This article explains how to install Puppy Linux on a PC. Unlike other distributions, Puppy Linux does not require a full installation to be used. You can create a bootable disk or drive and load the operating system directly from that media. If after starting the Puppy Linux Live session you need to install the operating system on a computer hard drive, you can do it quickly and easily.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Start Puppy Linux
Step 1. Download the Puppy Linux ISO file from the following URL
The latest official version of the operating system can be found on the page indicated in the form of an ISO image. Inside the "Compatibility" column of the table, the name of the components and packages of the distribution used to create the corresponding image of Puppy Linux is reported.
Step 2. Create bootable media:
CD, DVD or USB memory drive. To install Puppy Linux, you must first boot it using the ISO image you just downloaded. To perform this step, you need to create bootable media which can be a CD, DVD or USB drive to which the ISO image has been transferred.
- CD / DVD: To burn an ISO file to an optical disc using Windows 10, right-click the file icon and choose the option Burn disc image. If you are using a Linux computer, you can use any burning software, such as Brasero, to burn the ISO image in question to disc. In any case, be sure to create a media identical to the ISO image you downloaded and not a data disc.
- USB Drive: When you create a bootable USB drive, all data on the device will be deleted. For this reason, first create a backup of any files you want to keep. If you are using Ubuntu, you can use the Ubuntu Live USB Creator program. If you are using Windows, you can use a free and open-source program called Rufus.
Step 3. Start Puppy Linux from the created media
After creating the bootable disk or USB drive, restart your computer using that media. In this way, the device will load Puppy Linux instead of the operating system present on the hard drive. After the appearance of several black screens in which some text will appear, the Puppy Linux desktop will be displayed together with the window for the initial quick configuration.
If your computer boots normally, loading the operating system you usually use, you will need to enter the BIOS and change the order of the boot devices so that the first is the CD / DVD drive or USB drive. Read this article for more information on how to access your computer's BIOS
Step 4. Choose the configuration settings you want and click the OK button
At this point, you can set the language to use, the time zone and other system characteristics. If the default settings are correct, simply click on X displayed in the upper right corner of the configuration window to close it.
Step 5. Save the current session (optional)
If you simply want to discover the features and options provided by Puppy Linux without installing it on your computer, you can do it now without any problem. Since in this Live mode of operation, the operating system is loaded exclusively into the computer's RAM, any changes you make to the configuration and any actions you perform will be lost once you reboot or shut down the system. If you have chosen not to install Puppy Linux, but want to keep the current configuration settings of the operating system, follow these instructions:
- When you are ready to log out, click on the entry Menu, select the option Shut Down and finally click on the option Reboot Computer;
- Click on the button SAVE visible in the pop-up that appeared;
- Select a file system and click on the button OK;
- Assign a name to the save file of the session in progress and click on the button OK;
- Select the option Normal if you do not need to encrypt the file (the most common choice), if you have this need, choose the data encryption method you want and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen;
- Choose the size of the save file and click on the button OK - normally, the option 512 MB it should meet all your needs;
- If the current save folder is correct, click on the button YES, SAVE, otherwise click on the button CHANGE FOLDER and select the directory you prefer. You can also choose to store the session save file on the installation media you used to boot Puppy Linux (in the case of a CD / DVD it must be a rewritable disc). When the file is saved, the computer will automatically restart.
Part 2 of 2: Install Puppy Linux
Step 1. Start Puppy Linux using the installation media
If you have decided you want to use Puppy Linux as your computer's fixed operating system and not as a Live session to load from time to time, start by booting the operating system using the media you created in the previous steps. Once you get to the Puppy Linux desktop, continue reading.
Step 2. Click the Menu button
It is located in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Select the Setup menu option
A submenu will be displayed.
Step 4. Click on the Puppy Installer entry
It is listed at the bottom of the newly appeared menu.
Step 5. Click on the Universal installer option
It is the first voice available.
Step 6. Select the installation folder
Puppy Linux developers recommend installing on a USB memory drive (such as a flash drive or external hard drive) or choosing the "Frugal" option to install on a computer hard drive. If you have chosen to install Puppy Linux on the hard drive of the device, you will soon be given the option to choose the "Frugal" option.
Step 7. Select the installation drive
Some information about the chosen volume will be displayed.
Step 8. Select a partition
If you have chosen the "Frugal" installation option, you will not have to worry about creating a new partition specifically for Puppy Linux. In this case, you will simply have to select one of the existing partitions of the computer hard drive. If, on the other hand, you need to perform a complete installation of Puppy Linux on a dedicated partition, click on the button Gparted to proceed to create a new partition.
Select or create a partition with the FAT32 file system if you want to be able to use the USB memory drive as a removable device
Step 9. Click the OK button to confirm your choices
Step 10. Select the folder to store the boot files
This is the ISO image on the CD / DVD or USB drive you created earlier.
Step 11. Choose the Frugal installation option or Full.
If you want to install Puppy Linux on any storage drive without having to create a dedicated partition, choose the option Frugal. Instead, select the item Full.
Step 12. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation
When the files are finished installing, you will need to perform some final steps, such as configuring the bootloader.
Step 13. Save the session settings (only if you have chosen a "Frugal" installation)
If you have chosen to perform a "Full" installation, any changes you make to the system and its configuration will be automatically stored. "Frugal" installations, whether performed on a USB memory drive or internal hard drive, require you to save the session before you can shut down your computer. This step is necessary in order not to lose the operating system configuration data. Follow these instructions:
- Click on the item Menu, select the option Shut Down and finally click on the option Reboot Computer;
- Click on the button SAVE visible in the pop-up window that appeared;
- Select a file system and click the button OK;
- Assign a name to the save file of the session in progress and click on the button OK;
- Select the option Normal, if you don't need to encrypt the file (most common choice). If, on the other hand, you have this need, choose the data encryption method you want and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen;
- Choose the size of the save file and click on the button OK - normally, the option 512 MB it should meet all your needs;
- If the current save folder is correct, click on the button YES, SAVE, otherwise click on the button CHANGE FOLDER and select the directory you prefer. You can choose to store the session save file also on the installation media you used to boot Puppy Linux (in the case of a CD / DVD it must be a rewritable disc). When the file is saved, the computer will automatically restart.
