How to Learn Linux Step by Step

Written by Bits Lovers on 30 Apr 2021

How to Learn Linux Step by Step: A guide for beginners

What Is Linux?

Let me explain what Linux actually is. Linux is an open-source operating system, similar to Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. An operating system manages the communication between your computer hardware and software. It takes your input, processes it through the CPU, and displays output through your hardware. That’s the core function, though modern OSes do much more. You can also check our reasons to love Linux.

History of Linux and Open Source Software

This video is worth watching. It shows how everything started and introduces the people behind this history.

Where Do We Use Linux?

Linux has been around since the mid-90s and runs on everything from wristwatches to supercomputers. It’s in your phones, laptops, desktops, cars, and even refrigerators. It’s popular with both developers and regular users.

Linux Statistics (Updated for 2024)

Before diving into this guide, let’s look at some numbers. Why? Because seeing the scale helps motivate you to learn.

All of the top 500 supercomputers in the world run Linux
About 96% of the top 1 million websites run Linux
On AWS, 94% of EC2 instances run Linux
Microsoft Azure runs about 60% Linux workloads
Steam now supports over 5,000 games on Linux, with Proton making Windows games work
ChromeOS (Linux-based) dominates the education market
Android, which powers 70% of smartphones worldwide, is built on the Linux kernel

The company I work for runs about 600 cloud instances—only 10 use Windows, and we’re migrating those to Linux too.

Is Linux Hard?

I’ve used Linux for 19 years now. I can’t imagine using anything else. Once you start, you’ll see how flexible it is for automation and customization.

Some people complain that the command line is hard or that the interface isn’t friendly. But in 2024, that’s just not true. When I first started Linux in the early 2000s, it was genuinely difficult—we had to compile applications from source along with all their dependencies manually. Package managers didn’t exist in the way they do now. Today, you can install almost anything with a single command. Don’t worry—it’s much easier now.

How to Learn Linux Step by Step: The Learning Curve

Linux gives you everything you need without requiring massive resources, expensive software, or constant malware protection. Unlike operating systems that limit what you can do through a restrictive interface, Linux stays out of your way.

You can learn the basics of Linux as your daily operating system in a few days or weeks. If you want to master the command line, expect to spend two to three weeks on the fundamentals. For advanced commands and system administration, plan on several months of consistent practice.

What’s Your Goal?

The time investment depends on what you want to do. If you just want to use Linux as your desktop OS, you’ll be comfortable in a week or two. If you want to learn system administration or DevOps, that takes longer—months of hands-on practice.

The command line is a different beast. Plan on a few weeks for essentials, then months for advanced topics like shell scripting, system monitoring, and network configuration.

If you’ve already used Unix-like systems (macOS Terminal, for example), you’ll pick it up faster.

Why Should You Learn Linux?

Linux is everywhere. You’ve probably used it without knowing—it powers your Android phone, most websites you visit, and countless embedded systems. Over 50% of websites run on Linux servers.

The tech industry relies heavily on Linux. If you want to work as a system administrator, DevOps engineer, cloud architect, or backend developer, Linux is essential. Most companies run their infrastructure on Linux.

Even outside of IT, Linux skills help you understand how computers work. You’ll be more productive in any technical environment with command-line skills.

Which Linux Distribution Should You Choose?

Learn Linux with Ubuntu

Ubuntu remains the most popular Linux distribution for beginners. The community is huge—if you have a question, someone has answered it online. You’ll find tutorials, forum posts, and YouTube videos for practically anything.

Ubuntu broke the myth that Linux is only for developers. It’s user-friendly with an intuitive interface. Hardware support is excellent too—most devices work automatically without driver installation.

Minimum System Requirements for Ubuntu

You don’t need powerful hardware. The minimum requirements are quite low:

2 GHz dual-core processor
4 GB RAM
25 GB disk space
1024×768 screen resolution
USB port or DVD drive for installation

Ubuntu also runs on ARM processors—the same architecture used in most mobile devices.

Other Great Options for Beginners

Pop!_OS: Based on Ubuntu but with a cleaner interface. Excellent for NVIDIA GPUs and gaming. Very polished out of the box.

Fedora Workstation: Cutting-edge but stable. Great for developers who want the latest software without breaking things.

Linux Mint: Feels similar to Windows 7. Very stable and conservative. Perfect if you want something that just works without frequent changes.

How to Learn Linux Step by Step: Learning Path

Where Should I Start?

I’ve organized a learning path below. Follow this order, and you’ll avoid getting overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information.

