This article explains how you can install Ubuntu Linux on a PC or Mac without deleting the existing operating system.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare for Installation
Step 1. Make sure the target computer is capable of running Linux
The machine you own must meet the following hardware requirements in order to run Ubuntu without any problem:
- 2 GHz dual core processor;
- 2 GB of RAM;
- 25 GB of free hard disk space;
- DVD player or a free USB port.
Step 2. Get a blank blank DVD or USB stick
In order to install Ubuntu on a computer, first you need to prepare the installation drive on which the ISO image of the operating system will be stored. You can use optical media (DVD) or a USB drive.
- If you have chosen to use a DVD, you can use a standard 4.5GB DVD.
- If you have chosen to use a USB stick instead, make sure it has a memory capacity of at least 2 GB.
Step 3. Download the Ubuntu Linux ISO image
Follow these instructions:
- Visit the following URL
- Scroll down the page and click on the button Download located on the right of the Ubuntu version you want to install. The latest LTS version available today is 20.04.1;
- Scroll down the page again and click on the link Not now, take me to the download;
- Wait for the download to start or click on the link download now.
Step 4. Burn the ISO file to DVD
You can also choose to use a USB stick, but in this case you will need to format it using the file system FAT32 (for Windows) or MS-DOS (FAT) (for Mac) and use a program such as UNetBootin or Rufus (recommended) to make the USB drive discoverable and bootable by your computer's BIOS or firmware.
Step 5. Partition your computer hard drive
Partitioning a hard disk means dividing it logically into several separate and independent volumes which will in turn be managed as autonomous memory units. This is the place on your computer's hard drive where you will install Ubuntu. The partition must be at least 5GB in size.
The official Ubuntu technical support webpage actually recommends using a partition that has at least 25GB of free space
Step 6. Make sure the installation drive is connected to your computer
Insert the DVD you created earlier into your computer drive or plug the USB stick into a free port on your system. When you are sure that the installation media is accessible from your computer, you can continue reading the article and proceed with installing Ubuntu Linux on Windows or Mac.
Part 2 of 3: Install Ubuntu on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking on the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Click on the "Stop" icon
It is located at the bottom left of the Windows "Start" menu. A submenu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click on Reboot System option
It is one of the items listed in the appeared submenu. Your computer will restart automatically. Hold down the "Shift" key while clicking on the indicated item to disable Windows Quick Start.
Step 4. Wait for the Ubuntu Linux installation wizard window to appear
At the end of the boot phase, the desktop will appear and a new window regarding the installation of Ubuntu should appear. It usually takes a few minutes for this step to complete.
- Depending on your computer's configuration settings, you may need to log in before you can access the desktop.
- If you have chosen to use a USB stick and the Ubuntu installation wizard window does not appear on the screen, restart your computer, access the BIOS, find the menu or the "Boot Order" section, select the option for the drives USB (usually indicated by the entry Removable Devices) using the directional arrows on your keyboard, then press the + key until the selected option appears at the top of the boot device list.
Step 5. Select the installation language and click the Continue button
This is the language in which the Ubuntu menus and user interface will be displayed. After making your choice, click on the button Continues located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 6. Click the Install Ubuntu button
It is displayed on the right side of the window.
Step 7. Select the buttons listed on the "Preparing to Install Ubuntu" screen
Select the "Download updates when installing Ubuntu" and "Install third party software for…" checkboxes.
Step 8. Click the Continue button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 9. Select the "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" checkbox
It is displayed at the top of the window.
Step 10. Click the Install button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 11. Click the Continue button when prompted
The Ubuntu installation will start.
Step 12. Select the geographic area where you reside and click the Continue button
Click on the time zone for the country you live in using the map displayed on the screen.
Step 13. Select a keyboard layout and click the Continue button
Click on the language you want to use by choosing it from the list displayed on the top left of the window, then select the desired variant (for example "Italian (IBM 142)" or "Italian (Macintosh)") using the right pane of the window.
Step 14. Enter your user account information
Fill in the fields indicated as follows:
- Your name - enter your name and surname;
- The name of the computer - the name you want to assign to the computer. Make sure you are not using an overly complex name;
- Choose a username - type in the username that will be assigned to your personal Ubuntu account;
- Choose a password - enter your account password. This is the password you will need to use to log into your computer;
- Confirm the password - re-enter the password you have chosen.
