How to Install Ubuntu Linux on a PC

This guide is for anyone who wants to install Ubuntu Linux on a PC, whether you just want to experiment with Linux commands inside Windows or you’re ready to dual-boot or fully replace Windows with Ubuntu. By the end, you’ll have a working Ubuntu environment set up using whichever method suits your needs and comfort level.

Before you start

• Decide which method you want: Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for a quick, low-risk setup inside Windows, or a bare-metal install for a full dual-boot or standalone Ubuntu system.
• For WSL, you need Windows 10 version 2004 and higher (Build 19041 and higher) or Windows 11.
• For a bare-metal install, you need a USB drive with at least 16GB of space and software to create a bootable drive, such as balenaEtcher, Rufus, or UNetbootin.
• Back up your important files before attempting a bare-metal install. If you choose to erase the disk instead of creating a partition, any existing data on that drive will be lost.
• Check whether your organization requires device encryption, since it’s easiest to enable this during installation rather than afterward.

Method 1: Install Ubuntu with WSL (simplest)

WSL lets you run Ubuntu directly inside Windows, without a separate reboot or dual-boot setup. This is the fastest way to get a working Linux environment for development and command-line tasks.

1. Open PowerShell in administrator mode by right-clicking and selecting “Run as administrator.”
2. Enter the wsl –install command.
3. Restart your machine.
4. Once installation finishes, open the distribution (Ubuntu by default) from the Start menu.
5. You’ll be asked to create a User Name and Password for your Linux distribution — set these up to finish the install.

If WSL doesn’t install correctly, search for “Turn Windows features on or off” in the Windows search bar and make sure Windows Subsystem for Linux is turned on, then restart your machine. The current version available through WSL is Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS. When new LTS releases arrive, you can upgrade once the first point release is available by running sudo do-release-upgrade from the command line.

Method 2: Install Ubuntu as a bare-metal install (dual boot or full replace)

This approach installs Ubuntu directly on your hardware, either alongside Windows 11 as a dual-boot setup or as the only operating system on the PC.

Step 1: Prepare the installation media

1. Download the image file (ISO) for the most recent version of Ubuntu Desktop from the official Ubuntu download page.
2. Use software such as balenaEtcher, Rufus, or UNetbootin to create a bootable USB drive from that ISO file, using a USB drive with at least 16GB of space.
3. Some Linux distributions may require you to verify the image signature before downloading, so check whether this applies to the file you’ve downloaded.

Step 2: Prepare disk space (for dual boot)

1. If you’re planning to dual-boot alongside Windows, open Disk Management by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting it.
2. Shrink your Windows partition to create unallocated space for Ubuntu.

Step 3: Boot from the USB drive and install

1. Restart your PC and enter the boot menu, usually by pressing a key such as F12, F10 or Esc during startup (it depends on your PC maker).
2. Select the USB drive containing your Ubuntu ISO to boot from it.
3. Follow the installer’s steps, choosing whether to include certain features or third-party software packages.
4. When prompted, choose whether to erase the disk (if Ubuntu will be the only operating system) or use a partition (if you’re keeping Windows alongside it).
5. Decide whether to enable encryption — this is recommended, especially if your organization requires encrypted devices.
6. Create a user name and password when prompted.
7. Remove the USB drive when asked to during the reboot.

If it still doesn’t work

A few things commonly block a bare-metal Ubuntu install:

• Secure Boot can prevent some Linux distributions from installing. Disabling Secure Boot in your PC’s firmware settings may be necessary, though this isn’t generally recommended unless required.
• Fast Startup in Windows can interfere with installing another operating system. To turn it off, go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable, then uncheck “Turn on fast startup.”
• If there’s no room for Ubuntu, double-check that you’ve created enough unallocated space in Disk Management before starting the installer again.

FAQ

Can I try Ubuntu without installing it permanently?

WSL is the lowest-risk option since it runs inside Windows without touching your existing partitions or requiring a reboot into a separate operating system.

Will installing Ubuntu alongside Windows delete my files?

It can, if you choose to erase the disk instead of creating a separate partition during installation. Choosing the partition option and backing up your files beforehand reduces this risk.

Do I need to disable Secure Boot to install Ubuntu?

Not always — it depends on the distribution and your PC’s firmware. Some Linux distributions can’t install unless Secure Boot is disabled, though this isn’t generally recommended.

How do I update Ubuntu after installing it through WSL?

Once a new LTS version’s first point release is available, you can upgrade from the command line using sudo do-release-upgrade.

The bottom line

If you just want to explore Ubuntu’s command-line tools without disrupting your current Windows setup, WSL is the quickest and safest route. If you want a full Ubuntu desktop experience, either alongside Windows or on its own, a bare-metal install from a bootable USB drive is the way to go — just make sure you’ve backed up your files and correctly prepared your disk space first.

Sources: Microsoft Learn, Microsoft Support