Ubuntu 25.10 Installation on the Framework Laptop 16

First, download Ubuntu 25.10 Desktop image from Ubuntu's website. We'll go through the steps in this Guide assuming you have a simple installation scenario of a fresh install on a blank drive.

Download balenaEtcher as a tool to create the USB installer from the ISO. balenaEtcher is available for MacOS. Install it.

Launch balenaEtcher. Insert your USB drive (8GB or larger). Click on "Flash from file" and select the ubuntu-25.10-desktop-amd64.iso that you downloaded. Click on "Select target" and choose your USB drive. Click "Flash" and wait a minute or two for it to complete.

Once the USB drive creation is complete, you can close balenaEtcher and eject the USB drive from your OS.

This process will delete all data from the flash drive being used! Ensure any important data that may be kept on those drives is backed up before continuing.

First, download the latest Ubuntu 25.10 Desktop image from Ubuntu's website. This guide will follow a basic setup that automatically uses the entire disk.

Download Rufus as a tool to create the USB installer from the ISO. The first item in this list will be a link to install installer for the latest version. Install Rufus using this.

Open Rufus, from the Device drop-down, select the USB flash drive stick.

In order to use devices like external hard drives, external solid state drives, or the Framework Storage Expansion Card to create a live USB, List USB Hard Drives must be enabled under Show advanced drive properties.

Use the Select Button next to Boot selection to choose the downloaded Ubuntu ISO.

Set Partition scheme to GPT to ensure the live USB is properly recognized at boot.

Click Start. A window will pop up to prompt for a choice between dd image mode and ISOHybrid image mode. Select ISOHybrid image mode then OK.

Before we begin the installation process with the Live USB, let's make sure you have your Linux Audio Compatibility set to Linux in the BIOS. Explanation as to what this does can be found here.

Power on the laptop, repeatedly tapping F2 in order to get into the BIOS. Note: If you're having trouble with this, try again, holding down the Fn key while rapidly tapping F2.

In BIOS mode, arrow key over to Setup Utility. Press the enter key. Arrow down to Advanced. Then arrow right, then arrow down to Linux Audio Compatibility. Press enter.

A new box for Linux Audio Compatibility will appear, arrow to Linux, then press enter. Now press F10 key to reboot.

Now we don't have an OS installed yet. So the reboot won't get us to a running operating system and we fully expect to see an error to this point. Simply press the power button to shutdown.

The next step is to install Ubuntu.

Ubuntu works with Secure Boot out of the box. Ubuntu Live USBs will boot regardless of whether or not it is disabled. Users who intend to dual-boot with Windows should not disable Secure Boot!

If a user has a reason to disable Secure Boot, such as specialized third party devices that require unsigned drivers:

Boot into BIOS by tapping F2 just before the Framework splash screen.

Arrow down to Administer Secure Boot. Press enter.

Arrow down to Enforce Secure Boot. Press enter, select Disabled, and press enter.

Press F10 to save and reboot. With Yes selected, press Enter.

To enable Secure Boot again, repeat the above steps but select Enable this time.

Boot to Live Ubuntu USB: Insert the USB drive into the powered-off machine, then power it on.

If an OS is already installed, immediately begin tapping F12 as soon as the power light comes on. Start tapping before the Framework logo appears.

At the Boot Option Menu, use arrow keys to select your USB drive (shown as "EFI USB Device (USB Disk)" or similar) and press Enter. On the black GRUB menu, confirm "Try or Install Ubuntu" is highlighted and press Enter.

If Windows is already installed on the system attempting to boot into a Linux Live USB may result in a "Device is Active" error. This will provide guidance to overcome this error.

The Live USB will boot to the Desktop then automatically open the installer. Select a Language as well as any needed accessibility options. Then select a keyboard layout.

Important for non-US keyboard users! Please open this link in a new tab and read carefully.

Set up an internet connection. There may be a prompt to update the installer. Do so if connected to the internet. Close the installer, then open it again from the desktop on the lower right corner.

If the installer has been updated, open the installer again after it closes to complete the update. Repeat the steps on this page from the start. Then select installation type. This guide follows the Interactive option.

While connected to your network, select Normal installation, Download updates while installing Ubuntu and Install third party software, then press continue. This process may take a few minutes and appear to idle a bit, then the next screen appears - installation type.

NVIDIA users: Please make sure to check the "Install Proprietary Software" boxes! This will ensure your NVIDIA driver for the dGPU is installed and activated, right out of the box without any extra work.

Next we’ll choose the installation type. Erase everything is the correct choice for users with a new Framework Laptop 16 (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series) or (AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series) looking to use the entire hard drive for Ubuntu.

Press Install Now, then when prompted, then click on Continue.

Next you’ll be prompted to choose your location on the world map. Select your time zone location, click Continue.

