This is for those of you who aren't using Apple, Android, or unadulterated Linux.
Ubuntu is the OS that brought Linux into the mainstream.
Mint is based on Ubuntu and is intended to be a bit more reliable and more elegant.
An example of more reliable is that Ubuntu will let you try to upgrade to a newer version. Mint will not. It's inherently risky to do so.
By more elegant, compare Mint Cinnamon to Windows 7 or 8 or 10.
Both are Linux and that means you can customize. Were you fed up Windows 8? Did you miss Windows XP? If Windows were Linux, you could put the XP menu and desktop on Windows 8 or Windows 10.
It's free. No "false negatives" telling you your edition of Windows "is not genuine."
No anti-virus needed. That's a big time saver. No chicanery in stretching out free trials forever.
No updates or upgrades against your will.
You're now on board with Apple and Android (both based on Linux) and everybody but Windows victims, er, users.
Scientology promises the world of the totally free. Linux delivers it.
Start here:
https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
Or here:
https://www.ubuntu.com/download
Ubuntu has used the Unity desktop. It takes a little getting used to, but it's not a bad idea for tablets or netbooks with small screens. Ubuntu will revert to a Gnome desktop (more similar to Windows) soon.
Download Ubuntu &/or LinuxMint.
Download Rufus.
https://rufus.akeo.ie/
Or, if you have a BIOS drive, download Linux Pendrive:
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/
Use Rufus (UEFI) or UUI or YUMI (BIOS) to make the USB installer.
If you have been cursed with a UEFI drive, go into the UEFI (aka BIOS) menu.
Disable secure boot.
Disable fast boot.
(To be fair, I've seen UEFI work miracles to restore disk problems. But, I hate having my computer fail to start, or run properly, and both Windows 10 and UEFI can cause this.)
While in the UEFI/BIOS menu, set the computer to boot from the flash drive.
Boot from the flash drive.
Try Ubuntu/Mint without installing.
Then, click install Ubuntu/Mint.
There is a choice to install "side-by-side."
This is the easiest way for a newbie to get a dual boot.
Your life will not be easier, not at first. You have a new universe to explore.
You will be like a citizen of Pyongyang transported to Seoul, or even Bangkok.
There are going to be differences and you'll become a bit more computer savvy.
Enjoy the liberation!
Ubuntu is the OS that brought Linux into the mainstream.
Mint is based on Ubuntu and is intended to be a bit more reliable and more elegant.
An example of more reliable is that Ubuntu will let you try to upgrade to a newer version. Mint will not. It's inherently risky to do so.
By more elegant, compare Mint Cinnamon to Windows 7 or 8 or 10.
Both are Linux and that means you can customize. Were you fed up Windows 8? Did you miss Windows XP? If Windows were Linux, you could put the XP menu and desktop on Windows 8 or Windows 10.
It's free. No "false negatives" telling you your edition of Windows "is not genuine."
No anti-virus needed. That's a big time saver. No chicanery in stretching out free trials forever.
No updates or upgrades against your will.
You're now on board with Apple and Android (both based on Linux) and everybody but Windows victims, er, users.
Scientology promises the world of the totally free. Linux delivers it.
Start here:
https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
Or here:
https://www.ubuntu.com/download
Ubuntu has used the Unity desktop. It takes a little getting used to, but it's not a bad idea for tablets or netbooks with small screens. Ubuntu will revert to a Gnome desktop (more similar to Windows) soon.
Download Ubuntu &/or LinuxMint.
Download Rufus.
https://rufus.akeo.ie/
Or, if you have a BIOS drive, download Linux Pendrive:
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/
Use Rufus (UEFI) or UUI or YUMI (BIOS) to make the USB installer.
If you have been cursed with a UEFI drive, go into the UEFI (aka BIOS) menu.
Disable secure boot.
Disable fast boot.
(To be fair, I've seen UEFI work miracles to restore disk problems. But, I hate having my computer fail to start, or run properly, and both Windows 10 and UEFI can cause this.)
While in the UEFI/BIOS menu, set the computer to boot from the flash drive.
Boot from the flash drive.
Try Ubuntu/Mint without installing.
Then, click install Ubuntu/Mint.
There is a choice to install "side-by-side."
This is the easiest way for a newbie to get a dual boot.
Your life will not be easier, not at first. You have a new universe to explore.
You will be like a citizen of Pyongyang transported to Seoul, or even Bangkok.
There are going to be differences and you'll become a bit more computer savvy.
Enjoy the liberation!