This community-written page discusses practical differences between Windows and Ubuntu.
Installing Programs
Windows software comes in .exe files, which you can download from the Internet or purchase from a store. Ubuntu software comes in packages, which are installed and updated through a centralized system, like a more powerful version of Windows Update and Add/Remove Programs.
See the software installation guide for instructions on how to install new programs. Click on the Ubuntu logo to find all your apps, programs, and shortcuts.
In the same way that Windows runs software only designed for Windows, applications must be made for Linux in order to run on Ubuntu. Most Linux software is available for free over the Internet. The following pages feature a small selection of popular applications available for free in Ubuntu:
Firewalls and Antivirus Software
Ubuntu's main firewall program is called ufw (click here to install gufw). There are currently very few Linux viruses in the wild, so Ubuntu doesn't come with antivirus software installed. See Antivirus for more information.
The Terminal
Linux includes a text-based interface like cmd.exe, called the Terminal. Many Linux guides ask you to run commands in the Terminal, which can be launched by typing "Terminal" into the Dash. See Using the Terminal for more information.
Task Manager
Ubuntu's System Monitor is the closest equivalent to the Task Manager in Windows.
In Unity |
You can launch the system monitor by typing "System Monitor" into the Dash. |
In GNOME Classic/Fallback |
From the panel, click on Applications>System Tools>System Monitor |
Where To Put Your Files
Linux doesn't use drive letters, so there's no C: drive and no D: drive. You'll get used to the Linux filesystem gradually, but, for now, here are the most important locations:
/home/<your user name> |
This is your home folder, which is fairly similar to My Documents in Windows. You can access this folder by clicking Places > Home Folder. |
/home |
This folder contains everybody's home folders, and is fairly similar to Documents and Settings in Windows. |
/media |
This folder contains CD-ROMs, memory sticks, and other removable media. |
/tmp |
This folder contains temporary files and is cleaned out when you reboot. |
Safely Removing Drives
When you are finished with a removable drive, right-click on the drive's desktop icon and select Unmount volume or Eject, depending on which type of drive it is.
Dual-Boot
When you are looking to switch to Ubuntu, one option that may make the transition a little easier is to set up a dual-boot. In a dual-boot system, a menu will appear during the boot process that lets you choose which OS to run. This means that you can try out Ubuntu while also keeping your Windows installation.
Traditional
In a traditional dual-boot system, Windows is installed alongside Ubuntu and each OS has its own partition. If Windows is already installed, this option does pose some risk. To allow each OS to have its own partition, you need to edit the partition and this can run the risk of potential data loss.
Wubi
If data-loss is a concern for you, another option is to use Wubi. Wubi is a special installation that will install Ubuntu within Windows, similar to any other program. When installing Wubi, you specify how much of the hard drive to devote to Wubi. With no changes made to the partitions, the risk of data loss is removed.
See Also
Ext2fsd lets you see your Linux drives from Windows (EXT4 Support requested)