Computers with linux installed

How to Download and Install Linux (Ubuntu) on Windows PC

Now that we know what Linux is, it is the time that to learn how we should install it on the computer and choose which Distribution we should use. Let us start by understanding what a Linux Distribution is.

In this tutorial, we will learn –

What is a Linux Distribution?

Well, now as you know that Linux is open-source, free to use kernel. It is used by programmers, organizations, profit and non-profit companies around the world to create Operating systems to suit their individual requirements.

To prevent hacking attempts, many organizations keep their Linux operating systems private.

Many others make their variations of Linux available publicly so the whole world can benefit at large.

These versions/ types /kinds of Linux operating system are called Distributions.

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How many distributions are out there?

There are hundreds of Linux operating systems or Distributions available these days. Many of them are designed with a specific purpose in mind. For example, to run a web server or to run on network switches like routers, modems, etc.

The latest example of one of the most popular smartphone-based Linux Distribution is Android!

Many of these Distributions are built to offer excellent personal computing.

Here, are a few popular Linux Distributions (also called Linux Distro) –

Linux Distribution	Name	Description
	Arch	This Linux Distro is popular amongst Developers. It is an independently developed system. It is designed for users who go for a do-it-yourself approach.
	CentOS	It is one of the most used Linux Distribution for enterprise and web servers. It is a free enterprise class Operating system and is based heavily on Red Hat enterprise Distro.
	Debian	Debian is a stable and popular non-commercial Linux distribution. It is widely used as a desktop Linux Distro and is user-oriented. It strictly acts within the Linux protocols.
	Fedora	Another Linux kernel based Distro, Fedora is supported by the Fedora project, an endeavor by Red Hat. It is popular among desktop users. Its versions are known for their short life cycle.
	Gentoo	It is a source based Distribution which means that you need to configure the code on your system before you can install it. It is not for Linux beginners, but it is sure fun for experienced users.
	LinuxMint	It is one of the most popular Desktop Distributions available out there. It launched in 2006 and is now considered to be the fourth most used Operating system in the computing world.
	OpenSUSE	It is an easy to use and a good alternative to MS Windows. It can be easily set up and can also run on small computers with obsolete configurations.
	RedHat enterprise	Another popular enterprise based Linux Distribution is Red Hat Enterprise.It has evolved from Red Hat Linux which was discontinued in 2004. It is a commercial Distro and very popular among its clientele.
	Slackware	Slackware is one of the oldest Linux kernel based OS’s. It is another easy desktop Distribution. It aims at being a ‘Unix like’ OS with minimal changes to its kernel.
	Ubuntu	This is the third most popular desktop operating system after Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS. It is based on the Debian Linux Distribution, and it is known as its desktop environment.

The Best Linux Distribution!

The term best is relative. Each Linux distribution is built for a specific purpose-built to meet the demands of its target users.

The desktop Distributions are available for free on their respective websites. You might want to try them one by one till you get to know which Distribution you like the most. Each one of them offers its own unique design applications, and security.

We will be using Ubuntu for our learning purpose as it’s easy for a beginner to understand.

How to Install Linux

Let’s look the below Linux installation guide which has various methods we can use to Download Linux(Ubuntu) and install it.

Installing Linux using USB stick

This is one of the easiest methods of installing Ubuntu or any distribution on your computer. Follow the steps to install Ubuntu from USB.

Step 1) Download required files.
Download the .iso or the OS files on your computer from this link.

Step 2) Download Universal USB Installer.
Download free software like Universal USB installer to make a bootable USB stick.

Step 3) Select Distribution.
Select an Ubuntu Distribution form the dropdown to put on your USB

Select your Ubuntu iso file download in step 1.

Select the drive letter of USB to install Ubuntu and Press create button.

Step 4) Install Ubuntu.
Click YES to Install Ubuntu in USB.

Step 5) Check your window.
After everything has been installed and configured, a small window will appear Congratulations! You now have Ubuntu on a USB stick, bootable and ready to go.

Installing Linux using CD-ROM

Those who like the way a CD runs should try using this method.

Step 1) Download the .iso or the OS files onto your computer from this link http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop.

Step 2) Burn the files to a CD.

Step 3) Boot your computer from the optical drive and follow the instructions as they come.

Installing Linux using Virtual Machine

This is a popular method to install a Linux operating system. The virtual installation offers you the freedom of running Linux on an existing OS already installed on your computer. This means if you have Windows running, then you can just run Linux with a click of a button.

Virtual machine software like Oracle VM can install Linux on Windows in easy steps. Let us look at them.

Here the brief steps

PART A) Download and Install Virtual Box

Download Virtual box using this link

Depending on your processor and OS, select the appropriate package. In our case, we have selected Windows with AMD

Once the download is complete, Open setup file and follow the steps below:

Step-1) Click On next

Step-2) Select you’re the directory to install VirtualBox and click on next

Step-3) Select Desktop icon and click on next, now click on yes

Step-4) Click On install to install Linux on Windows.

