How to Install Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Step 1: Download Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) is the latest long-term support release with 5 years of security updates until April 2029.

Download the ISO

1. Visit the official Ubuntu download page
2. Select Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS
3. Download the ISO file (approximately 5.7GB)

wget https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04/ubuntu-24.04.2-desktop-amd64.iso

Verify the Download (Recommended)

Verification ensures your download is authentic and complete.

wget https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04/SHA256SUMS
wget https://releases.ubuntu.com/24.04/SHA256SUMS.gpg

sha256sum -c SHA256SUMS 2>&1 | grep OK

You should see: ubuntu-24.04.2-desktop-amd64.iso: OK

Step 2: Create Bootable USB

Create installation media using one of these tools based on your current operating system.

On Ubuntu/Linux

Use the built-in Startup Disk Creator or dd command.

lsblk

Look for your USB drive (usually /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc).

sudo dd if=ubuntu-24.04.2-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync

Replace sdX with your USB device (e.g., sdb). Do not include partition number.

On Windows

1. Download Rufus or balenaEtcher
2. Insert USB drive
3. Open Rufus, select Ubuntu ISO
4. Partition scheme: GPT
5. Target system: UEFI (non CSM)
6. Click Start

On macOS

1. Download balenaEtcher
2. Insert USB drive
3. Open Etcher, select ISO and target drive
4. Click Flash

Step 3: Boot from USB

Access Boot Menu

1. Insert the USB drive
2. Restart your computer
3. Press the boot menu key during startup:
   • Dell: F12
   • HP: F9 or Esc
   • Lenovo: F12 or F8
   • Acer: F12
   • ASUS: F8 or Esc
   • MSI: F11
4. Select the USB drive from the boot menu

Disable Secure Boot (If Needed)

Ubuntu 24.04 supports Secure Boot, but if you encounter issues:

1. Enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually F2, Del, or F10 during boot)
2. Find Security or Boot settings
3. Disable Secure Boot
4. Save and exit

Step 4: Installation Process

Try or Install Ubuntu

After booting from USB, you'll see the GRUB menu. Select Try or Install Ubuntu.

Welcome Screen

1. Select your language
2. Click Install Ubuntu

Keyboard Layout

1. Select your keyboard layout
2. Test typing in the text box
3. Click Continue

Updates and Other Software

Choose installation type:

• Normal installation: Full desktop with office suite, games, and media players (recommended)
• Minimal installation: Web browser and basic utilities only

Select these options:

• ☑ Download updates while installing Ubuntu
• ☑ Install third-party software (for graphics, WiFi, and media formats)

Installation Type

Option A: Install Ubuntu Only (Erase Disk)

Choose if you want Ubuntu as the only OS.

• Select Erase disk and install Ubuntu
• Optional: Enable Use LVM for easier partition management
• Optional: Enable Encrypt the new Ubuntu installation for security

Option B: Dual Boot with Windows

Choose if you want to keep Windows and dual-boot.

1. Select Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager
2. Drag the divider to allocate space for Ubuntu
3. Click Install Now

Option C: Manual Partitioning (Advanced)

For custom partition layouts.

/boot/efi  - 512MB  - EFI System Partition (if UEFI)
/          - 30GB+  - ext4 (root partition)
/home      - 50GB+  - ext4 (user files)
swap       - 4-8GB  - swap (optional with 8GB+ RAM)

Write Changes to Disk

Review partition changes and click Continue. Installation will begin.

Location and Time Zone

1. Select your time zone by clicking the map
2. Click Continue

Create Your Account

1. Enter your name
2. Choose a computer name (hostname)
3. Create username
4. Set a strong password
5. Choose login option:
   • Log in automatically (convenient but less secure)
   • Require password to log in (recommended)

Installation Progress

Installation takes 10-30 minutes depending on hardware. The installer will:

• Copy files to disk
• Install system software
• Configure bootloader (GRUB)
• Download updates (if selected)

Installation Complete

1. Click Restart Now
2. Remove the USB drive when prompted
3. Press Enter

Step 5: Post-Installation Setup

First Boot

After restart, you'll see the GRUB bootloader. If dual-booting, select Ubuntu or Windows.

Complete Setup Wizard

1. Connect Online Accounts (optional)
2. Livepatch setup (optional security updates without reboot)
3. Help Improve Ubuntu (anonymous usage statistics)
4. Privacy settings
5. Click Done

Update System

Always update after fresh installation:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt dist-upgrade -y

sudo reboot

Install Additional Drivers

For NVIDIA graphics, WiFi adapters, and other hardware:

1. Open Software & Updates
2. Go to Additional Drivers tab
3. Select recommended proprietary drivers
4. Click Apply Changes
5. Reboot

sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

Install Useful Software

sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras -y

sudo apt install curl wget git build-essential -y

Enable Firewall

sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status

Troubleshooting

Black Screen After Install

Symptom: Black screen with cursor or no display after installation.

Solution: Usually NVIDIA driver issue.

1. Reboot and press Shift to access GRUB
2. Edit boot entry (press 'e')
3. Add nomodeset to kernel parameters
4. Press F10 to boot
5. Install NVIDIA drivers via Additional Drivers

WiFi Not Working

Solution: Install WiFi drivers.

lspci | grep -i wireless

See our complete WiFi troubleshooting guide.

GRUB Not Showing Windows

Solution: Update GRUB to detect Windows.

sudo os-prober
sudo update-grub

Slow Boot Time

Solution: Analyze boot time.

systemd-analyze
systemd-analyze blame

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Ubuntu alongside Windows?

Yes! Ubuntu's installer supports dual-boot configuration. Follow the "Dual Boot with Windows" section above.

How much disk space do I need?

Minimum 25GB, but we recommend 50GB or more for comfortable usage with applications and files.

Will Ubuntu delete my Windows files?

Not if you select "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows." Always backup important data before any installation.

Can I try Ubuntu without installing?

Yes! Select "Try Ubuntu" from the boot menu to run Ubuntu from USB without making changes to your computer.

What if I make a mistake during installation?

You can restart the installation process at any time before clicking "Install Now." After that, changes are written to disk.

How do I uninstall Ubuntu?

If dual-booting, boot into Windows, remove Ubuntu partitions using Disk Management, and repair Windows bootloader. See our remove Ubuntu guide.

Should I encrypt my installation?

Encryption protects your data if your computer is lost or stolen. Enable it for laptops or sensitive data. Note: You'll need the encryption password at every boot.

Tested On

• Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS
• Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS
• Ubuntu 24.04.0 LTS

Sources & References

• Official Ubuntu Installation Guide
• Ubuntu Community Documentation
• Ubuntu 24.04 Release Notes