Q&A for How to Install Linux

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

What's the easiest version of Linux?

Michael Thompson-Brown
Cybersecurity Expert
Michael Thompson-Brown is a Cybersecurity Expert based in Portland, Maine. He is the owner and founder of PCRescue!, a company that provides cybersecurity and data management solutions to small businesses and individuals. Michael has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry and is a certified ethical hacker. He is passionate about helping clients protect their data and systems from malicious attacks and helping them optimize their online presence and reach. He received a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Western Governors University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Michael Thompson-Brown

Cybersecurity Expert

Expert Answer

The easiest Linux distribution is often considered to be Ubuntu. It features a user-friendly interface and a vast community for support. To get started, download the Ubuntu ISO file from their website, create a bootable USB drive using software like Rufus or BalenaEtcher, and then boot your computer from the USB drive to begin the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu, and you'll have a user-friendly Linux system up and running in no time.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What do I do now that I have downloaded Linux Mint 64-bit?

Living Concrete

Top Answerer

You must now burn the ISO to a disk or create a live USB. Please see the very first step of this article, or take a look at the more specific article, Install Linux Mint .

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 19
Question

Could I also have Windows 7 at the same time?

Community Answer

While it is possible to have both on the same computer, it is only possible to use one at a time.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 50
Question

What if Linux isn't installing correctly?

Community Answer

Try installing it again, or check your hard-drive space. Maybe your computer does not support the version that you've installed, so try with another one.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 6
Question

I have a computer with no operating system. Can I install Linux in it to make it work?

LexingtonMineral Blaine

Community Answer

Yes you can by having a CD or flash drive with Linux on it. You will have to pick which one in the boot up menu which either F8 or F12. Turn on the computer, insert either a CD or flash drive. Turn off the computer, then turn on the computer and read what's on the screen. Select either F8 or F12 for boot up menu then the computer should start running the installation.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 8
Question

I just wanted to use Linux for some time what do I have to do?

MOHMMD ELFA

Community Answer

Just use the Live CD or USB environment. You can browse privately because cookies aren't saved. It is the ultimate private browsing solution. Some distros like Lubuntu a lighter version of Ubuntu are great for low end hardware and It also looks very good. Lubuntu 18.10 LTS and below use LXDE while 19.04 and higher use LXQt. The latest version is 20.04 Focal Fossa.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

Is there a way to use Terminal to get Linux installed with certain commands, somehow?

Community Answer

There are Linux distributions such as ArchLinux and Gentoo which are manually installed using terminal commands, but you shouldn't use them unless you already know the internals of the GNU/Linux system. You might have meant the terminal already installed on your current OS (Terminal on Mac, Command Prompt on Windows, various on Linux). This is far trickier. There are some (very advanced) ways of remotely installing Linux from your current machine onto a separate machine using your built-in terminal. As for using your preinstalled terminal to install Linux on that same machine, this is not possible.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
Question

I already have Windows 7 as my OS. I want to install Linux and have a RAM of 2GB. How should I do it?

Nithik R

Community Answer

Just follow the above steps to install Linux. Linux is lightweight and consumes less memory than Windows, so Linux would perform better. 2GB of RAM is more than enough to run Linux. If you want to dual boot Linux along with Windows, make sure to choose that option when you are installing it. If the distro you chose doesn't have the feature to install alongside another OS, you will have to manually partition and format your hard disk. Most distros do come with that option. Try using Linux Mint.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
Question

Can I install Linux on an external USB drive and always boot from there or does it need to be on the PC's main drive?

Nithik R

Community Answer

Yes, you can. But in the above mentioned distros you cannot create and save files. So you will have to use a portable disttro like Slax.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
Question

How to install Kali Linux?

Nithik R

Community Answer

All Linux distros have a similar method of installing. Just follow the instructions above and you'll be good to go.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
Question

Is Kali Linux good for hacking?

Nithik R

Community Answer

Yes, Kali is one of the best OS for hacking. But if you are a beginner, first learn the basics of Linux terminal shell using another OS like Mint and then you can switch to Kali. Kali Linux is extremely powerful and is not recommended to be used as a daily driver.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
Question

What are the uses of Linux?

Nithik R

Community Answer

Linux is an open-source, free operating system. It is light and fast. You get more control over your system with Linux. It is safe from majority of the viruses and other malware on the internet. You can customize it as you wish. There are hundreds of different distros and versions so you can choose the best one for you. You get to make use of your system better. Most web servers on the internet run on Linux.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Do you need administrative privileges before installing?

Ricerwastaken

Community Answer

If you are using a GUI installer, it will probably automatically run as root/administrator. For things like Arch and Gentoo, you will most likely be logged into a root account and won't need to use sudo. But if you encounter any issues, then try executing it with sudo or running su and then executing.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

What kind of security do I have with Linux?

Ricerwastaken

Community Answer

There's less malware overall since a lot of Linux programmes are open-source and Windows/MacOS are bigger targets. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Generally, you won't get malware, but look out if you are using proprietary software. If you want an antivirus, there is some very basic ones like ClamAV.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

If I install Linux, do I have to erase my everything from my storage devices?

Ricerwastaken

Community Answer

Installing a new operating system will wipe the drive or partition you are installing it to. If you already have important data on that drive you don't want to lose, back it up first.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What do I do if a hardware interrupt comes up when installing Linux?

Ricerwastaken

Community Answer

This might be a case of unsupported drivers. Most of the time you can find the missing firmware/drivers and copy it to "~/lib/firmware".

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0