This article shows how to replace a computer's operating system with Linux Mint. This can be done on both Windows and Mac systems. Read on to find out how.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Prepare for Installation
Step 1. Back up your computer
Since you are about to replace your computer's current operating system with Linux, the first thing to do is to back up all the data on the device, even if you don't need to have it in the new Linux environment. This way, even if something goes wrong during the installation procedure, you will have the possibility to restore the previous state of the system.
Step 2. Check the type of hardware architecture of the computer
If you are using a Mac you can skip this step. Knowing whether your computer is running a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system is helpful in determining which version of Linux Mint you will need to download and install.
Step 3. If you have a Mac, check the type of processor it has
Linux can only be installed on Apple machines with an Intel processor. To perform this check, access the menu Apple clicking the icon
choose the option About this Mac and search for the "Processor" section in the new window that appears. If the keyword "Intel" is present, it means that you are able to proceed with the installation of Linux. Otherwise unfortunately you will not be able to proceed further.
If you are using a Windows system, skip this step
Step 4. Download the Linux Mint installation file in ISO format
Access the following URL https://linuxmint.com/download.php, select the link 32-bit or 64-bit (based on the hardware architecture of the computer on which you are going to install it) located on the right of the wording "Cinnamon", then choose one of the links to the servers located in the various areas of the world, listed in the "Download mirrors" section, to perform the file download.
If you are using a Mac, select the link 64-bit.
Step 5. Download a tool that allows you to install an ISO file directly from a USB drive
Depending on the operating system you are currently using, you will need to select a different option:
- Windows systems - access the URL https://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/, then scroll the page that appeared to locate and press the button Download UUI;
- Mac - go to the URL https://etcher.io/ and press the button Etcher for macOS displayed at the top of the page.
Step 6. Connect a USB stick to your computer
Plug it into a free USB port on the machine. USB ports are typically located along the sides of laptop systems or on the back or front of desktop drives.
If you are using a Mac, you may need to use a USB stick with a USB-C connector or purchase a USB 3 to USB-C adapter
Step 7. Format the USB memory drive.
This step will completely erase the contents of the stick and make it usable by the computer. At this point it is essential to choose the correct file system format based on the device in use:
- Windows systems - in this case choose the file system NTFS or FAT32;
- Mac - select the file system format Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Step 8. Once the USB drive is formatted, do not disconnect it from the computer
Now that the key has been correctly formatted and you have downloaded the Linux Mint ISO file you are ready to proceed with the installation.
Part 2 of 4: Install the Linux Desktop Client on Windows Systems
Step 1. Install the program to make bootable USB drive chosen for installation
Double-click the icon in the shape of a USB key named Universal USB Installer, push the button Yup when prompted and finally select the option I Agree. This will bring up the main interface of the program.
Step 2. Proceed to create a bootable USB drive
Access the "Step 1" drop-down menu and select the item Linux Mint, then follow these instructions in sequence:
- Push the button Browse;
- Select the Linux Mint ISO file you downloaded earlier;
- Push the button You open;
- Access the "Step 3" drop-down menu;
- Select the drive letter associated with the USB stick you will use for the installation;
- Push the button Create located in the lower right corner of the window;
- When prompted, press the button Yes.
Step 3. Close the UUI program window
When the button Close becomes active, press it. You can now install Linux Mint directly from the indicated USB drive.
Step 4. Restart your computer
Access the menu Start clicking the icon
choose the "Stop" option by clicking the icon
then select the item Reboot the system from the menu that appeared. Your computer will restart automatically.
Step 5. Now immediately press the function key that allows you to enter the BIOS of the machine
This is usually one of the keys indicated by the letter F. followed by a number (for example F2), the Esc key or the Delete key. You must press the indicated key before the Windows start screen appears.
- The key to press to access the computer's BIOS will be shown briefly at the bottom of the screen that appears when the system is POST (English acronym for "Power On Self Test").
- To know exactly which key to press to access the BIOS, you can also consult your computer's user manual or refer to the online documentation distributed by the manufacturer.
- If the Windows startup screen appears, you will need to restart your computer and try again.
Step 6. Locate the section titled "Boot Order"
In most cases you will be able to use the arrow keys on the keyboard to navigate the BIOS and select the "Advanced" or "Boot" tab where the boot device sequence is present.
Some BIOS versions display this information directly on the main screen as soon as the user logs in
Step 7. Select the USB drive connected to the computer you just set up
It should be characterized by the words "USB Drive", "USB Disk", or "Removable Storage" (or a similar name). Again use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select the appropriate option.
Step 8. Move the USB drive to the top of the boot device list
After selecting the "USB Drive" item (or the one corresponding to the USB drive), press the + key on the keyboard until the chosen option appears at the top of the list.
