One day or another, you might have to replace your Windows or Mac OS X operating system with Linux Mint, the more user-friendly version of Linux Ubuntu. Installing Linux Mint is tricky, but nothing more.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Prepare to Install Linux Mint
Step 1. Back up the data on your hard drive
As you are going to replace your operating system with Linux, it is more than wise to make a full backup of your hard drive (files, programs, preferences, utilities). So if there is any problem installing Linux Mint, you can reinstall everything as before.
Step 2. Check your operating system version
If you are on Mac OS X, skip this step. Depending on the version of the operating system (32 or 64 bit), you will need to download a particular version of Linux Mint.
Step 3. Check the processor type of your Mac computer
The Linux system can only be installed on a computer with an Intel processor. To find out, click on the menu Apple (
), then About this Mac. Look at the marked line Processor. You must read the Intel mention, otherwise you will not be able to install Linux on your computer.
If you are on Windows, go to the next step
Step 4. Download the Linux Mint ISO file
Go to Linuxmint. In the table at the bottom, locate the line Cinnamon, then, depending on the version of your computer system, click on 32-bit Where 64-bit. On the new page, click on a mirror site for your country (France).
For a Mac, choose the 64-bit version
Step 5. Download an image burning utility
This will depend on your operating system.
- In Windows, go to Pendrivelinux, scroll down and click on Download UUI (Download UUI).
- In Mac OS X, go to Etcher, click on Etcher for macOS (Etcher for macOS) at the top of the page.
Step 6. Connect a USB flash drive to your computer
Connect it to one of the still free USB ports, they are located either on the back or on the side of the central unit.
On a Mac, you'll need a USB-C flash drive (or a USB 3 to USB-C adapter)
Step 7. Format your USB flash drive
If it already contains data, it will be erased. A new file system will then be installed: make sure it is compatible with your computer:
- under Windows, choose the NTFS or FAT32 file system,
- on Mac, choose the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system.
Step 8. Leave your flash drive in place
At this point you have downloaded Linux Mint, your flash drive is formatted: you can proceed with the actual installation of Linux.
Part 2 of 4: Install the Linux Desktop on Windows
Step 1. Install the UUI Burn utility
Double-click on the Universal USB Installer icon (shaped like a flash disk). At any point, click Yes (Yes) and finally I Agree (I accept). The utility welcome window appears on the screen.
Step 2. Create bootable media
Click on the drop-down menu Step 1 (1st step) and select Linux Mint. Proceed as follows:
- in Step 2 (2nd step), click on Browse (Browse),
- select the Linux Mint ISO file,
- click on Open (To open),
- in Step 3 (3rd step), click on the drop-down menu,
- choose the letter of your USB flash drive, check the box Fat32 Format Drive,
- click on Create (To create) at the bottom of the window,
- to finish, click on Yes (Yes).
Step 3. Close UUI
Click on the button Close (To close). Now the Linux Mint distribution is installed on your flash drive.
Step 4. Restart your computer
Click on To start up (
), then On Off (
). To restart your computer, click To restart.
Step 5. Immediately press the BIOS key
You need to restart while holding down a certain key (F1, F2 or F10) or tapping the Delete key).
- The key to press sometimes appears momentarily at the bottom of the screen, next to other keys.
- Otherwise, to know the BIOS access key, you can consult the documentation delivered with your computer or that available on the Internet on the manufacturer's site.
- If the start screen appears, it means that you were not quick enough: you are good to restart the restart.
Step 6. Go to the section on the boot order
On most PCs, you have to move using the navigation arrows to be able to click on the tab. Advanced (Advanced) Where Boot (Start-up)
When you open some BIOSes, you actually go directly to the boot options page
Step 7. Select the external media
Depending on the digital medium connected, the name will vary: USB Drive (Usb reader), USB Disk (USB disk) or Removable Storage (Removable support). Again, use the navigation arrows to select the bootable media.
Step 8. Move your media back to the top of the boot list
With the external medium selected, press + as many times as necessary until your medium is at the top of the list.
If that doesn't work with the keyboard, look in the legend on the right side (or bottom) to find out which key to press and use it
Step 9. Save the changes and exit the BIOS
In general, there is only one key to press to save the changes: look in the legend which one is concerned. Once the backup is done and the BIOS exits, you will find yourself on the Linux boot screen.
