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How to Install Ubuntu Desktop

Learn how to install Ubuntu Desktop from bootable USB media, configure firmware, choose disk options, create a user account, and complete essential post-installation steps.

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution with a desktop edition designed for everyday use. Installing Ubuntu can replace the operating system on a computer, share storage with an existing operating system, or use a separate drive. The choice you make during disk setup determines what happens to existing files and systems.

Installation overview

The normal installation process has these stages:

  1. Obtain an official Ubuntu Desktop ISO image.
  2. Use the ISO to create bootable USB installation media. An optical disc may be used on older computers that support it, but USB is the usual method.
  3. Start the computer from the USB or optical media by using firmware boot settings.
  4. Optionally test Ubuntu in a live session.
  5. Choose installation, disk, regional, keyboard, and account settings.
  6. Confirm the changes, let the installer copy and configure files, then restart.
  7. Remove the installation media and sign in to the installed desktop.

Prepare before installing

Download the Ubuntu Desktop ISO from the official Ubuntu source, then create a bootable USB drive with a suitable image-writing tool. A bootable USB is a USB drive prepared so that firmware can start a computer from it and load the Ubuntu installer.

Ubuntu Installation Preparation Checklist

Requirement: Backup of personal files. Why it matters: Partition changes and erase-disk installation can permanently remove data. How to verify: Open the backup on another device or storage location and confirm that important files are present.

Requirement: Suitable hardware. Why it matters: Ubuntu must support the computer's processor, memory, graphics, network, and storage hardware. How to verify: Review the release's hardware requirements and, when uncertain, test the computer in a live session.

Requirement: Available disk capacity. Why it matters: Ubuntu needs space for the operating system, applications, updates, and personal files. How to verify: Check the size and current use of the intended drive.

Requirement: Bootable installation media. Why it matters: The computer needs a startup device containing the installer. How to verify: Confirm that the USB was created as bootable media and is detected by firmware.

Requirement: Power. Why it matters: An interruption during installation can leave the system incomplete. How to verify: Connect a laptop to AC power.

Requirement: Internet access, if available. Why it matters: It can download updates and optional third-party components during installation. How to verify: Have Wi-Fi credentials ready or connect an Ethernet cable.

Common startup terms

BIOS: Traditional firmware that initializes hardware and controls startup settings. Typical action: Open its boot settings and place the installation device before the internal drive.

UEFI: Modern firmware that manages hardware initialization and boot entries. Typical action: Select the UEFI entry for the USB when more than one entry appears.

Boot order: The sequence of devices firmware checks when starting the computer. Typical action: Put the USB or optical drive first temporarily, then save changes.

Boot menu: A temporary startup menu for choosing a device for one boot. Typical action: Press the computer's boot-menu key during startup and select the installation media.

Secure Boot: A modern firmware security feature that checks whether startup software is trusted. Typical action: Review its status if the installer does not start; do not change it casually, because settings vary by computer.

Boot the Ubuntu installer

Insert the bootable USB drive, or the optical disc if you are using legacy hardware, and restart the computer. During startup, open the one-time boot menu using the key shown by the manufacturer. Common keys include a function key or the Escape key, but the exact key differs by computer.

Select the USB device or optical drive. If you instead change the permanent boot order in BIOS or UEFI, place the installation device before the internal drive, save the changes, and restart. On a UEFI computer, choose the entry that identifies the USB as a UEFI device when appropriate.

A successful boot normally displays an Ubuntu welcome screen or installer menu rather than the existing operating system's login screen. If the existing system starts, the firmware probably skipped the installation media.

Choose a language and test Ubuntu

At the welcome screen, select the language used by the installer and desktop. You will usually be offered a choice between trying Ubuntu and beginning installation.

A live session is a temporary Ubuntu environment that runs from the installation media without installing Ubuntu to the internal drive. Choose it first when you want to test Wi-Fi, display output, audio, keyboard, touchpad, and other hardware. Files created in a normal live session are not intended to persist after shutdown.

From the live desktop, you can start the installer after deciding that the hardware behaves as expected. Beginning installation directly is also appropriate when you are ready to make permanent changes.

Check readiness and choose update options

The installer checks or asks about available storage, power status, and network connectivity. Resolve warnings before continuing where possible, especially low storage or insufficient battery power.

You may be offered an option to download updates while Ubuntu installs. You may also see an option to install third-party software, meaning proprietary or restricted components that can provide support for particular hardware or media formats.

  • Offline or minimal-download installation: Usually faster and useful when the network is unavailable, but updates will need to be installed afterward.
  • Installation with downloads: Takes longer and uses network data, but the installed system can include newer packages and selected optional support immediately.

Review the checkboxes rather than selecting them automatically. If no network connection is available, continue without downloads when the installer permits it. You can connect later and update the finished system.

Choose how Ubuntu uses the disk

A partition is a defined section of a physical drive used by an operating system. The installer may detect existing operating systems and show several ways to arrange partitions.

Installer Disk Options Compared

Erase disk and install Ubuntu: Existing partitions, operating systems, and files on the selected drive are removed. Best use case: A new, spare, or fully backed-up computer dedicated to Ubuntu. Risk level: Highest data-destructive risk.

