Preparation Before Installation

Thorough preparation before installing Linux ensures a smoother installation process and minimizes the risk of issues, such as data loss or incorrect configurations. This chapter guides you through understanding installation environment options, using either a virtual machine or installing directly on physical hardware, downloading the correct ISO file, and preparing the installation media. The steps in this chapter apply to both methods.

5.1 Understanding Virtual Machines (VMs) and Their Benefits for Learning

A Virtual Machine (VM) is a virtual computing environment running inside an existing operating system. Using a VM allows you to run Linux on top of Windows or macOS without permanently modifying your computer configuration. The operating system running inside the VM is referred to as the guest, while the primary operating system running the VM is called the host.

VMs offer several significant advantages for learning purposes:

• Safe for experimentation: You can simply delete and recreate the VM without affecting the main system if configuration errors or system failures occur.
• Snapshots: Most VM software supports the snapshot feature, which is the ability to save the system state at a specific point in time. You can revert to a previous state whenever something does not go as expected.
• Easy to start: Creating a new VM does not require disk repartitioning or creating a bootable USB drive. You only need to mount an ISO file and start the installation.
• Runs alongside the main system: You can view tutorials in a Windows or macOS browser while simultaneously operating Linux inside a VM window.

The VM software used in this series is Oracle VirtualBox because it is the best choice for beginners. This application is free and open source, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

5.2 Installing VirtualBox

Oracle VirtualBox is a virtualization software developed by Oracle and released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 3. VirtualBox supports various host operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can run various guest operating systems, including all major Linux distributions.

You can download the latest version of VirtualBox from its official page at virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.

5.2.1 Downloading and Installing on Windows

VirtualBox supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 with x86_64 (64-bit) processors. Official support for Windows 11 with Arm processors (as a host) has also been available since VirtualBox version 7.2.

Note: Microsoft mainstream support for Windows 10 ended in October 2025. VirtualBox can still be installed on Windows 10, but using Windows 11 as a host is recommended when possible so that the system continues to receive regular security updates.

Installation steps on Windows:

1. Open the page virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.
2. Click Windows hosts to download the installer file with the .exe extension.
3. Double-click the installer file after the download completes.
4. Follow the setup wizard instructions. Leave all components selected by default to ensure support for USB, networking, and Python.
5. Click Install if Windows prompts for confirmation to install network drivers during the process.
6. VirtualBox Manager will open automatically after installation is complete.

Note: Ensure hardware virtualization features (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) are enabled in the computer BIOS/UEFI settings. Most modern computers have this enabled by default, but some devices may require manual activation.

5.2.2 Downloading and Installing on macOS

VirtualBox supports macOS with Intel processors as well as Apple Silicon processors (M1, M2, and later) on version 13 Ventura and newer.

Installation steps on macOS:

1. Open the page virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.
2. Select macOS / Intel hosts or macOS / Apple Silicon hosts according to your Mac processor type. Processor details can be found via the Apple → About This Mac menu.
3. Double-click the downloaded disk image file (.dmg) to mount it.
4. Double-click the VirtualBox.pkg file inside the opened window.
5. Follow the installation wizard until completion.
6. The VirtualBox icon will appear in the Applications folder in Finder after the process finishes.

Note for Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) users: VirtualBox on Apple Silicon can only run Arm-based guest operating systems. Modern Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Fedora are available in Arm versions, but the user experience and support are not yet as complete as the x86_64 versions. Alternative options to consider for Apple Silicon Macs are UTM or Parallels Desktop.

After finishing installation on any platform, verify that VirtualBox is installed correctly. Open Command Prompt/PowerShell on Windows or Terminal on macOS, then execute the following command:

VBoxManage --version

This command displays the installed VirtualBox version number, such as 7.2.0r123456. The appearance of the version number indicates that the installation was successful and the VirtualBox command-line tool is accessible from the terminal, not just via the VirtualBox Manager GUI.

