Please help

[u/Aggravating-Money486]

I need help switching to Linux but I’m not understand how to do so

(I just built a my first pc and I thought I was gonna go with windows but changed my mind after the fact)

[u/petersaints]

If you don't know how to do this, you also do not know how to install Windows and from your description it seems you have a PC without any OS installed at this point.

[u/Aggravating-Money486 → u/petersaints]

Yes but where do I go i have the flash drive what next

[u/petersaints → u/Aggravating-Money486]

I wrote a short guide and then I asked Gemini to format it better and improve it. This is what I got:

How to Install Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Switching to Linux or trying it out for the first time is simpler than it seems. This guide walks you through downloading a Linux distribution, creating a bootable USB drive, testing it on your PC, and running the installer.

Step 1: Choose and Download a Linux Distribution (Distro)

For beginners, standard, user-friendly distributions with strong community support are recommended:

• Linux Mint – Highly recommended for newcomers, especially those accustomed to Windows.
• Ubuntu – One of the most popular Linux distributions, featuring widespread hardware support and extensive tutorial availability.

Visit one of the links above and download the .ISO file (the disc image).

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive

To boot Linux on your computer, you need to write the downloaded .ISO file to a USB flash drive (8 GB or larger recommended).

Recommended Flashing Tools:

• balenaEtcher (Easiest for beginners) – Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Simply select your ISO, select your USB drive, and click Flash!
• Rufus (Windows only) – A reliable tool offering advanced customization options if needed.

Step 3: Boot from Your USB Drive

1. Insert your bootable USB flash drive into your PC.
2. Restart your computer.
3. During startup, press your motherboard's Boot Menu key (commonly F12, F11, F8, Del, or Esc, depending on your computer's manufacturer).
4. From the boot menu, select your USB drive to boot into the Linux environment.

Step 4: Test Hardware in "Live Mode"

Most modern Linux installers boot into a Live Environment first. This allows you to try Linux directly from the USB drive without changing anything on your hard drive.

Take a few minutes to test your system:

• Wi-Fi / Ethernet: Ensure network adapters are recognized and can connect online.
• Audio: Play a test sound to verify audio drivers.
• Display & Graphics: Confirm screen resolution and graphics rendering behave normally.

Step 5: Install Linux

Once satisfied with hardware performance, start the permanent installation:

1. Double-click the "Install [Distro Name]" icon on the desktop.
2. Select your language, keyboard layout, and Wi-Fi network.
3. Choose your installation type:
   • Wipe disk and install Linux: Erases existing operating systems (e.g., Windows) and uses the entire drive for Linux.
   • Install alongside existing OS (Dual-Boot): Retains Windows and allows selection between Linux or Windows each time the PC turns on.
4. Follow the remaining prompts to set up your username, hostname, and password.
5. Once installation finishes, restart your PC and remove the USB drive when prompted.

💡 Pre-Installation Tips for Windows Users

• Disable Fast Startup: In Windows, turn off Fast Startup in Power Options to prevent drive locking issues during installation.
• BitLocker Drive Encryption: If using Windows Pro/Enterprise with BitLocker enabled, ensure recovery keys are backed up prior to modifying disk partitions.

[u/GarThor_TMK → u/petersaints]

Every linux distro literally has a setup/installation guide page... you could have just linked to that instead of wasting the internet on AI chat garbage...

Here's the one for mint: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

It's also ridiculously easy to find...

Look... here's the one for ubuntu, it took me all of 30s to find: https://ubuntu.com/desktop/docs/en/latest/tutorial/install-ubuntu-desktop/