I suggest not installing this until you are familiar enough with Linux and reading Docs
Its partitioning step is very risky for Beginners
Download the ISO
First things first, grab that Arch Linux ISO from https://archlinux.org. It’s like finding the Holy Grail, but instead of eternal life, you get endless configuration files.
💡 Check: Is your system UEFI or BIOS?
Oh, the age-old question! This is where you play detective with your own computer.
On Windows:
- Press
Win + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter
- Look for “BIOS Mode”:
- If it says UEFI, choose GPT
- If it says Legacy, choose MBR
Burning the ISO
Now for the digital bonfire! You’ll need to burn that ISO onto a USB drive or SD card. Think of it as giving your USB a new, more adventurous purpose. I’ve listed some tools for you, because who doesn’t love options?
- Balena Etcher (So easy, even a beginner could use it… if they weren’t too busy being warned away from this whole guide)
- Rufus (A classic, for when you want a bit more control)
- Ventoy (The multi-ISO maestro)
Example using Rufus:
- Download and open Rufus
- Plug in your USB drive. Just a friendly reminder: if you have important data on it, kiss it goodbye. It’s about to be wiped faster than your memory after a long Arch debugging session.
- Set the following:
- Device: Your USB drive, obviously.
- Boot selection: Click SELECT and choose the
archlinux-*.iso file. Don’t worry, it won’t bite.
- Partition scheme:
- Use MBR for Legacy BIOS boot (the ancient way)
- Use GPT for UEFI boot (the slightly less ancient way)
- File system: Leave as FAT32. Don’t get fancy now.
- Click START
- If it asks, always choose “Write in ISO Image mode (Recommended)”. Because recommendations are usually right, right?
- Wait. Just wait. It’s like watching paint dry, but with more flashing lights.
Voila! Your USB is now a certified Arch Linux boot device. Feel the power!
Shrinking Windows Partition
Time to make some room for your new obsession. Windows won’t know what hit it.
- Open Disk Management (Win + X → Disk Management)
- Right-click C: → Shrink Volume
- Enter an amount in MB. Aim for around 50GB-100GB. You know, just enough to make Windows feel a little cramped.
- After the shrinking magic, you’ll see some unallocated space. That’s your future Arch home!
Entering in BIOS
Prepare for the grand entrance into your system’s inner sanctum. This is where you tell your PC who’s boss.
- Restart your PC
- As soon as it flickers to life, repeatedly mash that BIOS key. It’s a race against time!
Common keys (because uniformity is overrated):
F2 (Dell, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS)Del (MSI, ASUS desktops)F10 / Esc (HP)F12 (boot menu on many systems)
- Disable Secure Boot. Because who needs security when you’re installing Arch? (Just kidding, it’s usually required).
- Set your USB as the first boot device. Let’s make sure your PC knows its priorities.
Boot Into the Pendrive
Alright, you’re in the Arch live environment. Time to type some commands and feel like a hacker from a 90s movie.
# Makes the font a bit bigger. Because squinting is so last season.
setfont ter-132n
# A utility to help you connect to the internet. Because even Arch needs to call home.
iwctl
# Lists your networking devices. Generally, 'wlan0' is your Wi-Fi, the unsung hero.
device list
# Lists all the Wi-Fi networks around you. Pick one, any one! (Preferably yours).
station wlan0 get-networks
# Connects to your Wi-Fi. Hope you remember your password!
station wlan0 connect WifiName
Type the passphrase/password
# Exit the iwctl utility. We're done with that for now.
exit
# Clears the terminal. A clean slate for new adventures!
clear
# Updates the package database. Gotta stay fresh!
pacman -Sy
# Install archlinux-keyring because security keys are important, even if we just disabled secure boot.
pacman -S archlinux-keyring
Partitioning
This is the moment of truth! This step is incredibly delicate. One wrong move and your data might just vanish into the digital ether. Proceed with the caution of a bomb disposal expert.
# Lets you see the partitions. Stare into the abyss!
lsblk
# A utility to help you partition your disks. It's like a surgical tool, so be precise.
cfdisk /dev/nvme0n1
Select that lovely free space you made earlier, and make sure New is highlighted at the bottom.
-
Create a 512M EFI system partition. This is where your computer looks for boot stuff.
- Select the newly created partition (i.e
p5 here).
- Go on
Type and press Enter.
- Choose EFI System. Because it’s an EFI partition, obviously.
