Omarchy System Requirements and Pre-install Checklist

A machine that boots the installer is not automatically a good long-term Omarchy machine. Check hardware compatibility, data safety, and application needs separately before choosing an installation method.

Hardware and firmware

• Use a modern 64-bit PC and confirm it can boot a UEFI USB device;
• have reliable networking, preferably Ethernet or a known-compatible Wi-Fi adapter;
• check current Hyprland and Wayland graphics guidance, especially for discrete or hybrid-GPU laptops;
• record the number, capacity, encryption state, and partitions of every drive instead of guessing from /dev/nvme… names;
• research your exact model if Bluetooth, fingerprint readers, docks, multiple displays, or high refresh rates are essential.

Official requirements can change, so treat the current official manual as authoritative rather than relying on a permanently quoted minimum here.

Data and recovery

Before installing:

1. back up documents, photos, projects, password-vault exports, and recovery keys somewhere the installer cannot touch;
2. create recovery media for the existing Windows or macOS installation;
3. save BitLocker or FileVault recovery keys;
4. disable Windows Fast Startup and finish pending updates before resizing a dual-boot volume;
5. photograph the current disk layout and map physical drives to device names.

Application inventory

Sort daily tasks into must-have, replaceable, and optional. Verify browsers, password managers, input methods, office documents, conferencing, VPNs, developer tools, games, and peripheral configuration. Keep a separate Windows device or dual boot when a critical workflow requires it; Wine is not a compatibility guarantee.

Choose an installation model

From lower to higher risk: use spare hardware or a separate drive, replace an entirely disposable drive, or dual boot on an existing system. A first attempt should not happen on the only computer, with the only copy of data, on a single system disk, and without recovery media.

When the checklist is complete, continue to the Omarchy installation guide.