Arch Linux is one of the best distros that we can download and install on the PC, at least if we are advanced users. Unlike others, such as Ubuntu, which are already prepared with a series of packages and software to be able to start using them from the first moment, Arch must be configured from scratch during its installation, installation that, by the way, is based on commands . If we can do it, and we know how to keep it in good condition, we have one of the best operating systems that we can find for PC. But most users who decide to give it a try give it up before actually installing it.
There are several ways to install Arch Linux. The classic thing is to copy and configure the system by hand from the console that we load in Live mode, but the latest version of Arch brought a new wizard that greatly simplifies the process of installing and starting up the system. Still, many users find it difficult to set up.
Fortunately, there are other techniques that allow us to install this system much faster and easier. And, this time, we are going to explain how to do it by writing just two commands.
Two commands are enough to install Arch Linux
The first thing to do is download the ISO of this operating system. In case of not having it already downloaded, we will download it for free from this link . Once downloaded, we record it to a USB and start our PC with it.
If we have already downloaded the latest ISO, ArchInstall will be installed by default, so we will save a command. In any case, we can also execute the following command to download the most up-to-date version of the installation tool. In case our image is older, with this command we can download the tool directly:
sudo pacman -S archinstall
Once the tool is downloaded and installed in our Arch Live, we only have to execute the second command to carry out the installation of Linux on the system:
archinstall
Clever. Now, instead of configuring the system command by command, we just have to follow the steps that it indicates. These steps will be:
- Set the keyboard language (it is for Spain).
- Set the region (44 for Spain).
- Choose the medium where we are going to install it.
- Select the file system.
- Optional: choose encryption password.
- Host name.
- Enable root and create normal users.
- Select the desktop we want to use.
- Select the drivers for the GPU.
- Install additional packages.
- Select the network interface.
- Choose time zone.
After this, we can see a summary with all the settings. If it is correct, press Enter and the installation of the system will begin. As we can see, with only two commands. When finished, we reboot and we can start using Arch Linux.
Another way to enjoy this distro
ArchInstall greatly simplifies the installation of this Linux distro. However, it is still a complicated system to configure and maintain. If we want to experience first-hand what Arch Linux offers us, but we don’t want to complicate ourselves, there is an alternative, based on it, much easier to install, configure and use on a day-to-day basis: Manjaro .
Manjaro Linux, in addition to having a simple installer, comes with a series of configurations and programs designed so that users can start working with it from the first moment. But, in addition, it continues to offer the user full control over the system. A fast, light distro that offers the user the purest Linux philosophy that will surely make us forget Windows and macOS.