The Evolution of Linux

Open Source Philosophy
Linux Distributions
Distribution Life Cycle
Comparing Distributions
Embedded Systems
Hardware Requirements
Installing Linux
OS Differences

Linux Installation

VirtualBox installation and virtual machine setup
Linux installation in a virtual machine
VirtualBox Guest Additions
Ubuntu desktop customization
Installing Linux alongside Windows (dual boot)

The Linux Terminal

Understanding Command Structure
Terminal Concepts
The Manual Pages (man command)
Command Input and Output
Standard Output
Standard Input + Standard Error
I/O Redirection
Piping Fundamentals
The Tee Command
The Xargs Command
Aliases

The Linux File System

The Structure of the Linux File System
Navigating the File System
File permissions and ownership
Log files
Identifying running processes
Monitoring memory usage
File Extensions in Linux
Wildcards
Creating Files and Folders
Rename Files and Folders
Deleting Files and Folders
Copying Files and Folders
Editing Files using Nano
The Locate command
The Find Command
Viewing Files
Sorting Data
Searching File Content
File Archiving and Compression

Linux User Management

Adding/removing users through GUI
Adding new users through the terminal
Deleting users through the terminal
Changing passwords
Managing user groups

Task Automation and Scheduling

Creating Bash Scripts
Scheduled Automation Using Cron
Systemd timers (modern alternative to cron)

Open Source Software

The GNU Project
Compiling Software from Source Code
Software Repositories
Package Management (apt, dnf, pacman)
Updating and Upgrading Software
Installing New Software
Managing DEB and RPM packages
Uninstalling Software

Linux Virtual Machine

Installing VirtualBox or VMware
Setting up your own Linux Virtual Machine
Using cloud instances (AWS, DigitalOcean)

Linux Network Administration

How the Internet works
Local area networks (LAN)
Networking commands (ping, traceroute, netstat)
The hosts file
Using SSH for remote access
SFTP for file transfer
Configuring SSH keys

How to Learn Linux Step by Step: Online Courses

The best online course about Linux

Linux Mastery: Master the Linux Command Line in 11.5 Hours

Price: ~$15-20 (frequently on sale)
Level: Beginners

This course covers 11+ hours of material focused on command-line essentials. By the end, you’ll be comfortable working entirely from the terminal.

Introduction to Linux

Price: Free (optional paid certificate)
Level: Beginners

The Linux Foundation offers this free course. It’s excellent for complete beginners. You’ll learn common Linux applications, command-line usage, and distribution architecture.

Linux Journey

Price: Free
Level: All levels

A free, interactive tutorial covering everything from basics to advanced topics. Great for self-paced learning.

Ways to Get Started with Linux

The best way to learn is hands-on practice. Make Linux your primary OS if you can. You’ll face challenges—that’s normal. Solving those challenges forces you to research and understand how the system works. That’s where real learning happens.

Start with the mindset that anything is possible. If you can imagine it, you can probably do it in Linux. Search online, and you’ll find answers.

If you’re not ready to switch completely, here are safer ways to start:

The Best Tools to Learn Linux

Install Linux as a VM

Virtualization lets you try Linux risk-free. VirtualBox is free and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can install Linux in a virtual machine and use it like any other application. If something breaks, just delete the VM and start over.

Use Linux in the Browser

JSLinux runs Linux entirely in your web browser. No installation required. It works in Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and even Internet Explorer. You can practice basic commands and explore the file system without installing anything.

Learn Linux on Raspberry Pi

What is raspberry pi for? Where is raspberry pi used?

What Is Raspberry Pi?

The Raspberry Pi is a $35 credit-card-sized computer that plugs into your monitor or TV. It uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It’s capable enough for real work and perfect for learning Linux, programming, and electronics projects.

Where Is Raspberry Pi Used?

Industry uses Raspberry Pi for IoT and automation. Home automators love them for sensors, cameras, and smart home projects. You can also use one as a media center connected to your TV. It’s a versatile tool worth having.

Can Raspberry Pi Run Ubuntu?

Yes, and it’s easy. Download the Raspberry Pi Imager tool (available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS), write Ubuntu to an SD card, and boot it up. The interface is straightforward.

How Raspberry Pi Helps You Learn

Use a Raspberry Pi as a dedicated Linux learning machine. Connect it to your monitor via HDMI, add a keyboard and mouse, and you’re set. No risk to your main computer. WiFi, Bluetooth, and video work out of the box, so you can focus on learning Linux. Most Ubuntu software runs on Raspberry Pi without issues.

Can I Learn Linux on a Mac?

Can you run Linux on a mac?

Yes, but let’s clear up a common misconception: macOS is not Linux. It’s built on Unix (BSD), not Linux. However, the command line is similar enough that you can learn many Unix commands that also work on Linux.

You can run Linux on a Mac using VirtualBox, Parallels, or VMware. It runs well in a virtual environment, especially on older Mac hardware.

How to Learn Linux Commands on Windows

Microsoft has made this much easier since 2021. WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is now mature and works excellently. It lets you run actual Linux distributions natively on Windows 10 and 11.

Official WSL documentation

Just run wsl --install in PowerShell or Windows Terminal, and you’ll have Ubuntu running in minutes. No complicated setup required.

Running Linux Commands on Windows

WSL 2 is better than VirtualBox for learning because it’s faster and integrates with Windows. You can access Windows files from Linux and vice versa. If you break something, just reset the WSL distribution—no harm to your main system.

You can install any Linux software, run full containers (Docker works natively now), and get the full Linux experience. WSL 2 even supports GUI apps now, though most learning focuses on the command line anyway.

WSL is perfect for learning. Once you’re comfortable, you can install Linux as your primary OS for the full experience.

