Ubuntu installation is safest when you prepare before creating installation media or changing disk partitions. A short readiness check helps you choose between replacing Windows, setting up dual boot, or testing Ubuntu from a USB drive. It also gives you a clear recovery point if the installation does not go as planned.
Table of Contents
Choose your Ubuntu test or installation path
Decide what you want to do before making changes to the computer. Each path has a different level of impact:
- Test from a USB: Use this path when you want to assess Ubuntu before changing the internal disk.
- Dual-boot: Use this path when you want to keep Windows and add Ubuntu to the same computer.
- Replace Windows: Use this path only when you are ready for Windows and its data on the selected disk to be removed.
Do not begin partition changes until your chosen path is clear. Installation work that is not properly prepared can lead to interruptions, data loss, or other technical problems. Careful preparation is also important when moving a website or other system to a new environment, as described in the mybox migration preparation guidance.
Complete a backup before changing the disk
Make a current backup before creating partitions or replacing Windows. Include files that you cannot easily replace, such as personal documents, photos, project files, and exported data from applications you use.
A backup is useful only if the files can be restored. Check that the backup contains the folders you need and that you can open several important files from it. Keep the backup separate from the computer that you are about to modify.
For a dual-boot installation, the backup is still required. Keeping Windows does not remove the risk associated with changing the disk layout. For a full replacement, treat the backup as a requirement rather than an optional step.
Check hardware compatibility before installation
Review the laptop or desktop hardware before choosing an installation path. Check the components and devices you rely on every day, including the display, keyboard, trackpad, network connection, audio, printer, and any external devices needed for work or study.
Give extra attention to hardware that is essential for access to the computer. A system that starts but cannot connect to a network or accept input may provide a poor first test. Record any hardware settings or accessories that must work after installation.
If a USB test is part of your plan, use it to check the hardware you depend on before changing the internal disk. A successful test gives you a practical basis for deciding whether to continue with dual-booting or replacement.
Review firmware and startup settings
Open the computer’s firmware settings before installation and note the current configuration. Pay particular attention to settings that control the startup device, boot mode, and startup security.
- Confirm that you know how to select a USB device during startup.
- Record the current boot mode so you can identify a change later.
- Review the current Secure Boot setting.
- Make sure you can return to the original startup configuration if needed.
Secure Boot should be part of the decision before you create installation media. Check whether your planned Ubuntu installation path works with the current setting and whether any change is required. Do not change firmware settings without recording their original values.
Check the disk before choosing dual-boot or replacement
Identify the disk that contains Windows and review its current layout before changing anything. Confirm which disk holds your personal files and which disk you intend to use for Ubuntu.
For dual-booting, verify that the Windows installation and its files remain on the correct disk. For replacement, confirm that you have copied all required data before selecting the option that removes the existing system.
Check that the computer has enough available disk space for the installation path you have selected. Do not rely on a general estimate. Review the available space on the intended disk and leave enough room for the systems and files you plan to keep.
Prepare the installation media only after the checks pass
- Choose the path: USB test, dual-boot, or Windows replacement.
- Complete and check the backup.
- Confirm the hardware and devices you need.
- Record firmware, boot mode, and Secure Boot settings.
- Identify the correct disk and review its available space.
- Create the installation media after the earlier checks are complete.
Keep the backup and your recorded settings available while you test or install Ubuntu. If a startup or disk change produces an unexpected result, these records help you understand what changed and restore the previous setup.
Use this readiness decision
You are ready to proceed when your backup is current and accessible, your required hardware has been checked, your firmware settings are recorded, and the intended disk and installation path are clear.
If any of these checks is incomplete, stay with the preparation stage. Testing from a USB is the lower-impact path in this checklist because it lets you assess the computer before changing the internal disk. Move to dual-booting or replacement only after the test and backup steps match your needs.