How to Install Arch Linux on a PC or Laptop (2025 Edition "" From Windows to Arch)
This guide is written for everyone moving from Windows "" whether you're on a laptop or desktop, using UEFI or Legacy BIOS. It's clear, step-by-step, and accurate "" everything you need from booting the USB to logging into your new Arch desktop.
âš™ï¸ What You'll Need
Before starting, prepare these:
A computer with Windows (for now)
- Minimum: Dual-core CPU (Intel i3/i5/i7 3rd gen+), 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended).
- Storage: 20 GB+ for Arch (more for desktop environment).
A USB drive (at least 4 GB).
Stable internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
Another device or your phone (to read this guide while installing).
👑§± Step 1: Back Up Your Data
You're about to erase or modify partitions "" so back up your important files:
- Documents, photos, and browser bookmarks.
- Windows product key (optional, for reinstalling later).
Use OneDrive, Google Drive, or an external HDD/SSD.
👑’¿ Step 2: Download Arch Linux ISO
Visit the official Arch website: 👑‘‰ https://archlinux.org/download/
Click on "HTTP Direct Downloads" →’ choose the nearest mirror (like archlinux.org/iso/latest/).
You'll get a file like:
archlinux-2025.10.01-x86_64.iso
👑§° Step 3: Create a Bootable USB
On Windows: Use Rufus (https://rufus.ie):
- Plug your USB drive.
- Open Rufus →’ Select ISO file.
- Partition Scheme:
- UEFI systems: GPT + FAT32.
- Legacy BIOS: MBR.
- File system: FAT32.
- Click Start.
When done, your USB is ready to boot Arch.
👑"§ Step 4: Boot into Arch USB
Reboot your PC.
Press your Boot Menu key:
- Dell: F12
- HP: Esc or F9
- Lenovo: F12
- Acer: F12
- Asus: F8
Select your USB drive.
You'll see:
Arch Linux install medium (x86_64, UEFI)
Press Enter.
👑Œ Step 5: Connect to the Internet
For Ethernet: You're already connected "" no setup needed.
For Wi-Fi: Run:
iwctl
Then inside the prompt:
device list
station wlan0 scan
station wlan0 get-networks
station wlan0 connect your_wifi_name
Enter your Wi-Fi password. Check connection:
ping -c 3 archlinux.org
If you get replies "" you're online.
🕐’ Step 6: Update the System Clock
timedatectl set-ntp true
Confirm:
timedatectl status
👑’½ Step 7: Partition the Disk
List all disks:
lsblk
Usually:
/dev/sda→’ HDD/dev/nvme0n1→’ SSD
If you want a clean install (remove Windows completely):
Use cfdisk:
cfdisk /dev/sda
Choose your partition table type:
- UEFI: GPT
- Legacy BIOS: DOS
Example layout (UEFI):
| Mount Point | Partition | Type | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| /boot/efi | /dev/sda1 | EFI System | 512M |
| swap | /dev/sda2 | Linux swap | 2—4G |
| / | /dev/sda3 | Linux filesystem | Rest of disk |
Write →’ Confirm →’ Quit.
👑’¾ Step 8: Format the Partitions
For UEFI:
mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1
mkswap /dev/sda2
swapon /dev/sda2
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda3
For Legacy BIOS (no EFI partition):
mkswap /dev/sda1
swapon /dev/sda1
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda2
👑§ Step 9: Mount the Partitions
For UEFI:
mount /dev/sda3 /mnt
mkdir /mnt/boot
mkdir /mnt/boot/efi
mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot/efi
For Legacy BIOS:
mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
👑"¦ Step 10: Install Base System
pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware nano networkmanager
This installs:
- Arch base system
- Linux kernel
- Firmware and Network tools
📜 Step 11: Generate fstab
genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab
Check:
cat /mnt/etc/fstab
👑"„ Step 12: Chroot into New System
arch-chroot /mnt
🕐°ï¸ Step 13: Set Time Zone
ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/Asia/Karachi /etc/localtime
hwclock --systohc
👑"¤ Step 14: Set Locale
Uncomment your language in:
nano /etc/locale.gen
Example:
en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8
Then generate:
locale-gen
Set system language:
echo "LANG=en_US.UTF-8" > /etc/locale.conf
👑‘¤ Step 15: Set Hostname
echo "archpc" > /etc/hostname
Edit hosts file:
nano /etc/hosts
Add:
127.0.0.1 localhost
::1 localhost
127.0.1.1 archpc.localdomain archpc
👑"‘ Step 16: Set Root Password
passwd
👑’¡ Step 17: Enable Network
systemctl enable NetworkManager
👑§° Step 18: Install Bootloader
For UEFI:
pacman -S grub efibootmgr
grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader-id=Arch
grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
For Legacy BIOS:
pacman -S grub
grub-install --target=i386-pc /dev/sda
grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
👑 Step 19: Exit and Reboot
exit
umount -R /mnt
reboot
Remove your USB when the system restarts.
If all went well "" you'll boot into Arch Linux! 👑Ž‰
👑Ž¨ Step 20: Install a Desktop Environment
Log in as root and install your desktop of choice:
KDE Plasma (recommended for ex-Windows users):
pacman -S xorg sddm plasma kde-applications
systemctl enable sddm
reboot
Lightweight XFCE:
pacman -S xorg lightdm lightdm-gtk-greeter xfce4 xfce4-goodies
systemctl enable lightdm
reboot
GNOME:
pacman -S gnome gdm
systemctl enable gdm
reboot
👑’» Step 21: Post-Install Essentials
Once your desktop is up:
sudo pacman -S firefox vlc git base-devel neofetch htop
Enable Multilib for 32-bit apps:
Edit:
sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf
Uncomment:
[multilib]
Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
Then update:
sudo pacman -Syu
👑"Œ Step 22: Laptop Optimization
For laptops, install power tools:
sudo pacman -S tlp tlp-rdw
sudo systemctl enable tlp
Intel graphics:
sudo pacman -S mesa xf86-video-intel
Brightness control fix (optional):
sudo pacman -S brightnessctl
👑§ Step 23: AUR Support (Optional)
Install yay (AUR helper):
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
cd yay
makepkg -si
Now install AUR packages easily, e.g.:
yay -S google-chrome visual-studio-code-bin
👑§¹ Step 24: Remove Unused Packages
sudo pacman -Rns $(pacman -Qtdq)
👑§ Step 25: Learn Arch Basics
Update system:
sudo pacman -Syu
Check system info:
neofetch
Search/install packages:
sudo pacman -Ss package_name
sudo pacman -S package_name
Remove:
sudo pacman -R package_name
👑ª„ Step 26: Make It Yours
You can now personalize your Arch system:
- Install themes (plasma-lookandfeel-org.kde.*).
- Set wallpapers, fonts.
- Sync your browser and files.
- Add your dotfiles for configs.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Switching from Windows to Arch Linux isn't just installing a new OS "" it's a mindset shift. You're taking full control "" of your tools, your system, your workflow.
Arch rewards curiosity. You'll learn, break things, fix them, and smile "" because it's yours.
"Give a man Windows, and he'll click for a day. Teach him Arch, and he'll build forever." 👑–¤
