This wikiHow teaches you how to replace your computer's operating system with Linux Mint. You can do this on both Windows and Mac computers.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing for Installation
Step 1. Back up data from the computer
Since you'll be switching your computer's operating system to Linux, it's a good idea to back up your computer's files and preferences, even if you don't intend to store them on Linux. With this step, if problems occur during the installation process, you can restore your computer.
Step 2. Check the computer bit number
Skip this step if you are using a Mac computer. By knowing whether your computer is running a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system, you can determine which version of Linux Mint you need to download.
Step 3. Check the Mac processor type
Linux can only be installed on Mac computers running Intel processors. To check it, click Apple menu
click " About This Mac ”, and look for the title "Processor". You can see the text " Intel " in the processor information. Otherwise, you will not be able to install Linux on a Mac computer.
Skip this step for Windows computer users
Step 4. Download the Linux Mint ISO file
Visit https://linuxmint.com/download.php, click “ 32-bit " or " 64-bit ” (depending on the computer bit number) to the right of the " Cinnamon " heading, and click the regional link under the " Mirror " heading.
On a Mac computer, select the option “ 64-bit ”.
Step 5. Download a USB burning program (USB burning)
The downloaded program will depend on the computer's operating system:
- Windows – Visit the link https://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/, scroll down, and click “ Download UUI ”.
- Mac – Visit the link https://etcher.io/ and click “ Etcher for macOS ” at the top of the page.
Step 6. Attach the USB flash drive to the computer
Connect the flash drive to one of the computer's USB ports, which are usually located on the side or back of the computer.
On Mac computers, you will need a USB-C flash drive (or “USB 3 to USB-C” adapter)
Step 7. Reformat the USB flash drive
This process will erase all data on the flash drive and make it compatible with the computer system. Make sure you select the correct file system:
- Windows – Select “ NTFS " or " FAT32 ” as the file system.
- Mac – Select “ Mac OS Extended (Journaled) ” as the file system.
Step 8. Keep the USB flash drive plugged in
Once the flash drive is formatted and the Linux ISO file has downloaded, you can move on to the Linux Mint installation process.
Part 2 of 4: Installing Linux Desktop on Windows Computer
Step 1. Paste the USB burning program
Double click the icon " Universal USB Installer ” shaped like a flash disk, click “ Yes ” when prompted, and select “ I Agree " After that, the main window of the program will be displayed.
Step 2. Make a bootable USB
Click the “Step 1” drop-down menu and select “ Linux Mint ”, then follow these steps:
- Click " Browse ”
- Click the Linux Mint ISO file.
- Click " Open ”.
- Click the "Step 3" drop-down box.
- Click the USB flash drive letter/label.
- Click " Create ” in the lower right corner of the window.
- Click " Yes ' when prompted.
Step 3. Close the UUI
Click the button Close ” after display. Now you can install Linux Mint from the flash drive.
Step 4. Restart the computer
Click the menu Start ”
click Power ”
and select Restart ” from the menu. The computer will restart.
Step 5. Immediately press the BIOS access button
This button is usually one of the “ F ” (e.g. F2), Esc, or Del. You need to press this button before the Windows 10 initial loading screen is displayed.
- Information on the key to press may be briefly displayed at the bottom of the screen.
- You can check your computer's user manual or online documentation for which buttons to press.
- If you see the initial loading screen, you will need to restart your computer and try again.
Step 6. Locate the "Boot Order" section
On most computers, you will need to use the arrow keys to select the "Advanced" or "Boot" tab.
Some BIOS models display loading order options on the start page you access
Step 7. Select the USB flash disk
This disc is labeled as " USB Drive ", " USB Disk ", or " Removable Storage " (or similar label). Again, use the arrow keys to select the correct option.
Step 8. Move the disc to the top row of the list
Once the "USB Drive" (or similar) option is selected, press the + button until it's at the top of the boot list.
If the button doesn't work, check the button legend on the right (or bottom) side of the screen to see which button you need to press to move the options
Step 9. Save settings and exit BIOS
On most BIOS pages, you need to press a certain key to save the settings and exit. Check the information in the button legend displayed on the screen to determine which button to press. After saving the settings and logging out, you will arrive at the Linux loading page.
On some computers, you will need to press another key to confirm the change when prompted
Step 10. Select the “Linux Mint” option
For Linux Mint 18.3, for example, you need to select “ Boot linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit ” on this page.
- Option labels/names may vary slightly depending on Linux Mint version and computer bit number.
- Don't select Mint version " acpi=off ".
Step 11. Press Enter key
After that, Linux will install a desktop manager program (desktop client).
Step 12. Wait for the Linux desktop to appear
This process does not take more than a few minutes. When you're done, you can install the Linux operating system on your hard disk.
Part 3 of 4: Installing Linux Desktop on Mac Computer
Step 1. Install Etcher
Double click the DMG file “ etcher ”, verify the download if prompted, then click and drag the “etcher” icon to the “Applications” folder.
Step 2. Open Etcher
You can find this application icon in the “Applications” folder.
Step 3. Click ️
It's in the upper-right corner of the Etcher window.
Step 4. Check the box " Unsafe mode"
This box is at the bottom of the page.
Step 5. Click Enable unsafe mode when prompted
After that, “Unsafe Mode” will be enabled so that you can write the ISO file to any disc.
Step 6. Click Back
It's in the top-right corner of the page.
Step 7. Click Select image
It's a blue button on the left side of the Etcher window.
Step 8. Click the Linux Mint ISO file
Once clicked, the file will be selected.
Step 9. Click Open
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 10. Click Select drive
It's a blue button in the middle of the page.
Step 11. Select the flash disk
Click the name of the flash disk, then select Continue ” at the bottom of the window.
Step 12. Click Flash
It's a blue button at the far right of the Etcher window. Once clicked, a loadable version of Linux will be created on the USB disk so that you can install Linux Mint from that disk.
Step 13. Restart the Mac computer
Click Apple menu
click " Restart…, and click " Restart ' when prompted.
Step 14. Immediately hold down the Option key
Hold down this button until you get to the boot options page.
Make sure you hold down this button immediately after clicking the “ Restart "The second time.
Step 15. Click EFI Boot
Sometimes, you need to click on the name of the flash drive or the Linux Mint option. After that, the Linux Mint installation page will be displayed.
Step 16. Select the “Linux Mint” option
For Linux Mint 18.3, for example, you need to select “ Boot linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit ” on this page.
- The labels will be slightly different depending on the Linux Mint version you want and the computer bit number.
- Do not select Mint with version " acpi=off ".
Step 17. Press Enter key
After that, Linux will install a desktop manager program.
Step 18. Wait for the Linux desktop to load
This process does not take more than a few minutes. When you're done, you can install the Linux operating system on your hard disk.
Part 4 of 4: Installing Linux
Step 1. Double click Install Linux Mint
This disc icon is displayed on the desktop. After that, a new window will open.
Step 2. Select the initial setup language
Click the language you want to use, then click the Continue ” in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 3. Set up the WiFi network
Click the WiFi network, enter the network password in the "Password" field, click " Connect, and select " Continue ”.
Step 4. Check the box "Install third-party software"
This box is at the top of the page.
Step 5. Click Continue
Step 6. Click Yes when prompted
This option indicates that you want to delete the previous partition and combine free space on the computer's hard disk.
Step 7. Decide if you want to replace the computer's operating system with Linux
Check the box "Erase disk and install Linux Mint", click " Continue ", click " Install Now, and select " Continue ' when prompted.
Step 8. Select a time zone
Click the vertical time zone bar that corresponds to your geographic location, then click the “ Continue ” in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 9. Select the operating system language
Click a language on the left side of the window, select a keyboard layout on the right side of the window, and click “ Continue ”.
Step 10. Enter details/personal information
This information includes your name, computer name, username you want to use, and password. After that, click the button " Continue " Linux will be installed to the computer.
Step 11. Remove the USB flash drive from the computer
While Mac computers probably won't try to reinstall Linux during the initial load process, it's a good idea to limit the number of loading options during the initial install phase.
Step 12. Click Restart Now when prompted
After that, the computer will restart and the installation will be saved to the hard disk. Now you can use Linux on your computer, just like any other operating system.
