Linux for Win users - yes both safely on the same computer.

[KX4QC]

Ok, you're a Windows user for most things but Linux seems at least a little interesting. Maybe you like the idea of free software, no malware, no ads, no bully taking your lunch money... Whatever it is, why not try Linux on your existing computer, while keeping your familiar windows as before? 'Seasy!

I recommend Linux Mint as a first installment of Linux. There's lots of software, including ham radio, office... and it's a good team player with Windows. So let's go get our Linux -yes, that's free too. Give it to anyone! I recommend the Cinnamon desktop for Windows users. So here goes: https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=305
You now have an "image" file of the new Linux. We need to use it to make a "live" USB of Linux Mint.

In Windows,

Download Etcher, install it and run it.

Screenshot from 2023-08-10 12-21-05.png

Click Select image and select your ISO file that you just downloaded.

Click Select drive and select your USB stick (8 GB or bigger).

Click Flash!.

Wow! you did it! You now have a working Linux. Really. Now to try it...

We will now shut the computer down, just as you usually do.

Insert the Linux USB stick.

Start the computer and start the computer from the USB stick. Some computers can do this automatically, while others need you tap the F9 or Esc or Del to bring up a one-time boot menu. Select the USB stick.

Let the computer start from the USB stick. It does not do anything to the existing hard disk or SSD. Everything comes off that USB stick.

In a moment you should see a desktop. Looks a bit like Windows, but different. You will see apps, Wifi, all the things you usually need.

For now, don't hit the Install, but explore. Easy? Open a folder, see that there is even a folder containing your regular Windows stuff -untouched. Find a M$ Office document, and try opening it. It does!

When you have seen enough and want to shut the computer down, go to the menu, lower left and hit the Shutdown button. When the computer stops, take out the USB. Your computer is as before. As far as Windows knows, it was never even started! (Nerd note: go check the log. See?)

This might be enough. You now have a Linux USB that you can play with any time you want, but it's a bit slow...and not very big....and....

TO INSTALL LINUX ALONGSIDE EXISTING WINDOWS

The definitive guide is at:
https://linuxmint-installation-guide.re ... stall.html

Now your computer opens with a simple menu to choose Windows or Linux. Choose one, and you're good to go with it for this session. They are separate, each on a partition of its own.

It's really easy, with most steps automatic and safe. Back up important stuff first to be sure. -Always a good thing to do anyway! Make sure that your computer has at least 10GB empty space on the hard disk or SSD. Yes, you can squeeze into a smaller space, but my bet is you will soon want to install all those ham radio apps and then...

So what if there isn't 10GB of space? Maybe you can make space? Do you really need ad email from 5 years ago?

Maybe there just isn't space. What to do? The choices are get another computer -I suggest you see the refurbished ones from Goodwill, where $100 buys a lot of machine. Or, if you are fed up with Win and are sure to never want it again on the computer, it can be replaced by Linux.

BTW, The Hambone is coded with Linux, as are many online apps and utilities that you use already.

Have a question? Ask it here!