finished writing to disk, restart your computer and choose boot from disk. You may need to change the boot settings by pressing the install key while restarting your computer. Usually it is F12, F2 or Del.

Step 4. Try Ubuntu before installing

By booting Ubuntu from disk, you will be able to test the system without installing it. It will be launched from disk, and you will be able to evaluate the functionality of this operating system.

• Open the Samples folder to see how Ubuntu handles files.

• 

• After testing, open the installation file on your desktop.

• 

Step 5. Install Ubuntu

You will need at least 4.5 GB of free disk space or more if you want to install additional programs and create files. If you are installing an operating system on a laptop, make sure that it is connected to power, as installation is quite a power-consuming process, which means that the battery will drain faster than usual.

• Check the boxes for "Download updates automatically" and "Install third-party software." This software will allow you to play MP3 files and watch Flash, for example, on YouTube.

• 

Step 6. Connect to a wireless connection

If your computer is not connected to the Internet, your next step will be to set the wireless configuration settings.

If you still cannot connect to the wireless Internet, click "Back" after configuring the wireless settings in order to enable automatic updates

Step 7. Decide for yourself what you are going to do with the old operating system

If you have Windows installed, you will be presented with several options for installing Ubuntu. You can install Ubuntu on top of Windows or replace it.

• If you install it over an older version of Windows, you will be prompted to choose between the two operating systems each time you restart your computer. Your files and programs on Windows will not be affected.

• 

• If you replace your Windows installation with Ubuntu, all your files, documents, and programs that were installed or created in Windows will be removed.

• 

Step 8. Select the disk partition (logical disk)

If you are installing Ubuntu on top of Windows, you can use the scroll bar to select how much hard disk space will be allocated for Ubuntu. Remember that Ubuntu will take up at least 4.5 GB, and you also need to leave room for programs and files.

• Once you customize everything for yourself, click on the "Install now" button.

• 

Step 9. Choose your location

If you are connected to the Internet, this will be done automatically. Check if the time zone was correctly defined, and then click on the "Next" button.

Step 10. Select the language keyboard layout

You can select them from the list or click on the "Define keyboard layout" button for the operating system to determine the required settings.

Step 11. Enter your authorization information

your name, the computer name that is displayed on the network, come up with a username and password. You can decide whether Ubuntu will start automatically or require a username and password.

Step 12. Wait for the end of the installation process

After entering your login information, the installation will begin, which will display helpful tips for using Ubuntu on the screen. After the installation process is complete, you will be prompted to restart your computer and start Ubuntu.

Method 2 of 2: Using the Windows Setup Wizard

Step 1. Download the installation wizard from the Ubuntu website

If your browser supports the function, click run save or open. The Windows Setup Wizard is not compatible with Windows 8. If you have this OS, use the previous method.

• Windows Installer will install Ubuntu on top of Windows. This will not damage your files. After restarting your computer, you will be able to choose which operating system to use.

• 

Step 2. Choose a username and password

After downloading the installation wizard, you will be shown a configuration menu. Choose a new name and password.

• You can also resize your Ubuntu installation. The more space you allocate for installation, the more there is left for the installation of additional programs and files. But this will reduce the free space in memory that Windows has access to.

• 

• You can choose your own desktop environment. The most popular ones are:

• 

  • Ubuntu (the most popular flavor) is equipped with Gnome, whose interface resembles Mac OS X
  • Kubuntu is equipped with KDE, it is visually similar to Windows
  • Xubuntu is equipped with Xfce, it is faster and suitable for older computers.

Step 1. Click Install to start the installation process

The installation wizard will start downloading the necessary files to your computer. The installation process is automatic.

• Downloading files can take a long time if you have a slow Internet connection. You can use your computer while the files are downloading in the background.

• 

Step 2. Restart your computer

After the installation process is complete, you will be prompted to restart your computer now or later. During the reboot, an additional menu will appear in which you can choose which operating system you want to run: Windows or Ubuntu.

Advice

• Try unofficial versions of Ubuntu like Fluxbuntu, IceBuntu or Linux Mint, you might like them better than the original.
• Please use a wired Internet connection during installation, because the wireless connection may be interrupted if the drivers crash during the installation process.
• Make a backup copy of all personal data (photos, documents, settings) that you want to keep in the future, before proceeding with the installation of the Ubuntu operating system.
• If you are using a laptop that is connected to a Wi-Fi network, run Ubuntu from the disk before installing to make sure the Wi-Fi adapter is working. If it doesn't work, check the Ubuntu forum for a way to enable Wi-Fi on your computer. Alternatively, you can connect it to a wired internet connection and follow the online tutorials.
• If during the restart of your computer you have a menu with two operating systems enabled, you can select the one you need each time, or you can skip this step - in this case, the system that is in the first place in the list will be launched.
• It's a good place to start by running Ubuntu from CD to get an idea of how it works.
• Register on the forum http://www.ubuntuforums.org for more tips.
• If you want to test Ubuntu, you don't have to install it. You can try it out by running it from a CD or by installing it as a virtual operating system.
• Try the LTS version if you plan to purchase commercial support.
• Ubuntu comes with a lot of software preinstalled, but you'll have to install the Flash player yourself from the Ubuntu software store, which can be found in the applications menu.

Warnings

• Check if your computer meets the minimum system requirements. This is a must if you have a very old computer. If your device supports Windows XP, Ubuntu will certainly run on it.
• Despite the fact that there are no viruses in this system, vulnerabilities are quickly eliminated, and in general Linux is a more secure OS, it is very important to fix problems in real time. If you are the system administrator of an important system, you should take the necessary precautions, because Linux is by no means a panacea.