Pop!_OS Installation! Comparison with Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Zorin OS, and How to Switch from Windows

Introduction

Hello, this is Easygoing.

In the previous article, I introduced how switching from Windows to Linux can make ComfyUI image generation up to 20% faster.

This time, I will introduce popular Linux distributions that are attracting attention for migration from Windows, and explain the actual installation steps for Pop!_OS.

The Most Popular Linux OS is Ubuntu

There are many types of Linux distributions, but the most widely used among them is Ubuntu.

gantt
    title Linux Distribution
    dateFormat YYYY-MM-DD
    axisFormat %Y
    section Linux Foundation
        Linux Kernel: done, 1991-10-05, 2026-03-26

    section Debian Project
        Debian: 1993-08-16, 2026-03-26

    section Canonical Ltd.
        Ubuntu: 2004-10-20, 2026-03-26

    section Linux Mint Team
        Linux Mint: 2006-08-27, 2026-03-26

    section Zorin Group
        Zorin OS: 2009-07-01, 2026-03-26

    section System76
        Pop!_OS: 2017-10-27, 2026-03-26

    section Google
        Android: crit, 2008-09-23, 2026-03-26

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution developed by Canonical Ltd. in South Africa. The word "Ubuntu" means "coexistence" or "mutual help" in the local language.

Ubuntu and Its Derivative Distributions

• 🟢: Works out of the box by default
• ⚠️: Additional setup required

Ubuntu includes a large number of language packs and pre-installed applications from around the world, so many features are available immediately after installation. However, this also makes the ISO file quite large.

Additionally, Ubuntu uses Canonical’s proprietary Snap format for app distribution, so extra setup is required to use the most popular Flatpak format on Linux.

Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Pop!_OS Are Lightweight Versions of Ubuntu!

Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Pop!_OS are lightweight Linux distributions derived from Ubuntu and have become increasingly popular as migration destinations from Windows in recent years.

• Linux Mint: The standard lightweight Linux OS
• Zorin OS: Windows-like design
• Pop!_OS: Comes with NVIDIA GPU drivers built-in

Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Pop!_OS use Flatpak as the default app distribution format, which means a wider variety of applications and faster updates.

Pop!_OS Comes with NVIDIA GPU Drivers Built-in!

When you install a Linux OS on a PC with an NVIDIA GPU, the OS usually uses the generic driver (nouveau) included with the system.

While the generic driver allows basic monitor output, it cannot deliver the GPU’s full performance. For gaming or AI workloads, you normally need to manually install the proper drivers.

NVIDIA GPUs often have compatibility issues with Linux. In my own setup with 3 GPUs and triple monitors, none of Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Zorin OS could properly recognize the GPUs.

In contrast, Pop!_OS has NVIDIA GPU drivers built-in by default, so in my environment, the GPU was automatically recognized during installation, and monitor output worked perfectly right away.

If you want to avoid NVIDIA GPU-related troubles on Linux, Pop!_OS is an excellent choice.

Switching from Windows to Pop!_OS!

Now, let’s take a look at the actual steps to migrate from Windows to Pop!_OS.

1. Preparation for Installation

First, prepare your current Windows system for the Linux migration.

1-1. Create a Backup

When you install Linux, all data on the target drive will be erased during formatting.

Be sure to back up all important data to another drive.

If you only have one PC, I recommend not overwriting the Windows drive. Instead, shrink the partition or purchase an additional SSD to create a dual-boot environment.

1-2. Disable Drive Encryption (Important!)

Windows has BitLocker drive encryption enabled by default. Go to Start → Settings → Privacy & security → Device encryption and turn BitLocker off.

Disabling BitLocker starts the decryption process, which may take some time, but you can continue using the PC while it runs.

1-3. Download Pop!_OS

Next, download the appropriate file from the official Pop!_OS download page.

If you are using an NVIDIA GPU, choose Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS with NVIDIA.

1-4. Create the Installation USB

Now create a bootable Pop!_OS installation USB.

First, download and install balenaEtcher from the following page:

When you run balenaEtcher, you will see the following screen. Select the pop-os_24.04_amd64_nvidia_23.iso file you downloaded earlier, choose your USB drive as the target, and start the process.

This completes the creation of the Pop!_OS installation USB.

2. Installing Pop!_OS

2-1. BIOS Settings

Insert the installation USB, restart your PC, and enter the BIOS setup screen.

The key to enter BIOS varies by PC model. While the boot logo is displayed, press one of the following keys: F1, F2, F4, F7, F12, Esc, or Delete.

Once in the BIOS, perform the following:

• Disable Secure Boot
• Disable Fast Boot
• Set boot priority to the Pop!_OS installation USB

Example settings on an ASRock motherboard

Feature names may differ slightly depending on the motherboard manufacturer. If you cannot find the exact option, look for similar names or search online.

2-2. Running the Installation

Boot from the installation USB to start the Pop!_OS installer.

First, select your language and keyboard layout.

On the installation method screen, you can choose Try Demo Mode (bottom left) to test Pop!_OS from the USB without installing.
To proceed with installation, select Clean Install at the top.

Select the target drive for installation.

If you are setting up dual boot with Windows, be extremely careful not to erase the Windows drive.

Next, enter your username and password, then choose whether to encrypt the drive.

Encryption is similar to Windows BitLocker. For desktop PCs where encryption is not necessary, select Don't Encrypt.

The installation will then proceed. After it finishes, the PC will reboot into Pop!_OS.

3. Initial Setup of Pop!_OS

3-1. Initial Setup Wizard

After reboot, the Pop!_OS login screen appears. Enter your password to log in.

On first boot, the initial setup wizard will start. Follow it to configure display and Wi-Fi.

During the wizard, you can choose between a macOS-style or Windows-style desktop layout.

3-2. Update to the Latest Environment

Once the wizard is complete, open COSMIC Terminal from the launcher and run the following commands to update Pop!_OS:

sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade

The first word sudo means “run with administrator privileges” and will prompt you for your password.

3-3. Check System Information

After updating, let’s check the Linux system configuration. Run the following commands in the terminal:

sudo apt install neofetch
neofetch

Using the neofetch tool, you can display your Linux system details. When asking AI tools like Gemini or Grok for help with Linux, pasting this information beforehand will allow them to give you more accurate advice.

3-4. Enable the Firewall

Finally, enable the firewall on Pop!_OS.

Pop!_OS includes the ufw firewall package by default, but it is disabled. Enable it with the following commands:

sudo ufw default deny incoming    # Block incoming connections
sudo ufw default allow outgoing   # Allow outgoing connections
sudo ufw enable                   # Enable firewall
sudo ufw status verbose           # Check status

This configuration allows your PC to connect outward but blocks external access to your PC.

If you need external access, manually open specific ports.

Summary: Pop!_OS Installation and Japanese Localization

• Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Pop!_OS are lightweight and fast
• Pop!_OS includes NVIDIA drivers by default
• Linux offers rich customization options

In this article, I covered the installation of Pop!_OS.

Pop!_OS has NVIDIA drivers built-in, which means fewer GPU-related troubles.

Linux is highly customizable. No matter which distribution you choose, you can tailor it to your own preferences. Feel free to try out any that catch your interest.

In the next article, I will cover how to install ComfyUI and Steam on Linux.

Thank you for reading until the end!