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Installing Linux

Table of contents​

  1. Installation options
  2. Installing Ubuntu on VirtualBox
  3. Installing WSL2 on Windows
  4. First boot and configuration
  5. Verifying the installation

1 - Installation options​

Several methods exist for using Linux. Here are the main ones:

Comparison of the methods​

MethodDifficultyPerformanceRecommended for
VirtualBoxEasyMediumLearning, testing
WSL2Very easyGoodWindows developers
Dual BootMediumExcellentIntensive use
Cloud VPSEasyVariableDevOps, production
Standalone installationEasyExcellentLinux only
Recommendation

For this course, we recommend WSL2 if you are on Windows 10/11, or VirtualBox for any other situation.

Hardware prerequisites​

ComponentMinimumRecommended
RAM4 GB8 GB+
Storage20 GB50 GB+
CPU2 cores4 cores+
VirtualizationEnabled in BIOS-

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2 - Installing Ubuntu on VirtualBox​

Step 1: Download the software​

VirtualBox:

  • Go to virtualbox.org
  • Download the version for your system (Windows/macOS/Linux)
  • Install with the default options

Ubuntu:

  • Go to ubuntu.com/download
  • Download Ubuntu Desktop LTS (Long Term Support version)
  • You get a .iso file (~4 GB)

Step 2: Create the virtual machine​

Detailed configuration:

SettingRecommended value
NameUbuntu-Learning
TypeLinux
VersionUbuntu (64-bit)
RAM4096 MB (4 GB)
Hard diskCreate a virtual disk
File typeVDI
Size25 GB (dynamic)

Step 3: Configure the VM​

Before starting, adjust these settings:

System → Processor:

  • Processors: 2 (or more if available)
  • Check "Enable PAE/NX"

Display → Screen:

  • Video memory: 128 MB
  • Controller: VMSVGA

Storage:

  • Click the empty CD icon
  • Choose the downloaded Ubuntu ISO

Step 4: Installing Ubuntu​

  1. Start the VM → Click "Start"
  2. Choose the language → English
  3. Install Ubuntu → Click "Install Ubuntu"
  4. Keyboard layout → English
  5. Installation type → Normal installation
  6. Erase the disk → Yes (it's a VM, no risk)
  7. Create user → Name, password
  8. Wait → The installation takes 10-15 minutes
  9. Reboot → When prompted
Important

Do NOT check "Download updates during installation" for a faster installation.

Guest Additions improve integration:

  • Better screen resolution
  • Copy-paste between host and VM
  • Shared folders
# Dans le terminal Ubuntu après installation :
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y virtualbox-guest-additions-iso
sudo apt install -y build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
# Menu VirtualBox → Périphériques → Insérer l'image CD des Additions
cd /media/$USER/VBox*
sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
sudo reboot

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3 - Installing WSL2 on Windows​

WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2) lets you run Linux directly inside Windows 10/11.

Prerequisites​

  • Windows 10 version 2004+ or Windows 11
  • Virtualization enabled in the BIOS

Installation with a single command​

Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

wsl --install

This command:

  • Enables the WSL features
  • Downloads the WSL2 Linux kernel
  • Installs Ubuntu by default
info

After the installation, reboot your computer.

First configuration​

On the first launch of Ubuntu:

Installing, this may take a few minutes...
Please create a default UNIX user account.
Enter new UNIX username: votre_nom
New password: ********
Retype new password: ********

Verify the WSL2 installation​

# Dans PowerShell
wsl --list --verbose

Expected result:

  NAME      STATE           VERSION
* Ubuntu    Running         2

Install other distributions​

# Voir les distributions disponibles
wsl --list --online

# Installer une distribution spécifique
wsl --install -d Debian
wsl --install -d Ubuntu-22.04

Access the files​

FromToPath
WindowsLinux\\wsl$\Ubuntu\home\user
LinuxWindows/mnt/c/Users/YourName
# Depuis Ubuntu WSL, accéder au bureau Windows
cd /mnt/c/Users/VotreNom/Desktop

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4 - First boot and configuration​

The Ubuntu Desktop interface​

System update​

The first thing to do after installation:

# Mettre à jour la liste des paquets
sudo apt update

# Mettre à jour les paquets installés
sudo apt upgrade -y
note

sudo = "Super User DO" - runs a command as an administrator. You will be asked for your password.

Basic customization​

Settings → Appearance:

  • Light or dark theme
  • Dock position

Settings → Region and language:

  • Formats: France
  • Input sources: French

Install essential software​

# Éditeur de texte avancé
sudo apt install -y vim

# Outil de téléchargement
sudo apt install -y curl wget

# Git pour le contrôle de version
sudo apt install -y git

# Utilitaires réseau
sudo apt install -y net-tools

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5 - Verifying the installation​

Check that everything works correctly:

System information​

# Version du noyau Linux
uname -r
# Exemple: 5.15.0-91-generic

# Version d'Ubuntu
lsb_release -a
# Description: Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS

# Architecture
uname -m
# x86_64

Terminal test​

# Afficher la date
date

# Afficher le répertoire courant
pwd

# Lister les fichiers
ls

# Afficher "Hello World"
echo "Hello World, je suis sur Linux !"

Internet connection test​

# Ping vers Google
ping -c 4 google.com

# Télécharger une page
curl -I https://ubuntu.com

Verification checklist​

TestCommandExpected result
Kerneluname -rVersion 5.x or 6.x
Distributionlsb_release -dUbuntu XX.XX
UserwhoamiYour username
Internetping -c 2 google.comReplies received
Disk spacedf -h /Available space
Everything works?

If all these commands work, congratulations! Your Linux is ready for the rest of the course.

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Key takeaways​

  • VirtualBox is ideal for learning risk-free
  • WSL2 is the simplest solution on Windows 10/11
  • Always update after a new installation
  • sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade = a command to know
  • Verify your installation with uname and lsb_release

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