Create a username, a computer name (anything will do), and a password to login with. Also make sure you select Require a password to log in. Then press Continue.

Once rebooted, simply follow the prompts for whether or not you are using Ubuntu Pro and if you wish to send back error reports.

Repeat this process with the other screens as seen in the provided images, while making selections and choices that best match your needs.

Let's setup fingerprint login. Click on the horizontal bar in the upper left, search for user.

Choose Fingerprint Login. Then select Scan new fingerprint. Select your desired fingerprint. Carefully tap your finger tip on the sensor (power button). You may need to try a few attempts as everyone's prints are different.

Once it's successful, you will see the word Complete.

Your Framework Laptop 16 with the NVIDIA dGPU module can operate in two primary graphics modes you will want to explore. You can switch between them in your laptop's BIOS settings.

To access this section of your BIOS: Tap F2 when you boot and see your Framework Splash screen (Framework logo). Arrow over to Setup utility. Click enter. Down arrow to Advanced on the left side. Right arrow to NVIDIA Mux. Enter key. Make your selection, press enter. Press F10 and press enter again to save changes and reboot.

The third option, Advanced Optimus, behaves like NVIDIA Hybrid Mode on Linux. So we will forgo it for this guide.

NVIDIA Hybrid Mode (Traditional Optimus): This is the default and most battery-efficient mode.

Display Path: The integrated AMD GPU (iGPU) is always connected to the display. When the NVIDIA GPU (dGPU) is used for a demanding task, it renders the frames and copies them to the iGPU to be shown on the screen.

Switching: Applications run on the power-saving iGPU by default. Steam uses dGPU this automatically for games.

Performance: Small but measurable latency and FPS penalty compared to direct dGPU output because every frame must traverse the iGPU.

Your Framework Laptop 16 with the NVIDIA dGPU module can operate in two primary graphics modes you will want to explore. You can switch between them in your laptop's BIOS settings.

To access this section of your BIOS: Tap F2 when you boot and see your Framework Splash screen (Framework logo). Arrow over to Setup utility. Click enter. Down arrow to Advanced on the left side. Right arrow to NVIDIA Mux. Enter key. Make your selection, press enter. Press F10 and press enter again to save changes and reboot.

The third option, Advanced Optimus, behaves like NVIDIA Hybrid Mode on Linux. So we will forgo it for this guide.

NVIDIA GPU-Only (Discrete Mode)

Display Path The dGPU drives the panel 100% of the time. The iGPU is fully disabled.

Switching: No switching possible without reboot — you must go back into BIOS or flip the MUX manually to return to Hybrid mode.

Performance: Maximum performance and lowest latency, because there is no iGPU in the pipeline.

GPUMode is designed to provided extended functionality to EnvyControl, thus allowing GUI controls to manage GPU switching modes.

Download EnvyControl deb package for Ubuntu from this link.

Download GPUMode deb package for Ubuntu from this link.

Install EnvyControl by double clicking on the downloaded deb package, then choose install.

Install GPUMode by double clicking on the downloaded deb package, then choose install. Reboot.

Upon reboot, you will notice a new applet that appears in the upper right. Clicking on it, you will see what is shown in the image in this step. You're currently in hybrid mode.

Note: When switching from the pop up prompts, rebooting is automatic if you choose Yes from a prompt. Manual switching from the menu pull down, requires a manual reboot.

With your laptop plugged into power, this is a good place to be for gaming and standard workloads. If the NVIDIA GPU is needed, it will be called upon by applications like Steam and various other applications that will benefit form the GPU boost.

When you unplug your laptop, two things happen immediately.

First, you will automatically have your power profile switched to power save.

Second thing that happens is shown in the image for this step. You will be prompted to switch to the iGPU setting known as integrated mode and automatically reboot, to save you even from the NVIDIA draining power while detached from your power cord.

Wish to not be asked again to switch graphics profiles when disconnecting power from your laptop? Select the pull down menu, uncheck "Prompt on Power Change."

If you elected to allow the system to reboot into integrated mode, you will notice the applet pulled down now looks like this. Currently in integrated mode. The NVIDIA GPU is no longer active and you will see a significant power savings from this.

If you re-attach power, you will be notice your power profile is switched back to performance.

You will also be promoted with with the pop up asking if you would like to reboot to return to hybrid mode. Selecting Yes will reboot you back to Hybrid graphics mode.

Wish to not be asked again to switch graphics profiles when disconnecting power from your laptop? Select the pull down menu, uncheck "Prompt on Power Change."

You must reboot and rapidly press F2 to gain access to the BIOS menu. Follow the instructions in step 12 above.

Once booted back into your computer, you will notice the pull down menu for GPUMode will be totally not usable and explains you are in NVIDIA mode.

This is the setting you would use for heavy compute work or LLMs.

To return to hybrid mode, reboot, again pressing F2 at the Framework splash screen. Follow step 11 above.