Install alongside another operating system: The installer resizes or creates partitions so more than one operating system can remain. Best use case: You need the existing operating system and understand that both systems share the drive. Risk level: Significant; partition resizing can fail or leave less free space, so backups are essential.

Manual partitioning: You choose partitions and mount arrangements yourself. Best use case: Experienced users with a specific storage design. Risk level: High if partitions or filesystems are selected incorrectly.

Clean Ubuntu-only installation

For a computer dedicated to Ubuntu, erase-disk installation is usually the simplest path. It is appropriate only after confirming that every needed file is backed up and that the selected drive is the correct one.

Installing alongside another operating system

A dual-boot setup contains more than one operating system and lets you choose one at startup. Use an alongside-install option only when it is offered and you understand the storage allocation. The existing system will have less free space, and changing partitions always carries risk. Keep a backup and review the proposed sizes before proceeding.

Manual partitioning

Manual partitioning is an advanced option for users who need a custom layout, separate data storage, encryption arrangement, or multiple drives. For a first installation, use the guided option that matches your goal unless you already understand partitions, filesystems, and boot files.

With multiple drives, identify each drive by its capacity and model if shown. Verify the target drive immediately before accepting the disk changes. If the displayed layout is unexpected, go back or cancel rather than guessing.

Set location and keyboard layout

Choose your geographic location or time zone. This controls how Ubuntu represents local time and helps configure the system clock.

Select the keyboard layout that matches the physical keyboard. If a test field is available, type letters, numbers, punctuation, and special characters such as @, £, or accented characters. A wrong layout can make passwords and commands appear to be typed incorrectly even when the keys are working.

Create the first user account

The installer asks for a full name, username, computer name, and password.

  • Full name: The human-readable name associated with the account.
  • Username: The account identifier used to sign in and run commands. Keep it simple and follow the installer's naming rules.
  • Computer name: The system's hostname, or network-visible name. It identifies the computer to other systems and is different from your username.
  • Password: The credential used to sign in and approve protected actions.

The initial account normally receives administrative privileges through sudo. Sudo lets an authorized user perform administrative actions after authentication. Choose a long, unique password that you can remember. Requiring a password at login provides better protection than automatic login, especially on a portable computer.

Confirm and complete the installation

Before the final confirmation, review the language, keyboard, disk target, and account details. The installer then copies files, creates partitions or uses the selected existing ones, installs packages, and configures the boot process. This can take some time.

When prompted, restart the computer. Remove the USB installation media when the installer tells you to do so, usually before or during the restart, so the computer boots from the newly installed internal drive. If you leave the USB connected and it remains first in the boot order, the installer may appear again.

After rebooting, select Ubuntu if a boot menu appears, then sign in with the account and password you created.

Post-installation essentials

After the first login, check the basic functions of the installed desktop:

  • Connect to the Internet and verify that websites or network services work.
  • Check the system date, time, and time zone.
  • Confirm the display resolution, brightness, and any external monitor.
  • Test speakers, headphones, microphone, and other audio devices.
  • Type in several applications to verify the keyboard layout.
  • Open the file manager and confirm that the expected storage is available.

Apply pending updates through Ubuntu's graphical update tool or a terminal. The following commands refresh package information and install available upgrades:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

If the computer continues to start the installer, remove the USB and restart. If that does not solve the problem, open firmware settings and place the internal installed drive before removable media in the boot order. Keep the installation USB in a safe place; it may be useful for recovery, hardware testing, or reinstalling Ubuntu later.

Troubleshooting

The computer skips the USB and starts the existing operating system

Use the one-time boot menu and select the USB explicitly. If the USB is not listed, confirm that it was created as bootable media, try another USB port connected directly to the computer, and recreate the media if necessary. You can also open BIOS or UEFI settings and adjust the boot order, then save before restarting.

The installer reports insufficient disk space

The target drive may be too small, existing partitions may occupy the available space, or the wrong drive may be selected. Stop before changing partitions, verify the target drive, and back up data. Free space or select a suitable drive only after confirming that it is the intended installation target.

No network connection is available

Check the Wi-Fi credentials, try a wired connection, or continue without downloading updates if the installer allows it. The live environment may not recognize some network hardware immediately. Install first if necessary, then apply updates and investigate hardware support from the finished system.

A destructive disk confirmation screen appears unexpectedly

Cancel or go back before confirming. Reconsider whether you need a clean Ubuntu-only installation or a dual-boot arrangement. Verify backups and the target disk, and do not proceed until the displayed disks and partitions match your plan.

The system returns to the installer after reboot

Remove the installation USB when prompted and restart. If the USB remains connected, disconnect it. If the problem continues, adjust the firmware boot order so the internal installed drive starts first.

Decision guide

  • Choose a clean installation when the computer should run Ubuntu only and all existing data has been backed up or is disposable.
  • Choose alongside installation when an existing operating system must remain available and you accept shared storage and partitioning risks.
  • Use a live session when you want to test hardware before making permanent disk changes.
  • Use manual partitioning only when guided partitioning does not meet a well-understood technical requirement.

When in doubt, stop at the disk confirmation screen. Reviewing the target drive and backup status is safer than trying to repair an accidental erase or partition change.

For a related guide, see Install Ubuntu.