I downloaded Ubuntu and a folder exists. How do I now start the install.

Read the "Question Guidelines" and "How to ask a smart question" links in my posting signature. Based on what you posted, what do you think we'll be able to tell you?? You don't say what kind of system you're using now, how you downloaded ubuntu, what VERSION of Ubuntu you've downloaded, onto what kind of hardware, etc.

Short answer: follow the instructions on the ubuntu website on how to create a bootable CD/DVD/USB device, then boot your computer from that and follow the installation prompts.

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Hi Blkyn296 and welcome to LQ.

Please do as TB0ne has suggested. Review the LQ FAQ and Rules to learn how to ask a more effective question in the future.

Next, also cited by TB0ne are the recommendations to review the Ubuntu web instructions about how to make a boot capable media for running Ubuntu Live or installing from that same media. Their point is that what you've done is copied the information somewhere, but not used this download to make a bootable install media.

If you take these next steps and still run into trouble, then please update this thread with some additional information.

1 members found this post helpful.

Hello and welcome to LQ.

The normal way to install linux would be to get an ISO file. It shouldn't be a folder usually. You then burn it to a dvd or copy it to a usb. https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desk...ubuntu-desktop

If you are using this on a system that has an OS you want to keep then you should get a free virtual machine like virtualbox.

Write the .iso file to a USB stick like so:where sdc is the usb drive. Then, boot with the USB stick. Let us know what happens.