OS - Windows

How to install and configure AnduinOS

• Data 05/06/2026
• Autor Daniel Ionica
• 4
• 180

1. Understanding AnduinOS

AnduinOS is based on Ubuntu and uses the familiar Debian/Ubuntu package ecosystem (apt). It is available in:

• LTS (Long-Term Support) releases for stability
• Standard releases for newer software and features

The project recommends the LTS branch for most users and the Standard branch for developers and enthusiasts.

2. System Requirements

Recommended Requirements

AnduinOS currently supports only x86_64 systems and ACPI-compliant hardware. ARM systems are not supported.

3. Download AnduinOS

Official documentation:

AnduinOS Documentation

Download the latest ISO image from the official download page. The project offers multiple language-specific ISOs, but you can still change the language later.

4. Verify the ISO

After downloading:

Linux

sha256sum AnduinOS.iso

macOS

shasum -a 256 AnduinOS.iso

Windows PowerShell

Get-FileHash .\AnduinOS.iso -Algorithm SHA256

Compare the output with the checksum published alongside the ISO.

5. Create a Bootable USB

Recommended tools:

• Rufus (Windows)
• Balena Etcher
• Ventoy

Using Rufus

1. Insert USB drive (8 GB minimum).
2. Open Rufus.
3. Select the AnduinOS ISO.
4. Choose:
   • GPT for UEFI systems
   • MBR for Legacy BIOS
5. Click Start.

6. Configure BIOS/UEFI

Unlike many Linux distributions that recommend disabling Secure Boot, AnduinOS explicitly supports Secure Boot and recommends enabling it.

Recommended settings:

Enable

• Secure Boot
• UEFI mode

Disable

• Legacy Boot (if possible)

Save changes and reboot.

7. Boot the Installer

1. Insert USB
2. Restart the computer

3. Open Boot Menu:

   • F12
   • F11
   • Esc
   • F10

   (varies by manufacturer)

4. Select the USB drive

The live installer environment will start.

8. Start Installation

Select:

Try and Install AnduinOS

Recent releases renamed the installer menu entry from “Install AnduinOS” to “Try and Install AnduinOS.”

9. Installation Wizard

The installer is Ubuntu-style and straightforward.

Step 1 – Language

Choose:

• English
• Romanian
• German
• French
• etc.

Click Continue.

Step 2 – Keyboard Layout

Examples:

• US
• UK
• Romanian Standard

Test keyboard input before proceeding.

Step 3 – Updates and Third-Party Software

Recommended:

✓ Download updates during installation

✓ Install third-party drivers and codecs

This saves time after installation.

Step 4 – Disk Setup

Option A: Entire Disk 

If AnduinOS will be your only OS:

Erase disk and install AnduinOS

Installer creates:

• EFI partition
• Root partition
• Swap file

Automatically.

Option B: Dual Boot with Windows

AnduinOS supports dual booting.

Best practice:

1. Install Windows first.
2. Shrink Windows partition.
3. Leave unallocated space.
4. Install AnduinOS alongside Windows.

Windows should always be installed first because it may overwrite the bootloader.

Suggested partition sizes:

Option C: Encrypted Installation

AnduinOS supports:

• LUKS2
• LVM encryption

during installation.

Recommended for:

• Laptops
• Business systems
• Portable workstations

Step 5 – Location

Choose your region.

Example:

Europe/Bucharest

This configures:

• Time zone
• Locale
• Preferred mirrors

Step 6 – User Account

Create:

• Full Name
• Username
• Password
• Hostname

Use a strong password.

Step 7 – Secure Boot Password

If Secure Boot is enabled, AnduinOS asks for a Secure Boot enrollment password.

Example:

MySecureBootPassword123

Remember this password.

You’ll need it during the first boot to enroll the AnduinOS signing key.

10. First Boot

After installation:

1. Remove USB.
2. Reboot.

If Secure Boot is enabled:

1. MOK Manager appears.
2. Select:

Enroll Key

3. Enter the password created during installation.

This registers AnduinOS with Secure Boot.

11. Update the System

Open Terminal:

sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade -y

Reboot if necessary:

sudo reboot

12. Configure Faster Package Mirrors

For users in Romania or Europe, selecting nearby mirrors improves download speeds.

Update package lists:

sudo apt update

AnduinOS documentation recommends choosing the best mirror after installation.

13. Install Essential Utilities

AnduinOS intentionally keeps the system minimal.

Install common tools:

sudo apt install \
curl \
wget \
git \
vim \
htop \
build-essential \
software-properties-common -y

14. Install Flatpak 

The AnduinOS project recommends Flatpak and Flathub as the preferred graphical application ecosystem.

Install Flatpak:

sudo apt install flatpak -y

Add Flathub:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub \
https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Install GNOME Software support:

sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak -y

Reboot:

sudo reboot

15. Install a Software Store

Unlike Ubuntu, AnduinOS ships without a software center by default.

Recommended:

GNOME Software

sudo apt install gnome-software -y

Snap Store

sudo apt install snapd -y
sudo snap install snap-store

Flatpak-Based Setup

Use GNOME Software with Flathub support.

16. Install Multimedia Support

sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras -y

Provides:

• MP3 playback
• Common video codecs
• Microsoft fonts

17. Configure Development Environment

Git

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"

Docker

sudo apt install docker.io -y
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

Verify:

docker --version

AnduinOS documentation specifically highlights Docker for service hosting workloads.

18. Install Drivers

Check hardware:

lspci

Update firmware:

sudo fwupdmgr refresh
sudo fwupdmgr get-updates
sudo fwupdmgr update

AnduinOS documentation recommends updating firmware after installation.

19. Configure Power Profiles

Recent releases include:

power-profiles-daemon

for power management.

View current profile:

powerprofilesctl get

Set performance mode:

powerprofilesctl set performance

Set balanced mode:

powerprofilesctl set balanced

20. Security Hardening

Enable firewall:

sudo apt install ufw -y
sudo ufw enable

Check status:

sudo ufw status

Enable automatic updates:

sudo apt install unattended-upgrades -y
sudo dpkg-reconfigure unattended-upgrades

21. Backup Strategy

Install Timeshift:

sudo apt install timeshift -y

Recommended schedule:

• Daily snapshots
• Weekly snapshots
• External SSD backups

22. Useful Applications

Browser

sudo apt install firefox -y

Office

sudo apt install libreoffice -y

Media

sudo apt install vlc -y

SSH Server

sudo apt install openssh-server -y

Enable:

sudo systemctl enable --now ssh