How to Install Linux Mint on Your Computer

The basic steps to install Linux Mint

Installing Linux Mint means replacing or alongside your current operating system with Mint's interface and tools. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes and requires a USB drive (at least 4 GB), a computer you can restart, and the Linux Mint installer file downloaded from the official website.

The installation happens in three stages: creating a bootable USB drive on another computer, restarting your target computer to boot from that USB, and then walking through Mint's installer screens. You do not need technical experience — the installer asks straightforward questions about language, timezone, and disk space.

Most people either replace Windows or macOS entirely, or set up Mint alongside an existing system so you can choose which one to use when you start your computer. The choice depends on whether you want to keep your old system or commit fully to Mint.

Key Takeaways

You need a USB drive with at least 4 GB of space and the Linux Mint ISO file, which you download free from linuxmint.com.
Creating the bootable USB requires a second computer and software like Etcher (Windows, Mac, Linux) or Rufus (Windows only).
During installation, you choose whether to erase your disk entirely or shrink your existing partition to run Mint alongside Windows or macOS.
The installer walks you through language, timezone, keyboard layout, username, and password — no command-line knowledge needed.
After installation finishes, you restart the computer and log in with the username and password you created.

Download the Linux Mint ISO file

Visit linuxmint.com and navigate to the download page. You will see three editions: Cinnamon (the default, most familiar to Windows users), MATE (lighter on system resources), and Xfce (the lightest option). Choose Cinnamon if you are unsure — it works well on most computers made in the last ten years.

Click the download link for your chosen edition. The file is typically 2 to 3 GB and may take 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed. Save it somewhere you can find it — your Downloads folder is fine. Do not unzip or extract this file; you will use it as-is.

Create a bootable USB drive

You need a second computer (running Windows, Mac, or Linux) and a USB drive with at least 4 GB of free space. Insert the USB drive into that computer. Any files on it will be erased, so back up anything you need first.

Download Balena Etcher from balena.io/etcher. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Install it and open the program. Click "Select image," navigate to the Linux Mint ISO file you downloaded, and open it. Click "Select target," choose your USB drive from the list, and click "Flash." The program will write the ISO to the USB and verify it — this takes 5 to 10 minutes. When it finishes, close Etcher and eject the USB drive safely.

If you are on Windows and prefer an alternative, Rufus is also reliable. Download it from rufus.ie, open it, select your USB drive, click "Select" to choose the Linux Mint ISO, and click "Start." Accept the default settings when prompted.

Restart your computer and boot from USB

Insert the USB drive into the computer where you want to install Mint. Restart that computer. As it starts up, watch for a message on the screen — usually something like "Press F12 to enter boot menu" or "Press DEL for setup." The key varies by manufacturer (common ones are F2, F12, DEL, or ESC). Press it repeatedly as the computer starts.

A menu will appear showing your hard drive and other devices. Select the USB drive — it may be labeled with the USB brand name or "Removable Media." Press Enter. The computer will boot from the USB and load Linux Mint's live environment, which runs entirely from the USB without changing your computer yet. This takes about 30 seconds to a minute.

Once Mint loads, you will see the desktop. A window titled "Install Linux Mint" will appear automatically. If it does not, double-click the "Install Linux Mint" icon on the desktop.

Walk through the installer screens

The installer asks for your language, keyboard layout, and timezone — select the options that match your location. Click "Continue" after each screen.

On the "Installation type" screen, you will see two main options. "Erase disk and install Linux Mint" replaces your entire system with Mint — choose this if you want Mint only. "Install Linux Mint alongside [your current system]" shrinks your existing partition and installs Mint next to it — choose this if you want to keep Windows or macOS and choose between them when you start your computer. If you choose the second option, the installer will ask how much disk space to give to each system; the default split is usually reasonable.

On the next screen, enter your name, choose a username (lowercase, no spaces), enter a password twice to confirm it, and choose whether to require a password at startup. Click "Continue."

Review the summary screen to confirm your choices. If everything looks correct, click "Install." The installer will now write Mint to your disk — this takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your computer's speed. Do not turn off the computer or remove the USB drive during this time.

Finish installation and restart

When the installer finishes, it will show a message asking you to restart. Remove the USB drive and click "Restart Now." The computer will restart and boot into Linux Mint for the first time.

Log in with the username and password you created during installation. You will see the Mint desktop with a taskbar at the bottom. The system is now ready to use. You can open the file manager, web browser, or any other application from the menu.

If you installed Mint alongside your previous system, you will see a boot menu each time you start the computer, letting you choose between Mint and Windows or macOS. If you erased the disk entirely, Mint is now your only operating system.

Troubleshooting common installation issues

If your computer does not boot from the USB, try restarting and pressing a different key — F2, F10, or ESC are common alternatives. Some computers require you to disable "Secure Boot" in the BIOS settings first; search your computer model and "disable Secure Boot" for specific steps. If you are still stuck, the USB drive may not have been created correctly — try running Etcher again with a different USB drive.

If the installer crashes or freezes, restart the computer, boot from the USB again, and try once more. If it crashes at the same point, your USB drive may be faulty. Try creating it on a different computer or with a different USB drive.

If you installed Mint alongside Windows but do not see a boot menu, restart the computer and hold down Shift while clicking the restart button in Windows — this often brings up the boot menu. On Mac, restart and hold the Option key to see the boot menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Linux Mint without erasing Windows?

Yes. During installation, choose "Install Linux Mint alongside Windows" instead of "Erase disk." The installer will shrink your Windows partition and install Mint in the freed space. When you restart, you will see a boot menu letting you choose which system to use.

What if I do not have a second computer to create the USB drive?

You can use the same computer if it has two USB drives. Insert both, boot into Windows or your current system normally, download Etcher, and use it to write the ISO to the second USB drive. Then restart and boot from that drive.

How much disk space does Linux Mint need?

Mint itself takes about 15 to 20 GB. If you are installing alongside Windows, the installer will suggest a split; giving Mint 50 GB leaves room for programs and files. If you are replacing your system entirely, Mint works fine on 30 GB, though more space is better if you plan to store files.

Can I undo the installation and go back to Windows?

If you installed Mint alongside Windows, you can delete the Mint partition from Windows Disk Management and reclaim that space. If you erased the disk entirely, you would need to reinstall Windows from a separate USB drive — the original installation is gone.

Do I need to do anything after installation finishes?

Mint will prompt you to install updates the first time you open the Software Manager. It is a good idea to do this so your system has the latest security patches. After that, Mint works like any other operating system — open programs from the menu and save files as needed.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.