Can I install Mint on a PC that has no OS?

Yes. The PC doesn’t need an operating system already installed. You’ll need access to another working computer, a USB drive of 8 GB or larger, and an internet connection to download Mint’s installer image and write it to the drive. That process erases the USB, so use one without files you need.

Plug the installer USB into the new PC, start it, and choose the USB from the boot menu. You can try the live environment first, then open the installer when ready. Pay attention to the disk-selection step: choosing the internal drive for a fresh install will erase its contents.

No existing OS is needed. The USB installer is what starts the computer and launches the installation. Mint is a reasonable beginner option, and you can use its live session to check that basic things like the display and network work before installing.

Get the image from Mint’s official download page rather than using a torrent for your first attempt. If you don’t have another computer to prepare the USB, you’ll need to borrow one or ask the PC seller whether they can provide installation media.

The steps are simple, but it’s worth slowing down at the boot and disk screens. Use a USB-writing tool to make a bootable drive from the downloaded image, then use the PC’s startup menu to boot from it. The key to open that menu varies by manufacturer, so check the PC’s manual if it isn’t shown at startup.

If the installer can’t see the internal drive or won’t boot, check the manufacturer’s firmware settings and the computer’s support notes before changing anything. Keep the installer USB until you’ve confirmed the new system starts correctly.