Install XeroLinux (Arch with Stunning Looks): Step-by-Step Guide

A simple tutorial shows how to install Arch Linux-based XeroLinux as a standalone system, dual-boot and in VM.

Table of Contents

What is XeroLinux?

For all the KDE Plasma and Arch Linux fans, XeroLinux is probably the best distro to experience. It’s loaded with goodies and brings a customized KDE Plasma theme with the goodness of Arch Linux.

This distribution is mainly for those who like eye-candy desktops with the latest packages+KDE Plasma but do not want to re-configure the Plasma desktop. XeroLinux primarily uses a pre-configured Latte dock with Kvantum to give the desktop a distinct look.

This tutorial will walk you through installing XeroLinux in a physical system as a standalone or dual-boot.

Note: After Feb 15, 2024 – this distribution will change to a post-install script for Arch Linux with the same customizations. There may not be any ISO after the said date. So, use this with caution, since there will not be any upgrades via current installation. For details, read the announcement.

Pre-requisite before installation (physical system)

Skip these steps if you are installing in Virtual Machines such as VirtualBox, GNOME Boxes or virt-manager (KVM).

Download the ISO from this link: Download XeroLinux. There are links for SourceForge and torrents. I would recommend using torrent files.
Once downloaded, create a bootable USB stick using the above ISO file. You can create a bootable USB stick with Etcher or any other utility. Here’s a guide for you: for Linux & for Windows.
Plugin your USB stick which you have prepared, and reboot. While rebooting, make sure to boot into BIOS. You can boot in by pressing any hardware-specific function key while starting your laptop/desktop. A sample function list is presented below.

Brand	key to enter into BIOS
Lenovo (all laptops excluding thinkpads)	F2 or Fn + F2
Lenovo (Desktops)	F1
Lenovo (ThinkPads)	Enter then F1.
Dell	F2 or F12
HP	F10 or F1 or DEL
ASRock	F2 or DEL
ASUS	F2 for all PCs, F2 or DEL for Motherboards
Acer	F2 or DEL
ECS	DEL
Gigabyte / Aorus	F2 or DEL
MSI	DEL for motherboards and PCs
Microsoft Surface Tablets	Press and hold volume up button.
Origin PC	F2
Samsung	F2
Toshiba	F2
Zotac	DEL

Once you are into BIOS, do the followings (these screenshots might look different in your system):
- Disable secure boot (if you are making a dual-boot system with Windows)
- Enable USB boot and set the USB stick as the top of your boot priority order.
- Save and exit (F10).
Optional: If you are installing MX Linux as a dual-boot in a Windows system, then make sure to create a separate partition beforehand.

disable secure boot if you are preparing dual-boot with Windows

Set your USB stick at the top of boot order

Install XeroLinux: Steps

Once you boot from the XeroLinux ISO file, you should see the first screen, as shown below.

Select the first option to boot into the live medium. Click on the XeroLinux logo at the left-top and search for the installer. Click on the “Install System” to launch the installation.

XeroLinux uses the popular Calamares installer which is stable and user-friendly. The first screen should show you a welcome screen. Hit next to proceed.

Select the location and keyboard as per your region and locale. In the partition screen, choose the partition carefully. If installing in a Virtual machine, choose the entire disk. But for physical systems, including dual-boot with Windows, carefully select the partition to which you want to install XeroLinux.

A typical partition table might look like the one below.