Elementary OS is a Ubuntu-based GNU/Linux distribution, which started as a theme and application set for Ubuntu which later turns out to be an independent Linux distribution. It inherits the legacy of Ubuntu OS and shares Ubuntu’s software Center for package management.
It is known for its fast, open, and privacy-respecting distribution and replacement to macOS and Windows with a simple yet effective user interface, beautiful themes, and wallpaper serve as eye-candy to users and one of the best Linux OS for Linux newbies.
It uses Epiphany as web Browser, Plank-as dock, Pantheon-as shell, Code (a simple text editor), Gala (based on Mutter) as windows Manager, Pantheon Greeter-Session Manager, Geary-email client, Pantheon Mail, Music Audio Player, Pantheon Files – file manager and other applications that are closely associated with the OS.
The latest release of Elementary OS Hera 5.1 is based on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS that comes with a wealth of additional improvements, including support for newer third-party applications, modern GTK themes, and more.
Features of Elementary OS Hera
- Supported File System : Btrfs, ext4, ext3, JFS, ReiserFS and XFS.
- Installation is straight and easy – Graphical.
- Flatpak support with Sideload and AppCenter.
- Default Desktop: Pantheon
- Architecture Support: x86 and x86_64
- Latest Gtk+, Openssh, Openssl, Python, Samba, Vim, Xorg-server, Perl, etc.
- Powered by Linux Kernel 5.3
- Improvements to various System Settings.
- Beautiful set of themes and wallpapers. Great combination of design and appearance.
- Requires the least Maintenance and can be installed virtually anywhere and everywhere.
- Processing is at lightning speed.
- Installation is straight and easy.
- New BleachBit app for cleaning up your system.
Download Elementary OS 5.1.7 Hera ISO
It is absolutely free to use Elementary OS. Free as in the beer as well as free as in the speech. If you want to donate to this awesome project you may click on the amount ‘pay it and Download‘.
You may add a custom amount if you want. If you don’t want to pay at this time you may just download Elementary OS by entering ‘0‘ in the custom field.
After you’ve downloaded the ISO image from the official site of elementary OS for your system architecture, we will install and test it.
Installing Elementary OS 5.1 Hera
1. Burn the Image to CD/DVD disk or you may like to make your USB stick bootable. If you are going to make your USB stick bootable to boot and install, you may like to visit the below article, where we have discussed ways to make a USB stick bootable.
2. After making a bootable CD/DVD or USB stick, insert your bootable media and select the boot option from BIOS, and restart the machine to boot from bootable media.
3. After booting the elementary OS, you may try it before Installing. Here I will be Installing it directly as I have tested it earlier. Click “Install Elementary”.
4. Choose Keyboard Layout. If you are not sure you can use “Detect Keyboard Layout”. For most of the cases, it would be English (US).
5. You need at least 15 GB GB of drive space and make sure the laptop/PC is plugged into a power source. You may need to connect to the Internet if you want the updates to be installed during OS installation.
It will take a little longer and hence I didn’t opt for “Download updates while installing”. Moreover, I don’t need any third-party software. If you need you may select the option from here and click Continue.
6. The Installation type – I chose Something else so that I can manually partition the disk and control the location. If you have taken the necessary backup and want to wipe everything (including other OS) you may select the first option “Erase and install elementary” and click Continue.
7. The resulting window – select your disk and click “New Partition Table”.
8. You get a notification about partitioning the entire device. Click Continue.
9. We are creating /boot partition first. Enter Size, set it to be Primary partition, Let the location be “Beginning of the Space”, use Ext4 journaling file system, don’t forget to enter Mount Point and click “OK”. You may Enter your custom size if you want.
10. Now select “Free Space” and click on ‘+‘ from the bottom left to create a Swap partition. Enter Size and in the ‘Use as‘ box select “swap area”. Leave everything as it is unless you know what you are doing, finally, click on OK.
11. Again select “Free Space” and click on ‘+‘ from the bottom left to create the Root (/) partition, then Commit all the space available and click on OK to continue…
12. After making all three partitions, you will get the following Interface, click on Install Now.
13. The message – Write changes to disk? Click Continue.
14. Select your Geographical Location and click Continue.
15. Next, create a new user account and enter a username, computer name, and password. You may select to Login Automatically (not recommended).
16. The Installer will Start Installing the OS and configuring your system. It will take some time depending upon your system configuration and hardware.
17. Once the Installation is Complete you will get a message to Restart your System. Click “Restart Now”.
18. After booting, you will get a login Interface.
19. The first Desktop impression.
20. The Application List. Default Installation just installed basic applications and nothing else.
21. About elementary OS.
Conclusion
Elementary OS is too awesome and the installation took very little time. The Installation was straight and easy. Elementary OS doesn’t install tons of extra application which you may never need. It just installs basic applications. The overall user interface is beautiful, nothing seems to lag while testing.
