How to Install Parrot OS (v4.9) on Laptop – Step By Step
In this guide, I described how to install Parrot Security OS on your PC or laptop’s hard disk as the main and only OS.
When you are just beginning to learn hacking, you will need to install a Linux operating system. Installing Linux on virtual machines and USB sticks is good, but installing Linux on the hard disk of your PC or laptop and ditching your Windows 10 installation (or whatever version you have) is when I consider you fully ready. At least in my case that was when I was!
Parrot Security OS is a very stable Linux operating system — unlike Kali Linux — you can install on your PC not only for hacking purposes but also as your daily driver. And I will recommend it to beginner hackers any time, every time!
Prerequisites for Installing Parrot Os on Laptop
- USB flash drive with a minimum capacity of 8GB. You may also use an SD card inserted into an SD card reader. In fact, that is what I used in making this tutorial.
- Buy a USB Flash Drive or Class 10 Memory Card & SD Card Reader – (Amazon links)
- Buy a USB Flash Drive or Class 10 Memory Card & SD Card Reader – (Ali Express links)
- Download Parrot OS ISO file. (I recommend downloading the Parrot Security Mate ISO file).
- Download Etcher for burning the Kali Linux file on your USB stick or SD card.
Preparing to Install Parrot OS on Laptop
Using the prerequisites listed above, we are going to make an installation media (which can either be a bootable USB flash drive or DVD), for the clean install of Parrot OS 4.9 on our PC or laptop’s hard disk.
The following steps will guide you through making a bootable Parrot USB drive for the installation:
1. Plug your USB drive into your PC and launch etcher. Etcher will automagically detect your USB drive storage. If not, click “change” to select the correct storage drive.
2. Click “select image” to open your file explorer and attach the Parrot OS ISO file you downloaded.
3. When you are absolutely sure that you have selected the right drive, and the Parrot OS file, then go ahead and click “Flash”!
Note: This operation will permanently delete everything you have on the USB flash drive and it is not recoverable. Make a backup of the content on the USB if necessary.
Install Parrot OS v4.9 on Laptop Hard Disk
Once you have created the bootable Parrot OS USB flash drive, you are all set to proceed with the installation.
Caution: The following steps describe a clean installation method. It will wipe EVERYTHING on your hard drive! Including whatever Windows version you have installed, and replace it with a fresh install of Parrot OS 4.9. Only proceed if you understand this.
Install Parrot OS 4.9 on your PC or laptop following these steps:
Step 1: Boot your computer from the Parrot OS USB drive you created.
Plug the Parrot USB drive on your computer and restart it. As soon as your computer reboots and it’s trying to come back on, quickly press the special key designated to launch the boot or startup menu.
On the next screen, for this computer, pressing the key F9 will open the Boot Device Options menu. There I will select the Parrot OS USB drive as the boot device.
In your case, the boot menu key for your PC might be different, just do a quick Google search!
Step 2: On the Parrot Boot Screen. Select “Install” –> “Install with GTK GUI“ and press enter.
Step 3: Select your preferred system language.
Step 4: Specify your geographic location.
Step 5: Select your preferred keyboard layout.
Step 6: Set a password for the ROOT user account.
This is like the administrator’s password on Windows systems, so make it strong and ensure you don’t forget it.
Step 7: Next, create a standard, non-administrative user account for the system.
You will use this user account for the day-to-day operation of this Parrot machine.
Create a username for the standard user.
Set a password for the standard user.
Step 8: Set the system time zone.
Step 9: Now the installer will launch the disk partitioner and offer you 4 options. Select the Guided – use entire disk option.
Select the disk you want to install Parrot OS. Only your laptop’s hard disk will probably be listed here.
Select how you want the disk to be partitioned.
I recommend you choose the separate /home partition option. Because by having your user files and system files on separate partitions, you can upgrade the system freely without the risk of losing your documents, photos, videos, and any other user files.
Review your disk partitioning configuration.
Select “No” on the next screen to skip setting up a Swap partition.
Now write the partitioning changes to disk. This is the last time to change your mind after now, the disk formatting cannot be reversed. Select yes and press enter.
Step 10: Select “yes” to install GRUB bootloader.
Select your laptop’s hard disk to install GRUB on it.
Step 11: Finally, give the installer a little while to wrap things up… and ta-da! Installation is completed!
Congrats! You have just succeeded in installing Parrot OS version 4.9 on your laptop or computer as the primary OS.
Log into the machine using the username and password you set for the Standard User you created during the installation.
Wondering what to do next? I invite you to follow my How to Become a Hacker series to learn practical ethical hacking and put your Parrot OS machine to good use.
But in the mean time, you should check these recommended posts below.
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