How to uninstall Windows and install Linux
Jul 13, 2025 am 12:23 AMTo completely replace Windows with Linux, the key steps include preparing the installation media, backing up data, partition adjustments, and system installation. First, you need to download the Linux distribution ISO file and use Rufus or Etcher to create a USB drive startup disk. Pay attention to selecting the correct write mode; secondly, be sure to back up important data and use GParted to clarify the purpose of the partition to avoid mistaken deletion; select the appropriate distribution during installation, confirm the UEFI boot mode and boot position, and select "Erase disk and install Linux" to completely replace Windows; finally check whether it enters the system normally after restarting, adjust the BIOS startup sequence if necessary and install additional drivers. The entire process needs to be operated with caution, especially the partitioning and formatting process.
Want to completely change the system and replace Windows with Linux? This is actually not difficult, but there are several key steps to pay attention to. Operations mainly include backup data, production of startup disks, partition adjustment and installation of the system. Let’s talk about how to do it in detail.

Prepare the installation media: USB drive boot disk
The first step in Linux installation is to prepare a bootable USB drive. You need to download a Linux distribution's ISO file (such as Ubuntu, Debian, or Fedora) and then write it to the USB drive with the tool.

- Recommended tools: Rufus (under Windows) or Etcher (cross-platform)
- The USB drive capacity is recommended to be at least 4GB, 8GB is more stable
- The U disk content will be cleared and the backup will be done in advance.
This step seems simple, but choosing the wrong write mode will cause it to fail to boot. For example, remember to select "ISO Image Mode" instead of "DD Mode" in Rufus, otherwise it may not start normally.
Backup and partition: Don't let data lose
Uninstalling Windows is not as simple as deleting the system files directly, because your personal files are likely to be present on the system disk. So before you start, be sure to back up important information to an external hard drive or cloud drive.

If you plan to retain some data (such as formatting the system partitions without moving other partitions), then you need to carefully divide the disk space:
- Use disk management tools such as GParted to view the current partition structure
- Before deleting Windows partitions, confirm which are system partitions and which are data partitions
- It is recommended to use the "Custom Installation" option to manually allocate mount points (such as
/
,/home
)
Some newbies mistakenly deleted the entire hard disk partition, and the backup was also lost. So remember to confirm the purpose of the partition first and then do it.
Install Linux: Choose the right distribution and installation method
Most Linux installers are now more friendly, but during the installation process, you still need to pay attention to several settings:
- Boot method : Check if it is UEFI mode (viewed in motherboard settings) and make sure the installation boot is in the correct position (usually
/dev/sda
or the corresponding hard disk device) - Network connection : If you can connect to the Internet during installation, updates and additional drivers can be downloaded automatically.
- User Account : Create a normal user and set the root password (optional)
If you used to be a dual system and now you want to completely replace Windows, you can directly select the "Erase disk and install Linux" option. However, this operation is irreversible, so make sure the data has been backed up again.
Small details after installation
After the installation is complete, don't rush to unplug the USB drive. Restart first to see if you can enter the new system normally. If you can't get in, it may be that the boot is not installed or the BIOS is not set correctly.
- How to enter the BIOS: Press F2/F10/Del and other keys when booting (different brands of computers)
- Check the startup sequence and set the Linux hard disk as the first startup item
In addition, some hardware (such as graphics cards, wireless network cards) may require additional driver installation. Mainstream distributions such as Ubuntu usually come with most drivers, but it may also require you to manually enable the "Add Driver" feature.
Basically that's it. The whole process is not complicated, but you have to be careful when operating every step, especially when partitioning and formatting. As long as you prepare in advance, the system can be changed smoothly.
The above is the detailed content of How to uninstall Windows and install Linux. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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