Step-5) Now installation of the virtual box will start. Once complete, click on Finish Button to start Virtual Box

The virtual box dashboard looks like this-

PART B) Download Ubuntu

Visit this link to download Ubuntu.

You can select 32/64-bit versions as per your choice.

PART C) Create a Machine in Virtual Box

Step-1) Open Virtual box and click on new button

Step-2) In next window, give the name of your OS which you are installing in virtual box. And select OS like Linux and version as Ubuntu 32 bit. And click on next

Step-3) Now Allocate Ram Size To your Virtual OS. I recommended keeping 1024mb (1 GB) ram to run Ubuntu better. And click on next.

Step-4) Now To run OS in virtual box we have to create virtual hard disk, click on create a virtual hard drive now and click on create button.

The virtual hard disk is where the OS installation files and data/applications you create/install in this Ubuntu machine will reside

Step-5) select VHD (virtual hard disk) option and click on next.

Step-6) Click on dynamic allocated and click on next. This means that the size of the disk will increase dynamically as per requirement.

Step-7) Allocate memory to your virtual hard drive .8GB recommended. Click on create button.

Step-8) Now you can see the machine name in left panel

So a Machine (PC) with 8GB Hardisk, 1GB RAM is ready.

PART D) How to Install Ubuntu

Step 1) Select the Machine and Click on Start

Step 2) Select the Folder Option

Step 3) Select the Ubuntu iso file

Step 4) Click Start

Step-5) You have an option to Run Ubuntu WITHOUT installing. In this tutorial will install Ubuntu

Step-6) Click continue.

Step-7) Select option to erase the disk and install Ubuntu and click on install now. This option installs Ubuntu into our virtual hard drive which is we made earlier. It will not harm your PC or Windows installation

Step-8) Select your location for setting up time zone, and click on continue

Step-9) Select your keyboard layout, by default English (US) is selected but if you want to change then, you can select in the list. And click on continue

Step-10) Select your username and password for your Ubuntu admin account. This information has been needed for installing any software package into Ubuntu and also for login to your OS. Fill up your details and tick on login automatically to ignore login attempt and click on continue

Step-11) Installation process starts. May take up to 30 minutes. Please wait until installation process completes.

Step-12) After finishing the installation, you will see Ubuntu Desktop.

Summary

• An operating system based on the Linux kernel is called a Distribution or Distro
• There are hundreds of Distributions available, some of which are designed to accomplish a sole purpose like running servers, act as network switches, etc.
• Naming the best Linux Distribution is difficult as they are made for different.
• Linux can be installed on your system via the below-mentioned methods:
  • USB stick
  • Live CD
  • Virtual Installation

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  Why You Should Buy a Computer With Linux Preinstalled

  In this day and age where devices with Windows and macOS are the norm, why should one consider a computer with Linux preinstalled?

  

  Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

  If you’re a Linux user considering a new machine, you might be tempted to just buy a standard computer and install Linux on it, irrespective of the operating system it came with.

  There are several reasons you might want to seek out a computer with Linux preinstalled. Let’s take a look at some of them.

  1. Your Hardware Will Actually Work

  

  The biggest reason to buy a PC with Linux preinstalled when you can is that you’ll know all of the hardware you paid for will actually work with Linux. The manufacturers and distro developers will test the preinstalled distro to make sure that the system is compatible with the hardware.

  This is important with laptops as some components have been tricky to get working with Linux. For many years, Wi-Fi cards were troublesome for Linux users. Since one of the selling points of laptops is that they’re portable, this was particularly frustrating.

  Nowadays, power management is a big issue. More laptops include fingerprint readers as an alternative to logging in via password, but again this tends to mostly work under Windows.

  2. Manufacturer Support

  

  How many times has this happened to you? You have a problem with your hardware, but when you get in touch with the manufacturer, they tell you they can’t help because they only support Windows, and Windows works perfectly fine with that piece of hardware.

  With a preinstalled Linux computer, you’ll get support from the manufacturer if you run into trouble. While you could rely on community support, manufacturer support will be better because the company has tested the machine and will in theory know about any potential trouble spots, adding them to their knowledge base.

  3. It Tells Manufacturers That Linux Is Important

  

  Today, preinstalled Linux machines are limited to manufacturers that specialize in such systems like System76, or expensive workstations catering to developers and data scientists like those from Dell or Lenovo.

  On the low end, Chromebooks are popular, but these systems deemphasize Linux in favor of ease of use. You can install a Linux environment on a Chromebook, so you could consider one if your needs are simple.

  In the Market for a New PC? Consider Getting One With Linux Pre-Installed

  If PCs with Linux preinstalled sell well, it will convince manufacturers to offer more of them to general users, and for more PC makers to offer them in turn.

  Think of it as a vote with your wallet for the Linux desktop ecosystem. While the operating system may be open source, the firmware might still be proprietary. Read on for more on how you can find a truly open-source PC if you really want one.

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