move-from-windows-to-linux

How to Move from Windows to Linux: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

A detailed, step-by-step guide to moving from Windows to Linux safely, from preparing your computer to completing your first Linux setup.

Moving from Windows to Linux is easier when you treat it as a sequence of small, verifiable steps rather than one large installation task. This guide walks you through the process in order: prepare Windows, protect your files, download and verify Linux Mint, create a bootable USB using Ventoy, test Linux on your hardware, install it, and finish configuring your new system.

Follow the steps in order. Do not erase Windows or change disk partitions until your important files are backed up and you have confirmed that you can access them.

This guide uses Linux Mint Cinnamon as the example because it provides a familiar desktop for people coming from Windows. The same general process applies to many other Linux distributions, although their installers and verification procedures may differ.

Before you begin

You will need:

A Windows computer that you intend to migrate.
A stable internet connection.
A USB drive suitable for the Linux ISO and Ventoy. A drive of 8 GB or larger is a practical starting point; more capacity is useful if you want to store additional ISO files.
An external drive or another reliable destination for your backup.
Your laptop charger, if you are using a laptop.
Enough time to complete the process without rushing.
Access to another device if you need to look up troubleshooting instructions while the target computer is offline.

Important: Installing Linux can permanently erase data if you choose the wrong disk or installation option. Do not proceed with disk erasure until your backup has been checked.

Phase 1: Prepare Windows

Step 1: Decide how you want to migrate

Before downloading anything, decide what you want your computer to look like after the migration.

Option A: Replace Windows with Linux

Linux will become the main operating system. Depending on the installation option you select, Windows and the files on its disk may be erased.

Choose this if you are ready to stop using the existing Windows installation and have confirmed that your applications and devices will work with Linux or suitable alternatives.

Option B: Keep Windows and install Linux alongside it

This is commonly called dual boot. You choose which operating system to start when the computer boots.

Dual boot can be useful if you still need Windows-only software. It involves disk partitioning and additional complexity, so back up your data and follow the installer's options carefully.

Option C: Try Linux without installing it

You can boot Linux Mint from a USB drive and use its live session without installing it on the internal disk. This is the best way to test basic hardware compatibility before making changes.

For this guide, continue with the preparation steps regardless of which option you choose. You can make the final installation decision after testing Linux.

Step 2: Back up your important files

Copy important files from Windows to an external drive or another reliable backup destination.

Check common locations such as:

Desktop
Documents
Downloads
Pictures
Videos
Music
Any custom folders where you store work or personal files

Also consider browser bookmarks, password-manager access, email archives, game saves, application projects, virtual machines, software license information, SSH keys, and other files that may not be stored in your standard user folders.

If you use OneDrive or another cloud-sync service, verify that important files are actually available in the cloud or copied locally to your backup. A placeholder file that has not been downloaded may not contain the file's full contents.

Verify the backup. Open several files directly from the backup drive. Check that documents, images, and other important data can be read. For especially important data, keep a second copy in a separate location.

Do not rely on the assumption that files are safe simply because a copy operation finished without an error.

Step 3: Save your Windows device-encryption recovery key

If Windows Device Encryption or BitLocker is enabled, save the recovery key before changing boot settings or partitions.

You can check encryption status in Windows settings or by using the BitLocker management tools available on your Windows edition. If the device is linked to a Microsoft account, the recovery key may be stored in that account, but you should verify that you can actually retrieve it.

Keep the recovery key somewhere accessible that does not depend on the computer you are about to modify.

Firmware changes, boot configuration changes, and operating-system installation can sometimes trigger a BitLocker recovery prompt. Having the key available prevents an avoidable lockout.

Step 4: Prepare your laptop and power supply

If you are using a laptop, charge the battery fully before beginning.

Then:

Connect the laptop to its charger.
Use a stable power outlet.
Avoid beginning an installation during a period when power outages are likely.
If power interruptions are a serious concern, use a properly rated uninterruptible power supply where practical.
Keep the charger connected throughout the installation.
Disconnect unnecessary external storage devices so that you are less likely to select the wrong disk.

Do not rely on battery power alone for a long installation. Losing power while the installer is writing to the internal disk can leave the system in an incomplete state.

Also check that the computer has enough free disk space for your chosen installation approach. The requirements depend on the distribution, applications, and personal files you intend to keep.

Phase 2: Download Linux Mint

Step 5: Open the official Linux Mint website

Open the official website:

https://linuxmint.com/

Use the official site rather than an unofficial download page or a random file-hosting link.

