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I would like to pre-install Ubuntu on a computer for someone. I may want to customize it for them, but in the end they need to be able to choose a username, password, etc. when they first boot it up. (Also called an OEM install).

How do I do this?

girardengo
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Patrick
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3 Answers3

60

Use the built-in OEM install functionality!

It's very easy to install Ubuntu on a computer for someone else, so that you can customize it for their needs but they can still perform the final basic setup (username, password, language, etc.).

Phase 1. Pre-installation

1 (Updated for Ubuntu 20.04 UEFI).

Make sure to boot from the installation USB in the UEFI mode. You will see the screen below. If you don't see this grub menu, then you did not boot in the UEFI mode from the USB.

Select OEM install (for Manufacturer) as shown below:

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  1. (For BIOS/Legacy/CSM installs (untested in Ubuntu 20.04)) Press any key to interrupt the LiveCD/LiveUSB autoboot; then press F4 and select OEM Install, and then "Install Ubuntu"

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The rest of the process is pretty much the same as below.

  1. Enter a "company name" (it will only be used in error reports, etc.)

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  1. Continue installing...

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  1. Enter a temporary username, password and machine-name for the customization phase

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  1. Restart

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###Phase 2. Customization

  1. You are now in the customization phase:

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  1. Perform customization: Upgrades, updates, install software, remove software, change wallpapers, etc. In the sample below, we just use the terminal to change the Ubuntu update mirror to one closer to New York City.

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  1. When you are done, close all windows and double-click on the Prepare for shipping to end-user icon on the desktop, which will show the message as below:

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###Phase 3. End-user configuration/"installation"

  1. When the receiver first boots up the computer, he/she will have to select a language:

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  1. ...and their location/time zone...

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  1. ...and keyboard layout...

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  1. They then choose their username, password, machine-name and whether to encrypt their home directory:

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  1. Ubuntu takes a few seconds to perform these final customizations...

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  1. ...and takes the user directly to their new login screen!

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user68186
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ish
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41

I originally thought this feature was only available in the alternate installer but I have been corrected. I was able to boot up a USB key for the desktop CD, holding down the left shift key until I was asked to choose a language, and then I hit F4 and was presented with this menu:

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Colin Watson also notes that you can enable oem-config/enable=true as a boot parameter to expose the feature. After using it it prompted me with OEM-looking prompts:

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If you are using the alternate installer you can just hit F4 and choose OEM Install right from the first screen:

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Community
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Jorge Castro
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31

When the boot menu comes up all you have to do is select "Install in OEM Mode" then walk through the rest of the process.

Here is more detailed instructions with screen shots:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ubuntu_OEM_Installer_Overview

Here is a screenshot of this option from Ubuntu 12.04 installation. You need to press a key to bring this option menu just after starting to boot the Live CD or USB.

enter image description here

Anwar
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TheXed
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