5.2.3 VirtualBox Extension Pack

The VirtualBox Extension Pack is an official add-on package from Oracle that extends VirtualBox capabilities. These features include:

• Support for USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 to access USB devices at full speed.
• VirtualBox Remote Desktop Protocol (VRDP) for remote VM access over the network.
• Disk image encryption using AES.
• NVMe controller for better performing storage emulation.
• PXE boot for Intel network interface cards.

The Extension Pack is available on the same download page as VirtualBox. It is licensed under the Personal Use and Educational License (PUEL), which means it is free for personal and educational use.

How to install the Extension Pack:

1. Ensure that the downloaded Extension Pack version matches the installed VirtualBox version exactly.
2. Double-click the downloaded .vbox-extpack file.
3. Click Install and accept the PUEL license when VirtualBox Manager prompts for confirmation.

Installing the Extension Pack is optional for this series. However, you still need to install it if you plan to use USB devices inside the VM.

5.3 Dual Boot: Definition and Considerations

Dual boot is a configuration where two operating systems are installed on a single physical computer. Users can choose which operating system to run when turning on the computer via a boot menu. For example, you can install both Windows and Ubuntu on the same computer.

Advantages of dual boot compared to a VM:

• Full performance: The operating system runs directly on bare-metal hardware without a virtualization layer. This is essential for gaming or workloads requiring direct hardware access.
• Real experience: You experience authentic Linux usage, including hardware management and direct physical device interaction.

Considerations before choosing dual boot:

• Risk of data loss: Incorrect disk partitioning can erase existing data, making backups of important files highly recommended.
• Partition management: You must allocate free space on the disk by shrinking existing Windows partitions or using a separate drive.
• Boot loader: Installing Linux will modify the system boot loader. You might need to restore the Windows boot loader manually if issues occur.
• Cannot run simultaneously: You can only run one operating system at a time.

Recommendation for beginners: Starting with a VM is strongly recommended. Dual boot can be the next step after becoming comfortable with Linux and wanting to use it more intensively.

5.4 Minimum Hardware Requirements

Ensure that the target computer meets the following minimum specifications before proceeding. These specifications apply to bare-metal installations as well as resource allocations for VMs.

5.4.1 Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Requirements

Below are the minimum specifications recommended by Canonical for running Ubuntu Desktop 26.04 LTS (codename "Resolute Raccoon"):

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS supports 64-bit processor architectures (x86_64/AMD64 and ARM64). 32-bit processors are no longer supported since version 18.04 LTS.

Note: The minimum RAM requirement for Ubuntu Desktop has increased from 4 GB (in 24.04 LTS) to 6 GB in 26.04 LTS, coinciding with GNOME 50 and desktop sessions moving entirely to Wayland (the X11/Xorg session has been removed). This figure is a recommendation rather than an absolute limit. Installation can still be attempted with lower RAM, but performance will feel heavy. If your device has less than 6 GB of RAM, consider lightweight variants like Xubuntu or Lubuntu.

5.4.2 Fedora Workstation 44 Requirements

Below are the minimum specifications recommended by the Fedora Project for Fedora Workstation 44:

Fedora Workstation 44 is available for x86_64 (Intel/AMD 64-bit), Arm aarch64, ppc64le, and s390x architectures.

Note for older processors: Starting in Fedora 44, the kernel requires x86_64 processors with the x86-64-v2 baseline (supporting SSE4.2 instructions). Intel/AMD processors released before roughly 2009 likely will not boot at all, rather than just running slowly. Fedora Workstation is also fully Wayland-based (without X11 sessions), matching Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.

Note for VM users: Allocate a minimum of 6 GB of guest RAM when creating an Ubuntu VM, or at least 2 GB (ideally 4 GB) for a Fedora VM, to ensure smooth graphical output. The host system should ideally have at least 8 to 12 GB of total RAM to remain responsive while running the VM alongside other applications. Because both distributions now run on Wayland, ensure that 3D graphics acceleration in VirtualBox Display settings (Settings → Display → Enable 3D Acceleration) is enabled after Guest Additions are installed, preventing stuttering desktop visuals.

