Installation Guide
The Official Linux Mint Installation Guide is comprehensive and easy to follow.
Step 1 of 4: Create a Bootable USB
- Grab Rufus (Windows) or balenaEtcher (Mac) and flash your shiny new .iso from Linux Mint onto a USB stick. You are now the proud owner of a digital crowbar.
Step 2 of 4: Enter the BIOS and Boot From the USB
- Plug in the USB, reboot, and mash that BIOS key like your life depends on it. (usually F12, Esc, or Del)
- Put the USB at the top of the boot order.
Step 3 of 4: Install Mint
Click “Install Linux Mint,” pick your language, and then choose your destiny:
Nuke the whole drive (Personal favorite)
Install alongside Windows (dual-boot)
Step 4 of 4: Reboot and unplug your USB
That’s it. No accounts. No ads. No tracking. You just installed a full operating system while Windows users are still waiting for updates to finish.
PRO TIPS:
Use the “Install Third-Party Software” Checkbox
Otherwise, you’ll spend your afternoon hunting for Wi-Fi drivers like it’s 2004. We’ll leave that kind of fun to Windows users. Linux Mint is polite enough to just handle it for you.
Plug in an Ethernet Cable for the Installation
So ET (your Wi-Fi driver) can phone home, phone the kernel, phone the firmware gods — basically beg for the drivers it needs to exist. Unless you like starting your Linux journey with “No Networks Found” Plug that cable in and let the magic happen.