Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LdxF2cwFg48

Introduction

In this guide, we’ll learn how to install Arch Linux step-by-step, starting from booting the live ISO all the way to setting up a fully functional desktop environment using Hyprland and SDDM. This tutorial is written in a beginner-friendly way, so even if it’s your first time installing Arch, you’ll be able to follow along easily.

The steps in this guide are based on the walkthrough video: YouTube: https://youtu.be/LdxF2cwFg48

How to Install Arch Linux — Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to get your hands dirty with the for-expert Linux distro?
Here’s a complete guide to installing Arch Linux — manually, cleanly, and from scratch.

Warning:
This installation method erases all existing data on your drive.
Make sure to back up your important files before proceeding.

Requirements

Before starting, ensure you have:

An x86_64 (64-bit) compatible system
Minimum 512 MB RAM (2 GB recommended)
At least 2 GB of free disk space (20 GB recommended for DE)
Active internet connection
Basic knowledge of Linux command-line operations

Most modern systems are UEFI-based, but we’ll also mention non-UEFI (legacy BIOS) steps where needed.

Step 1: Download the Arch Linux ISO

Get the latest Arch ISO from the official website:
https://archlinux.org/download/

You can choose either:

Direct download, or
Torrent link for faster and verifiable download.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB

Use Rufus on Windows to make a bootable USB.

Full Guide:
Rufus Bootable USB Tutorial

YouTube Video Guide

Rufus Bootable USB Guide

Step 3: Boot from the Live USB

Plug in your USB stick.
Restart your system and enter boot settings (usually by pressing F2, F10, or F12).
Choose to boot from USB or removable disk.

Disable Secure Boot if your system doesn’t boot properly.
Also ensure your SATA Mode is set to AHCI in BIOS.

Step 4: Connect to Wi-Fi

Use iwctl to connect:

iwctl                                    # Open iwd interactive prompt

Inside the prompt:

device list                              # Shows your wireless devices (e.g., wlan0)
station wlan0 scan                       # Scans for available Wi-Fi networks
station wlan0 get-networks               # Displays the list of networks found
station wlan0 connect "YourWiFiName"     # Replace with your actual Wi-Fi name

Enter the Wi-Fi password when prompted. Then verify the connection:

ping google.com

If you get a reply, you’re connected Press Ctrl + C to stop pinging.

Step 5: Check UEFI Mode

To verify if your system supports UEFI:

ls /sys/firmware/efi/efivars

If this directory exists — you’re on UEFI. If not, your system uses legacy BIOS.

Step 6: Create Partitions

List your disks:

lsblk

Example output might show /dev/sda or /dev/nvme0n1.

Launch cfdisk (or fdisk) to partition your disk:

cfdisk /dev/nvme0n1

For UEFI systems → create:
- 512 MB EFI System Partition (FAT32)
- Remaining space as Linux filesystem
For non-UEFI → just create a single Linux filesystem partition

Step 7: Create Filesystems

For UEFI:

mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/nvme0n1p1
mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1p2

For Non UEFI:

mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1p1

Replace nvme0n1 with sda if your disk name differs.Also replace disk number.

Step 8: Mount Partitions

Mount the root partition:

mount /dev/nvme0n1p2 /mnt

Replace nvme0n1p2 with sda if your disk name differs.Also replace disk number.

Step 9: Install Base System

Use pacstrap to install Arch Linux:

pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware nano

Added nano for easy text editing later.

Step 10: Generate fstab

genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab

Step 11: Enter the Installed System

arch-chroot /mnt

Now you’re inside your newly installed Arch system!

Step 12: Set Timezone

List available timezones:

timedatectl list-timezones

Set yours (example for India):

timedatectl set-timezone Asia/Kolkata

🖧 Step 13: Network Configuration

Set your hostname:

echo arch > /etc/hostname

Replace arch with any name you want for your system’s hostname

Create hosts file:

nano /etc/hosts

Add the following lines:

127.0.0.1   localhost
::1         localhost
127.0.1.1   arch

Step 14: Set Root Password

passwd

Enter and confirm your password.

