# How to Install Omarchy From USB Omarchy installs from a bootable USB and currently supports full-disk or free-space installation, with encryption enabled by default and clear disk-erasure risks on the full-disk path. 2026-07-30 ![How to Install Omarchy From USB](https://switchboardtechservices.com/static/images/defaults/articles.webp) Before installing Omarchy, decide which of these you actually mean: - **Full-disk install:** Omarchy takes over the selected drive and erases its existing contents. - **Free-space install:** Omarchy installs into unallocated space beside another operating system. Do not start the installer until important data is backed up and you know which physical drive you intend to use. ## 1. Download the current ISO Use the official Omarchy site. As of September 27, 2026, the current public download is **Omarchy 4.0.4**. The download page also provides SHA-256 and signature verification information. Verifying the ISO is especially worthwhile when you are about to boot an installer with permission to repartition a disk. ## 2. Write the ISO to USB The current Omarchy Getting Started guide recommends: - **balenaEtcher** on Windows or macOS; - **Caligula** on Linux. Writing the ISO destroys the normal contents of the selected USB drive, so verify the USB device before starting. This is separate from selecting the computer's installation disk later. ## 3. Boot from the USB Restart the computer and choose the USB device from the firmware boot menu. The exact key varies by manufacturer. The current Omarchy documentation says **Secure Boot and/or TPM must be disabled in BIOS/UEFI for installation**. Because installer requirements can change between releases, follow the current Omarchy Getting Started page rather than an old installation video. ## 4. Answer the installer questions The installer walks through basic configuration and then asks you to select the target disk. This is the critical point. Read the disk model and capacity carefully. If more than one drive is installed, do not rely only on device names unless you know exactly which physical drive they identify. ## 5. Choose full disk or free space deliberately A **full-disk install wipes the selected drive**. That is appropriate only when you intend to dedicate the drive to Omarchy. A **free-space install** uses unallocated space and is the path used for dual booting. Do not improvise a dual-boot layout from the full-disk instructions. See [Omarchy Dual Boot With Windows: What to Know Before Installing](https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/omarchy-dual-boot-windows/) if Windows must remain on the computer. ## 6. Encryption is enabled by default Omarchy currently installs with disk encryption by default. That is a good security default, but it creates one practical hardware requirement: you must be able to enter the encryption password before the normal desktop starts. The Omarchy manual warns that a Bluetooth keyboard cannot be used for this early boot password. Use a **wired keyboard or a keyboard with a 2.4 GHz USB dongle**. ## 7. Complete the install and reboot After confirming the target and install choices, allow the installer to finish. Remove or ignore the installation USB when appropriate and boot into the installed system. Then confirm: - the system boots normally; - your encryption password works; - networking works; - keyboard and pointing devices behave correctly; - the display is usable. Do those checks before spending hours customizing the machine. ## Do not use an install guide as a substitute for a backup The installer can be simple while the consequences of choosing the wrong disk are permanent. Before changing partitions, have copies of important data somewhere that is not on the drive being modified. If Windows is staying on the machine, also make sure Windows recovery information is available before touching encryption or partitions. For what the system is before installing it, see [What Is Omarchy?](https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/what-is-omarchy-linux/). - Categories: [Linux](https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/categories/linux/) - Tags: [#Omarchy](https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/tags/omarchy/), [#Arch Linux](https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/tags/arch-linux/) [Articles RSS](https://switchboardtechservices.com/feeds/articles.xml "Subscribe using an RSS reader") --- Canonical URL: https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/install-omarchy-from-usb/ Language: en-us Content type: article Published: 2026-07-30T10:11:00+00:00 Description: A safety-first Omarchy USB installation guide covering ISO download, USB creation, firmware settings, full-disk versus free-space installation, encryption and first boot.