How to try out Fedora 39 early
Fedora 39 is scheduled for release on October 17, 2023. However, if you’re eager to explore the new features in advance, you can take part in the public beta testing phase. Fedora 39 introduces a host of exciting features, including GNOME 45, LibreOffice 7.6, an updated Linux kernel, and much more. Here’s a guide on how you can get started with Fedora 39 on your system.
Warning: Fedora 39 Beta is unstable software. Only proceed with the installation if you are familiar with Fedora Linux and understand the risks of using unstable software. Instability issues may arise, so use it at your own risk!
How to download the Fedora 39 beta
To get your hands on the Fedora 39 beta, you will need to download an ISO file, which will serve as the foundation for creating a bootable USB drive. To start the download of Fedora 39 beta, please proceed to the official Fedora Project website.
Locate the “Get Fedora” button on the Fedora Project website and execute a mouse click on it. Upon selecting this button, you will be redirected to a download page. Choose the “Workstation” option to access the Fedora Workstation download offerings.
In the “Workstation” section, positioned towards the bottom of the page, identify the “Download” button. Click on it to navigate to the Fedora download page. Upon reaching the download page, activate the slider labeled “Show Beta downloads.”
Once the “Show Beta downloads” option is enabled, locate “Fedora Workstation 39 Live ISO” and initiate the download process by selecting the corresponding button. This will start the download of the Fedora 39 ISO. The downloading process should not take long to complete.
How to create a Fedora 39 beta installation USB
You can create a Fedora 39 beta installation USB in various ways. In this guide, we’ll use the Etcher application. Why Etcher? It works on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux so that you can follow the same instructions no matter your operating system.
To get Etcher, go to the official Etcher website. After downloading it, install and open it on your PC. Once Etcher is running, follow these steps to make your Fedora 39 beta installation USB:
- In the Etcher app, find the “Flash from file” button and click it with your mouse. A window will appear; use it to locate the Fedora 39 Beta ISO file.
- Plug in a USB flash drive after adding the Fedora 39 Beta ISO to Etcher. Then, find the “Select target” button and click it with your mouse. From the menu that pops up, choose your USB drive for use with Etcher.
- Locate the “Flash!” button in the Etcher app and click it with your mouse. This will start the creation process. It will take some time, so be patient while Etcher finishes.
Once Etcher is done creating your Fedora 39 Beta USB, restart your computer. Access the BIOS and configure your computer to boot from the USB drive so you can install Fedora 39 Beta.
How to install Fedora 39 Beta
To install the Fedora 39 Beta, begin by choosing your preferred language in the installer. By default, it’s set to English, so change it if you speak a different language. Once you’ve made your selection, locate the “Continue” button and click it to proceed.
Upon selecting the “Continue” button, a pop-up window will appear with a notice stating, “This is unstable, pre-release software.” Take a moment to read this notice. When you’re done, click the “I want to proceed” button to continue.
Navigate to the “SYSTEM” section of the installer and choose “Installation Destination.” After selecting “Installation Destination,” pick your hard drive. Ensure you opt for “Automatic” for “Storage Configuration.” If you’re experienced, you can choose “Custom” or “Advanced Custom.” Once you’ve made your choice, click the “Done” button.
Following the configuration of your storage settings for the Fedora 39 Beta installer, click the “Begin Installation” button to initiate the installation process. The installer is entirely automated, so you won’t need to intervene during this process.
Once the installation is complete, reboot your computer, and Fedora should start automatically. Upon startup, you’ll be prompted to configure your user account and password. Use the user interface to set up your user account and password.
With your user account and password configured, you’re all set to use the Fedora 39 Beta. Enjoy, and happy testing!