Step 15: Install Essential Packages

pacman -S sudo grub efibootmgr networkmanager

Step 16: Create User

useradd -m abhi
passwd abhi
usermod -aG wheel,audio,video,storage abhi

Edit sudo permissions:

EDITOR=nano visudo

Uncomment the following line:

## Uncomment to allow members of group wheel to execute any command
%wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL

Save and exit.

Step 17: Install and Configure GRUB

For UEFI:

mkdir /boot/efi
mount /dev/nvme0n1p1 /boot/efi      #Replace `nvme0n1p1` with `sda` if your disk name differs.Also replace with disk number where you created EFI file system.
grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --bootloader-id=GRUB --efi-directory=/boot/efi
grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

For Non UEFI (BIOS):

grub-install /dev/nvme0n1           #Replace `nvme0n1p1` with `sda` if your disk name differs.No need to put disk number.
grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Step 18: Enable NetworkManager

systemctl enable NetworkManager.service

Step 19: Choose Desktop or Window Manager

You can pick between:

Category	Options	Notes
Display Manager	SDDM, GDM, LightDM	Handles graphical login
Window Manager	i3, bspwm, Openbox, Hyprland	Lightweight, customizable
Desktop Environment	GNOME, KDE, XFCE, LXQt	Beginner-friendly

Beginners → GNOME or XFCE ... Advanced users → Hyprland or i3 ...

In this guide ,we will show you how to install Hyprland (Window Manager) and sddm (Display Manager)

Step 20: Install Hyprland and SDDM

pacman -S hyprland xdg-desktop-portal-hyprland wl-clipboard waybar foot sddm

Enable SDDM display manager:

systemctl enable sddm

Step 21: Add Hyprland Session

nano /usr/share/wayland-sessions/hyprland.desktop

Add:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Hyprland
Comment=An independent, dynamic tiling Wayland compositor
Exec=Hyprland
Type=WaylandSession
DesktopNames=Hyprland

Step 22: Additional Tools

Type	Recommended
Terminal	`kitty`
File Manager	`thunar` or `nemo`
Audio	`pipewire`, `wireplumber`
Browser	`firefox`, `brave`

Install PipeWire:

pacman -S kitty pipewire wireplumber

Step 23: Exit and Reboot

exit
umount -l /mnt
shutdown now

Remove your USB and boot into your new Arch Linux + Hyprland

After Booting into Hyprland Once you log into Hyprland, here are a few basic commands and tips:

Open a Terminal

Press:

SUPER (Windows key) + T             #or SUPER (Windows key) + Q

Open Hyprland Config File

To edit your Hyprland configuration,

run:

nano ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf

You can change settings like keybindings, wallpapers, animations, and layouts here.

Coming Soon: Custom Hyprland Setup with Dotfiles Next, we’ll cover how to configure Hyprland with custom dotfiles for a clean and aesthetic desktop setup (coming soon).

Note

When installing Arch Linux manually, you will have many choices to make, and each one will shape how your system looks and behaves. You can choose any display manager, such as SDDM, GDM, or LightDM, to handle your graphical login screen. You can also select a window manager, like i3, bspwm, Openbox, or Hyprland, which controls how your windows move and interact on your desktop. Alternatively, you can install a complete desktop environment such as GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, or LXQt, which provides panels, settings, and built-in applications.

These choices give you full control, but they can also be overwhelming if you’re new to Arch Linux. If you are a beginner, it’s better to start with a simple and user-friendly desktop environment like GNOME or XFCE. However, if you’re using a low-end device or enjoy experimenting, you can install a window manager and build your own desktop environment from scratch.

Final Notes

Installing Arch Linux manually gives you complete control over your system’s design and performance. But with that freedom comes responsibility — you’ll configure and maintain everything yourself.

Tip: Start simple. Experiment slowly. Arch Linux rewards patience and curiosity.

Written by Abhayabhi — 2025*