How to Install Fedora 40 From Scratch

Fedora 40 represents the latest iteration of the popular, community-driven Linux distribution, known for its cutting-edge software and commitment to free and open-source principles. Installing Fedora 40 from scratch can be a rewarding experience, providing a clean slate and full control over your system’s configuration. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from preparing your installation media to the initial system setup, ensuring a robust and personalized Fedora environment.

Preparing for Installation

Before embarking on the installation journey, meticulous preparation is key to a smooth and successful deployment. This phase involves selecting the appropriate installation media, ensuring system compatibility, and backing up any critical data.

Downloading Fedora 40

The first step is to obtain the official Fedora 40 installation image. Fedora offers various “Spins” tailored for different desktop environments and use cases, such as GNOME (the default), KDE Plasma, Xfce, and more. For a standard installation, the Fedora Workstation Live ISO is the most common choice, which includes the GNOME desktop environment.

Visit the Official Fedora Download Page: Navigate to the official Fedora Project website (getfedora.org).
Select Fedora Workstation: Under the “Get Fedora” section, choose “Fedora Workstation.”
Download the ISO Image: You will be presented with options to download the latest release. Select the ISO file for Fedora 40 Workstation. Ensure you download the correct architecture for your hardware (typically x86_64).
Verify the Download (Optional but Recommended): For added security and to ensure the integrity of the downloaded file, verify its checksum. The Fedora website provides SHA256 checksums for each ISO. You can use tools like sha256sum on Linux or macOS, or third-party utilities on Windows, to compare the checksum of your downloaded file with the official one.

Creating Bootable Installation Media

Once the ISO image is downloaded, it needs to be written to a bootable medium, most commonly a USB flash drive.

For Linux/macOS Users:

Identify Your USB Drive: Insert your USB drive and identify its device name. On Linux, you can use lsblk or sudo fdisk -l. On macOS, use diskutil list. Be extremely careful to select the correct drive, as all data on it will be erased.
Unmount the USB Drive: Before writing, ensure the USB drive is unmounted. On Linux, use sudo umount /dev/sdX (replace sdX with your USB drive’s identifier). On macOS, use diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskX.
Write the ISO Image: Use the dd command to write the ISO to the USB drive.
- Linux: sudo dd if=/path/to/Fedora-Workstation-Live-x86_64-40-1.X.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress conv=fsync
- macOS: sudo dd if=/path/to/Fedora-Workstation-Live-x86_64-40-1.X.iso of=/dev/rdiskX bs=4m (Note the rdiskX for faster raw access and the use of 4m for block size).
- Replace /path/to/Fedora-Workstation-Live-x86_64-40-1.X.iso with the actual path to your downloaded ISO file and /dev/sdX or /dev/rdiskX with your USB drive’s identifier.
Sync (Linux): After dd completes, run sync to ensure all data is written to the drive.

For Windows Users:

Tools like Rufus or balenaEtcher are excellent choices for creating bootable USB drives on Windows.

Download and Install Rufus or balenaEtcher: Get the latest version from their official websites.
Launch the Application:
- Rufus: Select your USB drive, click “SELECT” to choose your Fedora 40 ISO, and click “START.” Confirm any prompts regarding writing in ISO image mode.
- balenaEtcher: Click “Flash from file” and select your Fedora 40 ISO. Click “Select target” and choose your USB drive. Finally, click “Flash!”
Wait for Completion: The application will indicate when the process is finished.

System Requirements and Backup

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure your hardware meets Fedora 40’s minimum requirements. While Fedora is generally lightweight, newer versions benefit from more resources for a smoother experience.

Processor: 2 GHz dual-core processor or better.
RAM: 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended.
Storage: 20 GB free disk space, 40 GB recommended for full functionality.
Graphics Card: Capable of 1024×768 resolution.

Crucially, back up all important data from the target installation drive. The installation process will either format existing partitions or create new ones, which will erase any data present on them.

The Installation Process

With your bootable media ready and your system prepared, you can now proceed with the Fedora 40 installation. This involves booting from the USB drive and following the on-screen prompts provided by the Anaconda installer.

Booting from Installation Media

Insert the Bootable USB: Plug the created Fedora 40 USB drive into the target computer.
Access Boot Menu/BIOS Settings: Restart or turn on your computer. Immediately after the manufacturer’s logo appears, you need to press a specific key to enter the boot menu or BIOS/UEFI settings. Common keys include F2, F10, F12, DEL, or ESC. The exact key varies by motherboard manufacturer. If you miss it, restart and try again.
Select Boot Device: In the boot menu or BIOS/UEFI settings, find the option to change the boot order. Prioritize booting from your USB drive. It might be listed by its brand name or as a “USB HDD,” “Removable Device,” or similar.
Start Fedora Live: Save the changes in the BIOS/UEFI and exit. The computer should now boot from the USB drive. You will be presented with a Fedora boot menu. Select “Start Fedora-Workstation-Live 40.X.”

Using the Anaconda Installer

Once Fedora loads into the live environment, you will see a desktop. On the desktop, locate and double-click the “Install to Hard Drive” icon. This launches the Anaconda installer.

Localization and Keyboard Layout

Language Selection: The first screen of the installer allows you to choose your preferred installation language. Select your language and click “Continue.”
Keyboard Configuration: On the next screen, you’ll configure your keyboard layout. It should default to your chosen language, but verify that the layout is correct by typing in the provided test area. You can add multiple layouts if needed.

