How To Install Arch Linux

Arch Linux provides a minimal base system for complete customization. This guide covers manual installation on UEFI and legacy BIOS systems.

Requirements: x86_64 machine, 512 MB RAM minimum, 2 GB disk space, active internet connection, 2 GB USB drive.

Step 1: Download the Arch Linux ISO

Download the latest ISO from archlinux.org/download. Verify the signature using the provided PGP file to ensure integrity.

Step 2: Create a Live USB for Arch Linux Install

Write the ISO to a USB drive. On Linux, use the dd command:

$ dd bs=4M if=/path/to/archlinux.iso of=/dev/sdX status=progress conv=fsync

Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device identifier. Use lsblk to identify the correct device.

Step 3: Boot from the Live USB

Insert the USB and restart the system. Press F2, F10, or F12 during boot to access the boot menu. Select the USB drive.

Select “Arch Linux install medium” and press Enter. The system boots to a root shell.

Set Keyboard Layout

The default layout is US. List available layouts:

$ ls /usr/share/kbd/keymaps/**/*.map.gz

Load a different layout:

$ loadkeys de-latin1

Step 4: Partition the Disk for Arch Linux

List available disks:

$ fdisk -l

Open the target disk in fdisk:

$ fdisk /dev/sda

Delete existing partitions with d. Create new partitions with n.

UEFI Partition Scheme

Create an EFI system partition (512 MB) and a root partition. Change the EFI partition type to “EFI System” using t and selecting type 1.

Legacy BIOS Partition Scheme

Create a single root partition using the full disk space.

Write changes with w.

Step 5: Create Filesystems

For UEFI Systems

$ mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1
$ mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda2

For Legacy BIOS Systems

$ mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda1

Step 6: Connect to WiFi

Launch the wireless configuration utility:

$ iwctl

List wireless devices:

device list

Scan and connect:

station wlan0 scan
station wlan0 get-networks
station wlan0 connect "NetworkName"

Exit with Ctrl+D. Verify connectivity:

$ ping -c 3 archlinux.org

Step 7: Configure Mirrors

Sync the package database:

$ pacman -Syy

Install reflector:

$ pacman -S reflector

Update the mirror list:

$ reflector -c US -f 12 -l 10 -n 12 --save /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Step 8: Install Arch Linux Base System

Mount the root partition:

$ mount /dev/sda2 /mnt

For legacy BIOS, use /dev/sda1 instead.

Install base packages:

$ pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware nano

Step 9: Configure the Arch Linux System

Generate the fstab file:

$ genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab

Enter the new system:

$ arch-chroot /mnt

Set Timezone

$ timedatectl set-timezone Region/City

Set Locale

Edit /etc/locale.gen and uncomment your locale. Generate it:

$ locale-gen
$ echo LANG=en_US.UTF-8 > /etc/locale.conf

Set Hostname

$ echo myhostname > /etc/hostname

Set Root Password

$ passwd

Step 10: Install the GRUB Bootloader

For UEFI Systems

$ pacman -S grub efibootmgr
$ mkdir /boot/efi
$ mount /dev/sda1 /boot/efi
$ grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader-id=GRUB
$ grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

For Legacy BIOS Systems

$ pacman -S grub
$ grub-install /dev/sda
$ grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Step 11: Create a User Account

Install sudo:

$ pacman -S sudo

Create a user:

$ useradd -m username
$ passwd username
$ usermod -aG wheel,audio,video,storage username

Edit sudoers to enable wheel group:

$ EDITOR=nano visudo

Uncomment the line containing %wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL.

Step 12: Install a Desktop Environment

Install Xorg and NetworkManager:

$ pacman -S xorg networkmanager

Install GNOME:

$ pacman -S gnome

Enable services:

$ systemctl enable gdm
$ systemctl enable NetworkManager

Exit chroot, unmount, and reboot:

$ exit
$ umount -R /mnt
$ reboot

Remove the USB drive when prompted. The GRUB bootloader loads, and GNOME displays the login screen.