Step 15. Choose how to log in
Select the radio button "Log in automatically" or "Require personal password to log in" displayed in the center of the page.
Step 16. Click the Continue button
Step 17. Click the Restart button when prompted
This will bring up a screen that will allow you to choose which operating system to boot (in this case Ubuntu or Windows).
Step 18. Select the Ubuntu entry and press the button Enter.
The Ubuntu Linux operating system will now boot, rather than the version of Windows on your computer. You will now be able to choose whether to use Linux or Windows every time the computer starts.
Part 3 of 3: Install Ubuntu on Mac
Step 1. Access the "Apple" menu by clicking on the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A list of options will be displayed.
Step 2. Click on Restart…
It is listed at the bottom of the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 3. Click the Restart button when prompted
This will automatically restart your Mac.
Step 4. Immediately press the ⌥ Option key without releasing it
Perform this step immediately after clicking on the button Restart. Keep holding the indicated key until the next step.
If you have chosen to use a DVD to install Ubuntu, you will need to skip this step. In this case, go directly to this point of the article
Step 5. Release the ⌥ Option key as soon as the Mac start menu appears on the screen
This is a screen where several boot drive icons are displayed. As soon as you see the start menu appear, you can release the ⌥ Option key.
Step 6. Select the bootable USB drive and press the Enter key
Use the directional arrows on your keyboard to select the Ubuntu installation USB stick. This will cause the Mac to boot from the USB drive.
Step 7. Wait for the Ubuntu Linux Installation Wizard window to appear
If you have chosen to use an installation DVD, you will have to wait a few minutes.
Step 8. Select the Install Ubuntu option and press the button Enter.
The Ubuntu installation wizard will start.
Step 9. Select the installation language and click the Continue button
This is the language in which the Ubuntu menus and user interface will be displayed. After making your choice, click on the button Continues located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 10. Click the Install Ubuntu button
It is displayed on the right side of the window.
Step 11. Select the buttons listed on the "Preparing to Install Ubuntu" screen
Select the "Download updates when installing Ubuntu" and "Install third party software for…" checkboxes.
Step 12. Click the Continue button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 13. Select the "Install Ubuntu alongside macOS" checkbox
It is displayed at the top of the window.
Step 14. Click the Install button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 15. Click the Continue button when prompted
The Ubuntu installation will start.
Step 16. Select the geographic area where you reside and click the Continue button
Click on the time zone for the country you live in using the map displayed on the screen.
Step 17. Select a keyboard layout and click the Continue button
Click on the language you want to use by choosing it from the list displayed on the left side of the window, then select the desired variant (for example "Italian (IBM 142)" or "Italian (Macintosh)") using the right pane of the window.
Step 18. Enter your user account information
Fill in the fields indicated as follows:
- Your name - enter your name and surname;
- The name of the computer - the name you want to assign to the computer. Make sure you are not using an overly complex name;
- Choose a username - type in the username that will be assigned to your personal Ubuntu account;
- Choose a password - enter your account password. This is the password you will need to use to log into your computer;
- Confirm the password - re-enter the password you have chosen.
Step 19. Choose how to log in
Select the radio button "Log in automatically" or "Require personal password to log in" displayed in the center of the page.
Step 20. Click the Continue button
Step 21. Click the Revive button when prompted
This will bring up a screen that will allow you to choose which operating system to boot (in this case Ubuntu or macOS).
Step 22. Select the Ubuntu entry and press the button Enter.
At this point the Ubuntu Linux operating system will start, rather than the version of macOS on the Mac. Now you can choose whether to use Linux or Windows every time the computer starts.
Advice
- Be sure to back up any personal files (images, documents, favorites, videos, configuration settings, etc.) you wish to keep before installing Ubuntu.
- You can use a wired network connection for Ubuntu download and installation to make sure you have no problems and that you can get all the necessary drivers and updates.
- Generally speaking, if you have a relatively modern computer, you will have no problem installing and using Linux.
- If you have a Windows computer with low RAM, on which you can no longer install the new versions of the Microsoft operating system, know that you can still install Ubuntu, since it requires a minimum amount of RAM (even only 512 MB is enough).
Warnings
- While Linux has a reputation for being an extremely secure and reliable operating system, remember that you should always install and apply all security-related changes and updates as soon as they are released.
- If someone suggests you run a command similar to the following "sudo rm -rf / -no-preserve-root", know that this is a joke whose purpose is to block the installation of Ubuntu.
