Learn How to Install Arch Linux with Our Step-by-Step Guide

What if you could build your own Linux environment from the ground up, tailored precisely to your needs? Many believe this process is only for seasoned experts, but we are here to challenge that notion. Our comprehensive resource walks you through the entire procedure. We designed this manual as a practical companion to the official documentation. It adds clarity and context where other resources might be brief. This guide follows the same logical progression as the official process. We enhance it with visual aids and detailed explanations. The structure builds upon itself, making a seemingly complex task manageable. We assume you have some comfort with terminal operations. However, we explain technical terms as they appear. This approach maintains accessibility while respecting your growing skills.

Arch Linux requires a hands-on setup compared to user-friendly distributions. Following each step carefully leads to a successful, customized system. Our guide covers everything from creating installation media to post-setup configuration.

Key Takeaways

• This guide provides a complete walkthrough for setting up Arch Linux.
• It acts as a detailed companion to the official installation documentation.
• The process is broken down into discrete, sequential steps for clarity.
• Basic terminal familiarity is helpful, but explanations are provided.
• A hands-on approach yields a highly personalized computing environment.
• The guide covers the entire process from start to finish.

Understanding Arch Linux and Its Benefits

Unlike conventional operating systems that bundle extensive software packages, Arch Linux adopts a build-it-yourself approach from a minimal base. This distribution empowers users to create a computing environment tailored to their exact needs.

Overview of Arch Linux

Arch follows a rolling release model. Users receive continuous updates rather than waiting for major version releases. This ensures your system stays current with the latest software.

The distribution provides complete control over system configuration. You install only the components you specifically need. This eliminates unnecessary software bloat.

Arch should run on any x86_64-compatible machine. A minimum of 512 MiB RAM is required, though more memory helps during installation. A basic setup requires less than 2 GiB of disk space.

Why Choose Arch for Your System

The philosophy of simplicity means providing a minimal base system. Users can customize it to their exact specifications. This approach offers complete personalization.

The hands-on process teaches valuable skills. You’ll learn about Linux architecture, boot processes, and package management. This makes it an exceptional learning opportunity.

Arch’s documentation through the Arch Wiki serves as one of the most comprehensive resources available. Even users of other distributions benefit from this wealth of information.

The Arch User Repository (AUR) provides access to thousands of community-maintained packages. This significantly expands software availability beyond official repositories. Working with the AUR often involves using a command line interface for package management.

Preparing for Installation

The initial phase focuses on gathering essential resources and verifying compatibility. We recommend reviewing the official FAQ and documentation conventions before starting. Code examples may contain placeholders that require manual replacement with your specific values.

Following instructions in the presented order is crucial. Each section builds upon previous configurations, and skipping steps can lead to system issues.

System Requirements and Prerequisites

Begin with a target computer and ensure important data is backed up. The hardware requires an x86_64-compatible processor. You need at least 512 MiB RAM for basic functionality, though more helps during the installation environment.

A minimum of 2 GiB available disk space is necessary. Having a reliable internet connection throughout the process is essential. The system downloads packages from remote repositories during setup.

Familiarity with basic terminal commands and text editing is helpful. The entire installation occurs through a command-line interface without graphical tools. We suggest having a secondary device available for referencing this guide.

The target computer will be dedicated to the installation process. Switching between tasks can be cumbersome without another device. This preparation ensures a smooth and successful outcome.

Downloading and Verifying the ISO

Obtaining the correct installation files from verified sources ensures a solid foundation for your custom environment. We guide you through this critical phase with precision.

Where to Download the Official ISO

Visit the official download page to acquire the latest installation file. The standard ISO file follows a clear naming convention for easy identification.

You have the option to choose between the standard ISO or a netboot image. The standard file suits most users, especially those new to this process.

Checking PGP Signatures for Security

Verifying file authenticity protects against potential security risks. Always download the PGP signature file alongside your main ISO file.

The verification process requires the correct cryptographic key. For example, use the pacman-key command with the signature file to validate your download.

This security key check confirms the file’s integrity. The public key itself must be verified against trusted sources for complete security assurance.

Creating a Bootable Installation Medium

Our journey continues by transforming the downloaded file into a functional boot device. This medium serves as the foundation for launching the setup environment on your target machine.

Using a USB Flash Drive

We recommend a USB flash drive with at least 2 GB capacity for this process. Using a USB 3.0 device significantly improves transfer speeds during the creation procedure.