Booting and Shutting down is fast too. I must say Elementary OS is a very good GNU/Linux Operating System which aims at speed with low on resources. If you are new to this distribution. If you are experienced and need fast OS with Little or no maintenance need, elementary OS is your companion.
Test elementary OS and let us know what you felt. I’ll be here again with another Interesting article. Till then stay tuned and connected to Tecmint. Don’t forget to provide us with your valuable feedback in the comments below. Like and share us and help us get spread.
The best Elementary OS installation tutorial I’ve ever seen.
The most important thing while you explain that for mac users I got a question about Xcode as you knew the mac os developers all need Xcode to build any mac os products.
All Linux Distros are for Windows and Mac users. They just have to know about Linux and have an open enough mind to try a Linux Distro. A lot of Windows and Mac users fail on both those requirements. Oh look, Linux is not exactly the same as what I am using so back I go! Yet they looked at Linux because they were not satisfied with what they were using.
I am a windows user and want to swap elementry os ferya from windows to get faster performance. But I don’t know whether it supports following requirements or not:
1. Does freya supports java and android programming essentials?
2. Does it fully supports steam gaming client and its games?
3. Does any third party software needs to it for support above requirements?
@Furba,
Elementary OS supports everything from Java programming to Gaming….
Still haven’t gotten to square one. Installed onto usb key but can’t get past that point. Idiots [sorry, but true] at Elementary site offer zero advice and signup for forum is impossible [unexplained tags requirement defeated me].
Anyway, assuming i ever get past those two hurdles, i read that Docky is fixed. That’s a deal-killer for me. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY WAY TO STRIP IT [AND ANY OTHER SCREEN JUNK] AWAY FROM DESKTOP GUI???
Thanks for your time!
Im stuck at 5.. Installation type. I have elementary os freya in a USB installed trough unetbootin. I loaded elementary and when i get to point where i choose instalation options like erase disk, install along side.., something else there are three options like screenshot in this article but i can only click quit or back. Continue is grey and i cant continue whateaver option i try,, So i cant install elementary.. Any idea what can be the prob?
Thanks in advance
I have tried many distros over the years and although elementary has its limitations in customisation I have found it to be the most stable OS I have experienced, It is so simple and easy to use, my kids love it and pleaded with me to never put Windows back on. I think if you want to find an alternative to Windows which is easy for beginners and ideal for an everyday desktop, elementary OS is in my opinion is the best option. Thank you for your review. :-)
Thanks for the feedback @Stu,
Though it was not very stable at the time I was testing it but it is really a nice nice GNU/Linux OS. Those coming from Windows do not need to break a sweat. It is as user friendly as Ubuntu (even more than that) and guess what is the plus point? It don’t have as many bugs as Ubuntu.
Keep Connected!
it looks nice, been using elementary os luna for 1 year and a half and no problem at all unlike windows lots of viruses… keep the good work guys…
Keep Connected @sonny parra
hey, that /boot its like /home ?
im new in linux
no /boot is where essential booting files reside whereas /home is where user’s file reside.
I am very newbie in linux and not even an expert in computing. Have tried freya and i was really impressed. I loved it. It is like an experience in macOSX. But i had to remove it because
1. it is not user-friendly when it comes to installation of new apps. Only an expert in linux can do it.
2. cannot put something in the desktop even when there is a sidebar link for desktop. Desktop is useless.
3. it needs more codec for videos.
I agree with your point number 3. i Didn’t get your point number 2 and i disagree with your point number 1.
It is as easy to configure as any other Linux distribution with least things to do. Since the project has not attained maturity, it lacks a few things like video codecs, stability and others.
My Freda install gets stuck on the preparing to install screen. I also can’t get it to connect to my wifi network or recognize the Ethernet connection. Ideas?
*freya
If the installation is freezing, check if the installation image is as per your system architecture ie., 32 bit/64 bit.
If everything is ok and wifi is not working. seems you have an issue with your wifi driver. Test freya before you install from the boot menu and see if everything is ok? Let us know in detail for further assistance.
Its awesome going to download this..
@Vasanth, we would like to know your experience with Freya.
it really awesome. i installed and using it. But i need help to install theme XGTK. i could not get proper instruction
Yeah Its awesome.
What problem are you facing?
let us know
I’ve been playing around with various distrowat for years..this one (Freya) really did it for me. Man.. it’s just awesome. Others that come close to this: Uberstudent, and LXLE…
Yes Freya is awesome, though the project is still to attain maturity.