I'm looking for some practical guidance on getting Arch Linux up and running smoothly, just like other popular operating systems like Mint or Ubuntu. I know Arch isn't designed to be beginner-friendly, but I'm hoping to get tips on what to install and how to configure it effectively. Last time I tried it, everything felt unfamiliar after installation, and I couldn't find what I needed on the desktop. I'm working with an older system that has 4GB of DDR2 RAM, and while I'm currently using Windows 7 on it, I want to see if Arch can perform well. I began the setup process using the archinstall tool, and I selected Hyprland for the desktop environment because I heard it was great for customization. However, I'm curious if choosing KDE or another DE would make a difference in what I need to set up. Do all desktop environments require a full build from the ground up, or do some offer more out-of-the-box functionality?
3 Answers
If you're trying Arch, I'd recommend CachyOS. It's the most polished version and gives you a more user-friendly Arch experience. You can also switch your desktop environment after installation, no problem! Just remember that Arch is a rolling release, so expect the typical nuances that come with that setup.
The quickest way I know to set up Arch is by using the installer. At the setup menu, just type "archinstall" (might be in all caps) and hit enter. It opens a text-based setup wizard akin to those in other distros but with a GUI. This should make things easier!
Desktop environments bring their own set of tools with them. For Arch, you'll want to figure out what you're missing. Consider making a list of tools that come with different DE options like KDE or XFCE. If you want speed, looking into the Nix package manager can help streamline your setup, even if that's not exactly what you're asking for.
Yeah, that was my approach the first time! I might have messed up by choosing Hyprland; maybe it’s the one that requires more manual setup than the others?