For this guide, choose the current stable Linux Mint Cinnamon edition. Cinnamon provides a conventional desktop layout with a panel, application menu, file manager, and system settings.

The current release may change over time. Check the official website for the latest stable release instead of relying on an old version number in a tutorial.

Official documentation:

https://linuxmint.com/documentation.php

Step 6: Download the Linux Mint ISO

An ISO is a disk-image file containing the installation media.

From the official Linux Mint download page:

Select the Cinnamon edition.
Select the current stable release.
Choose an official download mirror.
Download the ISO file.
Wait for the download to finish completely.

The filename will identify the release and edition and will end in ".iso".

Keep the ISO file intact. Do not extract its contents. Ventoy will boot directly from the ISO file.

If a download fails or appears incomplete, download the file again before continuing.

Step 7: Download the verification files

Linux Mint publishes checksum information and a signature used to verify the published checksum file.

Open the official verification guide:

https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/verify.html

Follow its instructions to obtain the checksum file, commonly named "sha256sum.txt", and its detached signature, commonly named "sha256sum.txt.gpg".

Save these files in the same folder as the ISO, or in another folder where you can easily locate them.

You will verify two things:

The ISO's SHA-256 checksum matches the checksum published by Linux Mint.
The checksum file's signature is valid, helping establish that the checksum information came from the expected publisher.

A checksum match alone does not prove authenticity if the checksum itself came from an untrusted source. That is why signature verification matters.

Step 8: Verify the ISO checksum in Windows

Open PowerShell. Navigate to the folder containing the ISO, or use the ISO's full path in the command.

Run:

Get-FileHash .\linuxmint.iso -Algorithm SHA256

Replace "linuxmint.iso" with the exact filename you downloaded.

For example, if the downloaded file has a version-specific name, use that full name in place of "linuxmint.iso".

PowerShell will display a SHA-256 hash. Compare the value in the "Hash" field with the entry for your exact ISO filename in "sha256sum.txt".

The values must match exactly.

If they do not match:

Do not use the ISO.
Check that you compared the correct filename.
Confirm that the download finished.
Download the ISO again from an official mirror.
Calculate the hash again.

Proceed only after the checksum matches.

Step 9: Verify the checksum file's signature

This step verifies the signature on the checksum file itself.

Use GnuPG. On Windows, you can install Gpg4win from its official website:

https://www.gpg4win.org/

After installation, open a command prompt in which the "gpg" command is available and change to the folder containing the verification files.

Follow the official Linux Mint verification guide for the current key and verification procedure. The following commands illustrate the published procedure; use the key and fingerprint confirmed by the official guide.

Retrieve the signing key:

gpg --keyserver hkp://keys.openpgp.org:80 --recv-key 27DEB15644C6B3CF3BD7D291300F846BA25BAE09

Check the key fingerprint:

gpg --list-key --with-fingerprint A25BAE09

Confirm that the fingerprint matches the one published by Linux Mint:

27DE B156 44C6 B3CF 3BD7 D291 300F 846B A25B AE09

Then verify the signature:

gpg --verify sha256sum.txt.gpg sha256sum.txt

Use the exact filenames you downloaded if they differ.

Read the output carefully. A good signature indicates that the signature matches the checksum file under the signing key. A message that the key is not trusted may appear if you have not established local trust in that key; it is different from a bad signature. You must still confirm the key's fingerprint against the official Linux Mint documentation.

If the signature is bad, the key fingerprint does not match, or you cannot establish that you have the correct key, stop and investigate rather than using the ISO.

If "gpg" is not recognized, open the Gpg4win/GnuPG command environment or consult its documentation to make the command available.

Official verification guide:

https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/verify.html

Phase 3: Create a bootable USB using Ventoy

Step 10: Download Ventoy

Open the official Ventoy website:

https://www.ventoy.net/

Download the Windows package from the official download page. It is normally provided as a ZIP archive.

Once the download finishes:

Open the folder containing the ZIP file.
Right-click the archive.
Select Extract All.
Extract it to a folder you can find easily.
Open the extracted folder.

Ventoy is a tool that prepares a USB drive so you can copy ISO files onto it and boot them from a menu. Unlike tools that write one ISO directly to a USB drive, Ventoy lets you keep multiple ISO files on the same prepared drive.

Official Ventoy instructions:

https://www.ventoy.net/en/doc_start.html

Step 11: Back up the USB drive and identify it

Warning: Installing Ventoy on a USB drive can erase the selected drive. Back up anything important on that USB drive before continuing.

Insert the USB drive you intend to use.

Open File Explorer and check the drive's contents. Copy any files you want to keep to another storage location. Do not assume Ventoy installation will preserve them.

