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Arch Linux Getting Started

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Mattscreative edited this page Dec 5, 2025 · 2 revisions

Arch Linux Getting Started Guide

Complete beginner-friendly introduction to Arch Linux, including what it is, why choose it, system requirements, and pre-installation preparation.

Table of Contents

  1. What is Arch Linux?
  2. Why Choose Arch Linux?
  3. System Requirements
  4. Pre-Installation Preparation
  5. Downloading Arch Linux
  6. Creating Bootable Media
  7. Understanding the Installation Process

What is Arch Linux?

Definition

Arch Linux is a lightweight, flexible, and user-centric Linux distribution.

Key characteristics:

  • Rolling release: Continuously updated, no major version releases
  • Minimal base: Install only what you need
  • User control: You configure everything
  • Documentation: Comprehensive wiki (ArchWiki)
  • Package management: pacman package manager
  • AUR: Arch User Repository for community packages

Philosophy

Arch Linux principles:

  • Simplicity: Minimal, unmodified software
  • Modernity: Latest stable software versions
  • Pragmatism: Practical solutions over ideology
  • User centrality: User decides, not developers
  • Freedom: No unnecessary restrictions

Why Choose Arch Linux?

Advantages

Why Arch Linux is popular:

  1. Full control
  • Configure everything yourself
  • No unnecessary software
  • Customize to your needs
  1. Latest software
  • Rolling release model
  • Always up-to-date packages
  • Access to newest features
  1. Learning opportunity
  • Understand Linux deeply
  • Learn system administration
  • Build expertise
  1. Performance
  • Minimal overhead
  • Only install what you need
  • Optimize for your hardware
  1. Documentation
  • Comprehensive ArchWiki
  • Community support
  • Extensive guides

Considerations

Things to be aware of:

  • Steep learning curve: Requires Linux knowledge
  • Manual configuration: More setup required
  • Time investment: Takes time to configure
  • No GUI installer: Command-line installation
  • Rolling release risks: Updates can break things

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Basic system requirements:

  • CPU: x86_64 (64-bit) processor
  • RAM: 512 MB minimum (2 GB recommended)
  • Storage: 2 GB minimum (20 GB recommended)
  • Internet: Required for installation
  • Boot media: USB drive or CD/DVD

Recommended Requirements

For better experience:

  • CPU: Modern multi-core processor
  • RAM: 4 GB or more
  • Storage: 50 GB or more (SSD recommended)
  • Graphics: Any (dedicated GPU optional)
  • Network: Wired or wireless connection

Checking Your System

Verify your hardware:

# Check CPU architecture
uname -m
# Expected output: x86_64

# Check available RAM
free -h
# Shows memory in human-readable format

# Check disk space
df -h
# Shows filesystem usage

Explanation:

  • uname -m: Shows machine hardware name (x86_64 = 64-bit)
  • free -h: Shows memory usage in GB/MB
  • df -h: Shows disk space usage

Pre-Installation Preparation

Backup Your Data

Before installing Arch Linux:

  1. Backup important files
  • Documents, photos, videos
  • Configuration files
  • Application data
  1. Create recovery media
  • Windows recovery USB (if dual-booting)
  • System restore points
  • Bootable rescue media
  1. Document current setup
  • Network settings
  • Hardware specifications
  • Software licenses

Prepare Installation Media

What you need:

  1. USB drive (4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended)
  • Will be formatted (backup data first)
  • USB 2.0 or 3.0
  1. ISO image (download from archlinux.org)
  • Latest stable release
  • Verify checksums
  1. Bootable media tool
  • dd (Linux/Mac)
  • Rufus (Windows)
  • Etcher (cross-platform)

Check UEFI/BIOS Settings

Important settings:

  1. Boot mode
  • UEFI (recommended for modern systems)
  • Legacy BIOS (older systems)
  1. Secure Boot
  • May need to disable for installation
  • Can enable after installation
  1. Boot order
  • Set USB as first boot device
  • Or use boot menu (F12, F8, etc.)

