Arch Linux is an excellent option if you’re searching for an easy-to-use GNU/Linux distribution. Unfortunately, the installation process may be challenging for those without prior experience.
Thankfully, this guide walks you through the entire procedure. With it, you can easily install Arch Linux onto your computer or virtual machine.
Table of Contents
1. Download the Arch Linux ISO
Arch Linux is a continuous-release distribution, meaning it releases security updates and bug fixes as soon as they become available. Furthermore, its software repository remains up-to-date with the most recent versions of packages.
Arch is not as widely-used as Ubuntu and Linux Mint, but it still provides advanced users with a more customizable OS. Unfortunately, Arch is not equipped with many software packages out of the box and requires extensive configuration work by the end user to get up and run.
Installing Arch Linux may be more challenging than installing Ubuntu or Linux Mint, but with some effort and patience, you’ll be able to get it up and running in no time. In 2021, Arch Linux introduced a guided installation system that simplifies installation by providing preconfigured settings for quick success.
2. Create a Bootable USB
If you want to install Arch Linux on your computer or mobile device, a bootable USB is required. Creating one is straightforward; once complete, you can begin installing Arch Linux.
Create a bootable USB with various tools. Rufus is a free, open-source option that works with Arch Linux systems.
UNetbootin is an easy-to-use, cross-platform tool that makes creating bootable USBs from ISO files a breeze. It supports most major Linux distributions as well.
Before beginning, this method, ensure you have all your files backups. Additionally, ensure your computer has at least 500 MB of RAM installed.
3. Boot from the USB
If you want to boot your Arch Linux installation from a USB drive, there are two methods. Either use dd or another graphical application; alternatively, write an image onto the USB with usbimagerAUR or win32diskimager and read what happens.
Arch Linux is a frequent-release distribution that updates to stay up-to-date with new patches and features. It supports various hardware platforms and has the ‘pacman’ command-line package manager, less verbose than those employed in other Linux distributions such as Ubuntu.
Arch has a large community and many users, making it an attractive option for those seeking a fully functional Linux system with extensive configuration and the freedom to build custom packages. However, installing Arch if you lack experience with GNU/Linux distributions can be tricky; it requires time and patience to learn its components, configure them properly, and fine-tune them.
4. Install Arch
Arch is a highly technical distro, making it the ideal choice for advanced and power users. On the other hand, Arch also provides an accessible installation experience to novice Linux users so they can become acquainted with its intricacies.
Ubuntu, for instance, provides an intuitive GUI-based installation process that takes care of many tasks for you. On the contrary, Arch teaches users how to utilize Linux in its most basic form; this means using CLI commands for most installation-related tasks such as chrooting, display management, and network configuration.
Furthermore, Arch is a rolling release system, meaning you can always install microcode updates without fear of breaking your system. This is an excellent feature for users who like to experiment with new things as soon as they’re released.
