A beginner’s guide to installing elementary OS from USB
Installing elementary OS from a USB drive is a practical way to give an older computer a fresh start or try a Linux desktop without changing your current system immediately. The process involves downloading the operating system image, writing it to a USB stick, starting the computer from that drive, and following the installer.
elementary OS is designed to feel familiar to people moving from Windows or macOS, while still offering the flexibility of Linux. Before beginning, set aside some time for backups and downloads. On an Australian NBN connection, the ISO should be manageable, but a slower regional service or a busy household network can make the download take a while.
Check the computer and protect your files
Start by checking that the computer is suitable. A reasonably modern 64-bit Intel or AMD machine is the safest choice. You will need at least 4 GB of memory for a comfortable basic setup, although 8 GB is preferable, along with around 32 GB of available storage. More space is useful if you plan to install applications, store photos, or download large files.
The installer can erase an entire internal drive, so copy important documents before doing anything else. Save schoolwork, tax records, photographs, browser bookmarks, and password exports to an external drive or a trusted cloud service. If the computer contains family photos from a phone or camera, open a few copied files to confirm that the backup actually works.
You will need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of capacity. Everything on it will usually be deleted while creating the bootable installer. A spare USB stick from an office drawer is fine, but avoid using the only drive containing work documents. It is also worth writing down your current Wi-Fi password and checking whether the computer uses a special graphics card, unusual storage controller, or corporate security software.
If you are replacing Windows on a laptop, connect the charger. Installation can take time, and losing power halfway through can leave the system in an unusable state. For a desktop in a share house or home office, avoid starting during a time when another person needs the computer or the internet connection.
Download the image and create a bootable USB
Download the elementary OS ISO from the official elementary website. Choose the current stable release rather than an experimental or development build. The ISO is a complete installation image, not an application that can be opened like a normal program.
The site may ask for a payment, but elementary OS can generally be downloaded by entering a custom amount of zero. If you are able to contribute, payment helps support development. After downloading, check the file size and, where possible, its published checksum. A checksum is a fingerprint that helps confirm the file was not damaged during download.
On Windows, tools such as Rufus or balenaEtcher can write the ISO to the USB drive. On macOS, balenaEtcher is also a straightforward option. Linux users can use a graphical image writer or the Disks utility. Select the ISO, select the correct USB device, and start the write process. Double-check the destination: choosing the wrong disk can erase an external hard drive.
When the program reports that the process has finished, safely eject the USB. Do not simply pull it out while the computer is still writing. If the software offers a verification stage, allow it to run. A failed verification usually means that the USB should be recreated, rather than used for installation.
For Australians downloading during the evening, speeds can vary when many people in the house are streaming video or gaming. Let the ISO download during a quieter period if your connection is modest. Do not rely on a mobile hotspot unless you have plenty of data, because operating system images are large and failed downloads may need to be repeated.
Start the computer from the USB drive
Insert the bootable USB into the computer while it is switched off. Turn it on and repeatedly press the boot-menu key as soon as the manufacturer’s logo appears. Common keys include F12, F9, F8, Esc, and sometimes F2, although the correct key depends on the model. A message on screen may briefly identify it.
Choose the entry that refers to the USB drive. There may be two entries, one labelled UEFI and another without that label. Select the UEFI option on a modern computer. If the USB does not appear, enter the firmware settings and check that USB booting is enabled. You may also need to move USB storage above the internal drive in the boot order.
The elementary OS live environment should load without installing anything. This gives you a chance to test the keyboard, trackpad, display, speakers, camera, and Wi-Fi. You can open applications and browse the desktop, but changes made in the live session generally disappear when the computer restarts.
| Situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| You want to test elementary OS first | Choose the live session and check the hardware |
| The computer has no important files | Use the erase-and-install option |
| Windows must remain available | Choose the alongside option if offered |
| You want a custom partition layout | Select manual partitioning only with a backup |
| Wi-Fi is missing in the live session | Connect Ethernet or continue and install updates later |
If the screen remains black, wait a minute before assuming it has failed. Some graphics hardware takes longer to initialise. If needed, restart and try a compatibility or safe graphics option when the boot menu provides one. A discrete NVIDIA card, an older AMD adapter, or a very recent laptop may require extra troubleshooting after installation.
Choose how the system will be installed
When the installer opens, select your language, keyboard layout, and region. Australian users should normally choose English (Australia) and the Australian keyboard layout. This helps configure spelling, date formats, currency, and common symbols correctly. Test the layout in the provided text box, especially if you use an external keyboard bought overseas.
Connect to Wi-Fi if possible. Internet access lets the installer download updates and may fetch support for hardware. If you are installing at a caravan park, on a university network, or through a captive portal that requires a web login, the connection may not work fully until the first desktop session. You can skip the network step and update later.
