Switch from Windows to Linux - quick guide

If you want to change your operating system, switching from Windows to free Linux is easier than you probably think. In this practical tip you will learn how the change is made and what you should pay attention to.

Step 1: save data

If the change takes place on the same device, you should first back up all important data. An external hard drive is suitable for this. If the amount of data is small and insensitive, you can use the Dropbox.

Step 2: installation media

In contrast to the Windows installation CD, there is no ready-made medium for the Linux distributions. Instead, UNetbootin offers you to carry out the installation using a CD or a USB stick. Download the free tool to your Windows PC and start the program. The interface creates a bootable stick or a suitable CD in just a few steps.

• Tip: The "Secure Boot" function has been active since Windows 8. The system thus prevents you from loading from an external source before starting the operating system. You can easily reset this setting in the BIOS.

Step 3: the actual Linux installation

Start from the installation media. The installer will guide you through the process. Linux recognizes your WLAN in most cases, only the key is missing. You often do not need to install drivers separately here. The first setup will complete after approximately 20 minutes. If you watch the screen carefully, you will learn a lot about integrated Linux tools such as the practical software center.

Step 4: Welcome to Linux

Your Linux distribution is installed. Similar to Windows, you have a taskbar and a bar with program icons. Click on the folder symbol (see picture) and copy your data into the desired folder. If you have saved your data via the Dropbox, you will find the installation for it in the software center - the small shopping bag icon (see picture gallery). You can use this interface to install important programs such as OpenOffice in the search bar.

• The most common viruses affect the Windows operating system. Active programs like Kaspersky are therefore not necessary. If you still catch something that could be distributed via email to other Windows distributions, ClamTk helps with the search. The free tool scans your PC for infections. But don't be alarmed when ClamTk raises the alarm: the program often misinterprets PDF files or Windows installation files as malicious files.
• Unfortunately, the software center does not contain all installations. If you want to install other programs such as Skype, you have to do this via the console (see picture gallery).

The tips and pictures refer to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS - other distributions such as Mint differ in design and handling. If you use Debian, we will show you here how you can configure your autostart.

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You can find the most common installations in the software center.

In the search bar, type in the desired program name such as "Dropbox".

Open the terminal with the key combination Ctrl + Alt + T or with the search in the folder bar.