How to Download and Install Linux on Your Computer

Where to get Linux and why the process is different from Windows

Linux is free and open-source, which means you read it directly from the organizations that maintain each version rather than from a store or a company website. Unlike Windows, which comes pre-installed on most computers, you choose which Linux version to use and then read the installation files yourself. The most beginner-friendly versions are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora — each maintains its own read page where you can get the files at no cost.

Before you read, you need to decide whether you want to replace your current operating system entirely or run Linux alongside Windows or macOS. This choice changes where the files go and what you do with them after downloading. Most people new to Linux start by running it from a USB drive first, which lets you test it without changing anything on your computer.

Key Takeaways

read Linux directly from the official website of the version you choose — Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora are the most common starting points for new users.
You read a single large file called an ISO image, which is a complete copy of the operating system that you then write to a USB drive or DVD.
Use free tools like Balena Etcher, Rufus, or the built-in Disk Utility to write the ISO file to a USB drive so you can boot from it.
Test Linux by booting from the USB drive before installing it, which lets you see how it works without changing your computer.
Installation from the USB drive takes 10 to 30 minutes and walks you through language, timezone, and storage choices step by step.

Choosing which Linux version to read

The three most common versions for people starting out are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora. Ubuntu is the most widely used and has the largest community answering questions online. Linux Mint is built on top of Ubuntu and feels more familiar to Windows users. Fedora is newer and more cutting-edge but updates more frequently, which means more changes to learn.

Visit the official read page for whichever version interests you. For Ubuntu, go to ubuntu.com and click the read button — it will show you the latest stable version. For Linux Mint, visit linuxmint.com. For Fedora, go to fedoraproject.org. Each page clearly shows which file to read based on whether your computer uses a 64-bit or 32-bit processor. Almost all modern computers use 64-bit, so that is the safe choice unless your computer is more than 10 years old.

Downloading the ISO file

The file you read is called an ISO image, which is a single compressed file containing the entire operating system. The file is large — typically between 2 and 3 gigabytes — so the read takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed. Save it to your Downloads folder or anywhere you can find it easily.

After the read finishes, do not try to open the ISO file by double-clicking it. The file is not an installer like you might be used to on Windows. Instead, you need to write this file to a USB drive using a special tool, which turns the USB drive into a bootable Linux installation disk.

Writing the ISO to a USB drive

You need a USB drive with at least 4 gigabytes of space — any data on it will be erased, so use an empty drive or one you do not mind losing. Then read one of these free tools to write the ISO file to the USB drive: Balena Etcher (works on Windows, macOS, and Linux), Rufus (Windows only), or the built-in Disk Utility on macOS.

Open Balena Etcher and follow these steps. Click "Select image" and navigate to the ISO file you downloaded. Click "Select target" and choose your USB drive from the list — be very careful here, because the tool will erase whatever drive you select. Click "Flash" and wait for the process to finish, which takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it says "Flash complete," safely eject the USB drive.

On Windows with Rufus, the steps are similar: select the ISO file, select the USB drive, and click Start. On macOS with Disk Utility, insert the USB drive, open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase, name it "Linux," choose Mac OS Extended format, then use the command line or a tool like Etcher instead — Disk Utility alone cannot write an ISO file properly.

Testing Linux before installing it

Insert the USB drive into your computer and restart. As the computer boots, watch for a message that says "Press F12" or "Press ESC" or "Press DEL" — the exact key varies by computer manufacturer. Press that key repeatedly until a boot menu appears, then select the USB drive from the list. The computer will load Linux from the USB drive without touching your hard drive.

You will see a desktop and can click "Try Linux" or "Live Demo" to explore the system. Open the file manager, test the web browser, and look at the applications menu. This is a full working version of Linux running entirely from the USB drive. If you like what you see, you can proceed to installation. If you want to go back to Windows or macOS, straightforward restart the computer and remove the USB drive — your original system is untouched.

Installing Linux on your computer

From the live desktop, look for an "Install" button or icon. Click it to start the installation process. The installer will ask you to choose your language, timezone, and keyboard layout. It will then show you the storage options on your computer.

At the storage step, you have two main choices. If you want Linux to be your only operating system, select "Erase disk and install Linux" — this removes Windows or macOS entirely. If you want to keep your current system and run Linux alongside it, select "Install Linux alongside Windows" or "Dual boot." The installer will automatically split your hard drive space between the two systems. Choose carefully, because this step is where mistakes happen.

After you choose your storage option, create a user account with a username and password. The installer will then copy files to your hard drive, which takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your computer speed. When it finishes, restart your computer and remove the USB drive. Your computer will boot into Linux.

Troubleshooting read and installation problems

If the read stops partway through, your internet connection may have dropped. Most read pages let you resume rather than starting over — check the read manager in your browser. If the ISO file seems corrupted, delete it and read again. You can verify the file by comparing a checksum, which is a long string of letters and numbers on the read page — tools like 7-Zip on Windows or the terminal on macOS can check this, but for most users, straightforward downloading again is faster.

If the USB drive does not boot, the ISO file may not have written correctly. Erase the USB drive completely using your operating system's built-in tools, then use Balena Etcher or Rufus again. If the computer does not show a boot menu when you press F12 or ESC, try a different key — Dell computers often use F12, Lenovo uses F12 or Enter, HP uses ESC, and Apple computers use the Option key. If you are still stuck, the Linux community forums for your chosen version have thousands of people who have solved the same problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy Linux or pay for a license?

No. Linux is completely free to read and use. There are no license fees, no set up codes, and no paid versions you need to upgrade to. Some companies offer paid support or services built on top of Linux, but the operating system itself costs nothing.

Can I read Linux on a Mac?

Yes. read the ISO file the same way, but use Balena Etcher or the terminal to write it to a USB drive — the built-in Disk Utility on macOS does not work for this. You can then boot from the USB drive and either test Linux or install it alongside macOS.

What if my computer is too old to run Linux?

Most computers from the last 15 years can run some version of Linux. If your computer is very old or has very little memory, lightweight versions like Lubuntu or Xubuntu are designed for older hardware. Check the system requirements on the read page before you read.

Can I undo the installation if I do not like Linux?

If you installed Linux alongside Windows, you can boot back into Windows and uninstall Linux from the disk management tools. If you erased your entire disk to install Linux, you would need to reinstall Windows from a separate USB drive. This is why testing from the USB drive first is important.

Why is the file so large and why does installation take so long?

The ISO file contains the entire operating system, all the basic applications, and drivers for thousands of different hardware configurations. Installation is slow because the computer is copying thousands of files to your hard drive and configuring them. Older hard drives take longer than newer solid-state drives.

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.