How to Install Ubuntu Linux from a USB Drive (Ubuntu 26.04 LTS)

Wondering how to install Ubuntu Linux? Ubuntu is a free, fast and secure operating system that runs well even on older laptops, and it comes with a browser, office suite, media player and app store built in. When this guide was first written you had to burn a DVD; today you only need a USB stick and about 30 minutes. Here is how to install Ubuntu Linux step by step with the current long-term support release, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.

Quick answer: Download the Ubuntu Desktop ISO, write it to a USB drive of 8 GB or more with balenaEtcher or Rufus, restart the PC and boot from the USB (press F12, F2, Esc or Del for the boot menu), choose “Try or Install Ubuntu”, then follow the installer to install alongside Windows or erase the disk.

What you need

• A 64-bit PC or laptop. Ubuntu lists 6 GB of RAM (8 GB is more comfortable) and 25 GB of free disk space as the requirements for 26.04 LTS.
• A USB flash drive of 8 GB or larger. It will be erased.
• A backup of your files, in case you change partitions.
• Internet access during installation for updates and drivers (optional but useful).

How to install Ubuntu Linux step by step

Step 1: Download Ubuntu

Go to ubuntu.com/download/desktop and download the latest LTS version (26.04 LTS), which gets five years of standard security updates. The ISO file is several gigabytes.

Step 2: Create a bootable USB drive

• balenaEtcher (Windows, Mac, Linux): choose the ISO, choose the USB drive, click Flash.
• Rufus (Windows): select the USB, select the ISO, keep the default GPT partition scheme for modern UEFI PCs and click Start.
• Ventoy: lets you copy several ISO files to one USB and pick at boot.

Having trouble with the stick? See how to format a USB flash drive first.

Step 3: Boot from the USB

1. Plug in the USB and restart the computer.
2. Press the boot menu key as it starts: usually F12, F11, F9, Esc or F2, depending on the brand.
3. Pick the USB drive (it may show as “UEFI: USB”). If it doesn’t appear, enter the BIOS/UEFI setup and move USB up the boot order.
4. Ubuntu supports Secure Boot, so you normally don’t need to disable it.

Step 4: Try Ubuntu first

Choose Try or Install Ubuntu. You can test Wi-Fi, sound and the display before changing anything on your disk.

Step 5: Run the installer

1. Pick your language, keyboard layout and Wi-Fi network.
2. Choose Interactive installation and the default app selection (or Extended for more apps).
3. Tick the option to install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware.
4. Choose the installation type:
   • Install Ubuntu alongside Windows keeps Windows and lets you choose at startup (dual boot).
   • Erase disk and install Ubuntu deletes everything and uses the whole drive.
   • Manual installation for custom partitions.
5. Create your user name and password, pick your time zone and click Install.

Step 6: Restart and update

Remove the USB when asked and restart. Open Software Updater to install the latest updates, then add apps from the App Center.

Tips after installing

• Install your browser of choice, and apps like LibreOffice (preinstalled), VLC and GIMP from the App Center.
• Use Additional Drivers for NVIDIA graphics.
• To give an old PC a speed boost, also read how to make your computer run faster.

FAQ

Is Ubuntu free?

Yes. Ubuntu is free to download, use and share, including updates.

Can I install Ubuntu without removing Windows?

Yes. Choose “Install Ubuntu alongside Windows” to dual boot, or run Ubuntu in a virtual machine such as VirtualBox, or with WSL on Windows 11.

Which Ubuntu version should I install?

The latest LTS (long-term support) release, currently 26.04 LTS, for stability and long security support.

Originally written by guest author Althaf of the tech blog TechNascent. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.