Identify the USB drive by its capacity and contents. If several removable drives are connected, disconnect the ones you do not need.

Be especially careful if an external hard drive or another storage device is connected. Selecting the wrong disk can destroy its data.

Step 12: Install Ventoy onto the USB drive

In the extracted Ventoy folder, locate and run:

Ventoy2Disk.exe

Approve the Windows permission prompt if it appears.

In the Ventoy window:

Find the device-selection list.
Select the USB drive you identified in the previous step.
Check the displayed device and capacity one more time.
Review the available options.
Choose the appropriate partition style if you have a specific reason to change the default. If you are unsure, keep the default and consult Ventoy's documentation for your firmware requirements.
Click Install only when you are certain that the selected device is the USB drive you intend to erase.
Read and confirm the warning prompts.
Wait until Ventoy reports that the operation has completed successfully.

Do not unplug the USB drive during the process.

Install and Update are different operations. Install prepares the drive and may erase its existing contents. Update is intended to update an existing Ventoy installation and generally preserves files on its main data partition, but you should still back up important files first.

When the operation finishes, close the Ventoy utility.

If Windows asks to format a partition that it cannot read, do not format it. Ventoy creates partitions that Windows may not recognize as ordinary data volumes. Formatting a partition unnecessarily can damage the USB setup.

Step 13: Copy the Linux Mint ISO onto the USB drive

Open File Explorer and locate the large Ventoy data partition. It should appear as a USB drive that can store ordinary files.

Copy the Linux Mint ISO file onto that partition.

For example:

Ventoy USB/ └── linuxmint.iso

The filename above is only an example. Keep the actual ISO filename you downloaded.

Do not extract the ISO. Copy the ".iso" file itself.

You can store more than one supported ISO on the Ventoy data partition, but for your first migration it is simplest to begin with the one Linux Mint ISO you have verified.

Wait for the file copy to finish. Then use Windows' safe-eject option before unplugging the USB drive.

You now have a USB drive prepared to boot Linux Mint.

Phase 4: Boot Linux Mint and test your hardware

Step 14: Open the computer's boot menu

Leave the USB drive connected to the computer you want to migrate.

Restart the computer. During startup, press the manufacturer's boot-menu key repeatedly. Common keys include F12, F11, F10, Esc, or F9, but the correct key depends on the manufacturer and model.

If you do not know the key, check the computer manufacturer's official instructions.

When the boot menu appears:

Look for the USB drive.
If the menu shows both UEFI and legacy entries, normally choose the UEFI entry for a modern Windows installation that uses UEFI.
Select the USB drive.
Confirm your selection.

If Windows starts normally, restart and try again. You may have missed the boot-menu timing or selected the internal drive.

Avoid changing firmware settings unnecessarily. If you must change Secure Boot or another setting to boot the USB, first consult the official instructions for your computer and the relevant Linux distribution.

Step 15: Select the ISO in Ventoy

If the USB boots successfully, the Ventoy menu should display the ISO file you copied to the drive.

Select the Linux Mint ISO and press Enter.

If Ventoy offers different boot modes, start with its normal/default mode. Use alternative modes only if the normal option fails and you have consulted the relevant troubleshooting instructions.

If Secure Boot prevents startup, do not immediately disable it without understanding the implications. Review Ventoy's official Secure Boot documentation and follow the supported procedure for your device.

Ventoy Secure Boot documentation:

https://www.ventoy.net/en/doc_secure.html

Step 16: Start the live session and test the computer

Linux Mint should provide an option to start a live session. Select the option to start Linux Mint without installing it.

The live session lets you explore the desktop and test important hardware before changing your internal disk.

Test the following:

Wi-Fi: Connect to your network and verify that the connection remains stable.
Keyboard and touchpad: Test typing, scrolling, gestures, and function keys.
Display: Check the screen resolution, brightness, and whether external displays work if you use them.
Sound: Test speakers, headphones, microphone, and volume controls.
Webcam: Check it with an appropriate application if you use one.
Bluetooth: Test a mouse, headset, or other accessories if relevant.
Suspend and resume: If practical, test sleep and wake behavior.
Graphics: Look for flickering, severe performance problems, or an unusable display.
Storage: Confirm that the live session detects the internal drive, without modifying its contents.

The live session may run more slowly than an installed system because it is operating from USB. That alone does not necessarily indicate a hardware problem.

Do not assume every application or hardware feature will work identically after installation. Some devices need additional drivers or configuration.

If an essential component does not work, investigate the issue before installing Linux. If the live session is unstable or unusable, stop and troubleshoot rather than proceeding blindly.

