No optical drive but need to install Ubuntu on a Windows computer? This can be done in two different ways. The easiest way is to create a bootable USB drive and use it to install Ubuntu. You can also use the Ubuntu installer, which is designed for Windows computers (if, of course, the computer meets certain criteria).
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using a USB Drive
Step 1. Check the amount of free space on your hard drive
To install Ubuntu, you need at least 7 GB of free hard disk space (or much more if you want to install a lot of programs or download a large number of files). Ubuntu can be installed as a second operating system (alongside Windows) or as a sole operating system, i.e. instead of Windows (in which case Windows will be removed).
Before installing Ubuntu instead of Windows, please back up important files. Remember that in this case the Ubuntu installer will format the local Windows drive
Step 2. Find a suitable USB drive
To install Ubuntu, any USB drive with a minimum of 2 GB capacity will work. Keep in mind that when you create an installation USB drive, all information stored on it will be erased; therefore, copy important data to another medium.
Step 3. Download Ubuntu Desktop (Ubuntu for desktop personal computers)
This can be done at ubuntu.com/download/desktop.
Step 4. Click “Download” next to the desired version
As a rule, it is suggested to download two versions: LTS (with long-term technical support) and the latest stable version. Most users are advised to download Ubuntu LTS - this version allows you to download updates for five years. The latest stable version can be updated for nine months, and then it needs to be replaced with a new version.
Most modern computers support 64-bit operating systems, including Ubuntu. If you do not know the bitness of the operating system, read this article
Step 5. Donate money to the Ubuntu developers or simply download this system
First, you will be asked to donate some money to Canonical, which develops and maintains Ubuntu. If you do not want to provide material support, scroll down the page and click “Not now, take me to the download”.
Step 6. Wait for the system download to complete
This will download an Ubuntu disk image (ISO file) that is slightly over 1 GB in size. If your internet connection is slow, it will take a long time to download.
Step 7. Download and install Universal USB Installer
This is a free program that allows you to format a USB stick, make it bootable, and copy the Linux installation files to it. This program can be downloaded free of charge from pendrivelinux.com.
Step 8. Run the USB Installer Universal program
Connect a USB drive to your computer; make sure there are no important files on it.
Step 9. In the first drop-down menu, select the "Ubuntu" option
The Universal USB Installer can be used to create a bootable USB drive with any Linux distribution. Therefore, select the "Ubuntu" option to format the drive correctly.
Step 10. Click “Browse” and select the downloaded ISO file
Typically, all downloaded files are stored in the Downloads folder.
Step 11. At the bottom of the program window, select the appropriate USB drive
If you have multiple USB drives connected to your computer at once, select the one to which the Ubuntu installer will be written.
Step 12. Click “Create”
The USB stick will be formatted, turned into a bootable disk, and the Ubuntu files will be copied to it.
Step 13. When you finish creating a bootable USB drive, restart your computer
Do this to configure your computer to boot from a USB drive. The setup process is computer dependent.
- While the computer restarts, press the key to enter BIOS. The corresponding key will be displayed on the screen with the logo of the manufacturer of the computer or motherboard. Typically, the standard keys are F2, F11, F12, Del. Once in BIOS, open the Boot menu and set the USB drive as the primary boot device.
- If the logo of the manufacturer of the computer or motherboard is not displayed on the screen, but Windows 8/10 is immediately loaded, perform an advanced boot. Open the Charms Bar (Windows 8) or Start Menu (Windows 10) and click Settings. In the Update & Security section, click Recovery, and then in the Advanced Boot section, click Restart. In the Advanced Boot menu, click Troubleshoot - Advanced Settings. Select the UEFI Settings option and open the Boot menu. Set your USB stick as your primary boot device.
Step 14. Test Ubuntu (if you like) before installing
The first time you boot from a USB drive, a welcome screen will appear. Select your interface language and then either test Ubuntu or install it straight away. When testing Ubuntu, you will have access to all the features of this system (but without the option to save your changes). Ubuntu can be installed at any time by clicking on the appropriate icon on the desktop.
Step 15. On the Preparing to Install Ubuntu screen, check the options you want
Check the boxes next to "Download updates during installation" and "Install third-party software". If the "Download Updates …" option is not available, proceed to the next step and then return to this screen (after connecting to the network).
Step 16. Connect to a wireless network (if prompted)
If the computer is connected to a wired network, skip this step as the network connection will be configured automatically. If you are using a wireless network adapter, the system will prompt you to select the desired network and enter the password. Once connected to the wireless network, return to the previous screen and check the box next to the "Download updates …" option.
