How do I install Ubuntu?

Question

I would like to see a full how-to on how to install Ubuntu.

Answer 1

First, you will need to download the current version of Ubuntu at http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop. Select your flavour(32bit vs 64 bit), and click the big orange button. If you are unsure of the flavour you need, pick 32-bit as it will run even if you have a 64-bit processor.

Next, you will be downloading a large ISO file, about 600-700 MB. It can take up to a few hours, depending on your connection speed. Let the file download. Then, you will be burning it onto a CD-R.

If you are using Windows 7 or higher, you may double-click this file(Assuming you don't have another program associated with it). Otherwise, install IMGBurn (Sadly, not open-source).

You now should have burned your disk. If you open the disk using your file manager, there should be a bunch of files like wubi.exe, autorun.inf, pics, and pool, among others. If you have just one file on the disk with the same name as your ISO, make sure you are using a disk burning utility. Do not just drag and drop the ISO file. It will not work.

Now, put the disc back in your optical drive, and reboot your computer. On a PC, you should have a key like ESC, F10, or another key that will get you to your multiboot menu. Otherwise, consult the help for your BIOS to find the key needed. Follow the screen prompts to boot from the optical drive your new disc is in.

Press SHIFT once you get a purple screen with a picture at the bottom. Select your language with the arrow keys and ENTER. Now, you should be confronted with a menu. You may try Ubuntu without installing, or you may install it. If you want to try it, pick that option, try it, double-click the Install Ubuntu icon on the desktop, and continue with this guide. Note that this test version is slower because it is using a CD, not your hard disk. Some versions of Ubuntu will give a graphical menu for this step.

Now, you will be confronted with a checklist. You may safely disregard the second option.

Now, it is time to partition your hard disk. If you want to avoid losing data, or dual-boot, this step is crucial. If you want to just clear out your hard disk, and use all of the space for Ubuntu, select that option, and skip to step 10. If you want to dual-boot and trust the installer (not recommended), select the option to install side-by-side, and skip to step 10. If you want to manually set up dual, boot, select the choice for advanced partitioning and proceed to the next step.

1. Find your current Windows partition. It should be the first or second under sda, and its type should be NTFS. Click it once, and click Edit to invoke the partition settings dialog. Reduce the size by at least 40,000 MB, or more if you have extra free space on your old installation. If you have a separate Documents partition, you may resize that instead. Then, click in the free space you have created and click Add, setting the type to Swap area, and giving about 1.5 times your RAM(Note that the input box takes sizes in MB, not GB. you will now have swap space. Click in the remaining free space and add an Ext4 partition with the default size(max possible), and the mount point as /. If you make a mistake anytime during this, click Revert.

We are now ready to install! Click Install Now, and allow the tool to write changes. Now, you should be prompted to select a time zone. The installer wisely tries to guess your timezone.

You will now be confronted with a choice of languages again. Pick your language, and on the next step, pick your keymap(Keyboard layout). If you are unsure, click on the button to detect your layout.

On the next screen, you may set your username, display name, and password. Pick a secure password. Although your username must be all lowercase, your display name is what is displayed in the logon menu and may contain capital letters and spaces to your heart's content.

If you dualboot with Windows, you will be faced with an option to migrate documents. Pict the users and folders you want to migrate.

Now, you may sit back with no trepidation, until faced with the prompt stating installation is complete.

After finish all these step, connect to network, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run this command:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

Enjoy Ubuntu!

Answer 2

For simple basic instructions to install either the LTS or the latest stable release try

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

---

Linked Question:

1. Where can I get the latest Ubuntu Alpha or Beta?
2. How do I set up a dual boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu?
3. How do I install Ubuntu to a USB key?

Answer 3

If you're using Windows, you can try Ubuntu using Wubi. Download and instructions here: http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/windows-installer

If you're looking to install Ubuntu permanently, you may burn the Ubuntu installer to a disc, or put the Ubuntu installer on a flash drive. Download and instructions here: http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

Please note that this does not remove Windows, or anything else installed. It simply installs Ubuntu next to what already exists, allowing you to choose between it and Ubuntu every time you start your computer up.

Answer 4

Use this guide: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall

If you want to keep Windows, then for step 6, read carefully:

If you want to install Ubuntu on a single partition Dual Booting, Select Guided – resize. In the New partition size area, drag the area between the two partitions to create your desired partition sizes. Click Forward.

It's a good idea to either have the guide open on another computer or print it out, so that you have it available during the install process.