Installer Differences
One big difference between Windows and Linux is that Linux can run directly from a USB stick — no installation required.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can even boot it from a CD or DVD.
With Windows, you can only install the system. Linux, on the other hand, lets you try before you install. You boot it from the USB, and you can use the full system as if it were installed — browse the web, explore settings, or even test your hardware compatibility. It’s called a Live Environment, and it’s one of Linux’s best features.
How Installing Linux Differs
Unlike Windows, Linux doesn’t start with a setup wizard. Instead, once the live system loads, you’re greeted by the actual Linux desktop, where you’ll find an icon such as “Install Linux” or “Install Fedora”.
You have to start the installer manually.
Of course, some distributions — like Arch Linux — skip the fancy interface entirely and drop you straight into a terminal. (Not for the faint-hearted.)
What to Expect
The installation process is quite straightforward and mostly mirrors what Windows does:
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You select your language and keyboard layout
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You pick your timezone
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You create a local user account
That’s right — it’s local. Linux doesn’t tie your account to any online service. You don’t need a Microsoft account or an internet connection to get started.
Then comes the partitioning step — where Linux really stands out.
Partitioning and Mount Points
In Windows, you typically select a single partition or drive, and the installer takes over.
Linux gives you more flexibility through mount points, the locations where your partitions get attached in the filesystem.
There are three common ones:
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/— The root directory. This is the main system partition and is required. -
/home— The user data partition. Keeping it separate is optional but smart. It lets you reinstall or change distributions without losing your personal files. -
swap— A special partition used for memory overflow and hibernation. Instead of being a file like on Windows, it has its own filesystem type —swap.
You can put all of these on one partition, or you can split them up across different drives. Linux gives you the choice.
After Installation
Once the installation finishes — that’s it.
No endless restarts. No “This might take a while” screens.
You simply reboot, remove the USB stick, and boot into your freshly installed Linux system.
After that, just update your system, and if you have an NVIDIA GPU, make sure to install the proprietary NVIDIA drivers for full performance.