How do i download Linux

[Xv Ghostly vX]

I just downloaded windows 8.1 from chrome and im using that rite now but how do I use Linux I downloaded it off the intenet somewhere but i cant open the file. Is it different because Linux isnt a file and it's a whole different kind of internet system.

[L A]

I just downloaded windows 8.1 from chrome and im using that rite now but how do I use Linux I downloaded it off the intenet somewhere but i cant open the file. Is it different because Linux isnt a file and it's a whole different kind of internet system.

 

Linux is an entirely different operating system. You'll have to set up a partition on your harddrive/ssd in order to use it.

[QueenDemetria]

I just downloaded windows 8.1 from chrome and im using that rite now but how do I use Linux I downloaded it off the intenet somewhere but i cant open the file. Is it different because Linux isnt a file and it's a whole different kind of internet system.

I smiled while reading this, but I'm not sure what Linux distro you have. This is my basic installation guide:

• Download distro image
• burn image to CD/DVD or on to a flashdrive
• boot the CD/DVD/flashdrive and follow the instructions on screen

[cloclo8003]

First of all, what you downloaded is very likely a Linux distribution, not Linux itself. It can be Ubuntu, Fedora, and many others. Also, you don't just open the file and expect your PC to automagically run Linux, it's not as simple

What you downloaded is (normally) an ISO file, that you burn to a DVD (or CD' but I only tried with DVDs, idk) or install it on a flash drive. Then you boot it and install it the same way than you would install Windows. Once done, BOOM! Your PC is now awesome.

EDIT: Corrected the best typo ever. Wrote Linus distribution instead of Linux distribution.

[Xv Ghostly vX]

First of all, what you downloaded is very likely a Linux distribution, not Linux itself. It can be Ubuntu, Fedora, and many others. Also, you don't just open the file and expect your PC to automagically run Linux, it's not as simple

What you downloaded is (normally) an ISO file, that you burn to a DVD (or CD' but I only tried with DVDs, idk) or install it on a flash drive. Then you boot it and install it the same way than you would install Windows. Once done, BOOM! Your PC is now awesome.

EDIT: Corrected the best typo ever. Wrote Linus distribution instead of Linux distribution.

 

 

 

I smiled while reading this, but I'm not sure what Linux distro you have. This is my basic installation guide:

• Download distro image
• burn image to CD/DVD or on to a flashdrive
• boot the CD/DVD/flashdrive and follow the instructions on screen

 

 

 

Linux is an entirely different operating system. You'll have to set up a partition on your harddrive/ssd in order to use it.

 

 

Using ISO files (the Linux download) is not the same as using EXE files. You don't double click. You need to create a bootable drive with either a CD, DVD, or USB, boot from it, and then follow the installation instructions.

 

Quick tut. You can search around if what you need is a bit more specific

 

I think I might just stick with Windows.

 

What are the pros and cons to Linux anyway. And what do the different kinds of Linuxes do.

[cloclo8003]

I think I might just stick with Windows.

 

What are the pros and cons to Linux anyway. And what do the different kinds of Linuxes do.

Never call them Linuxes again, they are distributions, or distros for short.

There are a lot of benefits of switching to Linux, as well as a few cons, that are a dealbreaker for some people, you should do some research, there are a lot of differences

[Xv Ghostly vX]

Never call them Linuxes again, they are distributions, or distros for short.

There are a lot of benefits of switching to Linux, as well as a few cons, that are a dealbreaker for some people, you should do some research, there are a lot of differences

 

Like what?

[QueenDemetria]

I think I might just stick with Windows.

 

What are the pros and cons to Linux anyway. And what do the different kinds of Linuxes do.

Pros:

• Open source(for the most part)
• choice
• some of them are legally free
• more control over what Windows and Mac offer
• fun?
• not targeted for viruses

Cons: 

• Can be complicated
• less support
• can be more problematic than Mac and Windows
• less people use it

What do the different Linux's do? They are similar, but different. That's all I have to say.

[manon_gfx]

Okay, to get rid of some misconceptions. Linux is NOT and operating system. Linux is a kernel. There are tons of operating systems based on the Linux kernel, like Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Red Hat (they are also referred by as linux distributions).
To get started with linux I would recommend downloading Ubuntu, you can get it here http://www.ubuntu.com/download. The file you will download will be an ISO file. This file contains all the files that would be in a disc. You can either burn this ISO to a disc, or you can create a bootable USB drive using Linux Live USB Creator. When you put the USB drive in, you will have to boot from your linux USB drive or disc. You can then run it without installing to try it out, or you can choose to install it to a drive.

