{"id":14160,"date":"2026-05-12T01:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T05:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/?p=14160"},"modified":"2026-05-09T08:28:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T12:28:59","slug":"getting-started-with-linux-ubuntu-26-04","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/?p=14160","title":{"rendered":"Getting started with Linux: Ubuntu 26.04"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I downloaded Ubuntu 26.04<\/a> today, which is the latest long-term release of one of my favorite Linux distributions. I started using Ubuntu twenty years ago. While listening to one of my favorite Linux podcasts, the hosts discussed the new features in this latest release, which piqued my curiosity and led me to download and install it on a spare computer I have. Downloading and installing a new distribution in a virtual machine or on an extra computer has become second nature to me. But what about those who are new to Linux? What should you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ubuntu 26.04 (Resolute Raccoon) has new requirements you should consider before trying it out. It requires 6 gigabytes of RAM and 25 gigabytes of hard disk. It requires a 2 Ghz dual core processor. If you install as I do from a live USB drive, then you will need at least one USB port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are new to Linux, you will need to download the appropriate .iso file. I went to the Ubuntu website, found the link I needed for an Intel or AMD 64-bit architecture, and downloaded it to my computer. If you’re a Microsoft Windows user, you will need software to create a live USB drive to install the operating system. I recommend Balena Etcher<\/a>. Once you have created the installation media, you are ready to begin the installation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on your computer’s manufacturer, you will need to use a specific keystroke combination to allow the computer to boot from the live USB drive. Dell computers permit this to happen by pressing the F12 key while the computer is starting up. Other manufacturers use F2, Esc, or Del as the alternate boot media key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will want to select the option that allows you to “Try Linux without installing.” This will allow you to ensure that your hardware is compatible. Check that you can connect to Wi-Fi, open the Firefox browser, and check if YouTube works. Are you getting good sound? Ensure that your keyboard and trackpad work properly. If you have an extra USB port, you might want to see if an external mouse can connect wired or wireless. If everything works you are usually ready to install.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin the installation, double-click the “Install Linux” icon on your desktop to launch the installer. You can choose to install the new operating system alongside an existing installation, such as Microsoft Windows, or you can completely erase the old partition and start fresh. During the installation, you will typically be prompted to name your computer, select the default settings, and create a username and password. Additionally, you may be able to encrypt your hard disk. However, I generally do not recommend encryption, especially for inexperienced users, as it can lead to the loss of important data if not managed carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may be prompted to install multimedia codecs to ensure that the software functions properly. When you get to the end of the installation, you will be prompted to restart. Following the first restart, you may be prompted to update your software to ensure that you have the latest security updates. Most Linux distributions include Firefox. There will be a file browser so you can easily find documents you create, files in your home directory, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Linux Mint feature software centers that allow users to find and install a wide range of additional open-source software. There are hundreds of high-quality programs available for Linux. Every modern browser, except for Apple’s Safari, can be installed on Linux systems.  It’s worth noting that Ubuntu does not come with LibreOffice pre-installed. I had to install it as a snap<\/a> package through the App Center, which was a simple process that took just a few clicks and required entering my user password to complete.  Additionally, I chose to install the Brave Browser<\/a> and Microsoft Visual Studio Code. As a music enthusiast, I can also conveniently install Spotify, even though it is proprietary, directly from the App Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, getting started with Ubuntu 26.04 can be a rewarding experience for both new and seasoned users alike. Once you have successfully installed the operating system, it’s crucial to keep your system updated. Regular updates will not only provide you with the latest features and security patches but also enhance your overall experience. As you become more comfortable with Ubuntu, consider exploring the command line interface. While it may seem intimidating at first, the command line is a powerful tool that can greatly improve your efficiency and expand your capabilities. Many system operations and software installations can be performed more quickly and effectively through terminal commands than through graphical interfaces. Embrace the learning curve and take the time to familiarize yourself with Linux commands. Resources such as online forums, tutorials, and documentation<\/a> will be invaluable as you embark on this journey. With practice, the command line will become an indispensable part of your Linux experience, allowing you to fully harness the potential of your new operating system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I downloaded Ubuntu 26.04 today, which is the latest long-term release of one of my favorite Linux distributions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":14188,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[515,5,932],"tags":[91,977,934],"class_list":["post-14160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-getting-started","category-linux","category-ubuntu","tag-linux","tag-resolute-raccoon","tag-ubuntu"],"modified_by":"David Both","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14160"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14190,"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14160\/revisions\/14190"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.both.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}