I’ve always found Ubuntu to be a great starting point when switching from Windows to Linux. It’s stable, widely supported, and packed with features that make things easier for newcomers like me. But when I first tried installing it on my Windows 10 machine, I ran into quite a few issues. That’s why I decided to put together this step-by-step guide, to make the process easier for anyone going through it for the first time.
What Are the Different Ways to Install Ubuntu on Windows 10?
If you’ve been looking up how to install Ubuntu on Windows 10, I’m sure you’ve already come across plenty of guides. But to keep things simple, I’ll show you three straightforward methods to replace Windows 10 with Ubuntu. Each method has its own advantages and can be helpful depending on what you're looking for.
Method 1: How to Install Ubuntu on Windows 10 using WSL
First on the list is to install Ubuntu on Windows 10 using WSL, a Windows feature that allows you to run a full Linux kernel and native Linux applications right inside Windows. This method is perfect for you if you are a developer just looking to leverage Ubuntu’s command line interface and fast development time.
Step 1: First, click on the search bar located at the bottom of your Windows taskbar and type “PowerShell”.
Step 2: Next, click on the “Run as Administrator” option to launch PowerShell with administrative privileges.
Step 3: In the PowerShell window, enter the following command to install WSL:
wsl --install
Step 4: Once WSL is installed, open the Microsoft Store on your system using the search bar.
Step 5: Now, simply search for “Ubuntu” in the Microsoft Store using the search bar.
Step 6: You’ll see multiple versions of Ubuntu in the search results. Choose the one you prefer and open its download page.
Note: Make sure the publisher is Canonical Group Limited to ensure the download is safe and official.
Step 7: Now, simply click the “Get” button to start the installation.
Note: You will need to set up your username and password when you first launch Ubuntu and this password will be needed every time you wish to run a sudo command.
Method 2: How to Install Ubuntu on Windows 10 Using a Virtual Machine
Ok now before I teach you how to install Ubuntu on a virtual machine in windows 10 using a, let me list down the prerequisites of this method:
This method is for you, if you need the full Ubuntu experience temporarily for work or school. As it lets you run Ubuntu within windows letting you experiment and tinker without consequences.
Step 1: So for this method we need a virtual machine so go ahead download and Install your favourite Virtual Machine.
Note: For this guide, I’ll be using VirtualBox because I’ve had a really smooth experience with it. Head to the VirtualBox website and download the latest version for Windows.
Step 2: Next, go to Ubuntu and grab the ISO file for the version of Ubuntu you want to use.
Step 3: Now open up VirtualBox and click the "New" button.
Step 4: You'll be asked to name your virtual machine, select the type and version.
Note: it usually auto-detects these, but if not, choose "Linux" and then the correct Ubuntu version.
Step 5: Now that you have created your VM use the toggle to choose how much RAM you want to give to the virtual machine.
Tip: I suggest you allocate half your ram to the VM or a minimum of 8 Gbs for a smooth experience.
Step 6: In this next prompt allocate disk space for your virtual machine using the toggle and click “Create”.
Tip: I suggest you follow all the default settings till you reach the prompt for allocating disk space. I will suggest you allocate a minimum of 25GB and ideally 40 to 60 GB for a smooth experience.
Step 7: Open settings by clicking on “Settings”.
Step 8: Head on In settings towards the storage section and under the controller select the location of your ISO file and save your settings.
Step 9: Now time for a test drive press “Start” to start your virtual machine and click on “install Ubuntu”
Note: The first boot may take some time.
Method 3: Dual Booting Ubuntu With Windows 10
Ubuntu is known for being reliable and powerful—and if you want to get the full experience, then dual boot Ubuntu with Windows 10 is the way to go. This method gives you complete access to Ubuntu’s features, but it’s a bit more complex than the others I’ve covered. If you're not careful, you could lose files or mess up your Windows setup. But don’t worry, if you follow this Ubuntu on Windows 10 tutorial step by step, you’ll have Ubuntu up and running with full functionality in no time.
Get the Ubuntu ISO File
You’ll need the Ubuntu ISO file to get started, so let’s first see how you can grab one:
Step 1: Open your browser and head over to the Ubuntu website.
Step 2: When the page loads, look for the “Download” button and click it to start downloading the Ubuntu ISO file.
Make a Bootable USB Using Rufus
Next, we need to create a bootable USB drive with that ISO file. Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to Rufus’s website and download the Rufus tool.
Step 2: Plug your USB drive into your computer (make sure it’s at least 4GB).
Step 3: Open Rufus, select your USB from the device list, and then pick the Ubuntu ISO file you just downloaded.
Step 4: Click Start, and Rufus will create your bootable USB. This might take a few minutes.
Free Up Space on Your Hard Drive
Now, we need to make room on your hard drive for Ubuntu:
Step 1: To access Disk Management, simply click press “Windows + X” key to access the Taskbar shortcut, and select “Disk Management”.
Step 2: Look at the list of drives and pick the one where you want to install Ubuntu.
Step 3: Right-click on that drive and choose “Shrink Volume”.
Step 4: Enter how much space you want to free up (25GB or more is a good start), then click Shrink.
Change BIOS Settings to Boot from USB
Now, we need to tell your PC to start (boot) from the USB drive with the Ubuntu installer. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Restart your PC. As it turns on, press F2, F10, or Del (the key depends on your computer) to open the BIOS settings.
Step 2: Look for the Secure Boot option and turn it off.
Step 3: Next, find Boot Priority or Boot Order settings. Move your USB drive to the top of the list so the PC boots from it first.
Step 4: Save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your PC will restart and boot from the USB.
Your PC should now start from the USB. When you see the Ubuntu menu:
Step 5: Once your PC boots from the USB, you’ll see a screen with options. Go ahead and select Try or Install Ubuntu.
Installing Ubuntu (Manual Setup)
Now that you’ve booted into Ubuntu using the USB, it’s time to install it properly. Let me guide you through it:
Step 1: Just follow the instructions on the screen and stick with the default settings as you go.
Step 2: When asked about installing extra software, choose both options; this will get your PC the drivers it needs.
Step 3: Next, you’ll see a question: “How do you want to install Ubuntu?” Pick Manual installation. This step is really important if you want to set up dual boot.
Step 4: Now select the empty space you created earlier (the one we shrunk during setup).
Important: Make sure you pick the right empty space here. Choosing the wrong partition could cause you to lose your Windows data, so take your time and double-check!
Step 5: If you want, you can adjust how much space Ubuntu uses. Then, set the format to “Ext4” and the mount point to “/”.
Step 6: Click “Next” and follow the remaining prompts using the recommended options.
Work Smarter with WPS Office:
Shifting to a new operating system can be a cumbersome and stressful experience. It often means venturing into unfamiliar territory and exploring entirely new workflows.
However, once you've successfully transitioned to Ubuntu, you'll likely discover the performance benefits you've been missing on bloated Windows installations. Ubuntu offers a leaner, faster experience that many users come to appreciate.
That said, Ubuntu isn't perfect. One of the biggest challenges new users face is the lack of native support for many popular Windows applications such as the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and Microsoft Office.
While alternatives to Adobe’s suite are limited on Linux, there is a solid replacement for Microsoft Office: WPS Office. I first moved to Ubuntu mid semester for a course that required Linux. I dove head first into unfamiliar territory, it came to me as a shock that I couldn't use my beloved Microsoft office on Ubuntu.
FAQs
Q1: Is WSL the best way to install Ubuntu on Windows 10?
WSL is ideal for developers who need terminal-based Linux without dual-boot risks. It may not be ideal for everyone as very few people are comfortable and familiar with a command line interface.
Q2: Will dual booting Ubuntu with Windows 10 erase my data?
Dual booting does present the risk of losing your data, so it is always a good idea to create a backup. However if you make the correct partitions your data will be safe.
Q3: What system requirements do I need to run Ubuntu in a VM?
You will need at least 4GB RAM, 20GB disk space, and you will also need to enable virtualization in BIOS.
Q4: Can I uninstall Ubuntu later if I change my mind?
Yes. You can always uninstall WSL installations by going to settings > apps and uninstalling the distribution you previously installed. However dual-boot setups require bootloader fixes and partition deletion which can be a little complex.