Begin by inserting the USB drive into your computer. Use the lsblk command to identify the correct block device. The USB typically appears as /dev/sdb or similar designation.

Critical distinction: you must target the raw device without partition numbers. Writing to partitions like /dev/sdb1 will not function correctly.

The complete command sequence appears as follows:

sudo dd conv=fsync oflag=direct status=progress bs=4M if=./archlinux-YYYY.MM.DD-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdb

This command uses 4-megabyte blocks for optimal performance. The status=progress parameter provides visual feedback during the writing operation.

Important warning: this process erases all existing data on the USB device. Verify the target device carefully before proceeding.

The operation duration depends on your system’s performance and USB speed. Wait for the command to complete fully before removing the device.

Booting into the Live Environment

We now reach the stage where your preparation pays off. This step transitions from theory to direct interaction with the operating system.

The live environment provides a temporary workspace. It runs entirely from your USB device without modifying the hard drive. This setup allows for the customization process ahead.

Disabling Secure Boot and Selecting Boot Device

Arch installation media does not support Secure Boot by default. You must disable this feature within your computer’s firmware settings. This is a necessary step for the boot process to initiate.

Accessing the boot menu requires pressing a specific key during startup. Common keys include F9, F12, or Delete. The correct key is usually displayed on the screen.

Once inside the boot menu, locate your USB device. Select it to launch from the installation medium. The system will then present a boot loader menu.

Choose the “Arch Linux install medium” option. Press Enter to proceed into the live environment. This action loads the temporary operating system.

You will be automatically logged in as the root user. A Zsh shell prompt awaits your commands. This console is your primary interface for the next steps.

The environment offers multiple virtual consoles. Use Alt+arrow keys to switch between them. This feature is useful for referencing documentation while working.

For those requiring Secure Boot, configuration is possible after setup. This adds complexity to the bootloader configuration. We recommend completing the process first.

How to Install Arch Linux

We now enter the active phase where we configure the live environment before deploying the operating system. This section covers essential preliminary adjustments and command fundamentals.

Understanding the Live System Environment

The temporary workspace operates entirely in memory. All modifications remain volatile until we commit them to permanent storage.

Customization begins with keyboard layout verification. The default US mapping can be changed using loadkeys after reviewing options with localectl list-keymaps.

Console fonts reside in /usr/share/kbd/consolefonts/. The setfont command improves readability on high-resolution displays.

Key Installation Commands

Boot mode detection is critical for subsequent steps. Run cat /sys/firmware/efi/fw_platform_size to determine UEFI/BIOS mode.

A return value of 64 indicates 64-bit UEFI, while 32 signifies 32-bit UEFI. An error message suggests BIOS compatibility mode.

Essential tools include fdisk for partitioning, mkfs for filesystems, and pacstrap for base package installation. Network management uses ip link and iwctl for wireless connections.

Text editors like nano and vim are available for configuration file modifications. These utilities provide everything needed for a complete setup process.

Partitioning and Formatting Your Disk

Proper disk preparation establishes the foundation for your entire system. This step defines how storage is organized and ensures the machine can boot correctly. We guide you through this process with careful attention to detail.

First, identify your target disk using the lsblk command. Drives appear with names like /dev/sda for SATA or /dev/nvme0n1 for NVMe. Selecting the correct device is critical to avoid data loss.

Choosing Between GPT and MBR

The partition table type depends on your system’s firmware. For modern UEFI systems, use GPT (GUID Partition Table). This standard supports larger disks and more partitions.

For legacy BIOS systems, the MBR (Master Boot Record) format is required. This is an older standard with limitations on disk size and the number of primary partitions. Your choice here affects the entire layout, similar to how you configure a Docker Swarm for container orchestration.

Setting Up Swap and Root Partitions

We recommend a specific partition scheme for a functional system. The required partitions vary based on your firmware.

• UEFI with GPT: Create a 1 GiB EFI system partition (type EFI System), a swap partition of at least 4 GiB (type Linux swap), and a root partition using the remaining space.
• BIOS with MBR: Create a swap partition of at least 4 GiB and a root partition for the remainder. No separate boot partition is needed.

Use the fdisk utility to create these partitions. After launching it on your target disk, use commands like ‘n’ for new partitions and ‘t’ to set the correct type. Always review your layout with ‘p’ before writing changes with ‘w’.