The most important choice concerns the storage drive. An option such as “Erase disk and install elementary OS” removes existing partitions and operating systems. Use it only when you have backed up your files and are happy for elementary OS to become the sole system.
An “Install alongside” option may resize an existing Windows installation and create room for elementary OS. Read the proposed sizes carefully and keep enough space for Windows updates and personal files. Dual booting can be useful if you need a Windows-only application, but it adds complexity. Windows Fast Startup should be disabled before resizing where possible, and BitLocker or other drive encryption may affect the process.
Manual partitioning is intended for experienced users. It may be appropriate for a second drive, encrypted storage, or a carefully planned multi-boot arrangement, but a small mistake can make data inaccessible. For a first installation, automatic partitioning is usually the sensible option.
Create your user account when prompted. Use your real name if you like, but choose a short username without spaces. Set a strong password that you can type reliably. If the installer offers disk encryption, consider enabling it on a laptop. Encryption protects stored data if the machine is lost, but the password or recovery key must be kept safe.
Finish the setup and make the first restart
Allow the installer to copy files and configure the bootloader. This may take between several minutes and half an hour depending on the computer and USB speed. The progress display can appear to pause while it configures packages, so avoid powering off unless it has clearly frozen for a long period.
When installation completes, select the option to restart. Remove the USB drive when the system tells you to do so, or immediately after the screen goes dark. If it remains inserted, the computer may start the live installer again instead of booting from the internal drive.
At the login screen, enter the account password you created. The initial desktop may take a little longer to settle while background services initialise. Open System Settings and confirm the display resolution, sound output, touchpad behaviour, and time zone. Australian locations can use settings such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, or Hobart, depending on where you live.
Open the AppCenter and check for system updates. Installing updates soon after the operating system is set up can fix hardware support issues and security problems. Restart when requested. If Wi-Fi does not work, connect an Ethernet cable, use a USB network adapter, or temporarily tether from a phone while the required driver packages are installed.
Set up everyday applications and backups
elementary OS includes core applications for browsing, email, calendars, files, music, and basic settings. The AppCenter is the safest starting point for additional software because it presents applications in a form suited to the desktop. Install only what you need at first; a lean system is easier to understand and troubleshoot.
Check the Files application and create a sensible folder structure for documents, study materials, receipts, and photos. If you use services such as Google Drive, Microsoft 365, Dropbox, or an Australian cloud provider, use their web applications or supported desktop clients rather than downloading random scripts from forums.
Take a few minutes to configure privacy and updates. Review location access, microphone permissions, automatic update behaviour, and screen-lock settings. On a laptop used at a café in Melbourne or a library in Perth, set the screen to lock automatically and use a strong login password. Avoid joining unfamiliar open Wi-Fi networks for banking or other sensitive activity.
A fresh installation is an ideal time to establish a recovery routine. Keep one copy of important files on an external drive and another in a separate location or cloud service. For system snapshots, read the Timeshift guide before configuring a schedule, since snapshots protect system files but are not a substitute for personal-file backups.
If the computer is shared with children or housemates, create separate user accounts instead of sharing one password. This keeps documents and browser settings separate and makes it easier to limit accidental changes. If you are setting up a refurbished laptop bought through an Australian marketplace, test the battery, webcam, suspend behaviour, and USB ports during the first few days so any hardware fault can be identified promptly.
Solve common problems with a calm checklist
A computer that boots straight into its old operating system usually has not started from the USB. Shut it down, try the boot-menu key again, and select the USB’s UEFI entry. If no USB appears, recreate the installer, try another port, or use a different USB drive. Some older machines boot more reliably from a USB 2.0 port.
If the installer cannot find the internal drive, check firmware storage settings. A controller configured for Intel RST or RAID may need to be changed to AHCI, but this can affect an existing Windows installation. Do not change storage modes casually on a dual-boot computer. Search the model’s documentation first and ensure the existing system has been prepared.
Graphics problems can look like a frozen installation when the system is actually running. Try a compatibility graphics option, disconnect extra monitors, and use the built-in display. After the first boot, install available updates before investigating advanced proprietary drivers. Keep notes about every change so you can reverse a setting that makes the problem worse.
If the keyboard layout produces unexpected symbols, revisit the regional settings and choose the physical layout printed on the keys. If the clock is wrong after dual booting, both operating systems may be interpreting hardware time differently. Correcting the time-zone settings and applying current updates usually resolves the issue.
The essential sequence is simple: back up your data, create the USB carefully, boot from the correct device, choose the storage option deliberately, and update the new desktop after the first login. Once those decisions are made with care, installing elementary OS from USB becomes a manageable weekend job rather than a risky experiment. The key thing to remember is that a verified backup and a deliberate disk choice matter more than speed.
