Linux is very similar to other operating systems you may have used in the past, such as Windows, macOS (formerly OS X), or iOS. Linux features a graphical user interface, similar to other operating systems, and the same types of software you are used to using such as word processors, photo editors, video editors, etc. A software designer would often create a Linux version of the same program you use on other operating systems. Simply, you can use Linux if you can use a computer or other electronic device. Linux, however, also differs from other operating systems in several significant ways. First, and possibly most significantly, Linux is an open source operating system. The source code for Linux is open source and free for anyone to review, modify, and for people with the necessary skills to contribute. We have mentioned below the ways to install Linux on an old PC.
Ways to Install Linux on an Old PC
Prepare Linux for Installation
A Windows 10 or macOS machine already has the operating system pre-installed. However, you may have been forced to reinstall your operating system due to a circumstance. To prepare the installation media using an optical disk or USB disk under such circumstances would take some time. Installing Linux requires a similar procedure. Both Windows 10 and macOS make it simple to mount an ISO file in the operating system so that you can browse the contents of the disk image. Burning the ISO file to the installation disc, however, is a little more difficult and requires the use of a special program.
Install Linux on PC
Installing Linux on a desktop computer is very similar to installing a laptop. Desktops may have broader hardware support, but the approach is the same. If there is an optical drive, this is where it can vary. It makes sense to use a USB installation disk to laptops why CD and DVD drives are becoming less common; if you have an old desktop, you can probably install using the optical drive. Even though it might take longer, this might be more practical than looking for a USB flash drive. Again, the specific distribution dictates the precise procedures needed to install Linux on your PC. However, the guided approach should help you make the best decisions.
Get Linux on a computer without installing
You should be able to install Linux on a laptop or desktop computer by this point. But what if you want to use Linux without installing it on your computer? There are three ways to run Linux alongside your current operating system: Whichever choice you make, you’ll still be able to explore a wide range of Linux features. One of the main factors contributing to Linux’s continued success is its adaptability.
Final Words
We hope you like our article on how to install Linux on an old computer. Once you’ve decided on the Linux operating system, you can download it to your computer and prepare the installation files. A Linux distribution is usually downloaded in ISO format. You can burn this disc image format to a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive. While some smaller distributions can be half that size, you can often predict ISO files to be around 2GB in size. So, before preparing the ISO for installation, make sure you have enough storage space on your download PC to save the file.
