Getting started with Ubuntu

Tidying

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If you are new to Ubuntu, there are multiple ways for you to get started.

This page provides a broad overview of different methods, with links to wiki pages or official documentation, where relevant

Installation Methods

Full Installation

Install Ubuntu as the primary operating system on your computer.

Best for: Users committing to Ubuntu as their main OS. This is often the best way to maximize the performance and functionality of Ubuntu.

Basic steps:

Download an Ubuntu ISO image
Create a bootable USB drive
Boot your machine from the USB and follow the installer

Installation guide in the official Ubuntu Desktop documentation

Live USB (Try Without Installing)

Run and test Ubuntu directly from a USB without making any changes to your computer.

Best for: Trying Ubuntu without committing to an installation.

Basic steps:

Download Ubuntu ISO image
Create bootable USB
Boot from the USB
Select "Try" or "Live" option in the installer

Official documentation on trying Ubuntu Desktop

Dual Boot

Install Ubuntu alongside an existing operating system, such as Windows or macOS.

Best for: Users wanting to keep their current OS while exploring Ubuntu on the same machine.

Basic steps:

Shrink existing partition to make space for Ubuntu
Create a bootable USB and boot from it
Install Linux to the free space that you made earlier
Configure bootloader to choose OS at startup

Wiki page on dual booting

Virtual Machine

Run Ubuntu inside your current OS using virtualization software like Virtual Box.

Best for: Testing, learning, and development in an Ubuntu system that can be isolated from your OS and deleted easily.

Basic steps:

Install virtualization software (e.g., VirtualBox, VMware)
Download an Ubuntu ISO
Create new virtual machine
Boot VM from ISO and install Ubuntu

Wiki page on running Ubuntu in a VM

WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)

Run an Ubuntu environment directly on Windows without a VM or dual boot.

Best for: Windows users needing Linux CLI tools, people who don't want the complexity of dual-booting or VMs, developers wanting to use Ubuntu in a Windows-based organisation.

Basic steps:

Enable WSL in Windows features
Install Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store or the command line
Launch Ubuntu on WSL and create a user.

Getting started tutorial in the official Ubuntu on WSL documentation

Server Installation

Install Linux on a server (physical or cloud-based) without a graphical interface.

Best for: Hosting services (e.g., home assistant), learning server administration.

Basic steps:

Obtain server hardware or a cloud instance
Download Ubuntu server ISO
Install Ubuntu
Configure networking and SSH
Install required services

Installation guide in the official Ubuntu server documentation

Choosing Your Method

Method	Commitment Level	Performance	Ease of Removal	Best For
Live USB	None	Medium	Instant	Trying out
Virtual Machine	Low	Medium	Easy	Learning, testing
WSL	Low	Good	Easy	Windows + Linux tools
Dual Boot	Medium	Full	Moderate	Using both OSes
Full Install	High	Full	Requires reinstall	Primary Linux use
Server	High	Full	Varies	Services, no GUI needed
Phone	High	Full	Difficult	Mobile Linux