How to check:

# Check if system is UEFI
ls /sys/firmware/efi
# If directory exists, system is UEFI

# Check boot mode (from live USB)
efivar -l
# If command works, system is UEFI

Downloading Arch Linux

Official Download

Where to download:

  1. Official website: https://archlinux.org/download/
  2. Mirrors: Use closest mirror for faster download
  3. Torrent: Available for faster downloads

Download Options

What to download:

  • ISO image: archlinux-YYYY.MM.DD-x86_64.iso
  • Checksums: Verify download integrity
  • PGP signature: Verify authenticity

Verifying Downloads

Verify ISO integrity:

# Download checksums
wget https://archlinux.org/iso/YYYY.MM.DD/archlinux-YYYY.MM.DD-x86_64.iso.sha256

# Verify checksum
sha256sum -c archlinux-YYYY.MM.DD-x86_64.iso.sha256
# Expected output: archlinux-YYYY.MM.DD-x86_64.iso: OK

Explanation:

  • wget: Downloads checksum file
  • sha256sum -c: Verifies file integrity
  • OK means download is correct

Creating Bootable Media

Using dd (Linux/Mac)

Create bootable USB:

# Find USB device
lsblk
# Identify your USB (usually /dev/sdX or /dev/diskX)

# Unmount USB (if mounted)
sudo umount /dev/sdX1

# Write ISO to USB
sudo dd if=archlinux-YYYY.MM.DD-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync

Explanation:

  • lsblk: Lists block devices (shows USB)
  • umount: Unmounts USB partition
  • dd: Copies ISO to USB
  • if=: Input file (ISO)
  • of=: Output file (USB device)
  • bs=4M: Block size (4 MB)
  • status=progress: Show progress
  • oflag=sync: Sync writes

** Warning**: Replace /dev/sdX with your actual USB device. Using wrong device will erase your hard drive!

Using Rufus (Windows)

Steps:

  1. Download Rufus from https://rufus.ie/
  2. Insert USB drive
  3. Open Rufus
  4. Select ISO file
  5. Click "Start"
  6. Wait for completion

Using Etcher (Cross-platform)

Steps:

  1. Download Etcher from https://etcher.balena.io/
  2. Insert USB drive
  3. Open Etcher
  4. Select ISO file
  5. Select USB drive
  6. Click "Flash"
  7. Wait for completion

Understanding the Installation Process

Installation Overview

What happens during installation:

  1. Boot from USB
  • Boot into Arch Linux live environment
  • Command-line interface
  1. Partition disk
  • Create partitions (EFI, root, swap)
  • Format partitions
  • Mount partitions
  1. Install base system
  • Install base packages
  • Install kernel
  • Install bootloader
  1. Configure system
  • Set timezone
  • Set locale
  • Set hostname
  • Create user account
  1. Install bootloader
  • GRUB or systemd-boot
  • Configure boot entries
  1. Reboot
  • Boot into installed system
  • Complete post-installation

What You'll Learn

Skills you'll gain:

  • Partitioning: Understanding disk layout
  • Filesystems: ext4, btrfs, etc.
  • Bootloaders: GRUB, systemd-boot
  • System configuration: Services, networking
  • Package management: pacman basics
  • Linux fundamentals: Command line, permissions

Summary

This guide covered:

  1. What Arch Linux is - Lightweight, flexible distribution
  2. Why choose it - Control, latest software, learning
  3. System requirements - Hardware needs
  4. Pre-installation - Backup, preparation
  5. Downloading - Getting ISO image
  6. Bootable media - Creating USB drive
  7. Installation process - What to expect

Key Takeaways:

  • Arch Linux is for users who want control
  • Requires Linux knowledge and time
  • Excellent documentation available
  • Rolling release means always up-to-date
  • Backup everything before installation

Next Steps

This guide is based on the ArchWiki and official Arch Linux documentation. For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official ArchWiki.

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