Here's a guide on how to switch from Windows to Linux without compromising your Windows installation.
Steps
Step 1. Get a Linux distribution
The key to success is research. Search for the GNU / Linux distribution that suits you best. Everyone has different needs, and each Linux distribution responds to different needs. Probably, for each type of user, there are one or two dedicated distributions. If you have never used Linux before, perhaps it will be better for you to opt for a distribution such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, OpenSuse, Mandriva, PCLinuxOS or Linux Mint - these are Linux distributions geared towards novice users, being easier to use. If you want to receive the Ubuntu DVD at home, shipping is no longer free, but you will have to go to one of the websites that ship the Ubuntu DVD and pay the shipping price. The fastest and cheapest way to get a Linux distribution is to download an.iso image from the distribution site and burn it to CD or create a bootable USB stick using a tool like Pendrivelinux. Ubuntu is currently the most popular distribution among Linux newbies and has a very active online community.
Step 2. Try the "Live CD" version first, assuming your computer is capable of booting the operating system from a CD player - as is true for most computers
Most distributions offer an ISO Live CD version on their website, which you can burn directly to CD or DVD. Live CD means that Linux will boot from CD and will not alter your Windows installation - this way you can try out some of the features offered by Linux without deleting your existing Windows installation. If your computer doesn't boot from the Live CD on the first try, try taking a look at the boot order in your computer's BIOS, and make sure the CD-ROM has higher priority than the master hard drive.
Step 3. Use Linux applications ported in Windows version or cross platfofrm applications
Good examples are Firefox, Audacity, VLC, Inkscape, and the GIMP. By using these applications you will get used to the type of applications and graphical interfaces available on Linux. This way, when you make the move to Linux and open-source applications for good the change will be as little traumatic as possible, as it will be easier for an XChat user to use XChat on their new system, rather than for a mIRC user (or other IRC client). for Windows) learn how to use a completely new program.
Step 4. Back up your most important data before continuing
If you make a mistake while installing Linux, you will probably have to format the hard drive and start over, losing all data on the hard drive. Therefore, it is very important that you make a backup of all your most important data.
Step 5. Get the Linux installation CD - when you boot your computer from this CD, you will be taken to the steps to install Linux
Some distributions, such as Ubuntu, allow system installation directly from the Live CD. This way, you won't need to download any additional CD images.
Step 6. Choose which operating system to start after installation is complete
This is called dual-booting. It's a good idea, in fact, to opt for a dual-boot solution before switching completely to Linux, so that you can go back to your previous Windows installation if things don't go your way or you still need Windows.
Step 7. Become familiar with Linux
Over time, you will need less and less to start Windows. Using Linux means learning how to use a new operating system completely from scratch. So be sure to make good use of the help from the support community available for most Linux distributions. Typically, each distribution has a large support community for you to ask questions and find people happy to help you with any problems you may encounter. So make sure you use Google and the "search" function of community websites, because forum users generally get very upset when users ask the same questions over and over. Visit your distribution's support page or FAQ page.
Step 8. Delete your Windows partition (dedicate the entire hard drive to Linux) once you are comfortable with Linux
You will probably never want to go back!
Advice
- If you want to play games, try WINE, Loki or starting Windows on a VM (Virtual Machine) like kqemu or qemu. There are also many games written specifically for Linux, such as Nexuiz or The Battle for Wesnoth. Depending on your gaming tastes, you may be able to find something good for Linux as well.
- Linux is totally different from Windows when it comes to installing the operating system. In the sense that it is possible to choose between dozens of distributions, each aimed at a specific user. An example would be that of Ubuntu and Kubuntu. Both systems are basically the same, but have two different graphical interfaces. So, if you think you prefer another distribution to the one recommended in this guide, as long as you have the necessary technical knowledge, you can try downloading and burning another LiveCD.
- Experiment. Some Linux versions such as "Puppy Linux" and "Damn Small Linux" boot from CD or USB stick (Puppy Linux fits easily on a 128Mb stick while DSL only takes up 50Mb) and do not use the computer hard drive (unless that you do not allow it). Download a compressed ISO file and use "unetbootin" [1] to transfer the files to a USB stick or a program like Nero to burn the ISO image to CD (the only thing you don't have to do is copy it directly to the CD).
- If you want to switch distributions, try looking for one related to your current distribution, which is especially useful when two distributions have repositories in common. This image can help you get an idea of the family tree of Linux distributions:
Warnings
- The Linux world is generally very friendly to newbies, who are generally welcomed and encouraged in the forums of the various distributions. BUT, before you ask a question make sure it hasn't already been asked 1000 more times - all forums have the "search" function, which you will have to use before creating a thread unless you want to receive dozens and dozens of complaints!
- Use your distro! Many people try to use Linux as if it were Windows, trying to download random programs and install them. Don't do this unless you can get someone to help you. Most of the time, your distribution already comes with all the programs you need. Use the distribution's package manager to install them. If you can't find the program you need in your distro, search the Internet for a program compatible with the version of your distribution. Never download or install a program written for other distros. Most of the time it will not work or even damage the distribution. Installing programs from source code (* src * packages) is not difficult, but you probably don't have enough technical knowledge to do it yet. Don't even try unless you can get someone to help you.
- Play with Linux. The more you use it, the more you will be able to understand it. Don't try to start all Linux programs through Wine, most of them have an equivalent version for Linux. Changing is always difficult. Even when you switch from one app to another on Windows, for example, you will very often miss the features of the old application, it is normal. Each app works differently, it's just a matter of taste.
- Only install the distribution on an external hard drive if you are 100% sure that this is allowed by your motherboard BIOS. Otherwise, you may not be able to boot into Windows or Linux and will be forced to use only the Live CD if you have one.
- Make sure you first inform yourself which video chip you are using. All video chips should be supported for text mode, and most are supported flatly in X Windows. However, many are not supported for 2D and 3D hardware acceleration. On the Internet, you will find instructions on how to load nVidia and ATI hardware acceleration drivers on most Linux distributions.
- Choose the distribution very carefully. Ubuntu might be a good distro to start with for Windows users, while Gentoo or Slackware require a great deal of Linux technical knowledge.
- Let Linux work. Most of the time, the distribution will find and load the drivers for all your peripherals by itself, and will even manage to mount the Windows partition.
- Due to legal restrictions, many Linux versions do not natively have media codecs to play, for example, commercial DVDs. Do a search to find out where and how to get codecs and use the Linux package manager to install them. For example, Ubuntu users (or one of its variants) can find them on the 'medibuntu' site [2] - on this site you will find all the necessary instructions.
