Installing Linux Mint on a PC

You’ve picked your Linux Mint desktop version and you’ve played around in the Live Environment. Now it’s time to get Mint onto your PC as a permanent replacement for Windows. Thankfully the process is extremely easy.

GOING MINT

We’re assuming at this point that you’re still in the Live Environment and that you’ve set up and activated your Wi-Fi connection, or plugged your computer into your router via a wired connection.

Step 1

Providing you’re connected to the Internet (if not then do so now) and you’re in the Live Environment, start the installation process by double-clicking on the Install Linux Mint icon on the desktop.

Step 2

Launching the Install Linux Mint app will open up the Welcome screen. Make sure your language is selected from the list on the left and if you want to click the Release Notes link to read what the latest changes and additions are to Linux Mint 18.1 Cinnamon. When you’re ready, click the Continue button.

Step 3

After clicking Continue you’re asked if you want to Install Third-Party Software. Providing you’re connected to the Internet, as from Step 1, then tick the box. This will make sure that hardware drivers, Adobe Flash and codecs for MP3 and video files are installed with the main Mint system. Click Continue for the next stage.

Step 4

This next stage asks you how you want to manage the installation of Linux Mint onto your PC. In our example, we’re going to Erase Disk and Install Linux Mint, which will wipe the current OS and ALL DATA replacing it with Mint; make sure you have a good backup, just in case. Click Install Now to continue.

Step 5

Before the installation process can begin, you’re asked if the choice you made regarding the erasure of the hard drive is correct. This is your last chance to back out. If you’re certain you don’t mind wiping everything and starting again with Linux Mint, click Continue.

Step 6

This next stage determines your location. You can enter the nearest major city, or even try your local town and see if it’s in the list of available choices. When you’re ready, click Continue.

Step 7

Next up, use the options to pick which keyboard you’re using. In most cases it will be the option with the Extended WinKeys. Use the Type Here… box to test your keyboard setup is correct. Click Continue when you’re ready to move on.

Step 8

In this stage you need to set up your Mint username and password. Enter your Name to begin with, then Computer Name, which is the name it’s identified on the network as. Next choose a Username, followed by a good Password. You can tick the Login Automatically option but leave the Encrypt Home Folder option for now.

Step 9

The installation process will now begin and you can see what’s being installed along the bottom of the install window. You can also use the arrows on the screen to browse through some of the features available in Linux Mint.

Step 10

When the installation is complete you are presented with a completion box, asking you if you want to continue with the Live Environment or restart the PC with Linux Mint as the main operating system. Click on the Restart Now button, followed by Enter and remove the Installation Media when asked. Congratulations, Linux Mint is now installed.

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