Switch From Windows in One Afternoon

Ditch Windows, Embrace Linux

Nobody has to wait around for someone who “knows this stuff.” The full switch from Windows to Ubuntu can be done in a single afternoon — once you know the order. Here it is.

Phase 1 – Preparation (before you touch anything)

• Full backup of all important files to an external drive or cloud (documents, photos, downloads, desktop)
• Write down a list of your important programs — you’ll need it for software replacements in Phase 4
• Back up browser data: export bookmarks, ideally move passwords into a password manager
• Collect license keys & logins (email accounts, software, Wi-Fi passwords)

Phase 2 – Hardware check

• RAM: at least 4 GB, 8 GB recommended — older PCs usually handle Ubuntu with ease
• Storage: at least 25 GB free for the installation
• USB stick with at least 8 GB ready to go (it will be wiped when you create the installer)
• Live test without installing: try Ubuntu from the USB stick first — does Wi-Fi, sound, and display all work?

Phase 3 – Create the installation media

• Download the current Ubuntu LTS version from the official site (ubuntu.com — official source only) → Recommended: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS for the newest interface, or 24.04 LTS for maximum stability on very old hardware (supported until 2029)
• Verify the checksum — makes sure the file isn’t corrupted
• Create the boot stick with Rufus (Windows) or balenaEtcher
• Check the boot order in BIOS/UEFI

Phase 4 – Installation

• Plug in power (don’t install a laptop on battery)
• Decide: full Ubuntu or dual-boot (Windows + Ubuntu side by side — the safe middle ground if you’re still unsure)
• Check “Install updates and third-party software” (drivers, codecs)
• Set a username + a strong password
• Finish the install, remove the USB stick, restart

Phase 5 – The first 30 minutes after

• Let the system update fully
• Test Wi-Fi, sound, screen brightness, printer
• Restore your backup
• Set up your browser, import bookmarks/passwords
• Open the “Software” app (app store) — this is where you install programs with a click

Why the order matters more than any single step

Most switch-related problems don’t come from one wrong click — they come from doing things in the wrong order. Forgetting the backup before wiping the drive, for example. Follow Phases 1 through 5 in this sequence, and that mistake never happens in the first place.

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The full path — with screenshots and fixes for every snag

This checklist is the short version of Chapters 2 through 5 of “Ditch Windows, Embrace Linux.” The book walks through every one of these steps in detail — with screenshots, explanations, and fixes for the typical snags a checklist alone can’t catch.

“My biggest worry was the terminal. Surprisingly, the book took away exactly that fear.” — Amazon reader, ★★★★★

👉 Check it out on Amazon

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Ubuntu is a trademark of Canonical Ltd. Independent, unofficial guide – not authorized by Canonical or Microsoft.