How to install popular Linux distros
Tags: linux, ubuntu, opensource, beginners
Published: 2021-07-03 17:27:06

Probably there are hundred or thousands of articles on how to install Linux but I made this mainly for myself, but maybe you find it useful too.

I will show you how to do it in 5 simple steps. The steps are almost the same for every popular distro.


## Step 1 : Download a program to create a bootable USB drive

First of all you will need a pendrive. Without one we can't do so much... 

Download a program to create bootable USB drive. There are many programs for that, here are some of them: [UNetbootin](https://unetbootin.github.io/), [Rufus](https://rufus.ie/en_US/), [Etcher](https://www.etcher.net/), [Linux Live USB Creator](https://www.linuxliveusb.com/) and there are many more.

Not all of them are for all Operating Systems so you will need to check if they are available for your OS. For example, UNetbootin if for Windows, Linux or Mac OS but Rufus is only for Windows.

Once you picked the program you like, download it and install it in your Operating System.


## Step 2 : Download the Linux .iso

There are several Linux distros you can install. The most popular is [Ubuntu](https://ubuntu.com/) and is the one I recommend to install if it is your first time. You can check all the Linux distros [here](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Linux_Distribution_Timeline_Dec._2020.svg) (there are a lot of them as you can see 😂).

Once you picked the distro you want, go to their website and download the .iso file. Here is the Ubuntu download [website](https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop).

In the case of Ubuntu, you can choose between the LTS (long-term support) version or the latest one. I personally always choose the latest one but you can install the version you want.


## Step 3 : Create the bootable USB drive

Plug in the pendrive and open the program you installed in Step 1.

Load the .iso file to the program, select the pendrive to install the Linux image and click in the confirm button.

Now you just need to wait until the program finished doing its magic.


## Step 4 : Configurate the Boot order

Without removing your pendrive, reboot your PC and go to the BIOS/UEFI.

Depending on the PC you can access the BIOS by clicking <kbd>F2</kbd>, <kbd>fn + F2</kbd>, or <kbd>delete</kbd> just before it starting booting/loading your Operating System. If you are not sure which key you need to press to access the BIOS on your computer, you can google it (for example, "how to get into MSI BIOS").

Once you are on the BIOS you will need to fix the boot order priorities. The "USB" option should be the first one.
The BIOS are different so if you have some issues changing the configuration of the boot order, you always can google how to do it with your specific computer ("How I change the boot order priority in MSI").

Normally on the BIOS you will have a "cheatsheet" on how to move in there and how change settings, for example:
![BIOS cheatsheet](https://i.imgur.com/3MiqAIQ.png)

After that, save and exit from the BIOS and do not remove the pendrive for the next step.


## Step 5 : Install Linux

This step will vary depending on the Linux distro you choose on Step 2.

When you exit the BIOS, the PC will restart and you will see a simple Command interface who will guide you on the installation.

And done!! You now have Linux installed on your PC! 🎉

## Bonus!

I normally install Linux in a partition on my PC and I always have the problem that Windows boots before Linux. 

To change the booting order, you should reboot your PC and go to the BIOS. Once you are in the BIOS, Change the booting priority so that Linux is the first one.

Again, if you have any problem changing the boot priority I recommend how to do it with your specific computer.

Now your PC will boot with Linux as default 🎉

Thanks for checking out this article! Hope you find it useful!