Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) is the latest long-term support release of Ubuntu, offering enhanced security, performance improvements, and new features. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the complete installation process.

Prerequisites

Before installing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, ensure you have the following:

  • A computer with at least 4GB RAM (8GB recommended)
  • 25GB of available disk space (50GB recommended)
  • A USB drive with at least 4GB capacity
  • A stable internet connection for updates
  • Backup of important data
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Pro Tip: Always backup your important data before proceeding with any operating system installation.

Downloading Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

The first step is to download the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS ISO file from the official website.

  1. Visit the official Ubuntu website at ubuntu.com/download
  2. Click on "Download Ubuntu Desktop"
  3. Select the 64-bit version (recommended for most modern computers)
  4. Wait for the download to complete (approximately 4.7GB)

Verifying the Download

It's important to verify the integrity of your download:

cd ~/Downloads
sha256sum ubuntu-24.04-desktop-amd64.iso

Compare the output with the official SHA256 hash provided on the Ubuntu website.

Creating Bootable Media

Next, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive using the downloaded ISO file.

Using Balena Etcher (Recommended)

  1. Download and install Balena Etcher
  2. Insert your USB drive
  3. Open Balena Etcher
  4. Select the Ubuntu ISO file
  5. Select your USB drive
  6. Click "Flash!" and wait for the process to complete

Using Command Line (Linux)

If you're already using Linux, you can use the dd command:

# Replace /dev/sdX with your USB drive identifier
sudo dd if=ubuntu-24.04-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
sudo sync
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Warning: Be very careful with the device identifier. Using the wrong device can result in data loss.

Installation Process

Now that you have your bootable USB drive ready, let's proceed with the installation:

Booting from USB

  1. Insert the USB drive into your computer
  2. Restart your computer and access the boot menu (usually F12, F11, or ESC)
  3. Select your USB drive from the boot options
  4. Choose "Try or Install Ubuntu" from the GRUB menu

Installation Steps

  1. Welcome Screen: Select your language and click "Install Ubuntu"
  2. Keyboard Layout: Choose your keyboard layout
  3. Updates and Software:
    • Select "Normal installation" for a full desktop experience
    • Check "Download updates while installing Ubuntu"
    • Optionally check "Install third-party software" for additional hardware support
  4. Installation Type:
    • For beginners: "Erase disk and install Ubuntu"
    • For dual-boot: "Install Ubuntu alongside [existing OS]"
    • For advanced users: "Something else" for custom partitioning

Partitioning (Advanced)

If you chose custom partitioning, here's a recommended setup:

Partition Size Type Mount Point
Boot 500MB EFI System Partition /boot/efi
Root 30GB ext4 /
Home Remaining ext4 /home
Swap 2GB Linux swap -

Post-Installation Setup

After the installation completes and you reboot, follow these essential setup steps:

System Updates

First, update your system to ensure you have the latest security patches:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install Essential Software

Install commonly needed packages:

# Development tools
sudo apt install build-essential git curl wget

# Media codecs
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

# Additional drivers
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

Configure Firewall

Enable and configure the built-in firewall:

sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing

Troubleshooting

Here are solutions to common installation issues:

Boot Issues

  • Secure Boot errors: Disable Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI settings
  • USB not detected: Try a different USB port or recreate the bootable media
  • Black screen: Add nomodeset to boot parameters

Installation Hangs

If the installation appears to hang:

  1. Wait at least 30 minutes before taking action
  2. Check if the hard drive activity light is blinking
  3. If completely frozen, restart and try the "Safe Graphics" option
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Success! You now have Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installed and ready to use. Welcome to the Linux community!

Next Steps

Now that you have Ubuntu installed, consider exploring these related articles: