This is the single-page version. For a structured, chapter-by-chapter guide see the Start Guide (multiple pages).
Ubuntu is a free, open-source Linux-based operating system. It is developed by Canonical Ltd. and a global community, and is available for desktop, server, and cloud environments. It is one of the most widely used Linux distributions in the world.
Yes. Ubuntu is completely free to download, install, and use. You can also freely distribute copies. Canonical offers optional paid support services for enterprises.
Ubuntu releases a new version every six months — in April and October. Every two years (April), a Long-Term Support (LTS) release is issued, supported for five years on the desktop and ten years on servers via Ubuntu Pro.
An LTS (Long-Term Support) release receives security and maintenance updates for five years. It is recommended for most desktop users and all production servers, as it provides a stable, well-tested platform. Non-LTS releases are updated every 9 months and are better suited to users who want the latest software.
Ubuntu flavors are official variants of Ubuntu that ship with a different desktop environment. Examples include Kubuntu (KDE Plasma), Xubuntu (XFCE), Lubuntu (LXQt), Ubuntu MATE, Edubuntu (education-focused), and Ubuntu Studio (creative production). All flavors share the same base packages and repositories.
For the Ubuntu desktop: a 2 GHz dual-core processor, 4 GB RAM (2 GB minimum), 25 GB of disk space, and a 1024×768 display. For older hardware, Lubuntu or Xubuntu require significantly less resources.
Download the ISO image from ubuntu.com. Choose the LTS version unless you specifically need a newer release. After downloading, verify the file using the SHA256 checksum provided on the download page.
Use balenaEtcher (cross-platform), Startup Disk Creator (built into Ubuntu), or Rufus (Windows). Select the downloaded ISO file, choose your USB drive (4 GB minimum), and write the image. Note that all data on the USB drive will be erased.
Yes. During installation, choose Install Ubuntu alongside Windows. Ubuntu will resize your Windows partition and install itself in the freed space. A boot menu will appear each time you start your computer, letting you choose which OS to load.
Back up your data before attempting a dual-boot installation.
Try Ubuntu runs Ubuntu directly from the USB drive without making any changes to your computer. This is useful for testing hardware compatibility before committing to installation. Changes made in this mode are not saved after reboot. Install Ubuntu permanently installs Ubuntu to your hard drive.
Typically 10–20 minutes on a modern computer, depending on whether you choose to download updates during installation. Downloading updates during installation requires an active internet connection and will extend the install time.
Ubuntu uses GNOME Shell by default. You can install additional desktop environments from the repositories (e.g., sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop for KDE Plasma), or simply install a different Ubuntu flavor.
Press Ctrl + Alt + T. You can also search for "Terminal" in the Activities overview (press the Super key), or right-click the desktop and choose Open Terminal (if enabled).
Press PrtScr to open the screenshot tool. You can capture the full screen, a window, or a selected area. Screenshots are saved to ~/Pictures/Screenshots/ by default.
Right-click on the desktop and choose Change Background, or go to Settings → Background. You can select from the provided wallpapers or use your own image.
Open the application from the App Grid, then right-click its icon in the Dash and choose Add to Favourites. Alternatively, right-click the app's icon in the App Grid and select Add to Favourites.
Ubuntu provides several methods:
sudo apt install package-namesudo snap install package-name.deb file to install via the Software installer.Via Ubuntu Software: find the app, click it, then click Remove. Via terminal: sudo apt remove package-name. To also remove configuration files: sudo apt purge package-name.
APT (Advanced Package Tool) is Ubuntu's command-line package manager. It downloads and installs software from Ubuntu's official repositories. Common commands:
sudo apt update # Refresh package list
sudo apt upgrade # Upgrade installed packages
sudo apt install foo # Install package "foo"
sudo apt remove foo # Remove package "foo"
sudo apt search keyword # Search for packagesSnaps are sandboxed application packages developed by Canonical. They bundle all dependencies, making them easy to install and update across different Linux distributions. They update automatically in the background. Use snap install package-name to install one.
In many cases, yes — using Wine or Bottles, which provide a compatibility layer for running Windows executables. However, not all Windows applications are supported. For many common tasks (web browsing, office work, media playback), excellent native Linux alternatives exist.
Ubuntu installs open-source drivers automatically for most hardware. For proprietary drivers (NVIDIA graphics, certain Wi-Fi adapters), go to Settings → Additional Drivers and install the recommended driver.
Check Settings → Additional Drivers for a Wi-Fi driver. If none is listed, try connecting via ethernet and then running sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall. You can also search for your Wi-Fi adapter model on the Ubuntu wiki for specific instructions.
Open Settings → Additional Drivers, select the recommended NVIDIA driver, and click Apply Changes. Alternatively, from the terminal:
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstallReboot after installation.
Yes. Most modern printers are detected automatically via CUPS. Go to Settings → Printers and click the + button to add your printer. If your printer is not detected, check the manufacturer's website or the Ubuntu wiki for driver instructions.
Click the network icon in the top-right corner of the screen (in the system tray). A list of available Wi-Fi networks will appear. Click your network name and enter the password when prompted.
Go to Settings → Network → VPN and click the + button. Ubuntu supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and other protocols. You can import a .ovpn configuration file from your VPN provider.
Install Samba for Windows-compatible network shares: sudo apt install samba. Right-click any folder in the Files app and choose Local Network Share. You can also use SFTP over SSH for secure transfers: sudo apt install openssh-server.
Ubuntu is generally resistant to viruses by design — the Linux permission model prevents most malware from executing with elevated privileges. However, it is good practice to use ClamAV if you share files with Windows users, to avoid inadvertently passing on Windows malware.
sudo (superuser do) allows you to run commands with administrator (root) privileges. Use it only when a command requires system-level access, such as installing packages or editing system configuration files. Avoid running everyday applications with sudo.
Go to Settings → Users and click Add User. Alternatively, from the terminal:
sudo adduser usernameTo grant administrator privileges: sudo usermod -aG sudo username
Ubuntu includes UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall). Enable it with:
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw statusBy default, UFW blocks all incoming connections and allows all outgoing. Install GUFW for a graphical interface: sudo apt install gufw.
Try booting from the GRUB menu in recovery mode (hold Shift during boot to show GRUB). From the recovery menu, choose dpkg to repair broken packages, or root to access a root shell. For NVIDIA-related black screens, boot in recovery mode and install the proprietary driver.
Try pressing Ctrl + Alt + F3 to switch to a virtual terminal, log in, and run sudo reboot. Alternatively, use the SysRq key combination: hold Alt + PrtScr and press R E I S U B in sequence (slowly) to safely reboot.
Remove unused packages and clean the APT cache:
sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt cleanInstall BleachBit for a graphical cleanup tool: sudo apt install bleachbit. Use ncdu to identify large directories: sudo apt install ncdu && ncdu /.
The following resources are available: