Zen OS Installation Guide

Follow this comprehensive guide to install Zen OS Zebu on your system. The installation process is designed to be straightforward while offering advanced options for experienced users.

⚠️ Important

Installing Zen OS will modify your system's boot configuration. Always backup important data before proceeding with installation.

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

  • 2GB RAM
  • 15GB storage
  • 64-bit processor
  • UEFI or BIOS boot

Recommended

  • 4GB+ RAM
  • 25GB+ storage
  • Multi-core processor
  • UEFI with Secure Boot

Optimal Experience

  • 8GB+ RAM
  • SSD storage
  • Modern GPU
  • Fast internet connection

Installation Methods

1

Download Zen OS

Download the latest Zen OS Zebu ISO from our official website. Choose between Desktop and Server editions based on your needs.

# Verify download integrity sha256sum zen-os-zebu-desktop-amd64.iso # Compare with published checksums
2

Create Installation Media

Create a bootable USB drive using the downloaded ISO file.

Using dd (Linux/macOS):

# Identify your USB device lsblk # Create bootable USB (replace /dev/sdX with your USB device) sudo dd if=zen-os-zebu-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress sudo sync

Using Rufus (Windows):

  1. Download and run Rufus
  2. Select your USB device
  3. Choose the Zen OS ISO file
  4. Select "DD Image" mode
  5. Click "Start" to create the bootable USB
3

Boot from USB

Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive.

  • Enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually F2, F12, or Del during startup)
  • Set USB drive as first boot priority
  • Save settings and restart
  • Select "Try or Install Zen OS" from the boot menu
4

Try Before Installing

Zen OS will boot into a live environment where you can test the system before installing.

  • Test hardware compatibility
  • Check network connectivity
  • Explore the desktop environment
  • When ready, click "Install Zen OS" on the desktop
5

Installation Wizard

Follow the graphical installation wizard:

Language and Region

  • Select your preferred language
  • Choose your timezone
  • Configure keyboard layout

Network Configuration

  • Connect to Wi-Fi if needed
  • Enable automatic updates (recommended)

Installation Type

  • Erase disk and install: Clean installation (recommended for beginners)
  • Install alongside: Dual boot with existing OS
  • Something else: Manual partitioning (advanced users)
6

User Account Setup

Create your user account and configure security settings:

  • Enter your full name
  • Choose a username (lowercase, no spaces)
  • Set a strong password
  • Enable/disable automatic login
  • Choose to encrypt home folder (recommended)
7

Complete Installation

The installer will now copy files and configure your system. This typically takes 10-20 minutes.

  • Do not remove the USB drive during installation
  • Ensure stable power connection
  • Wait for the "Installation Complete" notification
  • Restart when prompted

Post-Installation Setup

First Boot

After installation, Zen OS will boot into your new system:

  1. Remove the USB installation media
  2. Log in with your created account
  3. Complete the welcome setup wizard
  4. Update the system packages

System Updates

# Update package repositories sudo apt update # Upgrade all packages sudo apt upgrade # Install additional drivers if needed ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

Essential Setup

  • Configure additional user accounts if needed
  • Install media codecs for multimedia support
  • Set up development environment
  • Customize desktop appearance and keybindings

Advanced Installation Options

Manual Partitioning

For advanced users who want full control over disk layout:

# Recommended partition scheme for UEFI systems: /boot/efi - 512MB (FAT32, EFI System Partition) / - 20GB+ (ext4, root partition) /home - Remaining space (ext4, user data) swap - 2x RAM size (swap partition)

Encrypted Installation

Enable full disk encryption for maximum security:

  1. Choose "Something else" in installation type
  2. Create encrypted LVM partition
  3. Set up logical volumes within encrypted container
  4. Configure strong passphrase

Server Installation

For headless server installations:

# Boot server ISO # Use text-based installer # Configure SSH access # Set up automated updates # Install minimal package set

Troubleshooting Installation

Common Issues

  • Boot failure: Check UEFI/Legacy boot settings
  • Graphics issues: Try "safe graphics" mode
  • Wi-Fi not detected: Use ethernet for installation
  • Partition errors: Check disk health with fsck

Getting Help

If you encounter issues during installation: