Fast, free and incredibly easy to use, the Ubuntu operating system powers millions of desktop PCs, laptops and servers around the world.
If you want to try Ubuntu before committing full time then use Oracle Virtualbox within Windows and boot Ubuntu as a virtual machine or try the Live DVD with persistence until you are ready to commit.
Ubuntu is better than Windows 8. Ubuntu is better than Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. With that in mind do you really need Windows on your computer. Unless there is a key piece of software that you use at home that doesn't run on Linux then you can dump Windows for good.
To install Ubuntu on its own all you have to do is:
1. Boot your computer from the DVD or USB drive
2. Run the Ubuntu Installer
3. Select your timezone, keyboard layout and language
4. Enter a default username and password
5. At the point of partitioning the easiest way to install Ubuntu is to select the replace your existing operating system option.
6. Leave the bootloader to install to /dev/SDA
Ubuntu will install to your drive and you will be up and running. People who think that installing Ubuntu is difficult should compare a Ubuntu install to a Windows installation. (That includes all versions from Windows 95 to Windows 8).
