Updated August 01, 2017
Why Linux?
There are two great reasons to consider Linux. First, Linux requires less memory and storage than Windows. Secondly, even for those with a powerful machine, Linux is immune to most of the viruses and malware that affect Windows computers. You don’t have to be a computer whiz to install it or use it. Once it is installed, the desktop resembles that of Windows or, in some varieties, Android.
Selecting a Version of Linux
There are many different versions of Linux available for download. Some of the most popular versions include Ubuntu, RedHat, and Mint. Light versions of the operating system require very little memory or storage. Some of these include: You can give Linux a test run by downloading it onto an external flash drive. You can choose to keep it on that drive and use it whenever you wish without deleting Windows, try another version of Linux or, if you like it, put it on your laptop’s hard drive. If you are given a choice between a 64-bit or a 32-bit version of the software, try the 64-bit first. With Linux Mint, it should work on any computer that’s less than five years old. The size of the download varies, anywhere from 250MB to 1.5GB, depending on the version you choose.
Installing Linux
Once you have Linux on a removable drive, connect it to your laptop. Here, you need to restart the laptop and interrupt the startup process to enter its UEFI or BIOS. Watch the screen carefully for which button you need to press. On many HP laptops, for example, it’s the F9 button. On a Lenovo Thinkpad, it could be the Novo button on the edge of the laptop. If you don’t see the instructions while the system is booting up, you can look it up at the laptop manufacturer’s website. Restart the laptop again and press the button to enter UEFI or BIOS immediately and hold it until you hear a beep or the BIOS screen appears. Follow the onscreen instructions to boot from the removable drive. Using the arrow keys, go to the “Boot” menu. If you don’t see this option, go to Advanced Features or Other Options to find it. Here, you can change the order that computer chooses to look for operating systems. Instead of booting from the hard drive, choose your removable media option. When you exit BIOS, the laptop will boot from Linux instead of Windows. The first time it runs you will get a setup window. Follow the onscreen instructions to set it up. Once you find the version of Linux that you’re comfortable with, you can continue to use it from the flash drive, or install it on your hard drive. If the hard drive has enough room, you can keep Windows intact, otherwise make a back up of your Windows installation and all of your files before formatting the drive and installing Linux.
Things to Watch For
If you decide to delete your current operating system, it’s vital that you know that your version of Linux will work on your laptop first. The most important thing to watch for are the drivers, especially the driver for your WiFi adapter. Laptops use a large variety of different WiFi adapters. It’s seldom that the driver you need won’t be available in Linux, however it may not always come built in with Linux. You may need to download it separately and install it yourself. If your version of Linux doesn’t have the right WiFi driver, you will need Internet access to download it yourself. Download it using Windows. There are usually instructions on how to install the driver on the same website that offers the download file. If you are missing other drivers, like for your printer, it’s best to download and install them before committing to any version of Linux too. However, missing a printer driver isn’t as catastrophic as missing the WiFi driver that gives you Internet access.
Getting the Apps You Need – For Free
One thing new Linux users get used to very quickly is that they don’t have to pay for software. Like Linux itself, the vast majority of Linux applications are open source and free to use. Depending on the version you downloaded, you may find some of these applications already installed. If not, you can download them and install them yourself. Here are just a few to consider: This just scratches the surface when it comes to the software available on Linux. The only shortcoming you are likely to find is in the games category. However, with an aging laptop with an old video chip, that is most likely the case for Windows users too. Writer Bio