Step 17. Consider whether to install Ubuntu instead of Windows or as a second operating system
This is a very important decision - when installing Ubuntu as a second operating system, all files will be preserved, and Ubuntu will be installed on a new partition, which will be created based on the empty space of the hard disk. When you turn on your computer, you can select the system to boot. If you choose to install Ubuntu instead of Windows, files and programs will be erased.
- When installing Ubuntu as the second operating system, you can set (using the slider) the size of the partition on which Ubuntu will be installed and the amount of free space that will be used by Windows.
- If you install Ubuntu instead of Windows, the system partition will be formatted and Ubuntu will be installed on it. This does not change the size of the partition.
Step 18. Select your country and keyboard layout
If the computer is connected to the Internet, the Ubuntu installer will automatically detect your location. If you are unsure of which keyboard layout to select, click the Define Keyboard Layout button.
Step 19. Create a user account
Enter your username (no spaces!) And a password (must be both strong and easy to remember). You can set up automatic login or login after entering a password.
Change the computer name if you want. Under this name, the computer will appear when connected to the network
Step 20. Wait for the Ubuntu installation to complete
After creating an account, the system installation process will take place in automatic mode (it will take about 20-30 minutes).
Step 21. If Ubuntu is installed as the second system, select the "Ubuntu" option when turning on the computer
When the system installation is complete, the computer will restart. If Ubuntu is installed as the second system, a boot menu will appear on the screen from which you can select the appropriate operating system. In this menu click "Ubuntu"; the system will automatically boot or the login screen will open (depending on how Ubuntu login is configured).
Step 22. Get started on Ubuntu
Do this after logging in. It is recommended that you read the following articles:
- Read the article on Ubuntu Commands.
- Read the article on how to install programs on Ubuntu.
- Read the article on How to Set Up Networking in Ubuntu.
- Look online for information on how to install graphics card drivers in Ubuntu.
Method 2 of 2: Using Wubi (Ubuntu Installer)
Step 1. Understand the process
Canonical (which develops and maintains Ubuntu) no longer releases new versions of the Ubuntu installer, which installs this system from under Windows. But you can use older versions of the installer that are supported by Windows XP / Vista / 7 (Ubuntu installer does not work on Windows 8/10). Be aware that using the Ubuntu installer can lead to problems that can be avoided when installing from a USB stick. Therefore, do not use this method unless absolutely necessary.
The Ubuntu installer can only be used to install Ubuntu as a second system. To install Ubuntu instead of Windows, use the USB installation method (read the first section)
Step 2. Download the Wubi files
This is the Ubuntu installer, with which this system can be installed from under Windows (as a simple program). Wubi can be downloaded from cdimage.ubuntu.com/wubi/current/.
If you don't know the Windows bitness, download the i386.tar.xz file. If you have a 64-bit system, download the amd64.tar.xz file
Step 3. Unpack the downloaded archive
To unpack an archive with the.tar.xz extension, you need an archiver that supports the GZIP format. The free 7-Zip archiver, which can be downloaded from the 7-zip.org website, will work for this. After installing 7-Zip, open the downloaded file with the extension.tar.xz. Copy the files stored in the archive to a new folder.
Step 4. Launch Wubi
Change several installation options that are in the same menu.
Step 5. Set the size of the partition where Ubuntu will be installed
Installing Ubuntu will create a new partition based on the empty space on your hard drive. Specify its size in the drop-down menu. For stable operation, Ubuntu needs at least 7 GB or more if you intend to install programs and download files.
Step 6. Enter your username and password to create an account
After the Ubuntu installation is complete, you can create additional accounts (for other users). Enter a password to protect your personal account.
Step 7. Click Install to start the Ubuntu installation process
The installer will download the necessary files and then offer to restart the computer.
Step 8. When restarting your computer, select the "Ubuntu" option
The boot menu will appear on the screen, where you can select the appropriate operating system. From this menu, click "Ubuntu" to continue with the installation process.
Step 9. Wait for the Ubuntu installation to complete
Once Ubuntu has booted, installation will continue (it will take about 15 minutes). When the installation process is complete, the computer will restart again.
Step 10. Use the boot menu to select the appropriate operating system
This must be done every time you turn on your computer. You can run either Windows or Ubuntu this way.
Step 11. Get started on Ubuntu
Do this after logging in. It is recommended that you read the following articles:
- Read the article on How to Set Up Networking in Ubuntu.
- Look online for information on how to install graphics card drivers in Ubuntu.
- Read the article on Ubuntu Commands.
- Read the article on how to install programs on Ubuntu.