Download and install Linux in this tutorial that covers how to choose a distribution, how to use the install command with Windows Subsystem for Linux, create a bootable USB for Bare-metal, or set up a Virtual Machine.
Eh, WSL is still enough like Linux that it could be the best option for a lot of people. No risk to the computer being unable to boot whilst still giving you the ability to play with Linux tooling.
And credit where credit’s due: Microsoft details how to do a bare metal install, which is the most likely option to wipe Windows from your machine in the first place.
Do people really have problems with Linux failing to boot? In the ~10 years I’ve used Linux, I’ve had it fall to boot like 4-5 times, and all of those were on a rolling release distro, and most were from a bad NVIDIA driver. I’ve had Windows completely get borked at least that much in the ~10 years prior to that, sometimes even failing to boot (I remember Windows completely killing itself on a rented computer in college; that’s why I initially switched to Linux).
I always recommend stable distros like Debian to new years. I’ve recommended stable distros countless times to friends and never had them report any issues like that. Usually it’s mundane stuff like noy knowing how to install something, and once they figure that out, I don’t hear from them anymore. Linux just works for most people.
Of course this article exists to advertise WSL.
Eh, WSL is still enough like Linux that it could be the best option for a lot of people. No risk to the computer being unable to boot whilst still giving you the ability to play with Linux tooling.
And credit where credit’s due: Microsoft details how to do a bare metal install, which is the most likely option to wipe Windows from your machine in the first place.
Do people really have problems with Linux failing to boot? In the ~10 years I’ve used Linux, I’ve had it fall to boot like 4-5 times, and all of those were on a rolling release distro, and most were from a bad NVIDIA driver. I’ve had Windows completely get borked at least that much in the ~10 years prior to that, sometimes even failing to boot (I remember Windows completely killing itself on a rented computer in college; that’s why I initially switched to Linux).
I always recommend stable distros like Debian to new years. I’ve recommended stable distros countless times to friends and never had them report any issues like that. Usually it’s mundane stuff like noy knowing how to install something, and once they figure that out, I don’t hear from them anymore. Linux just works for most people.