Step‑by‑Step Guide: Install Ubuntu 24.04 LTS on Real Hardware
This comprehensive tutorial walks you through preparing the boot USB, configuring BIOS/UEFI, selecting installation options—including dual‑boot, full‑disk erase, or manual partitioning—setting language, network, and drivers, and completing post‑install updates and driver checks to ensure a smooth Ubuntu 24.04 LTS setup.
The goal is to install Ubuntu 24.04 LTS on a physical machine so that it boots, connects to the network, and has functional drivers.
Important reminder : partitioning carries risk; back up data first.
1. Enter BIOS/UEFI and select boot device
This is the most common stumbling point for beginners because the key to enter BIOS varies by brand.
Insert USB : plug the prepared Ubuntu boot USB into the computer.
Restart : during the brand logo press the boot‑menu shortcut (usually F12, F11, F10, Esc or Del).
Select boot option : choose the USB entry (e.g., "UEFI: SanDisk").
GRUB menu : you will see a black screen with white text; select Try or Install Ubuntu and press Enter.
If the same USB appears twice (UEFI and non‑UEFI), choose the UEFI entry.
2. Try Ubuntu and start installation
After the system loads, a temporary Ubuntu desktop appears.
Try Ubuntu : test Wi‑Fi, sound, and Bluetooth without installing; good for troubleshooting.
Install Ubuntu : click the "Install Ubuntu" icon to launch the installer.
It is recommended to use “Try Ubuntu” first to perform three checks (about five minutes total):
Connect to Wi‑Fi and verify internet access.
Plug and unplug mouse, keyboard, and Bluetooth headset to confirm peripheral functionality.
If you have a dedicated GPU (especially NVIDIA), check that the resolution is normal and there are no obvious screen artifacts.
3. Installation wizard details
A. Language and keyboard layout
Language : choose "Chinese (Simplified)" or "English" (can be changed later).
Keyboard : the default "English (US)" works for most users.
B. Connect to network
Connecting to Wi‑Fi allows the installer to automatically download updates and third‑party drivers (e.g., graphics, Wi‑Fi).
C. Updates and other software
Installation type :
Normal installation : includes browser, office suite, games, media player, etc.; recommended for beginners.
Minimal installation : only browser and basic tools; suited for advanced users.
Other options : check "Install third‑party software..." to automatically install graphics and Wi‑Fi drivers; strongly recommended to avoid later driver hassles.
If you prefer a cleaner system, you can choose Minimal installation and add software later, but for a first install Normal installation reduces variables.
D. Partitioning (critical step)
This determines how the disk will be allocated.
Option 1: Install Ubuntu alongside Windows
The installer detects Windows and offers this option.
It automatically resizes the Windows partition to free space for Ubuntu.
You can drag the slider to allocate at least 50 GB to Ubuntu.
This is the simplest and safest dual‑boot method.
Option 2: Erase disk and install Ubuntu
Warning: this deletes all data on the disk.
Suitable for single‑OS users or brand‑new disks.
Option 3: Something else
Manual partitioning for advanced users. A recommended scheme: EFI partition: 500 MB (reuse existing Windows EFI partition if present). / (root): remaining space, formatted as ext4.
(optional) /home: separate partition to keep data across reinstalls.
(optional) swap: size equal to RAM or twice RAM; modern Ubuntu uses a swap file, so a separate partition is usually unnecessary.
Common dual‑boot pitfalls:
BitLocker or device encryption still enabled in Windows : installation itself works, but later boot or partition adjustments may trigger a recovery‑key prompt; back up the key beforehand.
Windows Fast Startup not disabled : can cause Ubuntu to fail to mount the Windows partition or report "partition in use".
E. User setup
Your name : your personal name.
Computer's name : the network identifier.
Username : login name (must be lowercase letters only).
Password : remember it; Linux requires it for any system‑level operation.
4. Wait for installation and reboot
Click "Install Now"; copying files and configuring takes roughly 10–20 minutes. After completion, "Installation Complete" is shown.
Click "Restart Now".
The screen prompts "Please remove the installation medium, then press ENTER".
Remove the USB and press Enter.
After the first boot, perform the "three post‑install steps":
Open the Software Updater (or run APT) to apply the latest patches.
Open Software & Updates and check Additional Drivers, especially for NVIDIA or Wi‑Fi cards.
Reboot and verify that both Ubuntu and Windows appear in the boot menu (critical for dual‑boot setups).
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