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# Category:Getting and installing Arch

This category contains articles about Arch Linux releases, and downloading and installing Arch Linux.

The installation media and their GnuPG signatures can be acquired from the Download page. The single ISO image supports both 32bit and 64bit systems.

## Verify signature

It is recommended to verify the image signature before use, especially when downloading from an HTTP mirror, where downloads are generally prone to be intercepted to serve malicious images.

On a system with GnuPG installed, do this by downloading the PGP signature (under Checksums) to the ISO directory, and verifying it with `gpg --keyserver-options auto-key-retrieve --verify archlinux-<version>-dual.iso.sig`.

Alternatively, run `pacman-key -v archlinux-<version>-dual.iso.sig` from an existing Arch Linux installation.

Note:

- The signature itself could be manipulated if it is downloaded from a mirror site, instead of from archlinux.org as above. In this case, ensure that the public key, which is used to decode the signature, is signed by another, trustworthy key. The `gpg` command will output the fingerprint of the public key.
- Another method to verify the authenticity of the signature is to ensure that the public key's fingerprint is identical to the key fingerprint of the Arch Linux developer who signed the ISO-file. See Wikipedia:Public-key_cryptography for more information on the public-key process to authenticate keys.

## Installation methods

The table below offers an overview of the common ways to boot the installation media. As the installation process retrieves packages from a remote repository, these methods require an internet connection; see Offline installation of packages and Archiso#Installation without Internet access when none is available.

Note:

- Pointing the current boot device to a drive containing the Arch installation media is typically achieved by pressing a key during the POST phase, as indicated on the splash screen. Refer to your motherboard's manual for details.
- When the Arch menu appears, select Boot Arch Linux and press `Enter` to enter the installation environment. The decision of booting either the 32-bit (`i686`) or 64-bit (`x86_x64`) Linux kernel reflects the architecture of the installed system.
- See README.bootparams for a list of boot parameters, and packages.both for a list of included packages.

Method | Articles | Conditions
--- | --- | ---
Write the image on flash media or optical disc, then boot from it. | USB flash installation media Optical disc drive#Burning | Installation on one, or a few machines at most Obtain a directly bootable system
Mount the image on a server machine and have clients boot it over the network. | PXE Diskless system | Client-server model Wired (1Gbit+) network connection
Mount the image in a running Linux system and install Arch from a chroot environment. | Install from existing Linux Install from SSH | Replace an existing system with reduced downtime Install on the local machine, or a remote one via VNC or SSH
Set up a virtual machine and install Arch as a guest system. | Category:Hypervisors Moving an existing install into (or out of) a virtual machine | Operating system compatible with virtualization software Obtain an isolated system for learning, testing or debugging
Install Arch next to a Windows installation. | Dual boot with Windows |

## See also

- README.transfer
- README.altbootmethods

## Pages in category "Getting and installing Arch"

The following 28 pages are in this category, out of 28 total.

### A

- Arch Linux AMIs for Amazon Web Services
- Archboot
- Archiso

### D

- Diskless system
- Dm-crypt/Encrypting an entire system
- Dual boot with Windows
- Dual boot with Windows/SafeBoot
- Dynamic Disks

### G

- General recommendations
- General troubleshooting

### I

- Install bundled 32-bit system in 64-bit system
- Install from existing Linux
- Install from SSH
- Installation guide
- Installing Arch Linux on a USB key
- Installing Arch Linux on ZFS
- Installing with Fake RAID
- ISCSI Boot

### M

- Moving an existing install into (or out of) a virtual machine

### N

- Netboot

### O

- Offline installation of packages

### P

- PXE

### R

- Remastering the Install ISO

### S

- Software RAID and LVM

### T

- TalkingArch

### U

- USB flash installation media

### V

- Virtual Private Server
- VMware/Installing Arch as a guest

Category:

- About Arch