How to Install Ubuntu — Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions — beginner-friendly, well-supported, and great for desktops, laptops, and servers. This guide walks through installing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (or 22.04 LTS) on a UEFI system using the graphical installer.

Prerequisites: A 64-bit PC with UEFI, 4 GB+ RAM, 25 GB+ free disk space, internet access, and a USB drive (8 GB+). Back up all data before proceeding.

Table of Contents

1. Download the ISO
2. Create a Bootable USB
3. Boot from USB
4. Start the Installer
5. Configure Installation Options
6. Partition Your Disk
7. Create Your User Account
8. Finish Installation
9. Post-Install Essentials
10. Troubleshooting

1. Download the ISO

Download the latest Ubuntu Desktop LTS ISO from the official site:

ubuntu.com/download/desktop

Recommended version: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (supported until 2029).

Verify the download (Linux)

# Download ISO and checksums
wget https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04/ubuntu-24.04-desktop-amd64.iso
wget https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04/SHA256SUMS

# Verify checksum
sha256sum -c SHA256SUMS 2>&1 | grep ubuntu-24.04-desktop-amd64.iso

2. Create a Bootable USB

Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device. Use lsblk to find the correct drive — do not pick your main system disk.

Linux (dd)

# List block devices
lsblk

# Write ISO to USB (DESTROYS all data on the USB)
sudo dd bs=4M if=ubuntu-24.04-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdX status=progress oflag=sync

# Safely eject
sudo eject /dev/sdX

Linux (Ventoy — reusable USB)

# Install Ventoy, then copy the ISO file to the USB — no re-flashing needed per ISO
# Download from: https://www.ventoy.net/en/download.html
sudo bash Ventoy2Disk.sh -i /dev/sdX
cp ubuntu-24.04-desktop-amd64.iso /media/$USER/Ventoy/

Windows

• Rufus — Select ISO, partition scheme GPT, target system UEFI
• balenaEtcher — Simple click-and-flash tool

macOS

# List disks
diskutil list

# Unmount USB (replace diskN)
diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskN

# Write ISO
sudo dd if=ubuntu-24.04-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/rdiskN bs=4m status=progress

3. Boot from USB

1. Insert the USB drive.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Open the boot menu (common keys: F12, F2, Esc, Del, F10).
4. Select the USB drive (often labeled with the USB brand name).
5. Choose Try or Install Ubuntu from the GRUB menu.

If the system boots into Windows instead, disable Fast Startup in Windows Power Options, or change boot order in BIOS/UEFI settings.

4. Start the Installer

On the live desktop:

1. Wait for the desktop to load (this may take a minute).
2. Double-click Install Ubuntu 24.04 LTS on the desktop.
   • Or click Install Ubuntu in the dock.
3. Select your language and click Continue.

Keyboard layout

Choose your keyboard layout (e.g. English (US)) and click Continue.

5. Configure Installation Options

Updates and other software

Select:

• Normal installation — includes web browser, office tools, media players
• Minimal installation — browser and basic utilities only (lighter install)

Check these boxes if applicable:

• Download updates while installing Ubuntu (requires internet)
• Install third-party software (Wi-Fi drivers, NVIDIA, media codecs)

Click Continue.

Installation type

Ubuntu detects existing operating systems and offers options:

For most users with Windows already installed, choose Install Ubuntu alongside Windows.

For a clean dedicated install, choose Erase disk and install Ubuntu.

Click Install Now → Continue to confirm partition changes.

6. Partition Your Disk

Automatic (recommended for beginners)

Let Ubuntu handle partitioning:

• Alongside Windows — creates / (root) and swap automatically
• Erase disk — uses the full disk with a single / partition

Manual partitioning (Something else)

For advanced users, create these partitions on a GPT disk:

Steps in the manual partitioner:

1. Select free space → Add
2. Create each partition with the sizes above
3. Set Use as to the correct filesystem type
4. Set Mount point for each partition
5. Click Install Now

7. Create Your User Account

Fill in the form:

Your name:     Aayrix
Computer name: aayrix-pc
Username:      aayrix
Password:      ********

Options:

• Require my password to log in — recommended
• Log in automatically — convenient but less secure
• Use Active Directory — for enterprise networks only

Click Continue.

8. Finish Installation

Ubuntu copies files and installs the system (10–30 minutes depending on hardware and internet speed).

When you see Installation Complete:

1. Click Restart Now
2. Remove the USB when prompted
3. Press Enter
4. Log in with your username and password

9. Post-Install Essentials

Open Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and run these commands:

Update the system

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install essential tools

sudo apt install -y git curl wget htop build-essential vim neofetch

Install proprietary drivers (NVIDIA / Wi-Fi)

# Open Software & Updates → Additional Drivers
# Or via terminal:
ubuntu-drivers devices
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

Enable firewall

sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status

Install Snap apps (optional)

sudo snap install code --classic    # VS Code
sudo snap install spotify
sudo snap install discord

Install Flatpak (alternative app store)

sudo apt install -y flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Set up Git and GitHub

git config --global user.name "Aayrix"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

# Generate SSH key for GitHub
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your.email@example.com"
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
# Add the output to: https://github.com/settings/keys

For a full GitHub setup guide, see GitHub Install & Usage Guide.

Customize your desktop

# GNOME Tweaks
sudo apt install -y gnome-tweaks

# Change default shell to Zsh (optional)
sudo apt install -y zsh
chsh -s $(which zsh)

Check system info

neofetch
lsb_release -a
uname -a

10. Troubleshooting

Boot repair (GRUB broken)

# Boot from Ubuntu live USB, then:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y boot-repair
boot-repair

Reinstall GRUB

# From live USB terminal
sudo mount /dev/sda2 /mnt          # replace with your root partition
sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot/efi # EFI partition
sudo grub-install --boot-directory=/mnt/boot /dev/sda
sudo update-grub --boot-directory=/mnt/boot

Ubuntu vs Arch — Which to Choose?

If you want a more hands-on install, see the Arch Linux Complete Guide.

Useful Resources

• Ubuntu Official Documentation
• Ubuntu Community Help Wiki
• Ask Ubuntu
• My GitHub: github.com/aayrix

Ubuntu is a solid choice for your first Linux install or a reliable daily driver. Update regularly, explore the Software app, and enjoy your new system.