Phase 5: Install Linux Mint

Do not begin installation until your backup is verified, the ISO has passed verification, and you have tested the live session.

Step 17: Start the installer

From the Linux Mint live desktop, open the installer, commonly labeled Install Linux Mint.

Follow the prompts in order. The exact screens may vary slightly by release.

Select your language.
Choose your keyboard layout.
Connect to the internet if it is available and appropriate.
Review any option to install multimedia codecs or third-party software.

Optional third-party software may help with certain media formats or hardware, but read the installer description and make your choice deliberately.

If you are unsure about a setting, pause and consult the official installation guide rather than guessing.

Official guide:

https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/install.html

Step 18: Choose the installation type carefully

The installer will ask how Linux Mint should be installed. This is one of the most important decisions in the entire process.

Option A: Erase the disk and install Linux Mint

Choose this only if you intend to replace the operating system on the selected disk and have confirmed that you no longer need any data or operating systems that will be erased.

This option can remove Windows, personal files, recovery partitions, and other data on the selected disk.

Option B: Install Linux Mint alongside Windows

Choose this if the installer offers a suitable alongside option and you want to keep Windows.

Review the proposed disk-space allocation. Make sure you understand which operating systems and partitions will be affected.

Option C: Manual partitioning

Manual partitioning gives you more control but requires an understanding of partitions, filesystems, EFI system partitions, mount points, and boot configuration.

If you are new to Linux, do not choose manual partitioning simply because it appears more advanced. Use it only when you understand the disk layout and the changes you intend to make.

If the installer does not offer the option you expected, stop and investigate. Do not select an alternative just to get past the screen.

Step 19: Review the disk changes before confirming

Before you approve the installation, read the summary of the operations the installer plans to perform.

Check:

Which physical disk is selected.
Whether Windows will be removed or retained.
Which partitions will be created, resized, formatted, or deleted.
Whether the proposed changes match your intention.
Whether any other internal or external storage device is included.

If the summary is unclear, cancel or go back and investigate before continuing.

Never confirm a destructive disk operation unless you understand what will be erased and have a verified backup of everything you need.

Once you are satisfied that the selected disk and proposed changes are correct, confirm the operation and allow the installer to proceed.

Step 20: Complete installation and restart

Continue through the remaining installer prompts.

Select your time zone.
Enter your name and choose a computer name if requested.
Create your user account.
Set a strong password and store it securely.
Review any remaining settings.
Start the installation.
Wait for it to complete without interrupting power.

Installation time depends on your computer, storage device, USB speed, and selected options. Keep the laptop connected to its charger throughout.

When the installer asks you to restart, follow its instructions. Remove the USB drive when prompted so the computer boots from its internal storage.

If the computer returns to Ventoy, remove the USB drive and restart again.

If the computer boots into Windows when you expected Linux, do not immediately change partitions. Check the boot menu and installation outcome first.

Phase 6: Finish configuring Linux Mint

Step 21: Install system updates

After Linux Mint starts from the internal disk, connect to the internet.

Open the Update Manager from the desktop menu. Refresh the update information and install the recommended updates.

Depending on the release and update volume, this may take some time. Keep the computer connected to power and avoid shutting it down while updates are being installed.

Restart if requested, then check for updates again if necessary.

Keeping the system updated helps deliver security fixes, bug fixes, and improvements.

Step 22: Check drivers and hardware settings

Open the Driver Manager if it is available for your installation.

Review any recommended drivers, particularly if you have dedicated graphics hardware or a Wi-Fi adapter that needs a proprietary driver.

Install only drivers appropriate for your hardware and distribution. Follow the tool's instructions and restart if requested.

Then test your important hardware again:

Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Sound and microphone
Webcam
Bluetooth
Screen brightness and resolution
External monitors
Sleep and wake behavior
Printer and scanner, if applicable

If a device worked in the live session but fails after installation, investigate driver and configuration differences before assuming the device is unsupported.

Step 23: Restore your files and configure applications

Reconnect your backup drive and copy your personal files into the appropriate locations.

Do not delete the backup after copying. Keep it until you have used the new system long enough to verify that the restored files are complete and usable.

Next, install the applications you need. Some Windows applications have native Linux versions; others may have suitable web applications or Linux alternatives. Some Windows-only programs may require a compatibility layer or a virtual machine, and not every application will work reliably.

Before migrating, identify any essential Windows-only application and verify a realistic replacement or compatibility path.

