this post was submitted on 19 May 2025

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Installing Linux on Surface Pro 8 (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hi everyone! I know im not good with technology. I brought a surface pro 8, 3 years ago. I obviously understand that was a mistake and i should have listened to programmer cousin. Its gonna be slighty difficult to install linux on it.

I've researched several youtube videos, but i was wondering if anyone had any tips?Obviously the attachable keyboard has to work and i want the touch screen to work. The surface appealed to me when i brought for those features.

With all the privacy concerns of windows, i want to commit to switching my operating system! Thank you everyone for their help with all my privacy questions. Ive been getting into foss and learning kotlin.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Yes, I have a surface pro5, I have been installing iterations of linux on this thing for the better part of 3 years now. Custom kernels, drivers, a pain, a real pain.

Until i came across aurora. Holy shit, I installed it and poof, all the efort of custom kernels, matching drivers just evaporated, I know I sound like one of those nuts that found a distro that he thinks is good, but I swear for the surface pro, this distro works excellently and I have tried ALL OF THEM.

Just know that you are saying goodbye to your cameras. Below I have linked the aurora ISO, the aurora install guide for surface and the linux-surface initiative, in case you strike out with aurora. Best of luck and if you have questions feel free to PM me.

https://dl.getaurora.dev/aurora-dx-hwe-latest.iso

https://docs.getaurora.dev/guides/surface-install-guide/

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Thanks so much! Ill check it out. Ive heard people say aurora is prettt good. Im gonna put mint on my old high school laptop and maybe aurora on the surface!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

I have quite a few Surface Pro's and had tried a few different options. I got EndeavourOS working but it was manual to setup. I also have a NixOS config, because I needed a way a to install it many times. I could share the config but NixOS is definitely not for everyone.

Aurora sounds like a good option.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Awesome, best of both worlds! Have fun!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Ill try! Im not good with computer so i hope i dont brick it. I read its not possible to brick your laptop by putting linux on here. So the hope is there❤️❤️

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Are you familiar with the Linux Surface Project? You'll find feature matrix and installation guide links.

I've been running Linux Mint on a Surface 4 Laptop for well over a year and after initial configuration it works very well. The installation guide at that site made it fairly easy to get working.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Thanks so much!

[–] Redkey 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I haven't done it myself, but briefly flirted with the idea a while ago. This seems to be a solid guide, including tips specifically for the Surface Pro 8:

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Installation-and-Setup

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Thanks so muchh❤️

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I have a surface go 3 and a surface pro 7. I installed Arch on both and also enabled secure boot. Installing Arch works, but wifi on the installation drive doesn't work. I plug in a usb hub with Ethernet and I'm fine after. Enabling secure boot is harder, but it can work.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Thanks so much!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Join the OpenRT discord server. The link can be found on their gitbook website. I believe they have some channels for Linux on the Surface 2

Edit: nvm, not sure about the surface 8, but maybe ppl there can still help