-
Create an 8G (or whatever your RAM is) Linux swap partition. This is like your computer’s temporary memory overflow. If your RAM is huge, you might not even need swap, but better safe than sorry!
-
Create the remaining space as a Linux filesystem partition. This will be your main Arch home. Make it big and comfy!
-
Write the changes to the disk (be absolutely sure!) and then quit. You’ve sculpted your storage!
# Formats your EFI partition as FAT-32 (File Access Table). It's like giving it a fresh coat of paint.
mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/[efi_partition_name]
# Formats your main Arch partition as EXT4 (Extended File System). This is a robust file system, perfect for your new OS.
mkfs.ext4 /dev/[root_partition_name]
# Formats your swap partition. It's ready for action!
mkswap /dev/[swap_partition_name]
# Mounts your Root partition to /mnt. This is where the magic begins.
mount /dev/[root_partition_name] /mnt
# Create a new directory named boot in /mnt. Think of it as a small, specialized closet.
mkdir /mnt/boot
# Mount your EFI partition to this newly created boot folder. Keep things tidy!
mount /dev/[efi_partition_name] /mnt/boot
# Start using the Swap. Give your system some breathing room.
swapon /dev/[swap_partition_name]
Now, for the love of all that is holy, run lsblk again and VERIFY that everything is mounted where it should be. Trust me on this one.
Install Base System
# Install some basic utilities. Your starter pack for Arch enlightenment.
# git => for version control (because you'll be managing dotfiles, oh yes you will)
# sudo => for running commands as admin (because you're not always root, thankfully)
# fastfetch => view your system info (to humblebrag to your friends)
# bluez and bluez-utils => for bluetooth support (because wires are so last century)
# btop => task manager for linux (because htop is good, but btop is prettier)
# reflector => to update mirrorlist (get those packages FAST!)
# nano => minimal terminal based text-editor (your new best friend for config files)
# Replace intel-ucode with amd-ucode if you have an AMD Processor. Don't mix 'em up!
pacstrap -i /mnt base base-devel linux linux-firmware git sudo fastfetch btop intel-ucode nano bluez bluez-utils networkmanager
# Generate default mounting configuration. This tells your Arch system where everything is. Crucial!
genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab
# Display the File Contents (Just to check). Proofread your work, aspiring Arch Master.
cat /mnt/etc/fstab
# Changes the root directory to /mnt. You're now officially inside your new Arch installation. Exciting!
arch-chroot /mnt
Ah, look at that! Your system info, fresh and clean.
Setup Reflector
# Backup Old Mirrorlist. Because if you mess up, you'll want a way back.
cp /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.bak
# Finds the fastest mirrors for your package downloads. Say goodbye to slow updates!
reflector --latest 20 --protocol https --sort rate --save /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
# Sets the password for the ROOT user. Don't forget this one, or you're locked out!
passwd
Type your super-secret root password.
Create Yourself in the Arch World
# Creates a New user and gives them permissions. Because you don't want to live as root forever.
useradd -m -g users -G wheel,storage,power,video,audio -s /bin/bash [username]
# Sets the password for your new user. Make it a good one!
passwd [username]
Type the password
# Use nano editor and modify user and group permissions. This gives your user sudo powers.
EDITOR=nano visudo
Scroll down and uncomment %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL.
This makes users in the wheel group (like your new user) able to use sudo. It’s like giving them a magic wand.
Ctrl+O to save changes, Ctrl+X to exit.
# Login to the shell as the given user. Get comfortable.
su - [username]
# Updates the packages. Because even fresh installs need a quick refresh.
sudo pacman -Syu
# Exit the user shell. Back to root for a bit.
exit
Timezone Configuration
# Sets the local time of the PC. For me, it's GMT+0530 (India). Adjust to your timezone, unless you enjoy time travel.
ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/Asia/Kolkata /etc/localtime
# Synchronize the system clock. Keep time precise!
hwclock --systohc
Locale Configuration
# Open the locale.gen file so that we can generate locale files. Language is important!
nano /etc/locale.gen
Scroll and uncomment en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8
# Generate the locale based on locale.gen file. Make it official!
locale-gen
Write LANG=en_US.UTF-8.
Hosts Configuration
# Sets the hostname for your Linux installation. I usually go with `archlinux` because I'm unoriginal, but you do you!
nano /etc/hostname
Write archlinux or whatever creative name you’ve conjured up.
