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2 - Linux Installation

Manjaro Linux is a user-friendly, open-source operating system based on the independently developed Arch operating system. The KDE edition of Manjaro Linux offers a more traditional desktop environment, with plenty of customization options. This guide will walk you through the steps to install Manjaro Linux KDE Edition on your computer, specifically focusing on using Ventoy to create a bootable USB drive.

2.1 - Prerequisites​

2.1.1 - System Requirements​

  • A 64-bit computer with at least 2GB of RAM
  • At least 30GB of free disk space
  • A USB drive with at least 4GB of storage

2.1.2 - Backup Important Data​

Before you proceed, make sure to backup all important data. Installing a new OS involves formatting your drive, which will erase all existing data.

2.2 - Download Manjaro Linux KDE​

  1. Visit the Official Website: Go to Manjaro's official download page.
  2. Select KDE Edition: Choose the KDE version and download the ISO file.

2.3 - Create a Bootable USB Drive with Ventoy​

2.3.1 - Why Use Ventoy?​

Ventoy is a versatile tool that allows you to create a bootable USB drive where you can simply drag-and-drop ISO files for booting. This means you can have multiple ISO files on the same USB drive without having to reformat it each time you want to create a bootable disk for a different OS.

2.3.2 - Steps​

  1. Download Ventoy: Visit the Ventoy website and download the latest version.
  2. Extract the Zip File: Once downloaded, extract the zip file to a folder.
  3. Insert USB Drive: Plug your USB drive into your computer.
  4. Run Ventoy:
    • On Windows: Run the Ventoy2Disk.exe executable as an administrator.
    • On Linux: Open a terminal, navigate to the extracted folder, and run sudo sh Ventoy2Disk.sh -i /dev/sdx, replacing /dev/sdx with your USB drive.
  5. Install to USB: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ventoy to your USB drive.
  6. Copy OS ISO: Once Ventoy is installed, you can simply drag-and-drop the downloaded Manjaro Linux KDE ISO file onto the USB drive.

2.4 - Boot from USB​

  1. Restart Your Computer: Reboot and enter your system's BIOS/UEFI menu.
  2. Change Boot Order: Navigate to the boot order settings and move the USB drive to the top of the list.
  3. Save and Exit: Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI menu to reboot from the USB drive.

2.5 - Start the Installation​

  1. Choose Manjaro from Boot Menu: When the Ventoy boot menu appears, select the Manjaro Linux KDE ISO to proceed.
  2. Launch Installer: Once the desktop environment loads, find and launch the "Install Manjaro Linux" icon.

2.6 - Partitioning​

  1. Choose Installation Type: You'll have options like "Install alongside," "Replace a partition," or "Erase disk." For a fresh install, choose "Erase disk."
  2. Manual Partitioning: Advanced users can opt for manual partitioning to customize partitions.

2.7 - User and System Settings​

  1. Select Your Location: Choose your geographical location for local time settings.
  2. Keyboard Layout: Select your preferred keyboard layout.
  3. Create User Account: Enter your username, computer name, and a strong password.

2.8 - Install and Reboot​

  1. Review Settings: Double-check your settings to make sure everything is correct.
  2. Start Installation: Click on "Install" to begin the installation process.
  3. Reboot: Once the installation is complete, you'll be prompted to reboot your system.

2.9 - Post-Installation Steps​

  1. Update System: Open a terminal and run sudo pacman -Syu or yay -Syu to update your system packages.
  2. Install Software: Use the built-in software center or run sudo pacman -S package-name or yay -S package-name to install new software.