How to install Ubuntu Linux Step by Step Explained

This tutorial explains Ubuntu installation steps and the meaning of all options the installation wizard presents. The installation process is the same on all platforms, such as physical computers, virtual PCs, cloud computers, etc.

The first screen of the installation wizard presents the following three options:-

• The first option allows us to test or install Ubuntu. It is the default selection. The installation process automatically executes this option after 30 seconds if we do not select any other option.
• The second option starts Ubuntu in the safe mode. You can use this option if the first option does not work.
• The third option allows us to test memory. You can use this option to debug memory.

Select the first option and press the Enter key.

The second screen localizes the language. The installation wizard will present all options in the selected language. Select your preferred language and click Next.

The next screen presents accessibility options. Select the necessary options and click Next.

The next screen localizes the keyboard layout. Keep the default selection, or choose the desired keyboard layout and click Next.

The next screen seeks permission to use the internet during the installation. If we allow the installation process to connect to the internet, it automatically downloads and installs all essential packages we need after the installation.

If we permit the installation wizard to use the internet connection, it checks for updates. If an update is available, the upcoming screen shows it.

The next screen allows us to test Ubuntu without installing it on the system. Select the first option and click Next.

The next screen asks how we want to install Ubuntu. It presents two options: Interactive mode and Automated mode.

The interactive mode allows us to select all options and configuration parameters manually.

The automated mode allows us to use an answer file. The answer file automates the installation process by providing all answers.

Select the first option and click Next.

The next screen lists the software packages you can choose with the default installation. If you choose the first option, it installs only essential packages, such as a web browser, calculator, and text editors.

If you choose the second option, it installs the most commonly used packages, such as Office, RithomBox, and media editors.

Select the second option and click Next.

On the next screen, you can choose whether you want to use third-party software. Third-party software is the software that is not available in Ubuntu’s official repositories. If you enable it, the installation process automatically downloads and installs the essential third-party software from their official repositories. To enhance the existing functionality of Ubuntu, you should enable this option.

The next screen presents the disk partition options. There are two partition methods: automatic and manual.

Automatic partition method

If you choose the first option, it automatically erases the entire disk and makes all the necessary partitions. It automatically selects the appropriate size for each partition. You have no control over which partitions it makes and what size it chooses for each partition. However, it gives a couple of options to customize this process. You can reveal these options by clicking the Advanced Features button.

These options are the following: -

Manual partitions method

This option gives you all control over the partitioning scheme. You can manually define the size of each partition, skip optional partitions, add additional partitions, and select the file system for each partition.

Select the second option and click Next.

The next screen of the manual partitioning lists all attached hard disks and available free space on each disk.

Select the disk on which you want to install Ubuntu.

Click the + button. It opens a new window. The opened window contains three form fields: size, used as, and mount point.

Key points: -

• All fields are compulsory. 
• You must specify the partition size and select the unit for the specified size.
• You must select a file system for each partition.
• You must select a mount point for each partition except the swap partition.

The following table lists the minimum recommended partitions for a manual installation.

To create a partition, use the following steps.

• Select the free space
• Click + (Add) button
• Specify the size of the partition
• Select the file system type
• Select mount point
• Click OK to save the partition information

The root (/) partition

The /boot partition

The /home partition

The swap partition

The installation process does not write this partition information immediately. It keeps this information in RAM until we confirm the installation process after providing all compulsory information.

The next screen creates a user account and sets the computer name. It automatically generates the computer name based on the user name. You can use the auto-generated name or set it manually.

When you set a password for the user account, it checks the complexity of the specified password. On a production system, you should use a complex password. On a testing system, you can use a simple password.

After the password field, it has two options: -

1. Require my password to log in
2. Use Active Directory

If you uncheck the first option, it does not ask this user to enter the password at the login screen.

If you check the second option, you can use an active directory user account to log in.

The next screen localizes the time zone. Click on the map to select your preferred time zone.

The next screen displays a summary of all settings. Til this time, it does not write anything to the disk. If you want to change any setting, use the Back button and go to that setting.

Click the Install button to start the installation.

The installation process may take several minutes. During this process, it displays a detailed overview of the features and functions of Ubuntu.

A few settings require a system reboot. The last screen asks the user to restart the system. Remove the installation disk and restart the system.

After booting, the installation process lists the default account we created during the installation process on the login screen.

When a user login the first time, Ubuntu starts a setup wizard. The first screen of this wizard allows us to register the system for the Ubuntu Pro program. Ubuntu Pro is a paid feature. It provides paid support.

Ubuntu is an open-source operating system. You do not need to pay anything to download, install, and use it. You will also get community-based support free of cost. In many circumstances, community-based support alone is not enough. You may need faster support. In that case, you may consider buying paid support from Ubuntu.

On the next screen, we select whether we want to share system data with Ubuntu. If we choose yes, the system automatically sends error logs and crash reports to the Ubuntu log server after excluding all personal information.

The last screen suggests opening the app center to download essential apps.

Click Finish to close the wizard. With this, the installation process ends. Now, the Ubuntu system is ready to use.

Conclusion

This tutorial explained how to perform an error-free Ubuntu installation. It explained all the steps and options you see during the Ubuntu installation. It also explained the meaning of each option. By understanding these options, you can customize the installation per your requirements.