The latest iteration of Arch Linux’s menu-driven installer, Archinstall version 2.7, was released today, bringing significant enhancements and bug fixes to streamline the installation process.
A notable inclusion is the support for Unified Kernel Image (UKI), enabling a single executable that can boot directly from UEFI firmware.
Additionally, the update incorporates a version-checking feature, ensuring users are aware of the latest archinstall releases during the installation of Arch Linux.
This version further refines the user experience by improving error information, extending mypy checks, introducing initial Hindi language support, and enhancing documentation using CSV for tables.
The layout and organization of parameter definitions have been restructured for clarity.
Notably, Archinstall 2.7 automatically includes the nvidia-dkms package when installing the NVIDIA proprietary graphics driver, addressing a common user requirement.
To enhance user control, a new parameter, --skip-ntp, has been introduced to manage the “Waiting for time sync (systemd-timesyncd.service) to complete.” error during installation.
The release also enables the handling of signal interrupts and EOF at input prompts, simplifies SysCommand decoding, and resolves numerous bugs.
Fixes include issues related to missing information in disk configuration menus, keyboard layouts, timezone menus, password previews, GPT end alignment, Limine bootloader, and parsing of pre-mounted disk configuration from configuration files.
This updated Archinstall version, available for download on the project’s GitHub page, is poised to become the default installer in the upcoming Arch Linux ISO snapshot for December 2023.
Users can choose to install it directly from the Arch Linux repositories, ensuring a seamless deployment of this cutting-edge, rolling-release distribution on new systems.
