How to Install Arch Linux (Guided Installer) from Start to Finish + Basic Configurations [2025]

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to installing Arch Linux using the guided installer. It's designed for beginners, breaking down the installation process into manageable steps. You'll learn how to create a bootable USB drive using Rufus, configure essential system settings, and complete your Arch Linux installation with ease.

Step 1: Check System Requirements

Before starting the installation, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• A compatible CPU (64-bit)
• At least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended)
• At least 20 GB of free disk space
• A USB drive (at least 2 GB) for the installation media

Step 2: Download Rufus

1. Visit the Rufus website.
2. Download the latest version of Rufus for Windows.

Step 3: Download the Arch Linux ISO

1. Go to the Arch Linux download page.
2. Select the appropriate ISO file for your architecture (generally the latest version).
3. Save the ISO file to your computer.

Step 4: Create the Arch Linux Boot Media

1. Open Rufus on your Windows machine.
2. Insert your USB drive.
3. In Rufus:
   • Select the USB drive from the "Device" dropdown.
   • Click "Select" and choose the downloaded Arch Linux ISO.
   • Keep the default partition scheme (MBR for BIOS or UEFI).
   • Click "Start" and wait for the process to complete.

Step 5: Boot from the USB Drive

1. Restart your computer.
2. Access the boot menu (usually pressing F12, F2, ESC, or DEL during boot).
3. Select the USB drive to boot from it.

Step 6: Begin the Installation

1. Once booted, you will see the Arch Linux boot menu.
2. Select "Boot Arch Linux" and press Enter.

Step 7: Set Up Networking

• Ensure your internet connection is active.
• Use ip link to check your network interfaces.
• If using Ethernet, it should connect automatically. For Wi-Fi:
  1. Use iwctl to start the wireless connection.
  2. Use the command station device scan to find available networks.
  3. Connect with station device connect <SSID>.

Step 8: Start the Guided Installer

1. Type archinstall to launch the guided installer.

Step 9: Configure Language

• Choose your preferred language from the options presented.

Step 10: Set Up Mirrors

• Select the closest mirror for faster downloads.

Step 11: Configure Locales

• Choose your desired locale settings to match your region.

Step 12: Disk Configuration

1. Select the disk where you want to install Arch Linux.
2. Choose the partitioning scheme (automatic recommended for beginners).

Step 13: Disk Encryption (Optional)

• If you wish to encrypt your disk, select the encryption options provided.

Step 14: Configure Bootloader

• Choose the bootloader type (GRUB is recommended).

Step 15: Unified Kernel Images Configuration

• Select the default kernel images to install.

Step 16: Set Up Swap Space

• Configure swap size based on your system's needs.

Step 17: Hostname Configuration

• Set a hostname for your Arch Linux installation.

Step 18: Set Root Password

• Create a strong password for the root account.

Step 19: Create User Accounts

1. Set up a regular user account with sudo privileges.

Step 20: Configure User Profiles

• Choose default settings for your user profile.

Step 21: Audio Configuration

• Select audio drivers based on your hardware.

Step 22: Kernel Configuration

• Confirm kernel settings based on your system.

Step 23: Install Additional Packages

• Select any additional packages you want to install alongside Arch.

Step 24: Configure Network Settings

• Ensure your network settings are correctly configured for your environment.

Step 25: Set Timezone

• Choose your timezone for accurate system time.

Step 26: Configure NTP

• Enable NTP for automatic time synchronization.

Step 27: Optional Repositories Configuration

• Add any optional repositories if needed.

Step 28: Save and Begin Installation

• Review your configurations, then save and start the installation process.

Step 29: Boot Into Arch Linux

1. Once installation is complete, reboot your computer.
2. Remove the USB drive when prompted.

Step 30: Update Arch Linux

• After booting into your new installation, open a terminal and run:

sudo pacman -Syu

Step 31: Install Application Packages

• Use the package manager to install any applications you need:

sudo pacman -S <package_name>

Conclusion

You've successfully installed Arch Linux using the guided installer! Ensure you keep your system updated and explore available packages to customize your installation further. For any advanced configurations or troubleshooting, refer to the Arch Wiki. Happy computing!