I just downloaded Arch Linux and currently have it on a USB stick. How do I install it onto my computer's internal drive so I don't need the USB every time I want to use it? This is my first Linux distribution, so I'd also appreciate advice on whether Arch is a reasonable place to start.
3 Answers
Flashing the ISO to a USB only creates installation media; it doesn’t install Arch on your computer. You need to boot from the USB, partition the internal drive, install the base system and bootloader, configure networking and users, then reboot without the USB. The official installation guide walks through the process, but it involves quite a few manual steps and troubleshooting.
Before doing anything, back up important files and make sure you know which disk is the internal drive. Choosing the wrong disk or partition can erase your existing system. If you want a more guided experience, Linux Mint or Fedora will install to the internal drive with much less manual setup.
Fedora is a good middle ground if you want newer software while still having a straightforward installer. Mint is usually the gentler choice for someone completely new to Linux.
Arch can be a great learning project, but it won’t provide a fully configured desktop out of the box. You’ll need to choose and install the desktop environment, applications, drivers and other settings yourself. If your main goal is simply to use Linux, start with a beginner-friendly distribution and try Arch later.
I started with Arch too, and it’s manageable if you’re comfortable reading carefully and spending time troubleshooting. The installation can easily take most of a day for a first attempt.