Installation, Step by Step

Reading time: about 10 min (plus time for installation)

In the previous lesson you learned why Ubuntu is an excellent choice for schools. Now it is time to go from theory to practice! In this guide we take you through the entire installation process. We will focus on the most common and safest method for beginners: installing Ubuntu alongside Windows, also known as "dual-boot." This means you keep your existing Windows and can choose which operating system you want to start every time you turn on the computer.

The process may feel technical, but if you follow the steps carefully it will go excellently.

What You Need

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

1. A computer with Windows installed (preferably one you can experiment with).
2. A USB drive with at least 8 GB storage space. Everything on this drive will be erased, so back up any important files from it first!
3. An internet connection.
4. About 1-2 hours of set-aside time when you do not need to use the computer.

Step 1: Prepare Your Windows Computer

The first thing we must do is create space on your computer's hard drive where Ubuntu can be installed.

1. Back up your important files! Although this process is safe, there is always a small risk that something goes wrong. Make sure your most important documents and photos are saved on an external USB drive or in a cloud service (e.g. Google Drive, OneDrive).
2. Create free space:
   • Right-click on the Start menu in Windows and select Disk Management.
   • You will see a list of your hard drives. Right-click on your main partition (usually (C:)).
   • Select Shrink Volume...
   • In the field "Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB," write how much space you want to give to Ubuntu. We recommend at least 30,000 MB (which is 30 GB), but preferably 50,000 MB (50 GB) or more if you have space.
   • Click on Shrink. You will now see a new, black field marked "Unallocated." This is the empty surface where we will install Ubuntu.

Step 2: Create a Bootable Ubuntu USB Drive

Now we will download Ubuntu and prepare your USB drive so the computer can start from it.

1. Download Ubuntu:

   • Go to Ubuntu's official download page.
   • Select the latest LTS version (Long-Term Support). LTS versions are the most stable and receive security updates for five years, which is perfect for a school environment. Click "Download."
   • A file named ubuntu-xx.xx.x-desktop-amd64.iso will download. This is a "disk image" of the operating system.

2. Download the tool to create the USB drive:

   • We recommend a free program called Rufus. Go to Rufus official website and download it. It does not need to be installed, you can run it directly.

3. Create the bootable USB drive:

   • Insert your empty USB drive into the computer.
   • Start Rufus.
   • Device: Make sure your USB drive is selected.
   • Boot selection: Click on SELECT and find the Ubuntu .iso file you just downloaded.
   • Partition scheme: Make sure GPT is selected (this is standard for most modern computers).
   • Click START.
   • Rufus will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be erased. Click OK to continue.
   • Wait until the process is complete. This can take several minutes.

Step 3: Install Ubuntu from the USB Drive

This is the big step! We will now restart the computer and run the installation program from your USB drive.

1. Restart the computer with the USB drive in:

   • You must ask the computer to start from the USB drive instead of from the hard drive. This is usually done by pressing a specific key just when the computer starts (e.g. F12, F10, F2, DEL or ESC). Which key it is varies between computer brands. Google "boot menu key [your computer brand]" if you are unsure.
   • When you get to the boot menu, select your USB drive in the list.

2. Start the Ubuntu installation:

   • The computer will now start up in a temporary Ubuntu environment from your USB drive. This does not affect your hard drive yet.
   • Select "Try or Install Ubuntu."
   • On the desktop you will see an icon called Install Ubuntu. Double-click on it.

3. Follow the installation wizard:

   • Language: Select "English" and click "Continue."
   • Keyboard layout: Select "English (US)" or your preferred layout. Click "Continue."
   • Updates and other software: Select Normal installation. Check the box "Download updates while installing Ubuntu" if you have a stable internet connection. Click "Continue."
   • Installation type: This is the most important step. Select the option Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager. The installation program has automatically found the empty space you created earlier. Click "Install now."
   • Confirm: The system will show you what changes will be made. Confirm to continue.

4. Complete the installation:

   • Where are you? Select your time zone (e.g. Stockholm).
   • Who are you? Enter your name, give the computer a name, choose a username, and a strong password. You will need this password to log in and install programs. Select "Require my password to log in."
   • The installation now starts. Lean back and wait until it is complete.

5. Restart the computer:

   • When the installation is finished you get a message. Click "Restart now."
   • You will be asked to remove the USB drive. Do so and press Enter.

Step 4: Welcome to Ubuntu!

When your computer restarts you will now be met by a new menu (called GRUB). Here you can choose:

• Ubuntu
• Windows Boot Manager

Select Ubuntu to start your new system. Log in with the username and password you chose. Congratulations, you have successfully installed Ubuntu!

Next Steps

Now you have a working Ubuntu system, but it may feel a bit unfamiliar. In the next lesson, Welcome to Your New Desktop: Find Your Way Right Away, we take a guided tour of Ubuntu's interface so you quickly feel at home.