How to install Linux on any PC

If you are tired of the slowness of WindowsIf you want to breathe new life into an old computer or simply want more control over your system, install the Linux It could be one of the best decisions you can make. Contrary to what many people imagine, today... Linux It's much more accessible than it used to be. There are distributions with user-friendly interfaces, simplified installation, and support for a wide variety of programs. In this guide, you will understand the advantages of... LinuxLearn about the main distributions and discover, step by step, how to install Ubuntu on your PC, whether you want to keep Windows or not. (dual-boot) or completely replacing the system (single-boot).

Advantages of Linux

Before proceeding with the installation, it is important to understand why the Linux It is gaining increasing popularity among home users, professionals, and even large companies. More than just a free alternative to Windows, it offers a number of practical advantages that directly impact daily use.

• Free and open source (open source): This is one of the most striking characteristics of LinuxThis means that you don't need to pay for licenses to use the system and, more importantly, that anyone can study, modify, and distribute the code. This model encourages innovation, transparency, and global collaboration, resulting in systems that are constantly improved by developer communities.
• PerformanceUnlike heavier systems, the Linux It can run smoothly even on computers with limited hardware. There are extremely lightweight distributions that revitalize PCs considered "obsolete," making them useful again for everyday tasks such as browsing, studying, and working.
• Security: because it has a different architecture and a smaller user base on the desktop, the Linux It is less targeted by common viruses and malware. Furthermore, the system has stricter permission controls, which significantly reduces the risk of unwanted changes. Frequent updates and official repositories also help maintain a more secure environment.
• High customization capacity: No. LinuxVirtually everything can be customized: from the graphical interface to the system's behavior. It's possible to choose different graphical environments, themes, icons, and even completely change how you interact with the computer. This allows you to create a fully tailored experience, whether for productivity or performance.
• Community strength: o Linux It has an extremely active global user and developer base. This translates into a huge amount of forums, tutorials, videos, and documentation available for free.
• Ready to use: In addition to all this, many modern distributions come ready to use, with browsers, text editors, media players, and other essential applications pre-installed, which makes adoption even easier, especially for beginners.

And in case you still have doubts about the advantages of using the system LinuxThe diagram below illustrates the benefits of the penguin OS in a straightforward and simple way:

The different Linux distributions

One of the biggest advantages of Linux It's the variety of distributions (or "distros"), each with a different focus and audience.

Arch Linux

O Arch Linux It is one of the most respected—and also most challenging—distributions in the ecosystem. LinuxAimed at advanced users, it follows a minimalist philosophy, where virtually everything needs to be configured manually from the start. This might scare beginners, but it's also precisely what makes Arch so powerful: you build the system exactly the way you want, without unnecessary software. Furthermore, it uses a "rolling release" model, meaning it receives constant updates without the need for complete reinstalls.

Bazzite

O Bazzite It's a relatively new distribution, but one that's gaining prominence for its focus on gaming. Based on Fedora and optimized to run Steam and Proton, it transforms the... Linux on a much more gamer-friendly platform. The goal is to offer an experience similar to consoles or the Steam Deck, with simplified support for Windows games. For those who want to migrate to Linux Without sacrificing gaming, Bazzite is one of the most interesting options currently available.

elementary OS

O elementary OS It is known for its refined and minimalist design, often compared to MacOSIt bets on a clean visual experience, focusing on simplicity and consistency between applications. The Pantheon interface was developed to be intuitive, which makes this distro an excellent choice for those migrating from more "closed" systems like... MacOS ou WindowsFurthermore, elementary OS encourages its own ecosystem of applications, with a strong focus on privacy and usability.

Debian

O Debian It is one of the oldest and most respected distributions in the world. LinuxIt forms the basis for several other distributions, including Ubuntu itself. Its main characteristic is stability: versions are only released when they are extremely tested and reliable. Therefore, it is widely used on servers, but can also be used on desktops by those who value a solid and predictable system. On the other hand, this stability can mean slightly older packages compared to other distributions.

