Ubuntu Linux for beginners

Visit the Ubuntu site, click download to get the desktop version, and choose 64-bit or 32-bit based on your processor and computer age.

Create a live USB of Ubuntu on Windows by downloading the universal USB installer, selecting the ISO and drive, and choosing 32-bit or 64-bit as needed to boot or install.

Learn how to use VirtualBox to run multiple virtual machines, including Ubuntu Linux, safely inside another computer, with downloadable versions for Windows and Mac.

Learn to create and configure an Ubuntu virtual machine in VirtualBox, select 32- or 64-bit, mount the installation CD, and run either install or try without affecting your real disk.

Explore the Ubuntu desktop interface, select language via hover-activated orange bar, try a live session, and use search, file explorer, and settings to locate apps like Firefox and manage files.

Install Ubuntu Linux on a dedicated computer or in a virtual box, configure time zone and keyboard, create a user, consider home folder encryption, back up data, and restart.

Open the system settings to adjust appearance, brightness, display, and screen resolution. Set keyboard, power options, and user accounts to tailor your Ubuntu system.

Change the wallpaper by right-clicking the desktop to access the background options, then select from default wallpapers or add a folder of images to browse, or choose a solid color.

Install the Unity Tweak Tool to customize the Ubuntu system, using sudo as needed, and learn how this program enables system-wide customization.

Learn how to add, reposition, and remove shortcuts in the Ubuntu launcher by dragging icons from search results to the launcher, and use right-click to unlock when managing any application.

In the latest Ubuntu versions, move the launcher from the left to the bottom of the screen. Use appearance to select left or bottom; the launcher functionality remains the same.

Change the theme to customize the Ubuntu desktop by adjusting window appearance, selecting high contrast, and switching icons, mouse cursor, and forms across the Ubuntu environment.

Learn how application menus normally appear at the top and how to switch to showing the window menu inside the application window using behavior settings.

Manage multiple users on Ubuntu by adding new users, setting profile pictures, auto-login, and per-user settings including passwords, languages, and personal files and wallpaper.

Learn to set default apps in Ubuntu Linux by navigating to system settings, details, and default applications to configure web browsers, mail, and other purposes.

Discover how Firefox on Ubuntu functions as the default browser, visit any websites, and optionally extend its capabilities with extensions or plugins.

Install chromium from the ubuntu software center by searching for chromium and clicking install; chromium is the basis of google chrome and runs on both 64- and 32-bit machines.

Learn to turn any website into a web app using Chromium by creating application shortcuts and launching from the launcher; Firefox does not support this method.

Install Geary from the software center to use Ubuntu's desktop email client for reading and sending mail, including managing multiple accounts and setup prompts for your provider.

Discover how to install and switch graphical environments in Ubuntu, from Kadia Kadee and Genom to lightweight options like Aleksi or Openbox, including tiling window managers, at login.