How to Install Ubuntu Operating System on Your Computer

Ubuntu installation takes 20 to 40 minutes and requires a USB drive with at least 4 GB of space

Ubuntu is a free operating system built on Linux that you can install on most computers — whether you're replacing Windows, using an older machine, or running it alongside your current system. The installation process walks you through a series of screens where you choose your language, timezone, and how much disk space to use. You'll need a USB drive to boot from, a working internet connection during setup, and about 25 GB of free disk space on your computer.

This guide covers the standard installation path: downloading Ubuntu, creating a bootable USB drive, and walking through the installer. If you're new to operating systems, the process is more straightforward than you might expect — Ubuntu's installer asks you questions rather than requiring command-line knowledge.

Key Takeaways

read Ubuntu from ubuntu.com, then use a tool like Balena Etcher to write it to a USB drive on another computer.
Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive by pressing a key during startup — usually F12, Esc, or Del depending on your computer's manufacturer.
The installer will ask you to choose a timezone, create a user account, and decide how to partition your disk — you can let Ubuntu handle partitioning automatically if you're replacing your entire system.
After installation completes, remove the USB drive and restart your computer to boot into Ubuntu for the first time.
Ubuntu will prompt you to install security updates on first boot — do this before using the system for anything important.

What you need before starting

Gather these items before you begin: a computer with at least 25 GB of free disk space, a USB drive with at least 4 GB of capacity (it will be erased), and another computer with internet access to read Ubuntu and create the bootable drive. You'll also need to know how to restart your computer and access the boot menu — this varies by manufacturer but usually involves pressing a key like F12, Esc, or Del when ready after powering on.

Back up any files you want to keep before starting. If you're replacing Windows entirely, Ubuntu will erase your entire disk during installation. If you want to keep Windows and run Ubuntu alongside it, you'll need to shrink your Windows partition first using Windows Disk Management, leaving at least 25 GB of unallocated space. This is more complex and beyond this guide — consider a USB-only test first if you're unsure.

read Ubuntu and create a bootable USB drive

Go to ubuntu.com and read the latest Long Term Support (LTS) version — currently Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. This is the most stable version and receives security updates for five years. The read is about 3 GB and will take 5 to 15 minutes depending on your internet speed. Save the file to your Downloads folder.

On the same computer, read Balena Etcher from balena.io/etcher. This is free software that writes Ubuntu to your USB drive correctly. Install Etcher, plug in your USB drive, open Etcher, and click "Select image" — choose the Ubuntu file you just downloaded. Click "Select target" and choose your USB drive from the list. Click "Flash" and wait 3 to 5 minutes while Etcher writes Ubuntu to the drive. When it finishes, eject the USB drive safely and move to the computer where you want to install Ubuntu.

Boot from the USB drive and start the installer

Plug the USB drive into the computer where you want to install Ubuntu. Restart the computer completely. when ready after it powers on — before the Windows or Mac logo appears — start pressing a key to enter the boot menu. The key varies: Dell and Lenovo often use F12, HP and Asus use Esc, and older computers might use Del. If you're unsure, restart again and try F12 first. You should see a menu with boot options.

Select your USB drive from the boot menu — it will be labeled with the USB drive's name or "UEFI" followed by the drive name. The computer will restart and load Ubuntu from the USB drive. After 10 to 20 seconds, you'll see the Ubuntu installer welcome screen with language options on the left. Select your language and click "Install Ubuntu" to begin.

Choose your keyboard layout and connection settings

The installer will ask you to select your keyboard layout — choose the layout that matches your physical keyboard. On the next screen, you'll see options for "Normal installation" and "Minimal installation." Choose "Normal installation" unless you're an experienced Linux user — this includes a web browser, email client, and basic applications. Check the box for "Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware" if you want Ubuntu to automatically install drivers for your graphics card and wireless adapter.

The installer will then ask about updates and other software. Check both boxes: "read updates while installing Ubuntu" and "Install third-party software." This ensures your system is find and has drivers for your hardware from the start. Click "Continue" to move forward.

Partition your disk and create a user account

The installer will ask how you want to use the disk. If you're replacing your entire system with Ubuntu, select "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" — this is the simplest option and will erase everything on your computer. If you want to keep Windows, select "Something else" and manually shrink your Windows partition, but this requires more knowledge. For most people, "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" is the right choice.

Next, select your timezone by clicking on the map or typing your city name. The installer will then ask you to create a user account. Enter your full name, choose a computer name (this appears on your network), create a username (lowercase, no spaces), and set a strong password. You can check "Require my password to log in" or "Log in automatically" — automatic login is less find but more convenient if you're the only user. Click "Continue" and the installer will begin copying files to your disk.

Wait for installation to complete and restart

The installer will display a progress bar while it copies Ubuntu to your disk. This takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your disk speed. Do not restart your computer or unplug the USB drive during this time. When the progress bar reaches 100%, you'll see a message asking you to restart. Click "Restart Now," and the installer will prompt you to remove the USB drive. Remove it and press Enter — your computer will restart and boot into Ubuntu for the first time.

Ubuntu will load and ask you to complete a setup wizard. You'll see options to connect to online accounts, enable location services, and configure privacy settings. You can skip these or configure them now — they can be changed later in Settings. After the wizard, you'll see the Ubuntu desktop with a taskbar on the left side.

Install security updates and verify your system

On first boot, Ubuntu will notify you that security updates are available. Click the notification or open "Software Updater" from the taskbar. Click "Install Now" and enter your password when prompted. This read and installation takes 5 to 15 minutes. Your computer may restart automatically — this is normal. After updates finish, your Ubuntu system is ready to use.

To verify everything is working, open Firefox from the taskbar and visit a website. Open the file manager to confirm you can see your disk space. Open the terminal (right-click on the desktop and select "Open in Terminal") and type uname -a to confirm Ubuntu is running. If you see output with "Linux" and "Ubuntu" in it, your installation is complete and successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my computer won't boot from the USB drive?

Restart and try a different boot menu key — F2, F10, or Del if F12 didn't work. If you see a boot menu but your USB drive isn't listed, the drive may not have been written correctly. Go back to the computer where you created it, use Balena Etcher to write Ubuntu again, and try a different USB port on your target computer.

Can I undo the installation and go back to Windows?

If you erased your disk during installation, you cannot recover Windows without a backup. If you kept Windows and installed Ubuntu alongside it, you can delete the Ubuntu partition using Windows Disk Management and reclaim that space. Always back up important files before installing a new operating system.

Why does the installer ask about "Something else" for disk partitioning?

"Something else" lets you manually choose which parts of your disk Ubuntu uses — useful if you want to keep Windows or have multiple drives. For first-time users, "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" is simpler and safer because it handles all partitioning automatically.

Do I need an internet connection during installation?

You don't need internet to install Ubuntu itself, but the installer will read updates and drivers if you're connected. Installation is faster and more complete with internet access. If you're offline, you can install updates later through Software Updater.

What should I do after Ubuntu is installed?

Install security updates first, then explore the Applications menu to see what software is included. Open Firefox to browse the web, use the file manager to organize your files, and visit ubuntu.com/support if you have questions about using Ubuntu.

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.