If your computer is running Pop!_OS 21.10, System76 currently recommends a fresh installation for releases earlier than 22.04. The supported route described here is to back up your files, create a bootable USB installer, and install Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS from it—not to rely on an unverified in-place upgrade command.
Can you upgrade Pop!_OS 21.10 to 22.04 without reinstalling?
System76 recommends a fresh install for Pop!_OS versions earlier than 22.04. Its current upgrade instructions describe an in-place upgrade from 22.04 to 24.04; they do not establish a supported direct in-place path from 21.10 to 22.04. Because 21.10 is an older release and the move spans releases, follow the fresh-install route rather than reusing commands documented for a different upgrade.
System76 also warns that complications are more likely when an upgrade skips multiple releases, begins on an end-of-life system, or involves many third-party software repositories (PPAs). That warning reinforces the fresh-install recommendation; it is not a reason to remove repositories using unsourced steps. See System76’s Pop!_OS upgrade guidance.
What to prepare before installing
- A separate backup location: Copy important files somewhere other than the computer’s target drive, then check that the copied files can be opened. System76 recommends backing up because unexpected problems can occur. See its upgrade guidance.
- The correct Pop!_OS 22.04 ISO: Download the image appropriate for the target computer from the official Pop!_OS download page, and verify it with the checksums provided in System76’s installation instructions.
- A USB flash drive: You will write the ISO to the drive and boot the computer from it. Use suitable disk-writing software; the official instructions do not prescribe a particular brand or model.
- Careful target-drive selection: The standard Clean Install erases the contents of the drive you select. Do not continue until the backup is complete and you have identified the intended target.
Install Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS from a USB drive
- Back up and verify your files. Copy important files to a separate location and confirm the backup is readable before making changes to the computer.
- Download and verify the ISO. Get the Pop!_OS 22.04 image suited to your computer from the official download page. Follow System76’s checksum-verification instructions to check the downloaded file.
- Create bootable USB media. Use disk-writing software to write the ISO to a USB flash drive. This process prepares the drive as installation media; follow the software’s instructions for selecting the image and USB device.
- Boot the computer from the USB drive. Start the computer using the USB installer and follow the on-screen installation flow. System76’s Pop!_OS installation guide documents the download, USB, and install process.
- Choose the install option deliberately. System76 recommends the standard Clean Install for new Linux users, but it erases all contents of the selected target drive. Confirm that the target is correct and that your backup is complete before proceeding.
- Finish setup. Complete the installer, reboot when prompted, remove the USB drive when appropriate, and finish account setup.
Fresh install versus recovery options
A recovery partition may offer ways to reinstall the operating system, but its choices have different effects on files and applications. These options are not equivalent to a guaranteed in-place upgrade from 21.10 to 22.04.
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| Route | What it does | Important consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh install from USB | Boot from USB installation media and install Pop!_OS. | The standard Clean Install erases the selected target drive. See System76’s installation guide. |
| Recovery refresh install | Reinstalls from the recovery environment while preserving account information and data in the home directory. | Applications installed outside Home—including DEB or apt-installed applications—need to be reinstalled. See System76’s recovery instructions. |
| Recovery clean install | Installs the OS version held in the recovery partition. | Erases the current installation and user files. See System76’s recovery instructions. |
A live USB can also help recover an existing system, back up files if the installed system will not boot, distinguish hardware problems from software problems, or repair the boot loader. See System76’s live-disk guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What changes with Pop!_OS 22.04?
The 22.04 release changelog says, “Pop!_OS is now based on Ubuntu 22.04,” and records that PipeWire replaces the PulseAudio audio system. See the Pop!_OS 22.04 changelog.
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Do not confuse these installation steps with the later move from Pop!_OS 22.04 to 24.04. System76’s current upgrade page and its March 2026 announcement describe that separate transition, including replacing GNOME with COSMIC, removing PPAs, and potentially reinstalling applications installed through PPAs or local DEB files. Those details apply to the 24.04 upgrade, not this 21.10-to-22.04 installation. See System76’s 24.04 upgrade announcement.
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