What you need before you start
Installing Ubuntu requires three things: a computer with at least 25 gigabytes of free storage space, a USB drive with at least 4 gigabytes of capacity, and another computer or device to download Ubuntu and create the installation media. You do not need to buy anything — Ubuntu is free to download and install.
Before you begin, back up any files you want to keep. Installation will erase your existing operating system and data. If you are replacing Windows or macOS entirely, make sure you have saved everything important to an external drive or cloud storage first.
You will also need to know how to access your computer's boot menu — the screen that appears when you first turn on your machine, before Windows or macOS loads. This is usually done by pressing a key like F12, Esc, or Del during startup, but the exact key varies by manufacturer. Check your computer's manual or search "[your computer model] boot menu" to find the right key for your machine.
Key Takeaways
- Download Ubuntu from ubuntu.com on a different computer, then use free software like Balena Etcher to write it to a USB drive.
- Insert the USB drive, restart your computer, and press the boot menu key during startup to choose the USB as your boot device.
- Follow the Ubuntu installer step by step, choosing your language, keyboard layout, and how much of your disk to use.
- The installation takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your computer speed, and you will be prompted to restart when it finishes.
- After restart, Ubuntu will ask you to create a user account and password before you can use the desktop.
Download Ubuntu and create a bootable USB drive
Go to ubuntu.com on a computer that is not the one you are installing on. Click the download button for the latest Ubuntu Desktop version. The file will be several gigabytes and may take 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.
Once the download finishes, you need to write it to your USB drive using special software. Download Balena Etcher from balena.io/etcher — it works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Install Etcher, then open it and select three things in order: the Ubuntu file you downloaded, your USB drive, and click Flash. Etcher will warn you that this erases the USB drive — that is correct, and you want to proceed. The flash process takes 5 to 15 minutes.
When Etcher finishes, eject the USB drive safely from your computer. Do not just pull it out — right-click the drive in your file manager and select Eject or Safely Remove.
Boot from the USB drive and start the installer
Plug the USB drive into the computer where you want to install Ubuntu. Restart that computer completely — do not just wake it from sleep. As soon as you see the manufacturer's logo or a blank screen, start pressing your boot menu key repeatedly (usually F12, Esc, or Del). You should see a menu listing your storage devices.
Look for an entry that mentions your USB drive — it may say "USB" or show the drive's brand name. Select it and press Enter. The computer will load Ubuntu from the USB drive, which takes 30 to 60 seconds. You will then see the Ubuntu desktop with an "Install Ubuntu" button in the center of the screen.
If you do not see a boot menu, restart again and try a different key. If you still do not see it, search "[your computer model] how to enter boot menu" for the correct key. Some newer computers use a different process — Dell and Lenovo machines sometimes require holding Shift while restarting, for example.
Choose your language and keyboard layout
Click "Install Ubuntu" on the desktop. The installer will ask you to choose your language — select the one you want Ubuntu to use. Next, it will ask about your keyboard layout. If you are in the United States, select "English (US)". If you are elsewhere, find your country and language combination in the list.
You can test your keyboard choice by typing in the text box provided. This matters because the keyboard layout affects which characters appear when you press certain keys — a US layout is different from a UK layout, for example.
Connect to the internet and choose updates
The installer will show you available Wi-Fi networks. Select your network and enter your password if needed. If you are using a wired connection, it should connect automatically.
Next, you will see options for updates and third-party software. Check the box that says "Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware" — this ensures your graphics card and network adapter work properly after installation. You can choose whether to install updates during setup or after; either way works fine.
Choose how to use your disk
The installer will ask how you want to use your disk. You will see three options: erase the disk and install Ubuntu, install Ubuntu alongside another operating system, or use custom partitioning.
If this is a new computer or you want to erase everything and use only Ubuntu, select "Erase disk and install Ubuntu". The installer will show you which disk it will erase — make sure this is the correct disk, because this step cannot be undone. If you have multiple drives, the wrong choice here could erase data you wanted to keep.
If you want to keep Windows or another operating system, select "Install Ubuntu alongside [other OS]". The installer will ask how much space to give to Ubuntu — 50 gigabytes is a reasonable starting point for most users. You can adjust this slider to give Ubuntu more or less space.
Complete the installation and create your account
Review the summary screen to confirm your choices: language, keyboard, timezone, disk usage, and network. If anything is wrong, click Back to change it. When everything looks correct, click Install.
The installer will now copy files to your disk and configure Ubuntu. This takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your computer's speed. You will see a progress bar and a list of Ubuntu features. Do not turn off your computer during this time.
When installation finishes, you will be prompted to restart. Remove the USB drive when the screen goes black, then press Enter. Ubuntu will boot from your disk for the first time.
After restart, Ubuntu will ask you to create a user account. Enter a name for yourself, a computer name (this is what appears on your network), a username (used for login), and a password. Write down your password somewhere safe — you will need it to install software and make system changes later. Click Next, and Ubuntu will finish setting up your account. You are now ready to use Ubuntu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the USB drive does not show up in the boot menu?
Make sure the USB drive is plugged in before you restart, and that you are pressing the boot menu key at the right time — usually within the first two seconds after you see the manufacturer logo. Try restarting again and holding the key down continuously rather than tapping it. If it still does not appear, the USB drive may not have been written correctly; try creating it again with Balena Etcher.
Can I install Ubuntu without erasing Windows?
Yes. During the disk step, choose "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows" instead of "Erase disk". The installer will shrink your Windows partition and create space for Ubuntu on the same drive. When you restart, you will see a menu asking which operating system to boot — select Ubuntu or Windows each time you start your computer.
What if I get an error during installation?
The most common errors are a bad USB drive, not enough disk space, or a hardware compatibility issue. Try creating the USB drive again with Balena Etcher. If that does not work, check that your computer has at least 25 gigabytes free. If errors continue, search the exact error message on ubuntu.com or ask in the Ubuntu community forums.
Do I need to keep the USB drive plugged in after installation?
No. Once Ubuntu is installed and running, you can remove the USB drive. It was only needed to boot the installer. You can reuse the USB drive for other purposes, or keep it as a backup Ubuntu installer for future use.
How do I go back to Windows if I change my mind?
If you erased your disk during installation, you will need to reinstall Windows using a Windows installation USB drive and your product key. If you installed Ubuntu alongside Windows, restart your computer and select Windows from the boot menu instead of Ubuntu. Your Windows files will still be there.