Linux Mint

O Linux Mint It is often cited as the best gateway for those coming from WindowsIts interface, especially with the Cinnamon environment, is quite familiar, with a start menu, taskbar, and simple navigation. Furthermore, the system comes with several useful applications pre-installed, reducing the need for initial configuration. Mint is also known for its stability and lightweight performance, making it an excellent option for older computers.

Pop! _OS

Developed by System76, the Pop! _OS It is a distribution focused on productivity and performance, especially for developers and advanced users. One of its distinguishing features is its optimized support for video cards. NVIDIAThis is something that is often problematic in other distributions. Furthermore, it offers features like automatic window management (tiling), which facilitates multitasking. It's a great choice for those who want a modern and efficient system for work.

Ubuntu

O Ubuntu It is, without a doubt, the distribution. Linux Ubuntu is the most popular operating system in the world. It stands out for its ease of use, large community, and broad compatibility with software and hardware. Based on Debian, but focused on the end user, Ubuntu offers a ready-to-use experience, with simple installation and regular updates. Because of this, it is often the first choice for those starting out in the field. Linux — in addition to being widely used in corporate and educational environments.

Zorin OS

O Zorin OS It was developed with a clear objective: to facilitate the transition of users from Windows to the LinuxIt offers interface layouts that mimic the look and feel of Windows, making the transition much more natural. Furthermore, the system comes with several optimizations and tools that aid compatibility with popular programs. It's an excellent alternative for those who want to switch systems without facing a steep learning curve.

Hardware requirements

To run Ubuntu (and most modern distributions), you need:

• flash drive: 8 GB or more to create the installer.
• Processor: Dual-core 2 GHz or higher
• RAM memory: minimum 4 GB (8 GB recommended)
• Storage: at least 25 GB free

If you are not familiar with this information about your PC, the easiest way to view it through Windows systems is by accessing... Settings → System → About.

Step-by-step guide to installing Ubuntu:

Dual-boot mode (Ubuntu + Windows)

1 – Back up your files

Before making any changes, save your important files to an external hard drive or to the cloud.

2 – Create a partition for Ubuntu.

In Windows, use Disk Management to free up space (minimum of 25 GB). You can access this in two quick ways:

• Pressure Win + X Disk Management
• Or press Win + R, type it diskmgmt.msc and press Enter

There you will see all the disks and partitions on your computer.

After that, you can shrink the main partition (C:). To do this, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the partition C:
• Select "Decrease Volume"
• Windows will calculate how much space can be reduced.
• Please specify the desired free space (in MB).

Example:

• 25GB = 25600 MB
• 50GB = 51200 MB (more comfortable for Linux)

Tip: If you can, make a reservation. at least 40–50 GB to have more free time.

3 – Download the Ubuntu ISO and Rufus

Download Ubuntu from official websiteby clicking on the Download option. At the time of publication of this post, Ubuntu is in version 24.04.4 LTS (Long Term Service(Long-Term Service), in Portuguese. It's important to mention that LTS versions are the most recommended for dual-boot or single-boot installations, as they have several patch packages and community support to fix bugs and address potential issues.

Next, download the Rufus to create the bootable USB drive from official software page in the “Download” section and selecting the version for Windows x64.

4 – Create a bootable Ubuntu USB drive

With the Ubuntu ISO image and Rufus downloaded, it's time to create a bootable Ubuntu USB drive, that is, a removable media drive that will be read and run by your PC when the machine starts up. First, connect your USB drive to your PC. Remember that the process of creating the bootable USB drive will... Format and delete all files on your pen drive.Therefore, don't forget to back up any important files!

Next, launch Rufus and it should automatically detect your USB drive in the section. "Device"After that, simply click next to the section. “Boot selection” em “SELECT” to select the location where you downloaded the Ubuntu ISO image. Once you've done that, click the button. "START" and wait for the data creation and saving process to complete! At the end, just click on “CLOSE” to close Rufus.

5 – Restart the machine and boot from the USB drive.