5.5 Downloading ISO Files

An ISO file is an image file containing a complete copy of Linux installation media. This file is used as an installation source in VMs or for creating bootable USB drives.

5.5.1 Downloading Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

You can download Ubuntu 26.04 LTS from the official page ubuntu.com/download/desktop by following these steps:

1. Open the official Ubuntu download page.
2. Locate the Ubuntu 26.04.x LTS section.
3. Click the Download Ubuntu 26.04 LTS amd64 button.
4. Wait for the download to complete. The file size is approximately 6.1 GB, larger than the previous 24.04 LTS release.

5.5.2 Downloading Fedora Workstation 44

Fedora Workstation 44 is available at fedoraproject.org/workstation/download with the following steps:

1. Open the official Fedora download page.
2. Select Fedora Workstation 44 Live ISO under the Intel and AMD x86_64 systems section.
3. Click Download to start the process.

5.5.3 Verifying ISO File Integrity (Checksum)

Verifying file integrity using a checksum after downloading is strongly recommended. This step ensures that the file is not corrupted or tampered with by unauthorized parties.

A checksum is a hash value generated from file contents using cryptographic algorithms like SHA-256. Altering even a single bit in the file contents will yield a completely different hash value. File authenticity is confirmed by comparing the downloaded file hash with the official value provided by developers.

Verifying Ubuntu 26.04 LTS:

Run the following command in terminal to verify:

sha256sum ubuntu-26.04-desktop-amd64.iso

Compare the output hash with the SHA-256 value on the official Ubuntu page.

Verifying Fedora Workstation 44:

Fedora provides checksum values and verification instructions via the Verify button on the download page. Execute the following command in a Linux or macOS terminal:

sha256sum Fedora-Workstation-Live-44-1.7.x86_64.iso

Execute this command in PowerShell if using Windows:

Get-FileHash Fedora-Workstation-Live-44-1.7.x86_64.iso -Algorithm SHA256

Delete the file and re-download it if the calculated hash value does not match.

5.6 Creating a Bootable USB (for Bare-Metal Hardware Installation)

Creating a bootable USB drive is necessary if you intend to install Linux directly on physical hardware. This step is unnecessary for VM users since VirtualBox can directly read ISO files.

Prepare a USB flash drive with a minimum capacity of 8 GB. Ensure essential data is backed up, as all data on the USB drive will be erased during this process.

5.6.1 Using Balena Etcher

Balena Etcher is an open source utility designed to flash ISO files onto USB flash drives or SD cards. It features a straightforward interface and automatic validation.

1. Download and install Etcher from etcher.balena.io.
2. Launch the Etcher application.
3. Click Flash from file and select your downloaded ISO file.
4. Click Select target and choose the target USB flash drive.
5. Click Flash! to initiate file writing.

5.6.2 Using Fedora Media Writer

This official tool from the Fedora Project can be used to flash any Linux ISO file to a USB drive.

1. Download Fedora Media Writer for Windows, macOS, or via Flathub for Linux.
2. Open the app and select Custom image.
3. Select the target ISO file and specify the target USB flash drive.
4. Click Write to begin the process.

5.6.3 Using Raspberry Pi Imager

Raspberry Pi Imager can also serve as an alternative tool for creating bootable Linux USB drives, despite being originally designed for Raspberry Pi devices.

1. Open the Raspberry Pi Imager application.
2. Select Choose OS, scroll down, and select Use custom to locate your downloaded ISO file.
3. Select the target USB flash drive under the Storage section.
4. Click Write to execute the flashing process.

Balena Etcher remains the simplest option for first-time users creating a bootable USB drive.

All preparations are now complete, ranging from selecting an installation method to preparing installation media. The next stage is the step-by-step installation process, which will be fully guided in the following chapter.