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.

⚙️ 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):

1. Plug your USB drive.
2. Open Rufus → Select ISO file.
3. Partition Scheme:
   • UEFI systems: GPT + FAT32.
   • Legacy BIOS: MBR.
4. File system: FAT32.
5. 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.

🌐 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

💽 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):

Write → Confirm → Quit.

💾 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

🕰️ 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! 🎉

🎨 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

🔌 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

🧹 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

🪄 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.” 🖤