How To Install Ubuntu On Microsoft Surface Go 2 (& Boot Into Bootable Ubuntu USB Stick)

This isn't meant to be a newbie friendly, in-depth guide on installing Ubuntu. It's meant to be a helpful guide for those who are already familiar with Ubuntu AND want to get Ubuntu running on the Surface Go 2. This means that I'll be working under the assumption that you already have a bootable Ubuntu USB drive/stick.

You can feel free to ask me a question in the comments if you like. If you have specific questions about running linux on Surface devices though, you may be better off asking the r/SurfaceLinux folks on reddit.

SurfaceLinux reddit link:
---------------------------------------------------
Video Index:
0:00 - Introduction
0:40 - What's Needed
01:05 - Quick Tip: Let Windows Updater Finish BEFORE Installing Ubuntu
01:34 - First Step: Disable Secure Boot
01:58 - Second Step: Boot Into Bootable Ubuntu USB Drive
02:03 - Method #1 For Booting Into Bootable USB Drive
02:19 - Problems with Method #1
02:39 - Method #2 For Booting Into Bootable USB Drive
03:54 - Third Step: Follow Along With The Ubuntu Installer
04:11 - These Steps Could Work With Other Linux Distros
04:33 - Reminder: I Have The Go 2. NOT The Go 3
04:44 - Like?
---------------------------------------------------
Follow Octillionth Tech On Twitter:

[LogainAblar]

Thanks for this video. Good stuff. Personally, I wasn't working with a Surface Go 2 to install Linux, I was working initially with the Surface Pro 3 and then a SurfaceBook 2. Booting from USB wasn't a problem at all but mileage varies of course. Seeing a secondary method to do this is great to see though just in case it's needed in future. I went with Linux Mint and the only problems I had after install were with the kernel and battery drain.

After install, Everything worked great with Linux Mint except the touch functions of the screen, which means the pen didn't work either and the camera didn't work. I didn't really care about the camera as I never use it on my laptops. After researching for a few minutes, I installed the SurfaceLinux kernel which enabled full touch screen and pen use. For the battery drain, did a bit more research and after a few minutes, I installed auto-cpufreq to better manage power drain. Power consumption can be pretty high after a Linux install on Surface devices.

Linux on Surface has been fantastic for me overall, even for gaming. Of course the Pro 3 being a under powered unit similar to the Go 2 isn't going to run God of War or CoD, but smaller, older games run really well on Intel integrated chips (for the uninitiated, think, Transistor, Quake, Ion Fury etc). The Book 2 on the other hand is more capable running titles like WarFrame, Monster Hunter: World, Dark Souls II etc. Anyways, thanks again for the video. It's more usable knowledge which is always good!

[XRayPecs]

Thanks so much for this video... I was going crazy trying to install Ubuntu on a Surface Go 1 and your video got me past the USB drive not being recognised.

[CW-lewc]

Thanks, I'm in the process of doing the exact same thing. The Surface Go 2 seems like the right device for portable linux. It would be cool if you made a followup video talking about your experience with the SGO2 and linux.

[cmjones]

Does your wifi work, I did this install... No wifi adapter found... 🤦🏽‍♂️

[RandomiaGaming]

Great video! This deserves way more love. Totally helped me to install Pop OS on my surface go.

[mstl]

If you're using a USB-c hub to attach a standard USB flash drive, you may need to change the port on the usb hub to get the surface to recognize it

[Girgburg]

Regarding the Surface go 3, I have one and can confirm the steps are almost the same. There is one extra step, you'll have the extra step of having to recover your drive when you turn off Secure Boot (cus if win 11 protections). As long as you know your windows account password associated with your go 3 it'll be no problem.

[neohubris]

had an issue with "No Bootable Device" on original Surface Go which I was able to fix with a little help from this reboot section from recovery. Thanks!

[ItDaBiz]

Windows 11 pretty much killed this tablet, using pretty much the entire 64gb drive just for the OS and being slow as mollases now. Good to know that Linux is doable on this.

[ccroy]

Going through Windows Recovery works for other PCs as well. I dualboot Windows and Ubuntu on my Asus and occasionally a Windows firmware update will break dualboot by enabling secureboot, fastboot, or both. Just go into the Bios and fix it

I have a Go3 that I love and am thinking of running Ubuntu on it. Thanks for the helpful video!

[digibarnes]

Sir, I thank you for this walk through it's been very helpful and informative! +1 like

[Rootish]

Can you make another video about this ubuntu on go2, please? What is working, what is not..

[baganatube]

Do you get to keep the Windows installation (i.e., dual-boot)?

[petermurphyismylordNsaviour]

Oh, nice! I was actually thinking about doing that with Tails or Whonix. Thank you, sir!

[qqqcalls]

Would love to see a review of your experience using Ubuntu on the Surface Go 2.

[joshuafp]

Mine keeps booting into GNU GRUB, can anyone help?

[kgalasonkg]

Linux mint is what I will try to make work.

[marioandresheviacavieres]

Gracias! great video and very helpful to me :)

[ShockerMTA]

This seems a good ideea and i will try it once windows finish repairing windows first. Is locked itself while trying to install ubuntu and had to unlock with bitlocker
I have a surface pro 4 and i think your info works on most surfaces
tried buttons to boot on to usb and tried on bios
I will come back with an update after i will install it

[pfqmjer]

thanks for this. my dad gave me his old surface go 2 and i hate windows. best guide ive found. surface go 3 next!