Download Your Distro

Go to the download page of your chosen distro (we'll use Linux Mint as the example). Download the Cinnamon edition (the default). You'll get an ISO file — a disc image containing the entire operating system. It's about 2.5 GB.

Create a Bootable USB

You need a USB drive (at least 4 GB) and a tool to write the ISO to it. Pick one:

• balenaEtcher — The simplest option. Select ISO, select USB, click Flash.
• Rufus — Windows only, more options and faster.
• Ventoy — Lets you put multiple ISOs on one USB — great for trying several distros.

Your USB drive will be wiped, so make sure there's nothing important on it. Flashing takes about 5 minutes.

Boot from USB

Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive. Press a key during startup to access the boot menu — usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del depending on your motherboard. Select the USB drive.

Mint will boot into a "live" environment — a fully working version of the OS running from the USB. Nothing is installed yet. Test your WiFi, check the display, and take your time.

Decide: Dual-Boot or Full Install

Dual-boot means keeping Windows alongside Linux. Every restart, you choose which OS to boot. The Mint installer detects Windows and offers to shrink the Windows partition.

Full install means wiping Windows entirely. More disk space, cleaner setup, no temptation to fall back. If you've backed up everything and you're ready to commit, go for it.

Can Windows see your Linux files if dual-booted? No — Windows cannot natively read Linux's ext4 filesystem. Your Linux data is invisible to Windows by default. However, Linux can read Windows NTFS partitions. For maximum security, enable full-disk encryption (LUKS) during the Linux installation — the installer will offer this option. This ensures even if someone boots a live USB or removes your drive, they can't read your Linux data without the password.

Double-click "Install Linux Mint" on the desktop and follow the graphical installer. Pick your language, timezone, keyboard, username, and where to install. The whole process takes 15-20 minutes.

Learn Basic Terminal Commands

You can use Linux Mint without ever touching the terminal — it has a graphical app for almost everything. But learning a few commands will make your life much easier and is essential for following most Linux tutorials online.

• sudo apt update — Refresh the list of available software updates
• sudo apt upgrade — Install all available updates
• sudo apt install [package] — Install a program (e.g., sudo apt install vlc)
• ls — List files in the current directory
• cd [folder] — Change directory
• cp [source] [destination] — Copy a file
• mv [source] [destination] — Move or rename a file
• rm [file] — Delete a file (careful — no recycle bin)
• man [command] — Read the manual for any command

The package manager (apt on Mint/Ubuntu) is one of the best things about Linux. Instead of downloading installers from random websites, you type sudo apt install firefox and it's done. On Arch, the package manager is pacman (sudo pacman -S firefox).

Want a more comprehensive commands reference? Check out this Linux commands cheat sheet or DigitalOcean's tutorial (note: DigitalOcean uses trackers and cookies — make sure you already have your browser extensions from Guide 1 installed first).

Install Your Essential Software

Mint comes with a lot pre-installed (Firefox, LibreOffice, text editor, media player), but here are some things you might want to add:

• Flatpak — Already installed on Mint. Lets you install apps in sandboxed containers from Flathub.
• VLC — Best media player, handles everything: sudo apt install vlc
• Timeshift — Already on Mint. Create system snapshots so you can roll back if something breaks.
• OBS Studio — Screen recording and streaming: flatpak install flathub com.obsproject.Studio
• Steam — Yes, gaming on Linux works. Valve's Proton compatibility layer runs most Windows games.