For the swap partition, a size equal to or double your RAM is a good practice, especially for systems with limited memory.

Mounting File Systems and Configuring fstab

The next critical phase involves formatting and mounting the partitions we created earlier. Each partition requires a specific file system before it can store data effectively.

We format the root partition with Ext4 for optimal reliability. Use the command mkfs.ext4 /dev/root_partition with your actual partition path.

Swap partitions need special initialization. Run mkswap /dev/swap_partition followed by swapon /dev/swap_partition to activate virtual memory.

For UEFI systems, the EFI partition requires FAT32 formatting. Execute mkfs.fat -F 32 /dev/efi_system_partition for firmware compatibility.

Mounting begins with the root volume. Use mount /dev/root_partition /mnt to establish the base hierarchy.

UEFI setups need the EFI partition mounted. The command mount --mkdir /dev/efi_system_partition /mnt/boot creates the directory automatically.

The fstab file manages automatic mounting at boot. This configuration is essential for system functionality across reboots.

Generate the file system table with genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab. The -U flag uses UUIDs for reliable identification, similar to how Manjaro handles system configurations.

Always verify the generated fstab contents before proceeding. Errors in this file can prevent successful system booting.

Installing the Base System and Essential Packages

We now deploy the foundational software that will bring your custom system to life. This process involves downloading packages from online servers and installing them onto the mounted partitions.

The pacman package manager is the heart of software management. It handles downloads, dependencies, and updates for the entire lifetime of your environment.

Selecting the Best Mirrors

Download speed depends on your chosen server, or mirror. The system uses a prioritized mirror list located at /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.

Servers higher on this list are tried first. For faster downloads, move geographically closer mirrors to the top using a text editor.

Alternatively, automate this selection with the reflector utility. A sample command ranks the fastest ten mirrors from specific countries and saves the new list.

Running the pacstrap Command

The primary installation command is pacstrap. It installs packages directly into the new system at /mnt.

The minimal requirement is the base meta-package. We strongly recommend including linux (the kernel) and linux-firmware for hardware support.

Consider adding these essential packages now for a functional system:

• CPU microcode (amd-ucode or intel-ucode)
• Networking software (networkmanager)
• A text editor like nano
• Documentation packages (man-db, man-pages)

The pacstrap command automatically resolves dependencies. It ensures all necessary components are downloaded from your configured mirrors and installed correctly.

Post-Installation Configuration

The next phase involves establishing system identity through regional, temporal, and connectivity parameters. We begin by entering the configured environment using the arch-chroot command.

Establishing correct time settings requires creating a symbolic link from the zoneinfo directory. The hardware clock synchronization ensures consistent time tracking across reboots.

Locale configuration defines language and regional formatting. Edit the locale.gen file with your preferred text editor to uncomment necessary entries. Generate the locales using the locale-gen command for proper system language support.

Keyboard layout persistence ensures your input preferences remain active. Create the vconsole.conf file with the appropriate KEYMAP entry. This maintains your chosen keyboard configuration.

Network identity begins with setting a hostname. Create the hostname file and update the hosts file for proper resolution. These settings establish your system’s network presence.

Security requires setting a root password using the passwd command. Create a standard user account with appropriate group memberships. Grant sudo privileges by modifying the sudoers file.

Bootloader installation varies by system type. UEFI systems require additional packages and specific installation parameters. Generate the final configuration file for reliable system startup.

Network connectivity packages provide essential services. Enable these services to ensure automatic network initialization. The final step generates the initial ramdisk for proper boot functionality.

Conclusion

The last phase of our guide ensures your newly built system boots correctly and independently. You have successfully completed each step from creating installation media to configuring the base environment.

Exit the chroot environment by typing exit or pressing Ctrl+d. Optionally unmount partitions with umount -R /mnt for clean filesystem closure. Restart your machine with the reboot command.

Remember to remove the installation USB device before restarting. This ensures the system boots from your hard disk rather than the live environment. Upon first boot, log in with your root account credentials.

Your Arch Linux system now provides a functional command-line interface. For a complete desktop experience, consult the Arch Wiki’s General Recommendations. This comprehensive resource covers graphical interfaces, audio setup, and additional software installation.

This guide has established a solid foundation for your personalized computing environment. The knowledge gained through this process provides valuable insight into Linux architecture that benefits all future system management tasks.

Cathy Berger

Cathy is a senior blogger and editor in chief at text-center.com.