Arch Linux Made Easy: A Simplified Installation in 2025

Arch Linux Made Easy: A Simplified Installation in 2025

Arch Linux has a very clear reputation: it’s the OS for people who want to understand every single detail of their system. Minimal, powerful — but also… intimidating.
Fortunately, in 2025, installing Arch is no longer a rite of passage. Just follow the right guide. Like this one.

🔧 What You Need Before You Start

No computer science degree required. Just have:

• 💻 A PC (even old, but with at least 2 GB of RAM)

• 🔌 A USB stick (min. 2 GB)

• 🖥️ A second device to read this guide during installation

• 🧠 A curious mindset (no stress needed)

📥 1. Download the Arch Linux ISO

Go to the official website archlinux.org and download the latest ISO (netinstall version — light and up-to-date).

You can verify the signature for security, though it's optional.

🔥 2. Create a Bootable USB

Depending on your OS:

• Windows: Rufus

• Linux: dd via terminal or balenaEtcher

• MacOS: balenaEtcher

Example using dd on Linux:

sudo dd if=archlinux.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync

(Replace sdX with your actual USB device. WARNING: this erases it.)

⚙️ 3. Boot From the USB

Restart your computer and access the BIOS (usually [F2], [F12] or [Del]).
Set your USB stick as the first boot device.
You’ll enter Arch’s live terminal.

🧩 4. Check Your Internet Connection

Arch requires internet to install. If you're wired via Ethernet, you’re ready.
If you’re on Wi-Fi:

iwctl

station wlan0 connect yournetworkname

(Use device list to find the correct interface if wlan0 doesn't work.)

📐 5. Disk Partitioning

Use cfdisk for a simple interface:

cfdisk

Create:

• an EFI partition (512MB, type: EFI System)

• a root partition (/) for the OS (recommended: ext4)

• optionally, a swap partition

Write changes and exit.

💾 6. Format the Partitions

mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sdX1            # EFI partition

mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdX2                 # root partition

mkswap /dev/sdX3                  # optional

swapon /dev/sdX3                   # activate swap

📦 7. Mount the Partitions

mount /dev/sdX2 /mnt

mkdir /mnt/boot

mount /dev/sdX1 /mnt/boot

🛠️ 8. Install the Base System

Here’s the core install command:

pacstrap -K /mnt base linux linux-firmware nano networkmanager

This installs the OS base, the kernel, firmware, a text editor (nano), and NetworkManager to handle your internet connection.

📁 9. Generate fstab

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

Verify with:

cat /mnt/etc/fstab

🔄 10. Chroot Into the New System

arch-chroot /mnt

You’re now inside your new Arch installation.

🕒 11. Set the Timezone

ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/Europe/Rome /etc/localtime

hwclock --systohc

📝 12. Localization

Open /etc/locale.gen with nano and uncomment en_US.UTF-8 or your preferred locale:

nano /etc/locale.gen

Then generate it:

locale-gen

echo "LANG=en_US.UTF-8" > /etc/locale.conf

💡 13. Basic Settings

Set the hostname:

echo zerocrash-machine > /etc/hostname

Edit /etc/hosts:

echo "127.0.0.1 localhost" >> /etc/hosts

echo "::1 localhost" >> /etc/hosts

echo "127.0.1.1 zerocrash-machine.localdomain zerocrash-machine" >> /etc/hosts

🔑 14. Set the Root Password

passwd

Type your new password.

🔄 15. Install the Bootloader

For UEFI systems:

pacman -S grub efibootmgr

grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot --bootloader-id=GRUB

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

🔌 16. Enable Networking Services

systemctl enable NetworkManager

✅ 17. Reboot!

exit

umount -R /mnt

reboot

Remove the USB. If everything went well, you’ll see the GRUB menu and boot into your fresh Arch Linux system.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Arch Linux doesn’t have to be a mystery.
With the right steps and some attention to detail, it becomes your fully custom OS, always up to date and totally under your control.

You don’t need to be a hacker.
You just need a good guide — and now you have it.

ZeroCrash