How to Install Arch Linux 2020.09 + XFCE Desktop + Apps + VMware Tools on VMware Workstation

 

This video tutorial shows how to install Arch Linux 2020.09 with XFCE Desktop on VMware Workstation step by step. We'll install applications such as Firefox, LibreOffice, FileZilla, VLC and Arch Linux Wallpaper on Arch Linux 2020. We'll also install VMware Tools (Open VM Tools) on Arch Linux 2020 XFCE Desktop for better performance and usability (Fit Guest Now and Drag-Drop File and Mouse Integration). This tutorial also helps for installing Arch Linux on physical computer or laptop.

ArchLinux Website: https://www.archlinux.org/

How to Install Arch Linux 2020.09 + XFCE Desktop + Apps + VMware Tools on VMware Workstation

Arch Linux 2020.09 with XFCE Desktop Installation Guide

View Hard Disks
    fdisk -l

Use cfdisk command to create partitions.
    cfdisk /dev/sda

Create 3 Partitions

/dev/sda1 for boot 1GB
/dev/sda2 for swap 4GB
/dev/sda3

Format Partitions
    mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda1
    mkswap /dev/sda2
    swapon /dev/sda2
    mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda3

Mount Root Partition
    mount /dev/sda3 /mnt

Create Folders
    mkdir /mnt/boot /mnt/var /mnt/home

Mount Boot Partition
    mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot

Check Network Connection
    ping -c 3 google.com

Sync the pacman repository
    pacman -Syy

Install Arch Linux base system and devel
    pacstrap /mnt base base-devel linux linux-firmware nano dhcpcd net-tools grub

Configure the Arch Linux System
    genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab
    arch-chroot /mnt

Set the System Language
    nano /etc/locale.gen
    locale-gen
    echo LANG=en_US.UTF-8 > /etc/locale.conf
    export LANG=en_US.UTF-8

Set Arch Linux Clock and Time Zone
    ls /usr/share/zoneinfo/
    rm -rf /etc/localtime
    ln –s /usr/share/zoneinfo/Amerika/New_York /etc/localtime

    hwclock --systohc --utc

Set Hostname
    echo arch2017 > /etc/hostname

Enable DHCPCD Service (DHCP Client Service)
    systemctl enable dhcpcd.service
    
Install and Configure openssh
    pacman -Sy openssh
    systemctl enable sshd.service

Set Root Password
    passwd root

Create Additional User
    useradd -m -g users -G wheel -s /bin/bash nikola
Set password for new user
    passwd nikola

Edit /etc/sudoers
    nano /etc/sudoers
        Add nikola under root
            nikola ALL=(ALL) ALL

Install and configure GRUB Boot Loader
    grub-install /dev/sda
    grub-mkconfig –o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

mkinitcpio –p linux

Reboot and login as root
    exit
    exit
    umount /mnt/boot
    umount /mnt
    reboot

Check Network Connection
    ping -c 3 google.com

Check IP Address
    ifconfig

Install XFCE Desktop
    pacman -S xfce4 xfce4-goodies ttf-freefont xdg-user-dirs

Install Lightdm
    pacman -S lightdm lightdm-gtk-greeter
    systemctl enable lightdm

Install Apps
    pacman -S firefox vlc libreoffice filezilla

Install Open-VM-Tools

Install prerequisite packages for Open-VM-Tools
    pacman -S gtkmm3

Install Open-VM-Tools
    pacman -S xf86-video-vmware
    pacman -S xf86-input-vmmouse
    pacman -S open-vm-tools

Enable VMTools Service
    systemctl enable vmtoolsd.service

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