Installing Arch the fun way

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Installing Arch is not hard at all, it’s quite simple to do. Arch has long been known as a power-users’ distro, and Arch users are usually elitists. Today, we’ll break that notion!

Let’s learn how to install Arch manually!

Step 1: Download the Arch ISO

Download the Arch ISO from here. You can also download it from a mirror in your country for faster download speeds.

Step 2: Boot into the Arch ISO

Create a fresh VM and boot into the Arch ISO that you’ve downloaded. Alternatively, you can flash the image to a USB and boot from it. The ISO file will automatically boot into a shell. You can type clear to clear the screen.

Step 3: Set the Time and Date

Run the following command to set the time and date:

timedatectl set-ntp true

Step 4: Partition the Virtual Hard Drive

This step requires parted, so install it if it isn’t available in the live environment: sudo pacman -S parted. Partition your virtual hard drive using the following commands:

parted /dev/sda -- mklabel gpt # THIS WILL WIPE YOUR DEVICE, don't do this if you're dual-booting!
parted /dev/sda -- mkpart ESP fat32 1MB 512MB # 512 MB bootloader
parted /dev/sda -- mkpart primary ext4 512MB 100% # rem space for the root filesystem
parted /dev/sda -- set 1 esp on # make the partition bootable

Step 5: Format the Partitions

Format the partitions that you’ve created:

mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1 -n boot
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda2 -L root

If you’ve created a btrfs filesystem, use the following command instead:

mkfs.btrfs /dev/sda2 -L root

Step 6: Mount the Partitions

Mount the partitions to your filesystem:

mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
mount --mkdir /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot # if you've using BIOS
mount --mkdir /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot/efi # if you're using UEFI

Step 7: Install Base Arch Stuff

Install the base Arch stuff onto your install. This process can take ≈ 10-15 min depending on your internet connection:

pacstrap /mnt base-devel linux linux-firmware # linux-firmware is optional inside a VM...
# IF YOU'RE ON A NON-SOYSTEMD DISTRO SUCH AS ARTIX
basestrap /mnt base-devel linux elogind-openrc

Step 8: Set Hostname

Add a hostname to your VM:

genfstab -L /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab # use labels to identify em
# fstabgen  -L /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab # on Artix
modprobe efivarfs
arch-chroot /mnt # artix-chroot /mnt bash 

Choose a proper timezone and set the hostname:

ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/America/Chicago /etc/localtime
hwclock --systohc
echo Arch-VM > /etc/hostname # replace with a hostname of your choice, preferably no spaces

Install the nano text editor:

pacman -S  nano --noconfirm

Step 9: Configure /etc/hosts

Edit the /etc/hosts file and add the following:

127.0.0.1   localhost
::1         localhost
127.0.1.1   arch.localdomain arch # REPLACE arch WITH YOUR HOSTNAME!!!

Step 10: Set Root Password

Set the password for the root user:

passwd

Step 11: Add User

Add a user (add them to required groups) and set a password for the user:

useradd -m stig -G wheel,input,audio,video,optical,storage && passwd stig

Add the user to the wheel group in the /etc/sudoers file:

EDITOR=nano visudo

Uncomment the following line in the /etc/sudoers file:

%wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL

Step 12: Install Bootloader

Install the bootloader:

pacman -S grub efibootmgr os-prober

Note that os-prober is optional, but can be useful to troubleshoot dual-boot systems. You need not install it inside a VM, or when you’re not dual-booting.

Then install the bootloader to the right place - you can choose between Grub and Systemd-boot.

Grub

 grub-install # --target=x86_64-efi --bootloader-id=grub_uefi --recheck 

Now we need to generate a grub config file.

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

Systemd-boot

bootctl install

Open /etc/fstab and note the UUID of the partition mounted at / (root or /dev/sda2 in this case).

Now create /boot/loader/entries/arch.conf with the following content:

title Arch Linux
linux /vmlinuz-linux
initrd /intel-ucode.img 
initrd /initramfs-linux.amg
options root=<UUID obtained above> rw

NOTE: Replace with amd-ucode.img if you have an AMD processor.

Step 13: Finish the install

Get a networking daemon set up:

pacman -S networkmanager --noconfirm
systemctl enable NetworkManager
# Replace accordingly if you're running a non-soystemd distro

Leave the arch-chroot; installation’s almost over.

exit

Finally unmount the live USB: umount -l /mnt && exit

Shut down the VM: shutdown now

The virtual machine has been shut down , eject the ISO file (remove the USB if you’re performing the installation on bare metal). When the VM has finished booting up once more, login into the tty by typing your username and password.

Now we install a desktop.

Choose which DE you need from this link.

If you want a display manager such as SDDM, you can set it up as well:

sudo pacman -S sddm --noconfirm
sudo systemctl enable sddm # will autostart the service from next boot onwards
# Replace accordingly if you're running a non-soystemd distro

Now that the Arch install has finished, simply reboot your system using the reboot command.