There are mild 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 onerous one: do away with Home windows 10 and set up a lovely, sustainable Linux desktop system as an alternative!
1. Preliminary issues: {Hardware} and software program
Linux locations no particular calls for on {hardware}, so there are typically 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 onerous drive, the change to Linux is a superb alternative to exchange the previous drive with an SSD.
Delete and substitute Home windows 10: the best possibility technically for Linux installers (right here Kubuntu with Calamares).IDG
That approach, you’ve a whole bodily backup of your previous Home windows system on the mechanical onerous drive, so that you don’t want to fret about making a separate backup (see level two). To make use of this backup, you should utilize SATA-to-USB adapters, onerous drive docking stations, or just join it to an inner SATA port in a spare PC (if out there).
Linux can substitute Home windows, however not in all places. Switching is good and even improves safety in case 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, electronic mail, audio and video playback, photographs, and Workplace file codecs, Linux software program works excellently.
2. Backup earlier than putting in Linux
Should you determine to exchange Home windows, make completely positive you save all essential knowledge. Lacking something means it will possibly’t be recovered later.
Backing up solely the Home windows dwelling folder (“%userprofile%”) or a folder like “C:Workplace” isn’t sufficient. Even copying key file sorts with instructions like:
xcopy /sc c:*.xls? e:Backup
or together with “doc?”, “jpg”, and “txt” recordsdata is useful however nonetheless doesn’t assure a whole backup.
For Home windows: The perfect technique is to make use of the Disk2VHD device. It creates VHD pictures you could simply mount in Home windows Explorer by way of Disk Administration (diskmgmt.msc) by selecting “Motion—Connect digital onerous drive.”
For Linux: We suggest Rescuezilla, which creates IMG format pictures. You’ll be able to mount these with instruments like Gnome Disks (“Drives”) utilizing “Connect Drive,” or generally even your file supervisor will work. Rescuezilla should be booted as a dwell exterior system, not like Disk2VHD.
3. Deactivate license (retail variations)
Earlier than changing Home windows 10, be sure that to deactivate your license. This often frees up the product key, so you should utilize it on one other PC later—or purchase a less expensive PC with out an OS. Most licenses, nevertheless, are OEM and tied to the present {hardware}. Solely retail licenses will be activated on totally different machines.
To deactivate, open a command immediate or PowerShell as an administrator and run:
slmgr /upk
This removes the activation. You’ll find your product key in your retail software program packaging or within the affirmation electronic mail in case 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 OA3xOriginalProductKey
If 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 dwell system
Obtain the ISO file of the Linux distribution you need and replica it to a USB stick utilizing a device like Etcher or USB Imager.
You’ll be able to then boot your Home windows laptop 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 below a reputation like “Intenso” or “Sandisk.”
When the Linux dwell system begins, if supplied, at all times select “Attempt it out.” This allows you to preview the desktop and check your {hardware} earlier than putting in.IDG
Observe: For the sort of set up that overwrites Home windows, the boot mode (BIOS/MBR or UEFI/GPT) doesn’t matter. You’ll be able to boot the USB with or with out the “UEFI” label.
Not like Home windows installers, most Linux ISO pictures (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Zorin, Endeavour, and so forth) serve two functions: they embrace an installer but in addition a full dwell system you’ll be able to check out.
Earlier than selecting between “Attempt” and “Set up,” we strongly suggest making an attempt it first. This allows you to discover the interface and, whenever you’re prepared, beginning the installer is only a click on away.
Much more essential, this allows you to examine that key {hardware} like graphics, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, audio, printers, and Bluetooth work correctly earlier than making any adjustments.
5. Set up Linux
On the desktop of the dwell system, virtually all Linux distributions present a shortcut to begin the set up—for instance, “Set up Kubuntu 24.04 LTS.” The Ubuntu household makes use of two totally different installers: largely Ubiquity, however some use Calamares.
After choosing the language and keyboard, the installer will present a dialogue known as “Set up Kind” or “Partitions” (in Calamares). If it detects Home windows on the first onerous drive, it would supply “Set up Ubuntu alongside […]” or “Set up in parallel” (Calamares) as the highest, highlighted possibility.
To put in Linux as the one system, select the “Erase onerous drive” possibility. This may 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.
