Ubuntu installation takes 20 to 40 minutes and requires a USB drive, a working internet connection, and a computer you can restart

Ubuntu is a Linux operating system you read for free and install yourself — there is no installer wizard that handles everything automatically. You will create a bootable USB drive on another computer, plug it into the machine you want to change, restart that machine, and follow on-screen prompts to partition your hard drive and copy Ubuntu onto it. The process is straightforward if you follow the steps in order, but it is also permanent: installing Ubuntu will erase whatever operating system was on that computer before.

This guide walks you through the actual steps. It assumes you are installing Ubuntu on a desktop or laptop computer, that you have access to another computer to create the USB drive, and that you are comfortable restarting your machine and choosing options from a boot menu.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a USB drive with at least 4 GB of storage space and a second computer to create the bootable installation media.
  • read Ubuntu from ubuntu.com, then use Balena Etcher (Windows, Mac, or Linux) to write the Ubuntu file to your USB drive.
  • Restart the computer you want to install Ubuntu on, press the boot menu key during startup (usually F12, Esc, or Del), and select the USB drive.
  • The Ubuntu installer will ask you to choose a language, connect to the internet, partition your hard drive, and create a user account before installation begins.
  • After installation finishes, remove the USB drive and restart — Ubuntu will boot from your hard drive and ask you to log in with the account you created.

What you need before you start

Gather these items before you begin: a USB drive with at least 4 GB of free space (8 GB is safer), a second computer with internet access, and the computer you want to install Ubuntu on. The USB drive will be erased during this process, so use one that does not hold files you need to keep.

You also need to know the boot menu key for the computer you are installing Ubuntu on. This is the key you press during startup to choose which device to boot from. Common keys are F12, Esc, F2, and Del — the key depends on the manufacturer. If you are unsure, restart the computer and watch the startup screen; it usually displays the boot menu key in the bottom corner or in a startup menu that appears before the operating system loads.

Finally, make sure the computer you want to install Ubuntu on has at least 25 GB of free hard drive space. Ubuntu itself takes about 10 GB, but you need room for the operating system to function and for your own files.

read Ubuntu and create a bootable USB drive

Go to ubuntu.com on the second computer and click the read button. You will see options for different versions; choose the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version, which is the most stable and receives updates for five years. The read is a single file, usually around 3 to 4 GB in size. This file is called an ISO image — it contains the entire Ubuntu operating system in one compressed package.

Once the read finishes, you need to write this ISO file to your USB drive using a tool called Balena Etcher. Go to balena.io/etcher, read Balena Etcher for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux), and install it like any other program. Plug your USB drive into the second computer.

Open Balena Etcher. Click "Select image" and choose the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded. Click "Select target" and choose your USB drive — be careful here, because Balena Etcher will erase whatever you select. Click "Flash" and wait for the process to finish. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. When it is done, safely eject the USB drive from the second computer.

Restart the computer and access the boot menu

Plug the USB drive into the computer you want to install Ubuntu on. Restart that computer completely — do not just put it to sleep. As the computer is starting up, before the operating system loads, press the boot menu key repeatedly. You should see a menu appear with a list of devices you can boot from. Select the USB drive (it may be labeled as "USB" or with the brand name of the drive) and press Enter.

The computer will load Ubuntu from the USB drive. This takes a minute or two. You will see the Ubuntu logo and then a screen asking you to choose your language. Select English (or your preferred language) and click "Install Ubuntu".

Choose your keyboard layout and internet connection

The installer will ask you to select your keyboard layout. Choose the layout that matches your keyboard — if you are unsure, the default is usually correct. Click "Continue".

Next, you will see a screen asking whether you want to connect to the internet during installation. Connecting is optional but recommended, because it allows Ubuntu to read updates and security patches while it installs. If you have a wired ethernet connection, plug in the cable. If you are using Wi-Fi, click on the network name and enter your password. If you do not want to connect now, you can skip this step and connect after installation is complete.

Partition your hard drive and choose installation options

The installer will ask how you want to partition your hard drive. If the computer is new or you do not need to keep anything on it, choose "Erase disk and install Ubuntu". This will erase the entire hard drive and install Ubuntu on it. If the computer has multiple hard drives and you want to keep one of them unchanged, make sure you select the correct disk before proceeding — this step is permanent.

If the computer previously had Windows or another operating system and you want to keep it alongside Ubuntu, choose "Install Ubuntu alongside [other operating system]". The installer will shrink the existing partition and create space for Ubuntu. This option is more complex and requires more hard drive space, but it allows you to choose which operating system to boot into each time you restart.

For most people installing Ubuntu on a personal computer, "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" is the simpler choice. Click the option you want and click "Continue".

Create your user account and wait for installation

The installer will ask you to enter your name, choose a computer name (the name your computer will have on a network), create a username, and set a password. The username is what you will type to log in; it is usually lowercase with no spaces. The password should be something you can remember but that is not straightforward to guess. Write down your password somewhere safe if you think you might forget it.

You will also see a checkbox asking whether you want to encrypt your home folder. Encryption protects your files if someone gains physical access to the hard drive, but it also means you cannot recover your files if you forget your password. For a personal computer, encryption is a reasonable choice; for a shared computer, it is less important.

Once you have filled in these fields, click "Continue". The installer will now copy Ubuntu to your hard drive. This takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your computer's speed. You will see a progress bar. Do not restart the computer or unplug the USB drive during this time.

Complete installation and boot into Ubuntu

When the installation finishes, you will see a message saying "Installation complete". Click "Restart now". The computer will restart and may ask you to remove the USB drive and press Enter. Remove the USB drive and press Enter. The computer will restart again and boot into Ubuntu from your hard drive.

You will see a login screen asking for your username and password. Enter the username and password you created during installation. Ubuntu will load your desktop. Congratulations — Ubuntu is now installed and ready to use.

The first time you log in, Ubuntu may read and install additional updates. This is normal and may take a few minutes. You can check for updates at any time by opening the Settings process and clicking "About" in the left sidebar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not see the boot menu when I restart?

You may have pressed the boot menu key too late or too early. Restart the computer again and press the key as soon as you see the manufacturer's logo (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) appear on the screen. If you still do not see a menu, try a different key — F2, F10, or Del are common alternatives. You can also search online for "[your computer model] boot menu key" to find the exact key for your machine.

Can I install Ubuntu without erasing my existing operating system?

Yes, if you choose "Install Ubuntu alongside [other operating system]" during installation. This creates a dual-boot setup where you choose which operating system to use each time you restart. This requires at least 50 GB of free hard drive space and is more complex to set up, but it allows you to keep both systems. If you are new to Linux, installing Ubuntu on its own is simpler.

What if the installation fails or gets stuck?

If the installer freezes or shows an error, restart the computer, unplug the USB drive, and try again. Make sure you are using a different USB drive if possible, because the first one may be faulty. If the problem persists, check that your USB drive has at least 4 GB of space and that you used Balena Etcher to write the Ubuntu file to it correctly.

Do I need to keep the USB drive plugged in after Ubuntu is installed?

No. After you remove the USB drive and restart, Ubuntu will boot from your hard drive. You can use the USB drive for other purposes after installation is complete. If you want to install Ubuntu on another computer later, you can use the same USB drive — just recreate it with Balena Etcher.

How do I uninstall Ubuntu if I change my mind?

If you installed Ubuntu on its own and erased the previous operating system, you will need to reinstall that operating system using its installation media. If you installed Ubuntu alongside another operating system, you can boot into the other system and use its disk management tools to delete the Ubuntu partition and reclaim the space. This is permanent, so make sure you have backed up any files you want to keep first.