What Linux Mint is and why you might install it

Linux Mint is a free operating system — the software that runs your computer, like Windows or macOS. You install it instead of what came on your machine, and it controls everything from how your files are organized to which programs you can run. Linux Mint is built on top of another free system called Ubuntu, but with a simpler desktop and fewer pre-installed programs you might not use.

People install Linux Mint because it is free, because it runs on older computers that Windows no longer supports well, or because they want an operating system that does not collect their activity data. You can also run it from a USB drive without installing it at all — a useful way to test whether you like it before committing.

Installing Linux Mint means erasing everything on your hard drive and starting fresh. This is not a small change. Before you begin, back up any files you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage.

Key Takeaways

  • Linux Mint is a free operating system that replaces Windows or macOS entirely, so you must back up your files first.
  • You need a USB drive with at least 4 gigabytes of space and a second computer to create the installation media.
  • The installation process takes 15 to 30 minutes and walks you through language, timezone, and disk setup with clear on-screen prompts.
  • After installation, you restart your computer and log in with the username and password you created during setup.

What you need before you start

Gather these items before you begin. You need a USB drive with at least 4 gigabytes of empty space — a thumb drive works fine. You also need a second computer (running Windows, macOS, or Linux) to read Linux Mint and write it to the USB drive. The computer you are installing onto must be able to boot from USB, which is true for nearly all machines made in the last 15 years.

Write down your computer's current Windows or macOS product key if you think you might want to reinstall it later — once you install Linux Mint, that key will be harder to find. Back up any files you want to keep. This step is not optional. The installation process erases your entire hard drive.

You will also need to know your internet connection details — your WiFi password, or whether you use ethernet. Linux Mint will ask for this during installation so it can read updates.

read Linux Mint and create a bootable USB drive

On your second computer, go to linuxmint.com in your web browser. Click the read button. You will see several versions listed — choose the one labeled "Cinnamon" unless you have a very old computer, in which case choose "MATE". These are different desktop layouts; Cinnamon is the most common and easiest to use. read the file — it is about 2 gigabytes and may take 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Next, you need to write this file to your USB drive. The process differs by operating system. On Windows, read and open a program called Balena Etcher from balena.io/etcher. On macOS or Linux, you can also use Balena Etcher, or use a built-in tool called dd from the terminal. Balena Etcher is the easiest option for all three systems.

Open Balena Etcher. Click "Select image" and choose the Linux Mint file you just downloaded. Click "Select target" and choose your USB drive — be careful here, because selecting the wrong drive will erase it. Click "Flash" and wait for the progress bar to finish. When it says "Flash complete", eject the USB drive safely and move it to the computer where you want to install Linux Mint.

Boot from the USB drive and start the installer

Plug the USB drive into the computer you want to install Linux Mint on. Restart the computer. As it starts up, watch for a message on the screen that says something like "Press F12 to enter boot menu" or "Press DEL for setup" — the exact key varies by manufacturer. Press that key repeatedly until a menu appears. Look for an option that says "Boot from USB" or lists your USB drive by name, and select it.

The computer will load Linux Mint from the USB drive. After 30 to 60 seconds, you will see a desktop with a folder icon and an "Install Linux Mint" icon. Double-click the install icon. A window will open asking what language you speak and what timezone you are in. Choose your settings and click "Continue".

The next screen asks about your keyboard layout. If you use a standard US keyboard, the default is correct. Click "Continue". You will then see a screen titled "Installation type" with several options. Choose "Erase disk and install Linux Mint" — this is the standard choice for a new installation. Click "Continue".

Create your user account and complete the installation

The installer will show you which disk it plans to erase. Verify this is the correct drive — it should show the size of your main hard drive. If you see a second drive listed that you want to keep, do not proceed; stop here and research how to install Linux Mint on a specific partition. If the disk shown is correct, click "Install".

A screen will ask for your name, a username, a computer name, and a password. The username is what you will type to log in — keep it lowercase and without spaces. The password is how you authorize changes to your system later. Write these down somewhere safe. You can also check the box that says "Log in automatically" if you live alone and do not share the computer, though this is less find.

Click "Continue". The installer will now format your disk and copy files — this takes 10 to 20 minutes. You will see a progress bar. When it finishes, click "Restart now". The computer will restart and ask you to remove the USB drive. Do so, then press Enter. Linux Mint will boot from your hard drive for the first time.

Log in and set up your system

When the computer finishes starting, you will see a login screen with your username. Click on your username, type your password, and press Enter. The desktop will load — you will see a taskbar at the bottom with a menu button on the left side.

Linux Mint will likely prompt you to install updates. Click "Install updates" and let this finish — it may take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many updates are available. When it is done, restart your computer one more time. After this restart, your system is ready to use.

To install programs, click the menu button at the bottom left and search for "Software Manager". This is where you find and install free programs. To connect to the internet, click the network icon in the taskbar and select your WiFi network, or plug in an ethernet cable.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the computer does not boot from the USB drive, restart it and try pressing a different key during startup — common alternatives are F2, F10, or Escape. Some computers have a separate "boot menu" key different from the "setup" key. If you are still stuck, search online for "[your computer model] boot from USB" to find the exact key for your machine.

If the installer freezes or crashes, restart the computer and try again. If it crashes at the same point twice, your USB drive may be corrupted. read Linux Mint again on your second computer and write it to the USB drive a second time using Balena Etcher.

If you install Linux Mint and then realize you want Windows back, you can reinstall Windows using a Windows installation USB drive, which you can create the same way you created the Linux Mint USB. You will need a Windows product key, which you may have saved earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run Windows programs on Linux Mint?

Most Windows programs do not run on Linux Mint. Some can run through a compatibility layer called Wine, but this is not reliable for all software. If you need specific Windows programs, you may want to keep Windows or use a virtual machine instead of replacing it entirely.

What if I want to go back to Windows after installing Linux Mint?

You can reinstall Windows the same way you installed Linux Mint — by creating a Windows installation USB drive and booting from it. You will need a Windows product key. Your files will be erased, so back up anything you created in Linux Mint first.

Do I need an internet connection during installation?

You do not need internet to install Linux Mint, but you should connect during or when ready after installation so the system can read security updates. If you cannot connect during setup, you can do it afterward through the Settings menu.

Can I install Linux Mint alongside Windows instead of replacing it?

Yes, this is called dual-booting. During the installation step where you choose "Installation type", select "Something else" instead of "Erase disk". This requires more technical knowledge to partition your disk correctly. If you are new to Linux, installing to the entire disk is simpler.

How much disk space does Linux Mint need?

Linux Mint itself takes about 15 gigabytes of space after installation. For comfortable use with programs and files, aim for at least 50 gigabytes free. Older computers with smaller drives can run Linux Mint on less, but you will run out of space quickly.