If this step does not lead to the desired result, check the BIOS control key legend displayed at the right or bottom of the screen. This way you will know for sure which keys to press to select BIOS options and to change the order of boot devices
Step 9. Save the new settings and close the BIOS
In most cases, simply press a button. Also in this case, check the key legend on the screen to find out which one to press. After saving the new changes and closing the BIOS, the computer will restart automatically and the Linux boot screen should appear on the screen.
In some cases, to confirm the correctness of the changes and proceed to save, you will have to press a second key when prompted
Step 10. At this point select the "Linux Mint" boot option
For example if you have chosen Linux Mint version 18.3, you will have to choose the voice Boot linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit.
- The correct wording may vary slightly depending on the Linux Mint version you choose and the architecture of your computer (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Do not choose the "acpi = off" version of Linux Mint.
Step 11. Press the Enter key
In this way Linux will install the client for desktop systems.
Step 12. Wait for Linux to load
This step should take no more than a few minutes to complete. At the end you can proceed to install Linux on your computer hard drive.
Part 3 of 4: Install the Linux Desktop Client on Mac
Step 1. Install the Etcher program
Double-click the file Etcher.dmg, if required, manually authorize the installation, then drag the "Etcher" icon into the "Applications" folder.
Step 2. Start Etcher
You can do this by selecting the relative icon in the "Applications" folder.
Step 3. Press the ⚙️ button
It is located in the upper right of the program window.
Step 4. Select the "Unsafe mode" check button
It is located at the bottom of the page that appeared.
Step 5. Press the Enable unsafe mode button when prompted
This will activate the "Unsafe Mode" which allows you to copy the Linux Mint ISO file to any memory unit.
Step 6. Press the Back button
It is located in the upper right of the program window.
Step 7. Press the Select image button
It is blue in color and is located on the left side of the Etcher window.
Step 8. Select the Linux Mint ISO file
Step 9. Press the Open button
It is located in the lower right corner of the system window that appeared.
Step 10. Choose the Select drive item
It features a blue button positioned in the center of the window.
Step 11. Select the USB drive to use as the boot drive
Click the name associated with the USB stick you have chosen to use, then press the button Continue located at the bottom of the window.
Step 12. Press the Flash button
It is blue in color and is located on the far right of Etcher's window. This will create a bootable version of Linux Mint directly on the indicated USB stick, which will allow you to install the operating system on your computer's hard drive.
Step 13. Restart the Mac
Access the menu Apple clicking the icon
choose the option Restart …, then press the button Restart when required.
Step 14. As soon as the Mac begins the reboot process, hold down the ⌥ Option key
You will need to hold down the indicated key until the screen listing system boot options appears.
Make sure you hold down the "Option" key right after pressing the button Restart located inside the system window that appeared.
Step 15. Choose the EFI Boot option
In some cases you will need to select the name of the USB drive or the name of the Linux Mint version to install. The Linux Mint installation screen will appear.
Step 16. At this point select the "Linux Mint" boot option
For example if you have chosen Linux Mint version 18.3, you will have to choose the voice Boot linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit.
- The correct wording may vary slightly depending on the Linux Mint version you choose and the architecture of your computer (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Do not choose the "acpi = off" version of Linux Mint.
Step 17. Press the Enter key
In this way Linux will install the client for desktop systems.
Step 18. Wait for Linux to load
This step should take no more than a few minutes to complete. At the end you can proceed to install Linux on your computer hard drive.
Part 4 of 4: Install Linux
Step 1. Double click on the Install Linux Mint icon
It is shaped like an optical media and is placed directly on the desktop. A new dialog will appear.
Step 2. Select the installation language
Choose the language you want to use as the default for the operating system, then press the button Continue located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 3. Configure the Wi-Fi connection
Select one of the wireless networks present, enter the access password in the "Password" text field, then press the buttons in succession Connect And Continue.
Step 4. Select the "Install third-party software" checkbox
It is located at the top of the page.
Step 5. Press the Continue button
Step 6. Press the Yes button when prompted
With this step you communicate your willingness to delete any existing hard drive partition and create a single storage unit.
Step 7. Proceed to configure the procedure for replacing the existing operating system with Linux
Select the check button "Erase disk and install Linux Mint", press the button Continue, choose the option Install Now, then press the button Continue when required.
Step 8. Select your reference time zone
Click the vertical bar that indicates the geographical area in which you reside, then press the button Continue located in the lower right corner.
Step 9. Choose the language that the operating system will use
Click the name of one of the languages listed in the left sidebar of the window, choose one of the keyboard layouts displayed on the right side of the screen and press the button Continue.
Step 10. Enter your personal information
This is your name, the name to assign to the computer, the username of the account you are going to use and the login password. When finished, press the button Continue. The program will proceed to install Linux on your computer.
Step 11. Remove the USB stick from the computer
While the Mac will most likely not attempt to reinstall Linux the next time the system restarts, it is a good idea to limit the number of active boot devices at this early stage of the installation.
Step 12. Press the Restart Now button when prompted
This will automatically restart your computer. You are now able to use Linux as your computer's operating system.
