Alma and Rocky Linux ISOs: DVD vs Boot vs Minimal

--- title: Alma and Rocky Linux ISOs: DVD vs Boot vs Minimal published: true description: Learn the differences between the DVD ISO, Boot ISO, and Minimal ISO for installing AlmaLinux & Rocky Linux, along with when you'd want to use each. tags: linux, almalinux, rockylinux # cover_image: https://direct_url_to_image.jpg # Use a ratio of 100:42 for best results. # published_at: 2026-04-06 01:43 +0000 --- > **NOTE:** This article was written in April 2026. If you are reading this in the distant future, things have likely changed. Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux come with three ISO options for download: **DVD ISO**, **Boot ISO**, and **Minimal ISO**. Neither the [AlmaLinux docs](https://wiki.almalinux.org/documentation/installation-guide.html#download-almalinux-iso) or the [Rocky Linux docs](https://wiki.rockylinux.org/rocky/image/#notes-about-what-does-each-iso-do) do a great job explaining the differences between these ISOs. Posts on the [Rocky Linux forms](https://forums.rockylinux.org/t/minimal-or-boot/7019/2) and [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AlmaLinux/comments/ux8xwh/boot_minimal_or_dvd_and_manifest_version/) elaborate beyond the docs, but still don't do a great job explaining _exactly_ what each ISO contains or when you'd use each. This article will explain the similarities and differences between the three ISOs, and will provide a recommendation of which ISO you should use. ## DVD ISO The DVD ISO is an `~8gb` image that contains all packages for a full offline installation. By default, the boot ISO will install AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux with server packages and a full GUI via the Gnome desktop environment. To change this, navigate to the **Software Selection** screen during the installation where you can choose from the following options: 1. **Server with GUI.** This installs server packages along with a Gnome desktop environment for easy point-and-click management. It installs the software included with `dnf`'s "Server with GUI" environment group. 2. **Server.** This contains all the packages you would expect a distribution to have for managing a server via the CLI. It installs the software included with `dnf`'s "Server" environment group. 3. **Minimal Install.** This gives you a bare-bones Linux experience that excludes any packages that aren't absolutely necessary. Everyday commands like `nano`, `vim`, and `which` are excluded, allowing the user to manually install only the software they need when they need it. It installs the software included with `dnf`'s "Minimal Install" environment group. 4. **Custom Operating System.** I _believe_ this lets you select the exact packages you want to be installed on the OS. I'm not actually sure how this works because I haven't tried it 🤷‍♂️ **To see what `dnf` groups are available**, run the following command on a RHEL-like distribution (Alma, Rocky, CentOS Stream, RHEL). ```sh dnf group list ``` This will output a list like the following: ```txt Available Environment Groups: Server with GUI Minimal Install Custom Operating System Installed Environment Groups: Server Installed Groups: Container Management Headless Management Available Groups: Legacy UNIX Compatibility Smart Card Support Console Internet Tools Development Tools .NET Development Graphical Administration Tools Network Servers RPM Development Tools Scientific Support Security Tools System Tools ``` **To see what software is included in a group (for example, the "Minimal Install" environment group)**, run the command below. ```sh dnf group info "Minimal Install" ``` This will output the following: ```txt Environment Group: Minimal Install Description: Basic functionality. Mandatory Groups: Core Optional Groups: Standard ``` You can drill into these further to see the actual included packages using `dnf group info "Core"` and `dnf group info "Standard"`. **To install software from a listed group** (for example, if you did the "Minimal Install" but want software from "Server"), run the following command: ```sh sudo dnf group install "Server" ``` You can learn more about DNF groups in OneUptime's article [How to Manage Package Groups and Environment Groups with DNF on RHEL](https://oneuptime.com/blog/post/2026-03-04-manage-package-groups-environment-groups-dnf-rhel-9/view). ## Boot ISO The Boot ISO is a `~1gb` image that requires an Internet connection during the installation to download packages. It includes all of the same options as the DVD ISO (such as **Server with GUI**, **Server**, and **Minimal Install** within the "Software Selection" installation screen), but since the packages are downloaded during the installation process it allows the ISO image to be significantly smaller. ## Minimal ISO The Minimal ISO is a `~2gb` image made for fully offline installation. Unlike the DVD ISO or Boot ISO, the only option on the **Software Selection** installation screen is **Minimal Install** (i.e., no **Server with GUI**, **Server**, or **Custom Operating System** options). Though the Minimal ISO can be installed without a network connection, you will almost certainly need an Internet connection immediately after the installation to install packages like text editors (`nano`, `vim`) that make an operating system useful. This makes the promise of a fully offline installation fall short as a result. ## Which ISO should you download? In most cases, the **Boot ISO** will probably make the most sense: it has the smallest initial download size, and your packages will be up-to-date when you first boot the operating system because they download during installation. If you were to install via the **DVD ISO**, you'd need to update almost all of the packages immediately after installation, negating the benefits of the fully offline installation. I'd personally only consider this option if I were installing an operating system on a server that cannot be connected to the Internet. In most cases, I'd avoid the **Minimal ISO** unless you want to build the leanest server possible by manually installing only the software that you absolutely need. --- Let me know if you found this article helpful. If I got anything wrong, let me know in the comments and I'll correct the article.