The original June 2024 ZimaOS installation tutorial still shows the basic USB installation flow, but the post itself now begins by directing readers to a newer official installation and upgrade guide. That update changes how the older page should be used: the screenshots remain useful for understanding the process, while its hard-coded ZimaOS 1.3.0 download link is historical and should not be used as the default installer today.
For a current installation, download the latest image from the ZimaOS download page and use the newer ZimaOS Installation and Upgrade Guide.
What You Need Before Installing ZimaOS
The updated guide recommends preparing:
- a USB drive with at least 8 GB capacity;
- a flashing tool such as balenaEtcher;
- the latest ZimaOS
.imginstaller for physical x64 hardware; - a keyboard, mouse, and monitor for the installation process;
- a backup of any data on the target system disk.
Important: installing ZimaOS formats the selected target drive. Verify the target disk and back up important data before beginning.
1. Flash the Current ZimaOS Image to USB
The legacy tutorial used balenaEtcher to select the ZimaOS installer image and write it to a USB drive. That basic workflow remains consistent with the newer guide, but the image itself should come from the current ZimaOS download page rather than the old 1.3.0 GitHub URL embedded in the 2024 post.
balenaEtcher is an external tool. If you use it, obtain it from its official source and double-check the selected target drive before flashing.
2. Boot the Target Device from the USB Installer
Insert the flashed USB drive into the target machine and open its BIOS/UEFI boot settings or one-time boot menu. The updated guide recommends setting the USB drive as the first boot option for installation.
In a reply to the original ZimaCube tutorial, Zima-Jerry said that repeatedly pressing F11 during boot opens the boot-item selection on ZimaCube. Another user described using the Delete key to enter BIOS and change boot order. Boot-menu keys vary by hardware, so use the key appropriate to your system.
3. Start the ZimaOS Installer
Once the machine boots from USB, the installer presents the ZimaOS installation option. Select the intended target disk carefully because the installation process will erase it.
4. Remove the Installer and Reboot
When installation finishes, the legacy tutorial instructs the user to remove the USB installation media and reboot so the machine starts from the newly installed system disk.
5. Use a Wired Network for Initial Setup
The newer official installation guide strongly recommends a wired network connection during initial setup. After the system starts, obtain its network address and open the ZimaOS interface from another device on the same network.
This is another reason to prefer the updated guide over treating every detail from the 2024 ZimaCube tutorial as current.
Why the Old 1.3.0 Download Link Should Not Be Reused
The 2024 post linked directly to a ZimaOS 1.3.0 installer image on GitHub. That link accurately reflected the release available to the tutorial author at the time, but it is now a historical version-specific artifact.
For new installations, use the current ZimaOS download page. If you deliberately need an old release for recovery or testing, verify the required version separately rather than following an old tutorial by default.
The 2025 Guide Supersedes the Original Tutorial
In October 2025, IceWhale published a consolidated installation and upgrade guide covering new x64 devices, virtual machines, automatic updates, the Beta channel, command-line upgrades, and installation FAQs. The old community thread now explicitly points to that guide.
The newer guide also states that common x64 hardware is supported as an installation target, provides an 8 GB USB recommendation, and warns that installation formats the selected system disk.
ZimaOS Installation FAQ
Should I download ZimaOS 1.3.0 from the original 2024 tutorial?
Not for a normal new installation. The post now points to a newer guide, and the current ZimaOS download page should be used to obtain the latest installer.
How large should the installation USB drive be?
The updated 2025 guide recommends a USB drive of at least 8 GB.
Will installing ZimaOS erase the target drive?
Yes. The updated official guide states that the installation process formats the target hard drive. Back up important data first.
How do I choose the USB boot device on ZimaCube?
Zima-Jerry replied in the original thread that repeatedly pressing F11 during boot opens the boot-item selection. Other x64 systems may use a different boot-menu or BIOS key.
Should initial setup use Wi-Fi?
The updated official guide strongly recommends a wired network connection during initial setup.
