How To Replace Windows With Linux

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1. 1

   Choose a Linux Distribution . Inquiry is key. Look into what distribution of GNU/Linux would be best for yous. Anybody is different, and all Linux distributions are different, merely there will probably be one (or ii) that appeals to the most. If you lot're new to the operating system, it's probably best to go for something similar Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, OpenSuse, Mandriva, PCLinuxOS or Linux Mint -- these distributions of Linux are aimed at inexperienced users and will aid you along the manner. The Ubuntu distribution will no longer transport you lot a CD free of accuse, simply there are sites on the cyberspace which accuse a small fee for postage. The quickest, and probably cheapest way to go Linux is to download an .iso image from the distribution website and burn down it to a cd or brand a bootable flash drive using a tool like Pendrivelinux. Ubuntu is currently the nigh popular distribution for users new to Linux and has agile support forums.

2. 2

   Endeavour the "Live CD" versions first, bold your calculator will kick from the CD drive; most will. Near distributions offer Live CD ISOs on their website, which y'all tin can fire to CD. A Live CD ways that Linux will run entirely from a CD and will not bear on your Windows installation - this allows you to test out some of the functionality Linux offers without wiping your existing Windows install. If your calculator will not boot to a Live CD on the starting time attempt, try looking at the Boot Order in your computer's BIOS, and setting CD-ROM to a higher priority than your Main Drive.

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3. 3

   Utilise Linux applications that have been ported over to Windows or cantankerous platform applications. Skillful examples are Firefox, Audacity, VLC, Inkscape and the GIMP. Using these volition go you used to the kind of applications available on Linux. Using open source applications will be a existent boost when you actually switch over, as it will be relatively painless for, say, an XChat user to employ XChat on his new system, rather than a mIRC (Or other Windows-only IRC client) user having to learn an entirely new programme.

4. 4

   Back up your important information before you exercise anything else. If you make a mistake while installing Linux, it'due south possible you lot'll have to format your hard drive to put things correct. In which case, you will lose all data on it. It is very important y'all back upwardly if you demand to.

5. v

   Go concord of a Linux install CD - when you boot from this, it will take you through the steps required to install Linux. Some distributions, like Ubuntu, actually install from the Live CD, so you do not need to download an additional CD image.

6. half-dozen

   Choose which operating system to kick into when once the Linux installation has finished. This is called dual-booting. It is wise to exercise this before completely converting to Linux to give you something to fall back on if something goes wrong.

7. 7

   Become comfortable with Linux. As time goes on you will observe you need to kick into Windows less and less. Using Linux is a learning experience, make certain you make the near of the "community" assist which is available from most distributions of Linux. There is usually a broad community which you tin ask questions and there will be people more than willing to help you lot out with whatsoever problems you've got. Brand sure you use Google and the "search" functions on customs websites because people may get irate at answering the same questions all the time in forums and on irc. Visit your distribution's support page or FAQ.

8. 8

   Wipe your Windows sectionalisation (devote your unabridged hard disk to Linux) one time yous're comfortable with Linux. You lot'll probably never expect back!

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Add New Question

• Question

  Are the formatting of files similar .md and .xls that I use for Windows Office such that I can relieve them on an ubuntu formatted drive?

  

  Yeah, you tin can save them with no issues on an ubuntu formatted drive, just like any other file. In ubuntu yous can open these files with LibreOffice, which operated mostly like the equivalent Windows applications.

• Question

  How do I move temporarily dorsum to Windows from Linux?

  

  If you install Linux and Windows side-by-side as the article explains, and so you can but choose during booting which operating system you lot want to commencement.

• Question

  I accept been using Windows since the 1980's, but do not demand it anymore. I would similar to catechumen to Linux, but I don't want to lose all the files I have on the hard drive.

  

  You can accept Linux and Windows on the same computer, or you lot could save the files y'all desire to go along onto external storage, or you could just have multiple computers.

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• Linux is very different windows in the sense that each individual may prefer a unlike distribution to what is recommended. A common example of this is betwixt Ubuntu and Kubuntu. Both are the same at the cadre, merely they have unlike desktop surroundings. So if yous experience like you desire to try a different distribution (and so long as you are confident and have a decent knowledge of how to operate information technology), downloading and burning a LiveCD is e'er worth a try.

• If yous want to play games, try Wine, or Loki software or running Windows in a VM with kqemu or qemu. There are also several games built with linux in mind, such as Nexuiz or The Battle for Wesnoth. Depending on your gustation in games, you lot may be able to discover something that you enjoy that runs natively.

• Experiment. versions of Linux such as 'Puppy Linux' & 'Damn Pocket-size Linux' run from CDs or memory sticks (Puppy Linux will fit easily on a 128 MB retentiveness stick whilst DSL simply takes upwards 50 MB) and don't utilise the harddrive of the computer at all (unless you tell them to). Download a compressed 'iso' file and apply 'unetbootin' [i] to transfer information technology to a USB memory stick, or a program such as 'Nero' to burn down the.iso image file to a CD (don't just copy it).

• If you are looking to switch to a dissimilar distribution, it helps to find i that is related to your current distribution, its specially useful when some of the repositories are shared. This picture gives a pretty skilful "family tree" of the distros: http://en.citizendium.org/images/a/a1/Linux_distro_timeline.png

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• The Linux globe is (mostly) more friendly to newcomers than users of other systems, and newcomers are by and large welcomed and encouraged on the forums of the diverse 'distros'. BUT before asking a question brand sure that it hasn't been asked ane,000 times before - they all have a search facility and not using it is a guaranteed mode to become peoples' backs up!

• Play with Linux, the more you lot use it, the more than you lot volition understand information technology. Don't endeavour to run all your windows programs in Linux via wine, nigh of and so have equivalent programs in Linux. Irresolute is always difficult, even when switching apps in windows you would miss your quondam apps and features, it's normal. Unlike apps work in dissimilar ways, it's all a thing of taste which is better.

• Employ your distro!! Many people will try to use Linux as they use Windows, downloading programs from random sites and trying to install them. Don't do that unless y'all have someone helping you. Virtually of the time, your distro already has the programme you desire, use the distro bundle director to install it. If it isn't at that place, search on the spider web for that program and your distro's version. Never download and install a program built for other distros, most of the fourth dimension it will not work or at very least will confuse you lot and hurt the distro in the long run. Installing from the source ( *src* packages) isn't hard, but you probably don't have yet enough knowledge to do that withal. Don't even attempt if you don't accept a how to or some help.

• Exist certain to know what video bit y'all are using. All video chips should be supported for text-manner, and almost are supported in Ten Windows for their resolution capabilities. However, many are non supported for second and 3D hardware acceleration. There are instructions on loading both ATI and nVidia hardware acceleration drivers for most Linux distributions in several places on the Internet.

• Let Linux do the work, for the almost part, it will observe and load the drivers needed for all your devices, and it will even mount your Windows partition.

• Cull your distribution carefully. Ubuntu may be a practiced start for Windows users, whereas distributions such as Gentoo or Slackware crave an intimate knowledge and comfort level with Linux.

• Considering of legal restrictions many versions of Linux don't behave additional software (known as 'codecs') to permit media players to play (for example) commercial DVDs. Go to know where/how yous tin become concur of these codecs and use your Linux version'due south package manager to install them.

• Only install to an external hard drive if yous are 100% sure that your BIOS volition allow you. If not, yous may be unable to boot Windows or Linux and you volition be stuck using the alive CD if you have i.

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