Etcher: How to Install Linux Mint on your PC

Are you looking for the best ways to run Linux on your PC? TechSegun will show you how to install Linux Mint using Etcher.

Based on Unix, Linux has become one of the most popular open source Operating System with millions of users worldwide. Linux OS itself is a free cross-platform OS which can be installed on devices such as netbooks, laptops, mobile devices, servers, video game consoles, PCs, supercomputers, etc.

In addition, due to the fact that Linux OS is open source, there have been frequent releases of new Linux distributions known as a distro. These distributions are based upon the Linux kernel and some are able to run on Windows and several OS as well.

On the other hand, Linux Mint is one of the most elegant Linux distro used by millions of people with about 30,000 packages, full multimedia support and extremely easy-to-use. Now before we proceed, here are system requirements for Linux Mint OS:

System requirements

• 1024 x 768 screen resolution
• 1GB RAM (2GB is highly recommended for best possible usage)
• 15GB of disk space (20GB recommended).

Notes:

The 32-bit ISO can only boot with BIOS.

The 64-bit ISO can boot with UEFI or BIOS.

The 64-bit ISO is recommended for the latest modern computers

Steps to install Linux Mint on your PC

Follow the steps below to install Linux Mint on your PC using Etcher:

1. Prepare your PC

Before you start the installation process, it is highly recommended that you back up your data. This is not meant to scare you off but to be on a safe side here. Besides messing with the wrong partition, but also to prevent data loss; therefore, it is very important to keep your important files (music, movies, documents, etc) safe.

2. Download Linux Mint ISO file

Linux Mint is fully featured in 3 different editions, each with a different desktop environment. They are MATE, Xfce and Cinnamon. However, Cinnamon is the most modern, full-featured desktop and popular Linux Mint edition

Therefore, make your choice and proceed to download Linux Mint ISO file from the Linux Mint website.

3. Create a live USB or disk

Meanwhile, in order to create a live/bootable disk, you need to an app to burn the downloaded ISO file from ‘Step 2’ above. Etcher, on the other hand, is a cross-platform app which enables you to burn ISO files without issue.

• Proceed to the Etcher official website to download Etcher setup file.
• Install the Etcher app afterwards
• Create a bootable USB disk:

In Linux Mint OS:

• Right-click on the ISO file from ‘Step 2’ above.
• Select Make Bootable USB Stick (Alternatively, launch Menu > Accessories > USB Image Writer).
• Select your USB device and click Write.

In Windows, Mac OS, or other Linux distributions OS:

• After installing Etcher, and run it.
• In the Etcher program interface, click ‘Select image’, and then select your ISO file.
• Click Select drive and select your USB stick.
• Click Flash.

4. Boot Linux Mint

After creating the bootable Linux Mint USB, you need to boot Linux Mint so as to install the ‘new OS’. Here’s how to do this:

• Insert the Linux Mint ‘USB stick’ into the computer.
• Restart the computer.
• Boot from USB using the ‘special key’ from your BIOS loading screen. (Note: you may need to check for the special key which is briefly displayed during the boot sequence. The special keys may be F10, F12, etc. On Macs, press the Alt or Option key after hearing the boot sound to boot from USB).
• The Linux Mint ISO can be booted both in two menus i.e. BIOS or EFI mode. In ‘BIOS mode’, it shows an isolinux menu while in ‘EFI mode’, it shows a grub menu.
• From any of these menus, press Enter to start Linux Mint on your PC from your USB stick.

5. Install Linux Mint

After you boot the computer from the USB drive, Linux Mint starts a live session. This logs you in automatically as a user called mint. Also, you should see a desktop with the ‘Linux Mint installer’ on it.

Follow these steps to install Linux Mint:

• Double-click ‘Install Linux Mint’.
• Select your language.
• Connect to the Internet.
• After connection to the Internet, tick the box to install the multimedia codecs.
• Select an installation type.
• Choose your timezone
• Select your keyboard layout
• Enter your user details
• You will be presented with a slideshow while Linux Mint is installed on your computer.
• After the entire installation process is complete, you can then click ‘Restart Now’ option

Note: You will be prompted to remove the USB disk while the computer is shutting down, make sure you do so. After reboot, your system will show you a boot menu where you will be prompted to boot into your newly booted Linux Mint OS.

Finally, you are good to go!