Installation Destination

This is a critical step where you define where Fedora will be installed and how the disk will be partitioned.

Storage Configuration: Click on “Installation Destination.” The installer will scan for available storage devices.
Select Storage Device: Choose the hard drive or SSD where you want to install Fedora. If you have multiple drives, be absolutely certain you select the correct one.
Automatic vs. Manual Partitioning:
- Automatic: For most users, the “Automatic” partitioning option is sufficient. Anaconda will automatically partition the selected drive, creating necessary partitions like /, /home, and swap. It will typically use LVM (Logical Volume Management) for flexibility. You can choose to encrypt the data here if desired.
- Manual: For advanced users who need specific partitioning schemes, choose “Custom.” This allows you to manually create, delete, and resize partitions, assign mount points (e.g., /, /home, /boot, /var), and set file systems (e.g., XFS, ext4). Common manual configurations include separate partitions for /boot, /home, and the root filesystem (/). A swap partition or file is also recommended.
  - /boot: Typically 500MB to 1GB, formatted with XFS or ext4.
  - / (root): The main system partition, size depending on your needs (minimum 20GB, 50GB+ recommended).
  - /home: For user data, also dependent on needs.
  - swap: Recommended to be equal to your RAM size, or double if you plan to hibernate.
Begin Installation: Once your partitioning scheme is decided, click “Done.” If you chose automatic partitioning and are happy with the defaults, or if you made manual changes and they are valid, the “Begin Installation” button will become active. Click it to start copying files.

Software Selection

Before installation begins, you can customize the software included.

Base Environment: Select your desired “Base Environment.” “Fedora Workstation” is the default and includes the GNOME desktop. Other options include Minimal Install, Server, or specific Spins with different desktop environments (if you downloaded a different ISO).
Add-ons for the Selected Environment: Under “Add-ons for the Selected Environment,” you can choose additional software packages to install. For example, you might add development tools, creative suites, or system administration tools.

Network & Host Name

Hostname: Set a hostname for your computer. This is its name on the network.
Network Configuration: Ensure your network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) is active if you want to download updates during the installation.

Completing the Installation

The installation process involves copying files, installing the boot loader, and configuring the initial system.

Installation Progress: You’ll see a progress bar indicating the status of the installation. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour, depending on your system’s speed and the number of packages selected.
User Creation: Once the core installation is complete, you’ll be prompted to create a user account.
- Root Password: Set a strong password for the root user. It’s good practice to enable root account access only if you know what you’re doing.
- User Account: Create a standard user account with a full name and username. Choose a strong password for this account.
Reboot: After all steps are finished, you will see a message indicating that Fedora has been installed. Click the “Finish Installation” button. The installer will prompt you to reboot your system. Important: Remove the USB drive before the system restarts to ensure it boots from the hard drive.

Post-Installation Configuration

Congratulations, you’ve installed Fedora 40! The initial setup is complete, but there are several important steps to take to secure, update, and personalize your new system.

First Boot and Login

Boot into Fedora: After rebooting and removing the USB drive, your system should boot into the newly installed Fedora 40.
Login Screen: You will be greeted by the login screen. Enter the username and password you created during the installation.

System Updates

Keeping your system up-to-date is paramount for security and stability.

Software Application: Open the “Software” application (usually found in the activities overview).
Updates Tab: Navigate to the “Updates” tab. Fedora should automatically check for available updates.
Install Updates: Click the “Download” or “Install” button to apply all available updates. This may require a system reboot once completed.
Command Line Updates (Optional): Alternatively, you can update from the terminal:
- sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
- This command refreshes the package repositories and then upgrades all installed packages.

Setting Up Additional Software Repositories

Fedora, by default, includes free and open-source software. To access proprietary drivers, multimedia codecs, and a wider range of applications, you may need to enable third-party repositories.

RPM Fusion: The RPM Fusion repository is essential for many users. It provides packages that Fedora cannot distribute due to licensing restrictions.
1. Enable Free Repository:
  sudo dnf install https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
2. Enable Nonfree Repository:
  sudo dnf install https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
3. Update: sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

After enabling RPM Fusion, you can install common multimedia codecs (e.g., for MP3, H.264) and other useful software like Google Chrome, VLC, or proprietary graphics drivers.

User Accounts and Security

Additional User Accounts: If you need to create more user accounts, you can do so through the “Users” section in the system settings or via the command line: sudo useradd -m newusername followed by sudo passwd newusername.
Firewall Configuration: Fedora comes with firewalld enabled by default. You can manage firewall rules through the “Firewall” section in the system settings or using firewall-cmd in the terminal.
SELinux: Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux) is enabled by default and provides an additional layer of security. While powerful, it can sometimes cause issues with custom configurations. If you encounter permission problems, you might need to adjust SELinux contexts (though it’s generally recommended to leave it enforcing unless you have a specific reason not to).

Personalization and Desktop Environment

Fedora Workstation defaults to the GNOME desktop environment.

GNOME Extensions: Enhance your GNOME experience with extensions. Visit the GNOME Extensions website (extensions.gnome.org) and install the browser integration. Popular extensions include Dash to Dock, User Themes, and Caffeine.
System Settings: Explore the system settings to customize your desktop background, display resolution, power management, and privacy settings.
Install Your Favorite Applications: Use the Software application or dnf in the terminal to install your preferred applications, such as LibreOffice, GIMP, Firefox, and others.

Installing Fedora 40 from scratch provides a clean, powerful, and highly customizable Linux experience. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth installation and a well-configured system ready for your daily tasks and explorations.