Here's the slightly more complicated part of the installation: depending on your PC or notebook model, the function key used may vary. In almost all computer models, it toggles between F2, F12, DEL or ESCThe important thing is that you keep pressing any of these keys the moment your PC restarts. By doing this correctly, the BIOS setup screen Your machine's instructions should appear directly in the Boot section.

From here you need to locate the name of your USB drive among the computer's boot options. To navigate the BIOS, remember to use the arrow keys to change the selected options. Once you find the name of your USB drive, simply press "ENTER" The BIOS will then boot into the Ubuntu installation system that is configured on your USB drive.

6 – Follow the installation instructions.

When you boot from the Ubuntu bootable USB drive, the first screen you will see is the GRUB initializerThis lists the available options for Ubuntu. Here, select using the arrow keys. "Try or Install Ubuntu" and press "ENTER".

After that, the next screen will offer language options for you to choose from (Ubuntu has full language support). ENAnd if you just want to test Ubuntu in "Try Ubuntu" or install it in "Install Ubuntu"Choose the second option.

On the next screen, choose the type of layout your keyboard This is used to ensure the keys are configured correctly.

Next, configure your Internet connection, be it via cable (wired) ou wirelesswireless)It's important that you configure your network at this step because Ubuntu will download some additional installation files during the operating system installation process.

Finally, we arrive at the crucial part of this dual-boot installation method: how Ubuntu will be installed. On this screen, choose the option “Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager”. This way, the Ubuntu installer will use the partition you created on your disk a few steps ago to automatically configure the different Linux system partitions. Furthermore, your Windows installation will remain intact and functioning normally!

After the installation mode has been selected, the Ubuntu installation process will continue with some additional configurations, such as choosing the... timezone where you are located.

Next, the installation will prompt you to create a name de usuário and set up asenha To log in to Ubuntu every time you start the system. It's important that you keep this password safe as it's the access key to the system. system administrator mode (Sudo)This allows you to install and remove some of the more important programs that require administrator authorization. Additionally, you can also select the option to automatically log you into the system when it starts up, eliminating the need to type your password.

Done! Now just wait for the installation progress to complete and your PC should restart automatically.

When you restart your PC you will see the operating system selection screen, GRUB, and there you can use the arrow keys to boot your PC or Ubuntu. "Ubuntu"or in Windows at "Windows Boot Manager"Remember that if you don't choose any option or press "ENTER"GRUB will start automatically in about 10 seconds in the highlighted option.

Single-boot mode (Windows only)

If your intention is completely replace Windows and use Ubuntu only on the computer.The process is even simpler. In practice, the installation follows virtually the same steps as in dual-boot mode, with two important differences along the way.

The first one is that, in this case, It is not necessary to manually create a partition in Windows.Since the entire disk will be used by UbuntuYou can completely ignore that volume reduction step in Disk Management.

The second difference appears during installation, in the step of choosing the installation type. Instead of selecting the option to install the system alongside the Windowsyou must choose "Erase disk and install Ubuntu"This option completely removes the previous system and uses all available space for a clean installation of Linux.

After that, Simply follow the same screen flow shown in the previous step-by-step guide. (language, keyboard, user, etc.). At the end of the installation, the computer will start directly in Ubuntu, without a system selection menu.

Single-boot mode is ideal for those who want to fully migrate to the LinuxYou are using an old PC and want more performance, or you simply no longer need to use the... Windows.

Installing Linux on any PC is a simpler process than it seems. With current distributions becoming increasingly accessible and a step-by-step guided installation process, even those who have never used the system before can migrate without major difficulties.

Whether you choose dual-boot for gradual testing or a full installation, the Linux It proves to be a solid and versatile alternative for different user profiles and, often, a way to breathe new life into machines that seemed outdated.

And do you already use it or are you ready to try it? Linux And what are its advantages as a free operating system? Leave your opinion in the comments.

Learn more:

Microsoft listens to users and promises improvements to Windows 11. Understand why.

How to remove and install programs on Linux

Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 13 / 04 / 2026.

Source: Medium, Instructables