I hope this is enough to get you started.

[cloclo8003]

Like what?

Do some research

[Xv Ghostly vX]

Do some research

 

This is my research lol

[Xv Ghostly vX]

This is my research lol

 

 

Do some research

 

 

Okay, to get rid of some misconceptions. Linux is NOT and operating system. Linux is a kernel. There are tons of operating systems based on the Linux kernel, like Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Red Hat (they are also referred by as linux distributions).

To get started with linux I would recommend downloading Ubuntu, you can get it here http://www.ubuntu.com/download. The file you will download will be an ISO file. This file contains all the files that would be in a disc. You can either burn this ISO to a disc, or you can create a bootable USB drive using Linux Live USB Creator. When you put the USB drive in, you will have to boot from your linux USB drive or disc. You can then run it without installing to try it out, or you can choose to install it to a drive.

I hope this is enough to get you started.

 

Can i atleast download steam and play windows games with windows users

[QueenDemetria]

Can i atleast download steam and play windows games with windows users

Yep, but not all games are supported(and yes you can play with windows users, PC master race doesn't segregate ).

[Opcode]

Can i atleast download steam and play windows games with windows users

Linux uses a completely different kernel which has an entirely different API baked in. Windows software will not run on Linux. The only way you can do that is through an emulation layer such as WINE. Which isn't 100% compatible with every Windows software or game out there. So if you use your PC primarily for gaming moving to Linux would be a bad move.

[Xv Ghostly vX]

Linux uses a completely different kernel which has an entirely different API baked in. Windows software will not run on Linux. The only way you can do that is through an emulation layer such as WINE. Which isn't 100% compatible with every Windows software or game out there. So if you use your PC primarily for gaming moving to Linux would be a bad move.

 

Then what kind of people just randomly decide to start using Linux. Sounds too restrictive

[Opcode]

Then what kind of people just randomly decide to start using Linux. Sounds too restrictive

Linux has a slew of software with a lot of it being the same as what people typically use on Windows (Chrome, Firefox, VLC, Skype, etc). So the operating system in itself is not limited to everyday tasks. It's just limited in that one aspect, gaming. Which has been getting a lot of attention lately so over the years Linux should become a more gamer friendly operating system. If you're not a hardcore gamer and can live with the titles that have landed on Linux then honestly I see no point in running Windows. Linux is far more secure, faster and actually has a visual appeal compared to the locked down style of Windows. There's actually quite a few people who dual boot and run Linux as their daily driver and reboot into Windows just to play games. The customization ability of Linux distributions alone makes it a quite appealing operating system.

[Xv Ghostly vX]

Linux has a slew of software with a lot of it being the same as what people typically use on Windows (Chrome, Firefox, VLC, Skype, etc). So the operating system in itself is not limited to everyday tasks. It's just limited in that one aspect, gaming. Which has been getting a lot of attention lately so over the years Linux should become a more gamer friendly operating system. If you're not a hardcore gamer and can live with the titles that have landed on Linux then honestly I see no point in running Windows. Linux is far more secure, faster and actually as a visual appeal compared to the locked down style of Windows. There's actually quite a few people who dual boot and run Linux as their daily driver and reboot into Windows just to play games. The customization ability of Linux distributions alone makes it a quite appealing operating system.

 

Is it easy to dual boot. I think thats what i wanna do

Ia 

[LogicalDrm]

Can i atleast download steam and play windows games with windows users

 

You can also setup Steam to run through WINE (windows emulator) with pretty easy copy-paste terminal commands. It works quite well, I have both native linux steam and Wine steam running on my laptop.

[Skrizzles]

You don't. Thats how.

 

1. Your usb drive that you use to boot the install will become nearly un-useable. You will have to use special tools to re-format it if you ever want to use it for windows again. Windows cannot format it afterwards.

 

2.There's no guarantee that Linux has drivers for many of your peripherals, most importantly-your monitor.

 

Such a headache. Maybe I'm a newb. But linux is absolutely the worst, half-written, incomplete OS I have ever attempted to use.