Which Linux Distro Should You Choose?

  • Ubuntu — Most beginner-friendly, best hardware support, huge community. Recommended for first-timers.
  • Linux Mint — Looks and feels more like Windows, great for switchers.
  • Pop!_OS — Excellent for gaming and creative work, built on Ubuntu.
  • Fedora — More up-to-date software, good for developers.
  • Arch Linux — Maximum control and customisation, steep learning curve. Not for beginners.

This guide uses Ubuntu as the example — the process is near-identical for Mint and Pop!_OS.

What You Need

  • A USB drive (8GB minimum, 16GB recommended)
  • The Linux ISO file (download from ubuntu.com — choose the LTS version)
  • Balena Etcher (free, from balena.io/etcher) to create the bootable USB
  • A computer to install it on
  1. 1

    Download Ubuntu and Balena Etcher

    Go to ubuntu.com/download and download the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version — this is the most stable. Also download and install Balena Etcher from balena.io/etcher.

  2. 2

    Create the bootable USB

    Open Balena Etcher. Click Flash from file and select the Ubuntu ISO you downloaded. Click Select target and choose your USB drive. Click Flash. This takes 5–10 minutes and will erase everything on the USB drive.

  3. 3

    Boot from the USB

    Insert the USB and restart your computer. You need to boot from the USB instead of your hard drive. Press F2, F12, Delete or Esc (varies by manufacturer) as the computer starts to enter the boot menu. Select your USB drive from the list.

  4. 4

    Choose Try Ubuntu or Install Ubuntu

    Ubuntu boots to a live environment — you can try it without installing anything. When ready, click Install Ubuntu on the desktop.

  5. 5

    Follow the installation wizard

    Choose language, keyboard layout, and whether to install third-party software (say yes). The critical step: choose Installation type. Options: Install alongside Windows (dual boot — keeps both), Erase disk and install Ubuntu (Linux only), or Something else (manual partitioning for advanced users). Choose Install alongside Windows if you want to keep Windows.

  6. 6

    Set location, username and password

    Choose your timezone, create a username and password. Click Install Now and wait 15–20 minutes.

  7. 7

    Restart and remove USB

    When installation completes, click Restart. Remove the USB when prompted. Your computer restarts into Ubuntu (or shows the dual-boot menu if you chose to keep Windows).

Dual bootingIf you chose to install alongside Windows, a GRUB boot menu appears each time you start the computer, letting you choose between Windows and Ubuntu. You can switch between them any time by restarting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only if you choose Erase disk and install Ubuntu. If you choose Install alongside Windows (dual boot), your Windows partition and files are preserved. Always back up your important files before installing any operating system regardless of the method chosen.
Some Windows apps run on Linux via Wine or Proton (Valve's compatibility layer for games on Steam). Many popular apps have native Linux versions (Firefox, Chrome, Spotify, VS Code, LibreOffice). For apps with no Linux alternative, a virtual machine running Windows inside Linux is an option.