Linux Mint Installation and Configuration Guide
Step 1: Download Linux Mint ISO
-
Choose a desktop environment:
-
Cinnamon: Modern and full-featured (default)
-
MATE: Lightweight and traditional
-
Xfce: Ultra-lightweight.
-
-
Pick a download mirror (closest to your region).
-
Download the 64-bit ISO unless you’re using very old hardware.
Step 2: Create a Bootable USB
On Windows:
-
Download Rufus: https://rufus.ie
-
Insert USB drive
-
Open Rufus:
-
Select USB device
-
Select downloaded ISO
-
File system:
FAT32
-
Click Start.
-
-
Wait for completion.
On macOS/Linux:
-
Download Etcher: https://etcher.io
-
Open Etcher
-
Select ISO file and USB device
-
Click Flash.
Step 3: Boot Into Linux Mint
-
Reboot your computer
-
Enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually pressing
F2
,F10
,F12
, orDEL
during boot) -
Set the USB drive as the first boot option
-
Save and reboot. Mint will load into live mode.
Step 4: Install Linux Mint
-
From the live session, double-click “Install Linux Mint”.
-
Select:
-
Language
-
Keyboard layout
-
Connect to Wi-Fi (optional but recommended)
-
-
Choose Installation Type:
-
Erase disk and install Mint (Use only if you want to delete all existing data).
-
Install alongside (dual boot with Windows).
-
Something else (manual partitioning).
-
-
Set:
-
Time zone
-
User account name and password
-
-
Click Install Now, then Continue to confirm disk changes.
-
After installation, click Restart Now and remove the USB drive when prompted.
Step 5: Post-Install Configuration
System Update
-
Open the Update Manager
-
Click Refresh, then Install Updates.
Customize Appearance
-
Right-click the desktop → Change Desktop Background
-
System Settings → Themes → Choose or download new themes.
Install Additional Software
Use the Software Manager or run in Terminal:
Popular packages:
-
VLC:
sudo apt install vlc
-
GIMP:
sudo apt install gimp
-
Steam:
sudo apt install steam
Enable Driver Support
-
Menu → Driver Manager
-
Install recommended drivers for GPU, Wi-Fi, etc.
Enable Firewall
Optional: Enable Flatpak or Snap Support
Flatpak (enabled by default in Mint):
Snap (needs to be enabled manually):
Maintenance Tips
-
Update regularly: Use the Update Manager
-
Create backups: Use Timeshift (pre-installed)
-
Clean up unused packages: