Installing Linux on a Windows Machine

Posted on Live Disk Linux[/b]

If you only have a fleeting need for Linux, installing it on a live disk could potentially be the best option for you. Linux on a disk is great for those users who only need to run the operating system sporadically, and allows the operating system to be launched as necessary. Live disks can either be obtained directly from Linux, whenever a new distribution takes place, or by purchasing the CD inside of a technology magazine. Simply popping the disk into a computer should be enough to get the operating system functioning.

Linux on the Virtual PC

A slightly more involved installation of Linux is running the operating system in a virtual environment. Windows computers can easily run virtual machines. Some of these virtual environments can be created with a paid software application, whereas others can be created with free products available on the market. In fact, Virtual PC 2007 is a free product that has been developed specifically for this purpose by Microsoft. Running Virtual PC 2007, users can install Linux and use it specifically within the environment as needed.

Just like the live disk option, running Linux separately from the Windows operating system experience presents a couple of unique challenges. The primary such obstacle is that running Linux in this manner taxes the system resources pretty significantly, as RAM and virtual memory are being split between the two operating systems. One good way to avoid this issue is to upgrade PCs that are currently using lackluster hardware. If you have a significant amount of memory and system resources available to be utilized, you shouldn’t experience any issues with this.

Linux Through Wubi

Finally, there is one other way that you can easily experience the wonder that is Linux on your Windows machine. Wubi allows Linux to be installed like a simple file on the machine, which can be opened and closed at will. While hibernation mode will not work with a Wubi installation, it will nevertheless be able to provide computer users with the vast majority of features of a more traditional installation. To install the latest Linux release, Ubuntu, on your computer using Wubi, you will need to first download the Wubi installer to your computer system. Using this download, you will be able to launch Linux and begin using the operating system immediately on the machine.

No matter why a computer user chooses to give Linux a go, installing on the operating system should not feel like mission impossible. By considering all of the options available, most users should be able to determine what method is the best option for their machine. Of course, should Linux prove to be a more enjoyable computing experience that that offered by a Windows machine, the entire system can be overhauled with a Linux installation. Doing so is a bit more involved, but could be worth it in the long run, assuming the computer user no longer has any need for a Windows-based operating system.

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