Can I delete Windows 8 and use Ubuntu?

Question

Is it possible to selete everything on my computer and use Ubuntu 11.10 if I completely wipe everything? Like will it know to start with ubuntu if I put the disc in? I don't want to screw up my computer and I'm tired of Windows 8.

Answer 1

Yes you can. You just have to boot to your Linux CD or DVD and that is done by changing the boot priority in the BIOS settings with the DVD drive as the 1st boot priority. Once you boot to your Linux, you can see a setup there on the Ubuntu desktop to continue with the installation. One of the steps allow you to format the whole drive to remove Windows 8 and install Ubuntu only but you will then need to install Wine to install Windows applications on Ubuntu and some will still not work.



Ubuntu 11.10 is not the latest version of Ubuntu anymore. Ubuntu 13.04 is.



http://www.ubuntu.com/



But I personally prefer Linux Mint 14 over Ubuntu because its user interface is more friendly for WIndows migrants although less popular.



http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2216





There are also machines that came preinstalled with Windows 8 that does not allow dual booting with another operating system.





Also, you can also try installing your Linux on a USB drive. It boots and performs faster than the live CD. You will need to have a Ubuntu or any Linux ISO and use this program called Universal USB Installer. You would then have to change your boot priority again to boot on the USB drive:



http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/



You can also choose to create a persistent file in there that allows changes on your Linux running on the USB drive be retained the next time you boot to it on the USB. This program would come in handy if you have a spare USB drive and if you don't want to remove Windows.

Answer 2

You can run ubuntu without deleting everything off of windows. When your computer starts up go into the BIOS settings by pushing F12. Go to boot options and put "boot from disc" as first on the list. now it will try to boot from the disk instead, and you can run Ubuntu without deleting windows, or any of your files. A lot of hackers do this so they can work in Ubuntu without getting rid of windows

Answer 3

I did not read the other answers because I am sure they are correct (after a while you see that some people do know what they are talking about).



So why am I posting? To give you some advice (my opinion). I have been using GNU/Linux for a while, not as long as many people (Linux is the kernel, not the OS). Here is what I think may be easiest switching from Winblows to Linux.



1. Pick a desktop environment first.

A desktop environment, just for ease, is the GUI. There are many different DEs. Winblows has only one. Some are pretty, some are not. Some are easy to use and others are not. KDE is pretty and very easy to use, but not for older or slower machines. Then there is XFCE. Ugly and harder to use, but much faster.



Here are some examples:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environment#Gallery



When switching from Winblows to GNU/Linux, I recommend KDE.



2. Get a USB flash drive, and use a program called YUMI.

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/



This allows you to install as many distros as the drive will hold. You can then choose which to boot into on startup. This way you can try them out and see what they are like (they will not make changes to your hdd unless you tell it to). Once you find a distro you like, many will allow you to install it from the usb.



3. Ubuntu is a good distro for beginners, but is uses the Unity DE. Many people do not like it. There are many many distros based on Ubuntu. Kubuntu is Ubuntu with KDE. Xubuntu - ubuntu with XFCE. Lubuntu - ubuntu with LXDE. Mint is based on Ubuntu. PCLinucOS is based on Ubuntu. So try them all out with many different DEs.



4. Have a look at http://distrowatch.com/

They will give a description with a screen shot of many distros. On the right side of the page, a little down, they rank the distros. Root through them and see what you like. and try them out with YUMI.



5. Pick a very popular distro. This way when you have a problem there are many people that can help and many forums that you can look at.



6. Keep at it. Many people will try a distro of Linux and not like it. Most will try to use it like Winblows. They never give themselves a chance to get out of "Winblows mode". It takes a little while to learn, just like it did for you to learn Winblows.



I would like to welcome you to the Linux community.

Answer 4

Use VirtualBox or VMware Player and create a virtual machine for your Ubuntu installation. The great thing about using virtual machines is that you don't have to mess up your current OS installation or create new partitions on your hard drive. You can make as many as you want so you can play around with all kinds of GNU/Linux distros. When you're done, all you have to do is delete the virtual hard drive file. VMs are really convenient.



https://www.virtualbox.org/

http://www.vmware.com/products/player/



- Dominic

Answer 5

Yes you can dump W8 but take my advice Ubuntu is not the best Linux distribution It does not work out of the box when it comes to hardware drivers, There are other Linux distributions that are superior. If you let me know what you do with your computer then I will advise you on which distribution will suit you the best You can click on my name to message me...