How to Install Linux Ubuntu on Your Computer

What happens during a Ubuntu installation

Installing Ubuntu means copying the operating system onto your computer's hard drive and setting it up to run when you turn on your machine. The process takes 20 to 40 minutes and walks you through a series of screens where you choose your language, timezone, and how much of your hard drive to use. Ubuntu's installer is designed to stop and ask before it makes changes, so you won't accidentally erase something you need.

You'll need two things to start: a USB drive (at least 4 gigabytes) and a computer that can boot from USB. Most computers made in the last ten years can do this. The installer will guide you through partitioning your hard drive — deciding how much space Ubuntu gets — and you can choose to keep Windows or macOS running alongside Ubuntu, or replace it entirely.

The actual installation happens in the background while you answer setup questions. When it finishes, you restart your computer and Ubuntu is ready to use. If something goes wrong during installation, you can restart and try again without losing anything on your computer.

Key Takeaways

You need a USB drive with at least 4 gigabytes of space and a second computer to create the installation media before you start.
The installer lets you choose whether to replace your current operating system or run Ubuntu alongside Windows or macOS on the same computer.
Ubuntu can be installed on older computers with less memory and storage than Windows or macOS require, making it useful for machines that have slowed down.
If the installation fails or you change your mind, you can restart your computer and return to your original operating system without losing files.

Getting the installation media ready on another computer

Before you install Ubuntu on your target computer, you need to create a bootable USB drive on a different machine. This USB drive will contain the Ubuntu installer and let your computer start up from it instead of from its normal hard drive.

First, read Ubuntu from ubuntu.com. The website shows you the current version (usually a number like 24.04) and a button to read it. This downloads a file roughly 3 to 4 gigabytes in size — it may take several minutes depending on your internet speed. Save it to your Downloads folder.

Next, you need software to write this file to your USB drive. On Windows, read Rufus (rufus.ie). On macOS, read Balena Etcher (balena.io/etcher). On Linux, you can use Etcher as well. These programs take the Ubuntu file and copy it to the USB drive in a way that makes the drive bootable — meaning your computer can start from it.

Insert your USB drive into the computer you're using to prepare it. Open Rufus or Etcher, select the Ubuntu file you downloaded, select your USB drive from the list, and click the button to write. The software will warn you that everything on the USB drive will be erased — that's normal. Wait for the process to finish (usually 5 to 10 minutes), then safely eject the USB drive.

Starting the installation on your target computer

Insert the USB drive into the computer where you want to install Ubuntu. Restart that computer and watch the screen carefully as it starts up. Most computers show a message like "Press F12 to enter boot menu" or "Press Delete for setup" — the key varies by manufacturer. Press that key before the operating system loads.

You'll see a menu of devices your computer can start from. Look for an entry that mentions your USB drive by name or says "USB" or "Removable Media". Select it and press Enter. The computer will start from the USB drive instead of its hard drive.

After a few seconds, the Ubuntu installer appears. It shows a purple screen with language options on the left. Select your language and click "Install Ubuntu". The next screen asks whether you want to install Ubuntu alongside your current operating system or erase it completely. If you're unsure, choose "Install Ubuntu alongside" — this keeps your current system and lets you choose which one to use when you restart your computer.

Choosing how much space Ubuntu gets

If you chose to install Ubuntu alongside your current operating system, the installer shows you a slider to divide your hard drive between the two systems. The left side stays with your current system, the right side goes to Ubuntu. Move the slider to give Ubuntu at least 20 gigabytes if you plan to use it regularly, or 50 gigabytes if you want room for programs and files.

If you chose to erase your current operating system completely, the installer automatically uses your entire hard drive for Ubuntu. You'll see a summary of what will happen — read it carefully. This is your final note to go back. If everything looks correct, click "Install".

The installer now asks for your timezone, keyboard layout, and language preferences. These are straightforward — select what matches where you are and how your keyboard is labeled. Then it asks you to create a user account: a name for yourself, a name for your computer, a username (usually lowercase, no spaces), and a password. Write down your password somewhere safe — you'll need it to install programs and change system settings later.

Waiting for installation to finish

Once you've entered your account details, the installer begins copying files to your hard drive. A progress bar shows how far along it is. This takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your computer's speed and hard drive type. You can watch the progress or step away — the installer will finish on its own.

When the progress bar reaches 100 percent, the installer shows a message asking you to restart your computer. Remove the USB drive from the computer, then click "Restart Now". The computer will shut down and start back up.

When your computer restarts, it boots from your hard drive instead of the USB drive. If you installed Ubuntu alongside another operating system, you'll see a menu asking which system you want to use — select Ubuntu. After a few more seconds, you'll see the Ubuntu login screen. Enter the username and password you created during installation, and Ubuntu is ready to use.

Troubleshooting if the computer won't boot from USB

If your computer starts normally instead of showing the Ubuntu installer, it didn't boot from the USB drive. This usually means either the USB drive wasn't created correctly, or your computer's boot settings need adjustment.

First, try restarting your computer and pressing the boot menu key earlier — some computers only listen for it in the first second or two. If that doesn't work, restart again and look for a different key that enters "BIOS setup" or "UEFI settings" (often Delete, F2, or F10). In this menu, look for a section called "Boot Order" or "Boot Priority". Make sure USB or removable media is listed before your hard drive. Save the changes and restart.

If you still see your normal operating system, the USB drive itself may not have been created correctly. Go back to the computer where you prepared it, use Rufus or Etcher again, and repeat the process. Make sure you selected the correct USB drive — selecting the wrong one erases that drive instead.

What to do if something goes wrong during installation

If the installer crashes or freezes, restart your computer by holding the power button for 10 seconds. The computer will shut down. Turn it back on and insert the USB drive again — you're back at the installer and can try again. Nothing on your hard drive is lost because the installation hadn't finished.

If the installer finishes but your computer won't start Ubuntu afterward, restart and try booting from the USB drive again. You can reinstall without losing anything. If you installed Ubuntu alongside another operating system and want to go back to using only the original system, restart and select the original operating system from the boot menu instead of Ubuntu.

If you want to remove Ubuntu completely after installing it, you'll need to use your original operating system's disk management tools to delete the Ubuntu partition and expand the remaining space. This is beyond the scope of installation, but the process is reversible — you haven't damaged your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to erase my Windows or macOS to install Ubuntu?

No. The installer offers a choice: you can keep your current operating system and have both systems on the same computer, or erase it and use only Ubuntu. If you choose to keep both, your computer will ask you which one to use each time you restart.

What if my computer is too old to boot from USB?

Very old computers (before 2005) may not support USB booting. You can create a DVD instead of a USB drive using the same Ubuntu file and the same software (Rufus and Etcher both support DVD). Insert the DVD and restart your computer — it should boot from the DVD automatically.

Can I undo the installation if I change my mind?

Yes. If you installed Ubuntu alongside another operating system, restart your computer and select your original system from the boot menu. If you erased your original system, you'll need to reinstall it from its own installation media. Ubuntu itself doesn't prevent you from going back.

How much hard drive space does Ubuntu actually need?

Ubuntu itself uses about 5 gigabytes after installation. If you plan to install programs and store files, give it at least 20 gigabytes. If you're unsure how much you'll use it, start with 30 gigabytes — you can always adjust the partition later if needed.

What if the installer asks about LVM or encryption?

These are advanced options that most people don't need. LVM lets you resize partitions later without restarting. Encryption scrambles your files so they can't be read if someone steals your computer. Both are safe to enable, but also safe to skip if you're installing Ubuntu for the first time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.