5 Steps to Getting Started with Ubuntu: A Beginner's Guide to the Popular Linux OS
Tags: linux, ubuntu, getttingstarted, beginners
Published: 2022-12-27 16:47:43

Ubuntu is a popular open-source operating system that is based on the Debian Linux distribution. It is known for its ease of use and versatility, and is a great choice for those who are new to Linux or looking for a user-friendly alternative to other operating systems. In this article, we will go over the steps you need to take to get started with Ubuntu, including how to install it on your computer and how to perform some basic tasks.

Before we begin, it's important to note that there are two main versions of Ubuntu: the Long Term Support (LTS) version, which is released every two years and is supported for five years, and the interim version, which is released every six months and is supported for nine months. The LTS version is generally more stable and is recommended for use in production environments, while the interim version is more suitable for testing and experimentation.


![About Page](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/qjmjom8hht9dne74g56i.png)

## Installing Ubuntu

The first step in getting started with Ubuntu is to install it on your computer. Here's how to do it:

1. Download the Ubuntu installation image from the official Ubuntu website ([https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop](https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop)). You can choose between the LTS version and the interim version, as well as between 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.

2. Create a bootable USB drive or DVD using the installation image you downloaded. There are several tools you can use to do this, such as Etcher ([https://www.balena.io/etcher/](https://www.balena.io/etcher/)) or Rufus ([https://rufus.ie/](https://rufus.ie/)). 

3. Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive or DVD you created. You may need to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings and change the boot order to boot from the USB drive or DVD first.

4. Follow the prompts to install Ubuntu on your computer. You will be asked to select your language, create a user account, and choose a few other options. Be sure to create a strong password for your user account, as this will be the main account you use to log in to Ubuntu.

5. Once the installation is complete, remove the USB drive or DVD and restart your computer. You should now see the Ubuntu login screen. Enter your username and password to log in.

## Using the Ubuntu Desktop
The Ubuntu desktop is based on the Gnome desktop environment, which is known for its simplicity and ease of use. When you log in to Ubuntu for the first time, you will see the desktop with the top panel, the dock, and the desktop itself.

The top panel contains the menu, the system tray, and the clock. You can use the menu to access applications, settings, and other features. The system tray contains icons for various system functions and notifications. The clock shows the current time and date.

The dock is a vertical bar on the left side of the screen that contains icons for your favorite applications. You can add or remove icons from the dock by right-clicking on them and selecting "Add to Favorites" or "Remove from Favorites."

The desktop itself is the main workspace where you can launch applications, create documents, and perform other tasks. You can also add icons to the desktop to quickly access your files and folders.

## Using the Terminal


!["Ubuntu Terminal"](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6brt199i5yzbgdgs09e2.png)

The terminal is a command-line interface (CLI) that allows you to enter commands and execute them directly on the operating system. It is an essential tool for advanced users, but can also be useful for beginners who want to learn more about how the operating system works.

To open the terminal, click on the Activities button in the top left corner of the screen and type "terminal" in the search bar. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T to open the terminal.

Once the terminal is open, you can enter commands by typing them and pressing Enter. Some basic commands you might find useful include:

- **ls**: Lists the files and directories in the current directory.

![Terminal illustrating ls command](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1639sejffkbxi1uzpx6r.png)


- **cd**: Changes the current directory. For example, cd Documents would change the current directory to the "Documents" folder.    

- **pwd**: Prints the current directory.

- **mkdir**: Creates a new directory. For example, mkdir new_folder would create a new folder called "new_folder" in the current directory.

- **rm**: Removes a file or directory. For example, rm file.txt would delete the file "file.txt" in the current directory.

- **sudo**: Runs a command with root privileges. This is often required to perform certain tasks that require elevated privileges, such as installing software or modifying system settings.

There are many other commands you can use in the terminal, and you can find more information about them by using the man command followed by the name of the command you want to learn about. For example, man ls would show the manual page for the ls command.

## Installing Software

Ubuntu comes with a wide range of applications pre-installed, including **a web browser**, **an email client**, **a text editor**, and other tools. However, you may want to install additional software that is not included by default.

There are two main ways to install software on Ubuntu: using the Ubuntu Software Center or using the terminal.

The **Ubuntu Software Center** is a graphical application that allows you to browse and install a variety of software packages. To access it, click on the Activities button in the top left corner of the screen and type "software" in the search bar. Alternatively, you can click on the "Software" icon in the dock.

![Ubuntu SOftware Center](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/jhl8k5uz24y8k3c0user.png)

Once you have opened the Ubuntu Software Center, you can search for a specific piece of software or browse through the available categories. To install a piece of software, simply click on the "Install" button next to it. You may be prompted to enter your password to confirm the installation.

If you prefer to use the terminal, you can use the apt-get command to install software. For example, to install the Firefox web browser, you would enter the following command:

`sudo apt-get install firefox`

You can also use the apt-cache command to search for available software packages. For example, to search for all packages that contain the word "editor," you would enter the following command:

`apt-cache search editor`

## Updating and Upgrading Ubuntu

It is important to keep your operating system and software up to date to ensure that you have the latest security patches and bug fixes. In Ubuntu, you can use the "Software Updater" application to update your system and installed software.

To access the Software Updater, click on the Activities button in the top left corner of the screen and type "updater" in the search bar. Alternatively, you can click on the "Software Updater" icon in the dock.

Once you have opened the Software Updater, it will automatically check for available updates and display a list of the updates that are ready to be installed. Simply click on the "Install Now" button to install the updates. You may be prompted to enter your password to confirm the installation.

If you prefer to use the terminal, you can use the apt-get command to update and upgrade your system. To update the package list and upgrade all installed packages to the latest version, enter the following command:

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


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/wwwso49guf3h4jimhmaz.png)

You can also use the apt-get dist-upgrade command to upgrade to a new version of Ubuntu. This command will install any new packages that are required to upgrade to the new version, as well as remove any obsolete packages.

It is generally a good idea to run the update and upgrade commands on a regular basis to ensure that your system is up to date. You can also set up automatic updates by going to the "Software & Updates" settings and selecting the "Automatically check for updates" option.

## Customizing Ubuntu

One of the great things about Ubuntu is that you can customize it to suit your needs and preferences. Here are a few ways you can customize your Ubuntu installation:

- Change the desktop background: To change the desktop background, right-click on the desktop and select "Change Desktop Background." You can choose from a selection of built-in backgrounds or select your own image from your computer.

- Change the desktop theme: To change the desktop theme, go to the "Appearance" settings and select a different theme from the drop-down menu. You can also install additional themes from the Ubuntu Software Center or from other sources.

- Install additional desktop environments: Ubuntu comes with the Gnome desktop environment pre-installed, but you can install other desktop environments, such as KDE, Xfce, or Cinnamon, if you prefer a different look and feel. You can install additional desktop environments from the Ubuntu Software Center or from the terminal using the apt-get command.

- Install additional applications: As mentioned earlier, you can install additional applications from the Ubuntu Software Center or from the terminal using the apt-get command. There are thousands of applications available for Ubuntu, including productivity tools, games, and more.

In conclusion, Ubuntu is a powerful and user-friendly operating system that is suitable for a wide range of tasks. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, you can find a lot to like about Ubuntu, and with a little bit of customization, you can make it your own.