Windows is by far the most popular desktop operating system – according to NetMarketShare (netmarketshare .com), the various versions of Microsoft’s OS currently account for over 87%. Linux, in comparison, has under 2%, but don’t let that put you off. There are some excellent and very user-friendly Linux operating systems available to download and use for free. If you fancy trying one, you could run it from a Live CD, install it on a second PC or set it up inside a virtualised environment using Oracle VM VirtualBox (www.virtualbox.org). However, in this Weekend Project, we show you how to install Linux Mint, which looks similar to Windows 7, alongside Windows 10, so you can choose which OS to run when you start your PC.
What you need
We’re going to assume that your PC already has Windows on it. It doesn’t matter too much which version of Windows you’re running but, as Microsoft no longer supports Windows 7, we’ll set up the dual-boot using Windows 10.
You also need a Linux operating system. There are lots of these to choose from – they’re referred to as ‘distros’, which is short for distributions – and each one is different and usually built around another OS. For example, Linux Mint (linuxmint.com) is based on Ubuntu (ubuntu.com) and Ubuntu, in turn, is based on Debian (www.debian.org).
To make life a little more confusing, the various operating systems typically come in a choice of desktop environments (DEs). Which Linux OS you use is entirely up to you, but we’ll go with Mint because it’s very good and easy to learn, which makes it perfect for anyone not too familiar with Linux.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
What you must… NEVER CLICK ONLINE
Don’t get caught and scammed by the web’s latest mouse traps. Wayne Williams reveals all the things you should avoid clicking and tapping on the web, and explains how to spot them
Realme X2
An affordable Android smartphone with features beyond its price
How to... Dual-boot Linux Mint with Windows 10
Dual-booting gives you the ability to use Linux at its best without removing Windows. Wayne Williams shows you how
Reverse-search the web using photos
Uncover fake pictures, identify faces and catch photo thieves with a reverse image search. Jane Hoskyn reveals the best ways to search the web without words
Charge of the fight brigade
Barry Collins is tired of waking up to rows over unplugged devices
STOP USING SOFTWARE
Why download hefty programs when you can run everything in your browser instead? Wayne Williams reveals the best free online alternatives to desktop software
Restore missing KEYBOARD tools
Does your keyboard lack useful options that make typing quicker and easier? Nik Rawlinson explains how to access your keyboard’s missing features and reveal its hidden functions for free
How to... Create your own retro gaming arcade for free
Wayne Williams shows you how to play a huge collection of classic games while staying on the right side of the law
Best download managers
Whether you need to download a large individual file or multiple items, or you want to schedule a download for later, a dedicated download manager can make things easier. Steve Clark compares six of the best free tools
Beat online obstructions
Don’t let annoying popups and widgets block your access to websites. Robert Irvine reveals the best workarounds for common web hindrances and distractions
MICROSOFT BUYING SPEECH RECOGNITION FIRM NUANCE IN $16B DEAL
Microsoft, on an accelerated growth push, is buying speech recognition company Nuance in a deal worth about $16 billion.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ : A giant leap in graphics performance
It’s the most potent upgrade the Surface Pro line has offered in years.
WINDOWS 10 ON M1 MACS: WHAT YOU CAN DO (VIRTUALIZATION, SORTA) AND CAN'T (BOOT CAMP)
VIRTUALIZATION IS KEY, BUT THE LACK OF A CONSUMER VERSION OF MICROSOFT’S M1 -COMPATIBLE OS KEEPS THE SITUATION IN DOUBT.
MICROSOFT WINS $22 BILLION DEAL MAKING HEADSETS FOR US ARMY
Microsoft won a nearly $22 billion contract to supply U.S. Army combat troops with its augmented reality headsets.
Here's Why Bill Gates (Still) Prefers Android to iPhone
When it comes to the great iOS-versus-Android debate, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates knows which side he’s on.
TOOL CREATED TO AID CLEANUP FROM MICROSOFT HACK IN BROAD USE
A tool designed to help businesses protect themselves from further compromises after a global hack of Microsoft email server software has been downloaded more than 25,000 times since it was released last week, the White House’s National Security Council said this week.
MICROSOFT SERVER HACK HAS VICTIMS HUSTLING TO STOP INTRUDERS
Victims of a massive global hack of Microsoft email server software — estimated in the tens of thousands by cybersecurity responders — hustled this week to shore up infected systems and try to diminish chances that intruders might steal data or hobble their networks.
MICROSOFT: CHINA-BASED HACKERS FOUND BUG TO TARGET US FIRMS
China-based government hackers have exploited a bug in Microsoft’s email server software to target U.S. organizations, the company said this week.
Microsoft's Viva Aims to Make Remote Work Easier
While many companies are still mastering the art of working from home, Microsoft recently introduced its virtual solution: The Viva employee experience platform helps folks learn, grow, and thrive, even from their kitchen tables. Powered by Microsoft 365 and Teams, Viva makes it easy for customers to merge existing systems and tools with fresh features for a more accessible, discoverable workplace.
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER SAYS BING COULD REPLACE GOOGLE
Australia’s prime minister said that Microsoft is confident it can fill the void if Google carries out its threat to remove its search engine from Australia.