Also configure:

Browser and bookmarks
Password manager
Email accounts
Cloud storage and synchronization
Printer and scanner
Development tools, if needed
Game launchers and game libraries, if needed
Backup software
Automatic updates and security settings

Check that your files open correctly and that the applications you rely on perform their essential tasks.

Step 24: Keep your backup until the migration is proven

Do not immediately delete the Windows backup or format the backup drive after Linux starts successfully.

Use the new system for a while. Confirm that you can access all critical files, sign in to important services, and complete the tasks you need for work or personal use.

If you kept Windows in a dual-boot setup, verify that both operating systems still start as expected before making further partition changes.

Once you are confident that your migration is complete and your backup policy is working, you can decide whether to keep or retire the old Windows installation.

Troubleshooting common problems

Ventoy does not show my USB drive

Reconnect the USB drive.
Try another USB port.
Close and reopen Ventoy.
Check whether Windows recognizes the drive.
Confirm that the drive is not being used by another application.
Verify that you are running the Windows version of Ventoy from the extracted package.

Do not select another disk simply because the USB drive is missing. Investigate why the device is not detected first.

Ventoy installation fails

Confirm that you selected the correct USB device.
Close File Explorer windows or applications using the USB drive.
Try another USB port.
Check the official Ventoy troubleshooting information.
If the USB drive may be failing, test with a different drive.

Back up any important USB data before trying another installation attempt.

Linux Mint ISO does not appear in the Ventoy menu

Confirm that the ISO file was copied to the main Ventoy data partition.
Check that the file ends in ".iso".
Make sure the copy finished successfully.
Confirm that the file was not extracted instead of copied.
Verify the ISO checksum again if the file appears damaged.
Consult the official Ventoy FAQ if the problem persists.

The computer starts Windows instead of the USB

Restart and open the boot menu using the correct manufacturer-specific key.
Select the USB device explicitly.
If there are multiple USB entries, check whether one is the UEFI entry.
Try another USB port.
Consult your computer manufacturer's boot instructions.

Avoid changing firmware settings at random.

Secure Boot prevents Ventoy from starting

Secure Boot behavior depends on the firmware, configuration, and Ventoy version. Consult Ventoy's official Secure Boot instructions:

https://www.ventoy.net/en/doc_secure.html

Follow the documented procedure for your setup. If a firmware change is required, understand how it may affect Windows Device Encryption or BitLocker before making it.

Linux Mint shows a black screen or has graphics problems

Restart and check whether Linux Mint provides alternative boot options. Some hardware may require a different startup mode or additional graphics configuration.

Consult the official Linux Mint boot options guide:

https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/boot_options.html

Do not install Linux onto the internal disk until you have a reliable way to boot and use the system, unless you have a clear, documented solution for the issue.

Wi-Fi does not work

Check whether Ethernet or USB tethering is available so that you can connect to the internet temporarily. Open Driver Manager and check for an appropriate wireless driver.

If Wi-Fi remains unavailable, identify the exact adapter model and consult reliable documentation for that hardware before proceeding.

Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key

If a firmware or boot change triggers BitLocker recovery, retrieve the recovery key you saved before migration. Do not clear the TPM or make further security changes without understanding their consequences.

The installer offers unexpected disk options

Stop and review the disk layout. Confirm that the installer has detected the expected internal drive and that you are booted in the intended firmware mode.

Do not choose an unfamiliar partitioning option just to finish installation. Consult the official installation guide or obtain help based on your actual disk layout.

Official resources

Use these official sources when you need additional information or when instructions change between releases.

Linux Mint: https://linuxmint.com/
Linux Mint documentation: https://linuxmint.com/documentation.php
Linux Mint ISO verification: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/verify.html
Linux Mint boot media: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/burn.html
Linux Mint boot options: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/boot_options.html
Linux Mint installation guide: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/install.html
Linux Mint EFI and Secure Boot: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/efi.html
Ventoy: https://www.ventoy.net/
Ventoy getting started: https://www.ventoy.net/en/doc_start.html
Ventoy Secure Boot: https://www.ventoy.net/en/doc_secure.html
Ventoy FAQ: https://www.ventoy.net/en/faq.html
Gpg4win: https://www.gpg4win.org/

Final checklist

Before considering your migration complete, confirm each item:

Conclusion

A successful Windows-to-Linux migration is not just an installation that finishes. It is a process in which your data remains protected, the installation media is verified, the hardware is tested, and your essential applications and files work afterward.

By following these steps in order, you can reduce the risk of data loss and make the move to Linux Mint more predictable. Take extra care with backup verification, ISO authenticity, Ventoy's target USB device, and the installer's disk summary. Those are the points where a small mistake can have the largest consequences.

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