# Configure default hostname mappings with IP addresses. The internet needs to know who you are!
nano /etc/hosts
Type the following after a 2-line gap. Make sure to replace archlinux with your chosen hostname if it’s different.
Bootloader
# Install packages required to set GRUB as bootloader. Your ticket to boot into Arch!
pacman -S grub efibootmgr dosfstools mtools os-prober
# Install GRUB
# This step is according to your harware check your system type and set the target according to it
grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot --bootloader-id=GRUB
# Create/Update GRUB config. This scans for operating systems (like Windows!) and adds them to the boot menu, we'll enable the scanning later.
grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
# Enable Bluetooth service. Because tangled wires are for savages.
systemctl enable bluetooth
# Enable Networking service (Wi-Fi/Ethernet). You want to stay connected, right?
systemctl enable NetworkManager
# Exits the chroot environment. You're almost home!
exit
# Unmounts all partitions. Gently release them back into the wild.
umount -lR /mnt
# Shutdown the PC. The grand finale of this stage!
shutdown now
Now, bravely remove the USB drive and press that power button. If all went well, you’ll be greeted by GRUB.
Log in with your new user (case-sensitive, don’t mess it up!).
# Doubles the font size. Because who wants tiny text after all that work?
setfont -d
# Use Network Manager CLI to view device status. Confirm your network card is ready.
nmcli dev status
# Switch on the Wifi. Let's get online!
nmcli radio wifi on
# List the available WiFi networks. Find your network in the wild.
nmcli dev wifi list
# Connect to the wifi. Replace `WifiName` and `WifiPass`. Don't let your efforts be in vain!
sudo nmcli dev wifi connect WifiName password "WifiPass"
# Update all the packages. The first of many!
sudo pacman -Syu
sudo nano /etc/default/grub
Set GRUB_TIMEOUT to 20 seconds. This gives you plenty of time to choose between Arch and Windows (if you kept it).
Uncomment GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false. This is the magic line that makes Windows appear in your GRUB menu. You’re dual-booting, you magnificent beast!
Write the changes (Ctrl+O) and exit (Ctrl+X).
write the changes and exit
# Update the grub config. Make those changes stick!
sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
And we are all done, my friend! You’ve successfully installed Arch Linux. Now the real fun begins: customizing your fresh, minimal install with some glorious dotfiles!
Dotfiles
Files starting with a . are like hidden treasures, holding the keys to your system’s configuration and secrets. Get ready to personalize!
End-4 Dots
Official Repo
# Installation Steps
bash <(curl -s "https://end-4.github.io/dots-hyprland-wiki/setup.sh")
Official Repo
# Installation Steps
pacman -S --needed git base-devel
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/HyDE-Project/HyDE ~/HyDE
cd ~/HyDE/Scripts
./install.sh
ML4W Dotfiles
Official Repo
# Installation Steps
bash -c "$(curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mylinuxforwork/dotfiles/main/setup-arch.sh)"
Custom
Feeling brave? If pre-packaged dotfiles aren’t your style, here’s a minimal Hyprland setup to get you started. Because sometimes, less is more (and more challenging).
# Package Details
# hyprland => The fancy new Desktop Environment. Welcome to the Wayland era!
# dunst => Notification service. So you know when something important happens (like new emails, or if your cat walked across the keyboard).
# kitty => Terminal application. Because you'll be spending a lot of time here.
# pipewire & wireplumber => Audio related packages. Because silent systems are just sad.
# nautilus => File manager. For when the terminal isn't enough (rarely).
# vlc => Media player. To watch all those cat videos you downloaded.
# ttf-* & noto-* => Fonts. Because text needs to look pretty.
# hyprcursor => Cursor for Hyprland. Your pointer will be stylish!
# firefox => Web Browser. To download more Arch guides, obviously.
# libinput => For Touchpad and Mouse. So you can actually use your computer.
# sddm => Display Manager. Your graphical login screen.
# flatpak => For installing some extra applications available on Flathub. Because sometimes, you just need an app without compiling it yourself.
sudo pacman -S hyprland dunst kitty xdg-desktop-portal-hyprland qt5-wayland qt6-wayland pipewire nautilus vlc clang cargo firefox noto-fonts noto-fonts-emoji ttf-dejavu ttf-font-awesome hyprlang hyprcursor polkit-kde-agent wireplumber libinput sddm flatpak