How to Learn the Linux Command Line

Every Linux distribution includes a graphical interface, but the terminal is where the real power is. Anything you can do graphically, you can do via command line. And you can automate it. Once you get comfortable, you’ll actually be faster in the terminal than using a mouse.

Learning takes time. Use it daily. Here’s my best advice: don’t limit yourself. If you don’t know how to do something in the terminal, assume it’s possible—you just need to find the command. Google is your friend. You’ll be surprised how quickly you pick up new commands and concepts.

Most troubleshooting is easier via command line. When the graphical interface breaks (and it eventually will), the terminal is your lifeline. You’ll edit config files, restart services, and fix problems without needing a GUI.

If you’re starting from scratch, read Ubuntu’s official Command Line for Beginners guide. It’s excellent.

There’s no way around it—learning Linux means learning the terminal. But that’s not a bad thing. The terminal is efficient, powerful, and once you know it, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

Learn Linux Step by Step: Shell Scripting

You’ll hear about “shell scripts” a lot as you learn Linux.

A shell script is a text file containing commands that the Unix shell executes. You can automate tasks, manipulate files, and chain operations together. It’s how you turn manual command-line work into reusable programs.

Learn the basics first, then tackle shell scripting. You can write simple scripts in a day. Complex scripts take practice—but you can add anything to a script that you’d type manually.

Remember that scripts can run from the terminal, be triggered graphically, or scheduled to run automatically (cron or systemd timers).

For reference, I recommend “Wicked Cool Shell Scripts” by Dave Taylor. It was my first shell scripting book, and I still refer to it sometimes.

Using Docker to Learn Linux: Step by Step

Using Docker to Learn Linux: Step-by-Step

Docker is more advanced, but I recommend learning it eventually. Installation is straightforward on Ubuntu—just apt install docker.io. Let me show you how Docker can accelerate your Linux learning.

What Is Docker?

Docker is containerization software. It packages applications with all their dependencies into isolated containers. Think of it as a lightweight virtual machine that starts in seconds instead of minutes.

What Can I Do with Docker?

Some applications need complex dependencies. Without Docker, you install each dependency manually, hoping nothing conflicts. With Docker, you download a pre-built image containing everything. It just works.

I won’t go too deep—Docker is a massive topic—but let’s focus on using it to learn Linux.

How Docker Helps You Learn

The big advantage: you can build a disposable playground. Break something? Delete the container and start fresh in seconds.

Want to try Fedora but use Ubuntu? Run a Fedora container. Curious about Alpine Linux? Spin up a container. No installation, no risk.

What You Can Learn

1. Command Line Practice

Run any distribution inside Docker. Practice commands without affecting your host system. If you mess up, docker rm and start over. Perfect for following tutorials.

docker run -it ubuntu bash

That’s it—you’re inside a fresh Ubuntu. Install software, create files, break things. No consequences.

2. Experiment Safely

Change system configurations, edit files, and see what happens. Crash the container? No problem. Containers are disposable by design.

3. Run Graphical Applications (Advanced)

You can run GUI apps in Docker, though it’s more complex. Firefox, Chromium, and other applications work if you configure X11 forwarding properly. Not essential for learning, but good to know.

Docker is faster than VirtualBox and uses fewer resources. For learning and experimentation, it’s ideal.

Docker Installation Resources:

Simple Example: Running Ubuntu in a Container

After installing Docker, run:

docker run -it ubuntu bash

Enter a Container Docker

You’re now inside a new Ubuntu instance. Try installing Nano:

apt-get update && apt-get install -y nano

That’s Nano installed in your container. Delete the container when done, and it’s like it never happened. Docker is a deep topic, but for learning Linux, you just need the basics.

Use Docker to build a safe workspace where you can experiment freely. You’ll learn faster when you’re not afraid of breaking things.

Backup Tool

How to Make Backup on Linux with Snapshot

When I started learning Linux, I broke things constantly. Reinstalling the OS took hours. Today, I know recovery tricks, but beginners don’t. That’s where Timeshift saves you.

Timeshift creates system snapshots that you can restore from boot if something goes wrong. It’s like Windows System Restore or macOS Time Machine. It takes incremental snapshots of your filesystem at scheduled intervals. When you mess up, restore a previous snapshot and you’re back to a working state.

Timeshift backs up your system files, applications, and home folder. One snapshot contains your entire OS with all configurations and customizations.

Installing Timeshift

For Ubuntu and Linux Mint, run:

sudo apt-add-repository -y ppa:teejee2008/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install timeshift

Make snapshot backups with Timeshift on Linux. Also, it's possible to restore from GRUB on Boot.

Learn more at the Timeshift GitHub page.

Conclusion

Learning Linux is rewarding. You’ll discover a whole new world of possibilities—mostly free software. The community is enormous. If you have a question, search online—it’s been answered.

There are many ways to learn, but the topics remain the same. Follow this roadmap, choose the approach that fits your situation, and practice daily. You’ll see results faster than you expect.

I’ve provided the best resources I know to help you succeed. I’m confident you’ll enjoy the journey and become a skilled Linux user.

If you found this guide helpful, please share it on social media. If you have suggestions for improvement, leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.