I've been experimenting with different Linux distros and got really interested in Fedora after seeing it on a friend's computer. It looked so polished, and I thought I'd give it a try. I downloaded the ISO and booted it from my Ventoy USB drive, but I was really puzzled by the installer. Coming from Debian, it felt completely foreign and kind of restrictive. There seemed to be no straightforward way to change mount points or set up a swap partition. I couldn't even figure out how to switch from EXT4 to something else! It's like they only offer defaults and the whole vibe felt a bit like a Linux version of Apple—more like a statement than a flexible OS. Is this how Fedora is? Am I missing something?
4 Answers
Just a heads up, the default filesystem on Fedora is Btrfs, not EXT4—might be worth keeping in mind. The installer does tend to be rather simple; customization options aren’t very extensive unless you dig deeper. If you want more control, maybe try the "everything" network installer instead!
Fedora's installer is pretty minimal compared to some others. I mean, Debian has its own unique installer, while most others have some unified installer. Personally, I think OpenSUSE has the best installer out there if we're talking about GUI options.
Sounds like a plan! I’ve been thinking about giving OpenSUSE a shot too.
I honestly can’t believe you found it that confusing! Last I checked, it had options for changing partitions and mount points. Are you sure your ISO wasn't corrupted? That could explain a lot if things are acting weird.
I had a similar issue and realized it was my USB drive acting up! I was using Fedora Workstation 42 as well.
Don't forget that Fedora 42 has a new installer, so it might not be what you were expecting if you're used to the same setup from previous versions. It's been a while since I installed it myself, so I can’t really comment on the new features.
That makes complete sense! Since Fedora is always evolving, it seems they might be rolling out a new installer that's not quite complete yet.
That’s reassuring to know! I guess I just wasn’t their target audience. It's clear I have more to learn.