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This page explains the basic setup of Arch Linux. It was last updated July 2026.
Tip: Always cross check this page with the current version of the Arch Linux Installation Guide, as the instructions on this page might be outdated or no longer complete.
Important: Commands in this guide will modify your hard disk, including partitions, encryption, and more. Make sure to understand all commands before you execute them. You will lose data! Consult the Arch Wiki or the man pages of all commands and options you are unfamiliar with.
Create a backup of all important data that you do not want to lose before you continue with the installation of Arch Linux!
Preparation
To install Arch Linux, boot from the installation medium. It might be necessary to change UEFI settings to do so. For example:
- Disable Secure Boot
- Delete existing Boot Sequences or Boot Entries
- Enable USB Boot Support
- Enabled External USB Ports
.box {DELL XPS 13 9370} type:{note} In the UEFI settings:
- Enable the support to boot from USB devices:
`System Configuration` -> `USB Configuration` -> `Enable USB Boot Support`
- Set `POST Behaviour` -> `Fastboot` to any value other than `Minimal`
Secure Boot can already be enabled and set to audit mode to facilitate Secure Boot installation later. This allows
the machine to boot without any valid secure boot keys with a warning message. As soon as we have set up valid
keys and signed our boot image, secure boot can then be enabled to fail on unsigned boot images.
In the UEFI settings:
- enable `Secure Boot` -> `Secure Boot Enable` -> `Secure Boot Enable`
- set `Secure Boot` -> `Secure Boot Mode` to `Audit Mode`
- enable `Secure Boot` -> `Expert Key Management` -> `Enable Custom Mode`
To access the boot menu or UEFI, press
- .keybinding {F2} to access UEFI settings
- .keybinding {F12} to access one-time boot menu
Setting Keyboard Layout and Console Font
List available console key maps with localectl list-keymaps, then set the desired key map with
loadkeys <key map>.
Console fonts are located in /usr/share/kbd/consolefonts and can be set with setfont <font>.
.example
sh loadkeys de-latin1 setfont eurlatgr
Note: These changes are temporary and will be lost during reboot. Should you need to reboot your machine before the installation is finished and before the settings are persisted, repeat these commands after each boot.
Tip: On HiDPI screens, a larger font might be desirable. E.g.
ter-132b(the largest font), orter-118n. If you need region-specific special characters, set the key map with the-moption, e.g.setfont ter-118n -m 88591.