How to go back to windows from linux?

Question

I am considering using linux but before I do I would like to know if there is a way to revert back to windows vista if I don't like it. I don't have the disk that came with vista and I don't have a USB stick to try it out. Is there any way to go back to windows from linux without a install cd and USB stick? Thanks. I choose best answer.

Answer 1

Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



Download Ubuntu Desktop Edition

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download



You download the ISO. image of Ubuntu 10.10 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto



Ubuntu 10.10 can also be run straight from the LiveCD from Boot without touching your Hard Drive



Download Ubuntu Desktop Edition (Windows installer standalone Download) no LiveCD needed

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/windows-installer



Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Maverick



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 10 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 10.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint has a similar installer called mint4win (mint4win works the same as the Ubuntu Windows installer so the instructions outlined above are almost identical)



You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



mint4win keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Linux Mint LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the mint4win installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Linux Mint is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint



Linux Mint 10 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=67



Linux Mint 10 User Guide

http://linuxmint.com/rel_julia.php



Linux Mint 10 as with Ubuntu 10.10 can also be run straight from the LiveCD from Boot without touching your Hard Drive







LUg.

Answer 2

Since you don't have the windows vista install disk I would suggest that the first thing you do is make a clone image of your vista system. Something can always happens to your system (virus, hard drives all die eventually, corrupted files). If you have an image of your vista system you can replace it exactly as it was and you won't need the windows install disk.

If you want to try linux you have several choices: 1. Run linux from a live cd. It will run entirely from the cd and not make any changes to your system. It will run a little slowly and it is a little trick to save any changes or settings. If you like it you can then install it. See the link below. 2 You can install linux via what is called wubi. It install like a windows program and you can remove it by using the windows Add or Remove Software. 3. You can make some free space on your hard drive and install linux on its own partition.

Good luck

Answer 3

You can run Ubuntu inside a container file in Windows, and boot it from Windows. It's slower than native, but trivial to remove.



You can also dual-boot by shrinking the Windows partition. Then you could remove the Linux partition and re-expand the WIndows one. Messier. Or for $50 or whatever, put it on a second hard drive and switch the boot order in BIOS.

Answer 4

without a install DVD it's not going to be possible to reinstall windows.



a suggestion would be to try linux live cd.. which will let you boot linux from a DVD instead of installing it on your harddrive. The live will also work with some usb flash drives.

Answer 5

Don't uninstall vista Make a 5 gb partion in your hard drive and install linux in it then u can use both vista and linux if u don't like it then format it 5 gb drive .

Answer 6

you can run them both on your computer with a dual boot...i love Ubuntu but i will suggest Linux Mint or Zorin... but thats just me



http://www.linuxmint.com/



http://zorinos.com/



if you feel the need to not dual boot and replace the OS just know it is a pretty lengthy process to get back to windows.

Answer 7

you could set up a dual boot. look up LILO