Easy methods to change from Home windows 10 to Linux: A technical information
There are light migration methods that may delay the transfer away from Home windows 10, which Microsoft will cease supporting in October 2025. Technically (and perhaps even psychologically), the best step is the laborious one: do away with Home windows 10 and set up a gorgeous, sustainable Linux desktop system as a substitute!
1. Preliminary issues: {Hardware} and software program
Linux locations no particular calls for on {hardware}, so there are usually no limitations when selecting a Linux system. Much more feature-rich desktop distributions like Ubuntu with the Gnome desktop, Kubuntu with KDE, or Linux Mint will run easily on any {hardware} that beforehand ran Home windows 10. You solely want to contemplate lighter distributions if the {hardware} was already noticeably fighting Home windows 10.
Tip: For older notebooks with a mechanical 2.5-inch laborious drive, the change to Linux is a good alternative to exchange the previous drive with an SSD.
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That manner, you’ve got an entire bodily backup of your previous Home windows system on the mechanical laborious drive, so that you don’t want to fret about making a separate backup (see level two). To make use of this backup, you need to use SATA-to-USB adapters, laborious drive docking stations, or just join it to an inside SATA port in a spare PC (if out there).
Linux can change Home windows, however not in every single place. Switching is right and even improves safety should you don’t have to run present or future software program like Microsoft Workplace, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, AutoCAD, or varied Home windows-only video games. For all different duties like web looking, chat, streaming, e mail, audio and video playback, photographs, and Workplace file codecs, Linux software program works excellently.
2. Backup earlier than putting in Linux
If you happen to determine to exchange Home windows, make completely certain you save all vital knowledge. Lacking something means it may possibly’t be recovered later.
Backing up solely the Home windows house folder (“%userprofile%”) or a folder like “C:Workplace” isn’t sufficient. Even copying key file sorts with instructions like:
xcopy /sc c:*.xls? e:Backupor together with “doc?”, “jpg”, and “txt” information is useful however nonetheless doesn’t assure an entire backup.
For Home windows: One of the best technique is to make use of the Disk2VHD instrument. It creates VHD photographs that you could simply mount in Home windows Explorer by way of Disk Administration (diskmgmt.msc) by selecting “Motion—Connect digital laborious drive.”
For Linux: We suggest Rescuezilla, which creates IMG format photographs. You possibly can mount these with instruments like Gnome Disks (“Drives”) utilizing “Connect Drive,” or typically even your file supervisor will work. Rescuezilla should be booted as a reside exterior system, in contrast to Disk2VHD.
3. Deactivate license (retail variations)
Earlier than changing Home windows 10, ensure that to deactivate your license. This often frees up the product key, so you need to use it on one other PC later—or purchase a less expensive PC with out an OS. Most licenses, nonetheless, are OEM and tied to the present {hardware}. Solely retail licenses could be activated on totally different machines.
To deactivate, open a command immediate or PowerShell as an administrator and run:
slmgr /upkThis removes the activation. You will discover your product key in your retail software program packaging or within the affirmation e mail should you purchased from the Microsoft Retailer.
Instruments like ShowKeyPlus (from the Microsoft Retailer) or this command can present your 25-digit key:
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKeyIf no key seems, it’s most likely not transferable. This additionally applies to keys on pocket book stickers, that are often OEM licenses.
4. Check out the Linux distribution in a reside system
Obtain the ISO file of the Linux distribution you need and replica it to a USB stick utilizing a instrument like Etcher or USB Imager.
You possibly can then boot your Home windows pc from this USB by urgent F2, F8, F12, or Esc early on to entry the BIOS boot menu (this varies by producer, so simply attempt the keys). Within the boot menu, search for your USB stick listed beneath a reputation like “Intenso” or “Sandisk.”
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Be aware: For the sort of set up that overwrites Home windows, the boot mode (BIOS/MBR or UEFI/GPT) doesn’t matter. You possibly can boot the USB with or with out the “UEFI” label.
Not like Home windows installers, most Linux ISO photographs (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Zorin, Endeavour, and so on) serve two functions: they embrace an installer but in addition a full reside system you possibly can check out.
Earlier than selecting between “Attempt” and “Set up,” we strongly suggest attempting it first. This allows you to discover the interface and, while you’re prepared, beginning the installer is only a click on away.
Much more vital, this allows you to test that key {hardware} like graphics, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, audio, printers, and Bluetooth work correctly earlier than making any modifications.
5. Set up Linux
On the desktop of the reside system, nearly all Linux distributions present a shortcut to start out the set up—for instance, “Set up Kubuntu 24.04 LTS.” The Ubuntu household makes use of two totally different installers: principally Ubiquity, however some use Calamares.
After choosing the language and keyboard, the installer will present a dialogue referred to as “Set up Kind” or “Partitions” (in Calamares). If it detects Home windows on the first laborious drive, it can provide “Set up Ubuntu alongside […]” or “Set up in parallel” (Calamares) as the highest, highlighted choice.
To put in Linux as the one system, select the “Erase laborious drive” choice. This can format the drive with the Linux Ext4 file system, utterly delete Home windows and its knowledge, and set up the chosen Linux distribution.
Clicking “Set up now” or “Subsequent” (Calamares) begins the set up, which then solely asks for particulars to arrange the primary person account.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
