Path: Home > Linux > Installation

A Journey from Windows to Linux

Installing Kubuntu

Changing the operating system of a computer is not to be taken lightly; it requires careful preparation and attention to the instructions. It will inevitably involve re-installing everything from the internet or your backups, and the process could go badly wrong. Here are my suggestions based on recent experience.

Preparation

Make a backup copy on a memory stick or similar of your documents, pictures, videos, and music.
If you use your own desktop and lock screen background pictures, make backup copies of them.
Make a note of all your passwords, including the internet hub password.
Make a note of your favourite internet addresses, which may be stored as shortcuts on your computer.
Consider making a "Print Screen" record of your desktop layout.
Find the installation files for any games or special programs that do not have Linux equivalents.
When the machine boots up, watch carefully for a brief message saying which keys give access to BIOS and the boot options.
Decide which option you will choose during installation:
a) Try Kubuntu [without installing it, to avoid the risk that your hardware is incompatible with kubuntu],
b) Install Kubuntu [erasing Windows and everything else], or
c) Set the machine up for Dual Boot [which is useful but not easy; see
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot].
and
https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/how-to-dual-boot-linux-and-windows-on-any-pc
Decide what passwords you will use to control access to the machine such as a "Boot Password" and a "Supervisor Password". They can be the same.
Set aside a memory stick with a capacity of at least 6 GB for the transfer process.

Make installation media

You need to make your memory stick bootable, and install the .iso Kubuntu installation file on it. Follow the instructions at https://kubuntu.org/download/.

Prepare the computer

Get into BIOS. The usual procedure is:
a) turn the machine off;
b) put a finger near the F2 key;
c) turn the machine on while continually rattling the F2 key (or another key that you know is correct) up and down until an unusual screen appears.
If Windows starts to load, repeat a, b and c with the F10 key.
If Windows starts to load, repeat a, b and c with the F9 key.
Look for a section of the BIOS options related to Boot, and make USB the first item in the boot order, above the Windows loader.
While you're in BIOS, look for "Secure Boot", and if it is present, turn it off because it might prevent the change of operating system. Exit BIOS and allow Windows to start.
If you're using a laptop, make sure the battery is well charged, in case of mains power failure; but the installation program will want the computer to be connected to the mains power during installation, as well as the internet.

Installing Kubuntu

Turn the machine off in the usual way.
Plug the installation media into a USB socket.
Turn on the mains power and internet hub.
Start the machine again. If it starts loading Windows, repeat "Prepare the computer for installation" above, and check your installation media.
Answer the questions about your preferred language (UK English for me), the regional keyboard layout, which continent you are in (UK counts as part of Europe), and what you want the install program to do.
Enter details of the internet connection when asked.
Wait patiently while an introductory slideshow runs.

Setting up Kubuntu

Once Kubuntu is running you should see an unfamiliar desktop picture with a task-bar along the bottom. I suggest you find the Power Options straight away, and set them to your preferences. Also some app installers recommend turning off the Lock Screen in case it interrupts the installation process.

You can change the desktop and lock screen background pictures, and create desktop shortcuts, as you can in Windows.

To turn off the computer, click the Application Launcher (the cog-wheel at the left hand end of the task-bar) and find "Shut Down" on the bottom line. Kubuntu likes to take 30 seconds in shutting down so that no important processes are interrupted.