How to install linux in 2025

In this article I will educate you on how to go about installing any Linux in 2025. Most steps are common for a very long time. One of the important factor that needs consideration is the manintenance of the upgrades. Like what would be the impact if a newew version is release. Do I have to re - install the newer version or can I upgrade. Upgrade seems an easier option but history has shown that it can come with a price attached to it. The easiest option is to select a distribution that doesn't have a versioned release but a rolling release like the Arch linux. May be installing the base/ server linux for a desktop is not required, instead a sub version or a desktop version of it can do. I usually go to distrowatch.com and select the best Arch distribution. As of this date it looks Endeavour OS is in the top six so that should be the one.

Why install Linux in 2025?

Some of the common reasons that one would like to install linux can be.

a. Linux is free.

b. Linux is virus free.

The ext filesystem does not allow the breeding of a virus generally. This can be a huge win to your wallet.

c. Linux can be made tracking free

d. Tons of free and open source can be installed trouble free.

e. Best for education and career

f. Steam game engine can be installed

1. Download the media or the iso

Usually the download is the x86_64 for the 64 bit machine. Follow the instructions to check the media integrity, ususlly the sha256sum or similar.

2. Burn it to an USB stick or CD

Depending on the OS you are, you can select the appropriate method to write the disk image to the USB stick. If one linux, one can use the below dd command.

sudo dd if=EndeavourOS_Mercury-2025.02.08.iso of=/dev/sda bs=4M status=progress

fdisk -l can give you the name of the inserted USB stick. Note to ignore the number after the drive name.

3. Boot your machine from the USB stick

4. Partitioning the hard disk

Select manual partition.

a. Create one partition of about 1GB for boot drive. Format will be selected automatically or

b. Create one for home directory select /home . Format is ext4 or similar.

Good to have a decent size for this as most User app settings will be stored here. Say a minimum of ten GB is advisable.

Why create a home partition? Say for some reason the OS is broken in the / partition. The app settings will still remain intact. Now if you install on the / partition again, the earlier apps if installed will behave the same way. One don't need to manually set the settings again.

c. Create one for swap space select /swap

d. Create one for root user/ OS select / . Format is ext4 or similar.

Size for this can be about ten GB minimum and depending on the number of applications that will be installed.

e. Additonal partitions can be added if needed.

5. Complete install and reboot.

6. Periodic maintenance/ updates.

Once in a while perform updates like

sudo pacman -Syu

To install an app, you can do

sudo pacman -S vim

Arch has a very nice forum/ wiki that most likely one can refer to, to get a lot of knowledge.

One common reason why Linux may not be used is its compatibility with word documents. Google docs can cover this or even Wine can help you run it.