This tutorial is for people who have little to no knowledge of Linux and would like to install it and give it a try. In the recent past, you used to have to go through a lot of complex text-only steps to install Linux. This process was highly intimidating because a single incorrect move could cause a broken installation easily. However, due to the research and work put forth by Linux users, the process has become a lot more user-friendly. Now, installing Linux is almost as easy as installing Windows. In this tutorial, I’m going to show you the easiest way to install Ubuntu Linux using a program known as Wubi. Wubi allows you to install Linux just like you would any other Windows program, in an install wizard fashion. If you are interested in having both Linux and Windows running on your machine at the same time (presumably using a program known as BootCamp), then using Wubi to install Linux is you best option.
First you will obviously need to download Wubi to your desktop and then run wubi.exe executable file.
• Now select the drive that you would like to install Linux to. Unlike conventional installation methods, Wubi will not repartition your drive. In fact, it will actually place a file on your local drive which will be used as a virtual drive instead. In many Windows installations, C drive is the local hard drive, so in this instance we will select it from the drop-down menu as the installation drive.
• Next you need to select an installation size. The base installation requires about 4GB of free space on the installation drive. Since you will most likely need extra room to install programs and store your data, you should pick an installation size bigger than that.
• Now choose one of the 4 desktop environments for your installation. Wubi can install, Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and of course Ubuntu. These are all different versions of Ubuntu derived from the same main operating system, but all of them have a different cosmetic look. The default Ubuntu installation contains the Gnome desktop, which is relatively lightweight — some say it’s akin to OS X. Kubuntu uses KDE for its desktop and feels more like Windows. Xubuntu’s desktop is Xfce, which is kinda like a lightweight version of Gnome. It’s best for older hardware.
• Of course the next step is for you to select your language, when prompted to do so.
• Now provide a username and password for the installation. Make sure you store your username and password somewhere, or remember it, because Linux uses your username and password for a multitude of purposes. For example you’ll need this info to log on to your computer, install programs, and even make changes to the system. This is done for security purposes of course.
• Finally you would click Install and Wubi will begin downloading the installation files. The download is about 600MB, so take a break or let it run as you sleep.
• After the installation files have been downloaded, then you will need to restart your system. When this happens, your computer will restart, but it you’ll see a screen that asks you to select whether you’d like to boot Windows, instead of booting straight into an operating system or Ubuntu. Finally select Ubuntu to complete the installation.
• Once the installation has finished, you’ll have a completely functional Ubuntu Linux install. Ubuntu does a great job of detecting and installing hardware, but if you find that something doesn’t work right, visit the Ubuntu forums and see if it’s a known issue.
I am sure this is enough information to get you going with Linux. Good Luck!
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