You can install Ubuntu from Windows using a program called Wubi. This is the easiest way to install Ubuntu and it's the safest way to dual boot Ubuntu with Windows. Follow this link to learn about Wubi Ubuntu.
If you don't want to use Wubi - or if you want to install Linux as your sole operating system - you'll need to install Linux from a Linux live USB disk or a live Linux CD. Read on to find out how to do this.
To install Ubuntu, we must load a "live" version of Ubuntu which runs off a USB disk or CD. From within this live system, we can then install Ubuntu onto your hard disk. That's why we must create an Ubuntu CD or USB disk.
Find out how to create one of these live disks here:
1. Create a Linux Live USB Disk
2. Create an Ubuntu Live CD
To load the "live" version of Ubuntu, your PC must boot from the Ubuntu Linux CD/USB disk you just created. To boot from your Linux live USB disk or live Linux CD, insert the disk and then instruct your computer to boot from USB or CD/DVD.
An advantage of installing Ubuntu this way is that the system will be installed onto Linux's file system, which is more secure than Windows's. Your Ubuntu system will also be able to hibernate, which Wubi Ubuntu is unable to do.
1. Once your PC has been configured to boot from CD/DVD or USB drive, simply put the Ubuntu disk into your computer and restart it. Ubuntu should then load.
If you see the screen below, select "Default" or just wait 5 seconds and Ubuntu will start.
Have a play around with Ubuntu if you wish to:
2. To install Ubuntu, double-click the "Install Ubuntu" icon that's on the desktop.
3. Select a language and click "Forward".
4. The computer I was installing Ubuntu onto wasn't connected to the Internet. As a result, the Ubuntu installer brought up an "advice" message. If you see this message, either follow the advice or just click "Forward".
5. If you want Ubuntu to be your sole operating system, select "Replace Windows NT/2000/XP with Ubuntu" and then click "Forward". This option can also be used if you want to replace Windows Vista or Windows 7. Then skip ahead.
If you want to keep Windows and install Ubuntu as an additional system, select "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows NT/2000/XP", then click "Forward". This option can also be used if you have Windows Vista or Windows 7 installed.
6. Use the slider to choose how much storage space you want Ubuntu to have, then click "Install Now".
7. Click "Continue".
Ubuntu will now start to install. While it's installing, you need to configure a few things.
8. Type your location in (if it's incorrect) and click "Forward".
9. Choose your keyboard layout and click "Forward".
10. Enter your name and a password, then click "Forward".
11. If you're prompted with the following screen, you can import some of your Windows files and settings into Ubuntu. It's up to you whether you want to do this.
Personally, I prefer to have a completely fresh Ubuntu system to start with. So I choose not to import anything.
Ubuntu will now complete the install process. While it's installing, you can use Ubuntu if you want: play cards, surf the web, whatever!
12. When the Ubuntu installation process finishes, click "Restart Now" and remove the Ubuntu disk from your computer.
If you opted to install Ubuntu alongside Windows, a menu will appear each time you start your computer, asking which system you want to load.
In the example screen below, we can load Ubuntu or Windows 7.
Ubuntu Linux 11.04:
