AURA

Install Aura Linux, step by step

Allow about 30 minutes. You can first try Aura from the USB drive without changing anything on your computer, then install it.

1. Before you start

  • A USB drive of 16 GB or more (Rufus erases it).
  • At least 30 GB free on the computer's disk, and 8 GB of memory recommended (4 GB minimum).
  • Back up your important files to an external drive or a cloud.
  • A laptop? Plug it in.

2. Get the ISO and check it

Get the aura-linux-….iso file from the Download section of the home page: it is free. Then check it is intact: the computed fingerprint must be exactly the one shown under the download button.

Windows (PowerShell)Get-FileHash aura-linux-*.iso -Algorithm SHA256
macOS (Terminal)shasum -a 256 aura-linux-*.iso
Linuxsha256sum aura-linux-*.iso

3. Make the USB drive

With Ventoy (recommended)

  1. Download Ventoy from ventoy.net (Windows or Linux version).
  2. Run Ventoy2Disk, pick your drive, click Install (the drive is erased once).
  3. Just copy the ISO file onto the drive, like a document. You can add several.

With Rufus (Windows)

  1. Download Rufus from rufus.ie.
  2. Pick your drive, then SELECT → the ISO file.
  3. Click START and choose Write in DD Image mode: it is the reliable mode for Aura Linux.

Already on Aura Linux? The Store installs Ventoy in one click.

4. Boot from the drive

Plug in the drive, restart, and press the boot menu key several times as soon as the screen turns on. Pick your USB drive (often marked “UEFI”).

PC brandBoot menuPC brandBoot menu
HPF9 (or Esc then F9)DellF12
LenovoF12AsusF8 or Esc
AcerF12Microsoft Surfacevolume down + power

The drive does not show up? Turn off Windows “fast startup” and, if needed, Secure Boot in the BIOS/UEFI settings. With Ventoy, then pick “aura-linux” in the list.

5. Try Aura (Live session)

Aura starts straight from the drive: nothing changes on your computer. Check that Wi-Fi, sound, screen and touchpad work. When you are ready, open “Installer Aura Linux” (Install Aura Linux) from the applications menu.

6. Installation in 6 steps

  1. Welcome — pick your language.
  2. Location — your time zone and formats.
  3. Keyboard — your layout, test it in the typing box.
  4. Disk — “Erase disk” to replace everything, or “Install alongside” to keep Windows. Encryption is offered: choose a passphrase you will remember.
  5. User — your name, the computer name and your password.
  6. Summary — check, then Install. Allow 10 to 20 minutes.

At the end: restart, remove the drive when asked and press Enter.

7. First start

  • Pick your style: macOS, Windows 11, ChromeOS, Classic or Ptéra, light or dark (change it any time in Settings › Appearance).
  • The guided tour shows the essentials in two minutes.
  • Install your apps from the Aura Store.

Something wrong?

  • Black screen when booting the drive: in the drive's menu, pick “Aura Linux - mode sans échec (graphique simple)” (simple graphics safe mode).
  • Windows no longer starts after an “alongside” install: pick it in the menu shown at startup.
  • Forgotten encryption passphrase: it cannot be recovered; only a reinstall is possible (hence the backup in step 1).
  • Otherwise, write to the address at the bottom of the page.