Setting up a fresh Ubuntu 24.04 desktop environment

This guide walks you through installing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and configuring a basic desktop environment for daily use. You will install the OS, set up a user account, and install essential applications. These steps target Ubuntu 24.04 LTS on x86_64 hardware with at least 4GB RAM and 25GB free disk space.

Prerequisites

• A computer with at least 4GB RAM and a 25GB free disk partition.
• A USB drive with at least 4GB capacity containing the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS ISO image.
• Access to a stable internet connection for downloading packages.
• A monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to the machine.
• At least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time to complete the installation.

Step 1: Boot from the Installation Media

Insert the USB drive into your computer and restart the machine. Access the boot menu by pressing F12, F10, or Esc during startup, depending on your hardware manufacturer. Select the USB drive labeled "Ubuntu" from the list of boot devices. If you use Secure Boot, disable it in the BIOS/UEFI settings before booting to avoid signature errors.

Step 2: Install Ubuntu 24.04

Select "Install Ubuntu" from the installer menu. Choose your language, keyboard layout, and time zone. Select "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" if you are doing a fresh install, or "Something else" to manually partition. Confirm the installation settings and click "Install Now". Wait for the process to complete, which typically takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Step 3: Create a User Account

After installation, you will be prompted to create a username and password. Enter a simple username like "user" and a strong password. You will also be asked to set up a full name and computer name. Click "Done" to finish the installation and log in with your new credentials.

Step 4: Update System Packages

Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T. Run the following command to update the package index and upgrade all installed packages to their latest versions:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Wait for the process to complete. This ensures your system has the latest security patches and bug fixes. The terminal will show a progress bar and list packages being upgraded. Once finished, you will see a message indicating the upgrade is complete.

Step 5: Install Essential Applications

Install a set of essential applications for a functional desktop. This includes a web browser, text editor, file manager, and media tools. Run the following command to install these packages:

sudo apt install -y firefox gedit thunar vim curl wget htop

Wait for the installation to finish. The terminal will display a list of packages being downloaded and installed. Once complete, you can close the terminal window.

Step 6: Configure Display Settings

Open the "Settings" application from the application menu. Navigate to "Displays" to configure your monitor resolution and orientation. Ensure the correct resolution is selected for your monitor. Click "Apply" to confirm the changes. If you have multiple monitors, use the "Arrange" tab to set up your workspace layout.

Step 7: Set Up a Desktop Environment

Ubuntu 24.04 comes with GNOME as the default desktop environment. You can customize the top bar, dock, and background wallpaper. Right-click on the desktop and select "Change Background" to set a new wallpaper. Open "Settings" and go to "Appearance" to change the theme and icons if desired.

Verify the installation

Open the terminal and run the following command to check your Ubuntu version:

cat /etc/lsb-release

You should see output indicating "Distributor ID: Ubuntu" and "Description: Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS". Open the "Settings" application and confirm that the date and time are correct. Launch Firefox and visit a website to confirm the browser works. Open "Files" to verify the file manager is functional.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter an error like "Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend", it means another process is using the package manager. Wait a few minutes and try the command again, or restart the computer.

If the system fails to boot after installation, check that you selected the correct partition during installation. Boot from the USB again and choose "Try Ubuntu" to diagnose issues without installing.

If Firefox fails to start, check that the network manager is working. Run "sudo systemctl status NetworkManager" in the terminal to verify the service is active. Restart the service with "sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager" if needed.

If the display resolution is incorrect, boot into recovery mode by holding Shift during startup. Select "root" shell and run "echo 'nomodeset' >> /etc/default/grub", then run "update-grub" and reboot.