On some PCs, you are asked to confirm the save by pressing another key
Step 10. Select the Linux Mint option
If you have Linux Mint 18.3, you will need to select Boot linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit.
- This last name varies according to the version of Linux Mint chosen and the number of bits of the operating system.
- Do not select the acpi = off version of Mint!
Step 11. Validate with the Enter key
The installation of the Linux Mint desktop then begins.
Step 12. Wait for the Linux Desktop to download
It usually takes a few minutes. Once this step is finished, you will be able to install Linux on your hard drive.
Part 3 of 4: Install Linux Desktop on Mac
Step 1. Install Etcher
Double click on the DMG file titled Etcher, if asked, check the installation. Locate the Etcher icon and drag it into the folder Applications.
Step 2. Open Etcher
The program is now in the folder Applications.
Step 3. Click ⚙️
This icon is in the upper right corner of the Etcher window.
Step 4. Check the Unsafe mode box
The option is at the very bottom of the page.
Step 5. Click Enable unsafe mode
You can then transfer the file to any digital medium.
Step 6. Click Back
The button is at the top right of the page.
Step 7. Click Select image
This blue rectangular button is on the left of the Etcher window.
Step 8. Click on the Linux Mint ISO file
In doing so, you select it.
Step 9. Click Open
The button is in the lower left corner of the window.
Step 10. Click Select drive
This blue rectangular button is in the middle of the page.
Step 11. Select your medium
Click on their name, then click keep on going (To continue) at the bottom of the window.
Step 12. Click Flash
This blue rectangular button is on the far right of the Etcher window. You then have a bootable version of Linux on your USB medium which will allow you to install it on your hard drive.
Step 13. Restart your Mac
Click on the menu Apple (
), then To restart… and confirm by clicking on To restart.
Step 14. Hold down ⌥ Option
Push it in right after clicking Restart now. Do not release until you see the start options.
- The ⌥ Option key should be pressed immediately after clicking the last To restart.
Step 15. Click EFI Boot. Sometimes you have to click on the flash disk name, sometimes you have to click on the Linux Mint option. The Linux Mint installation screen appears.
Step 16. Select the Linux Mint option
If you have Linux Mint 18.3, you will need to select Boot linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit.
- This last name varies according to the version of Linux Mint chosen and the number of bits of the operating system.
- Do not select the acpi = off version of Mint!
Step 17. Validate with the Enter key
The installation of the Linux Mint desktop then begins.
Step 18. Wait for the Linux desktop to download
This will take only few minutes. Once you have completed this step, you can install Linux on your hard drive.
Part 4 of 4: Install Linux Mint
Step 1. Double-click on Install Linux Mint
The disc icon is on the desktop. A window opens.
Step 2. Set the language of the distribution
Click on the language you want (for example, French), then To continue in the lower left corner of the window.
Step 3. Set up the wireless connection
Click on your wireless network, enter the password in the appropriate field, then click To log in. Finally click on Continue.
Step 4. Select the Install this third-party software check box
It's at the top of the page.
Step 5. Click Continue
Step 6. Click Yes at the appropriate time
You thus confirm the deletion of any partition of the hard disk: this one is only one in terms of capacity.
Step 7. Replace your old operating system with Linux
Check the box Erase the disk and install Linux Mint, click Continue, then click Install now. To continue with the installation, click Continue.
Step 8. Select your region of residence
On the world map, click the time zone that corresponds to your area of residence, then click Continue in the lower left corner.
Step 9. Select the language of your operating system
On the left of the window, select French, then on the right, click on one of the variants of French keyboards. Click on Continue.
Step 10. Enter your user data
You will enter your name, your computer name, your username and a password. At the end, click Continue. Linux Mint is finally installed on your computer and is ready to go.
Step 11. Remove the USB flash drive from your computer
Normally, your Mac won't restart on removable media, but it's best to remove it to make sure it restarts on Linux.
Step 12. Click Restart Now
Now that there is no other bootable media, your computer reboots to the hard drive, on Linux Mint: after all, it's an operating system like any other!