Everyday, we stumble upon PCs with Microsoft Windows installed as you buy new PCs. However; you don’t have to use Microsoft Windows as your default OS. If you never heard of “De-Microsoft” or “De-Microsoften” before, that means, you’re are removing Microsoft Windows and other Microsoft products from your machines. I’ll show you how to “De-Microsoften” your machines in this article. However; I’ve managed to remove Windows from my machines with a help of a visual person.
Before You Begin
If you were about to turn your new computer into a Linux machine; be sure to you have the following with you:
- A USB drive, or CD/DVD formatted with Ubuntu image written to them, you may need to make one,–if you don’t have any of these items.
- Backup of your files, if you don’t have any of your items backed up; create a backup.
If you already have the following listed; let’s start a task to “De-Microsoften” you new computer.
If you have an existing Windows PC
If you have an existing Windows PC; visit Ubuntu’s official website, and download a latest version of their OS ISO file.
Use any open-source utility to format your USB drive or empty DVD (if DVD burner is installedon your machine).
Format your USB drive or DVD with installer media ISO.
If you were replacing Windows with a new OS; restart your computer, and follow these instructions below, and skip these other instructions listed. Always perform these instructions carefully.
If you bought new computers, and you wanted to keep your existing Windows machine; you may need to check if it’s already running a latest version.
System Power-up and Removal of Windows From Your Machines
Unbox your computer, check the manual for accessing your bios.
If you can access your bios; you can change settings and run a new install of your OS after running installers for your machine.
For Desktop Computers
Plug your computer into a recepticle; connect your monitor and speaker,–and your keyboard and mouse. Don’t Connect other devices yet. If you have a wired-connection for your internet access, connect it.
Press your power button on your computer, use a hot key command to access your firmware. Turn off secure boot. Be sure to enable hardware virtualization for virtual machines. Save your settings and restart your computer.
Insert your install media for installing Linux into your computer’s USB port or CD/DVD drive. Immediately turn off your computer after inserting it. You have to hurry, otherwise Windows will start.
Restart your computer by using the power button.
Enter your boot menu inside your firmware, and set your install media as your first boot device. Save your settings, and restart your computer.
Be aware; for some models; you may need to type a code displayed on your screen confirm changes.
Wait for your Linux installer to load.
Install Linux on your new computer. Be sure to wipe Windows from your drive during your installing task.
Reboot your computer after installing, and remove media from your machine as a way to access your new install of Linux.
Install alternative software of choice, and update your system.
Repeat the cycle for multiple machines if you are a business owner, or system administrator.
If you have a laptop
Repeat the steps above.
What Does it Mean To “De-Microsoften” Your Computer?
It’s like purging all Microsoft products from your machine. It’s like cutting ties with a company who supply rabbit meat for your restaurant, and partnering with a vegan food supplier who plant trees to save our planet.
When “De-Microsoftening” your PCs; you are helping Linux to gain market strength and shrinking Microsoft’s market strength. Linux is open-source, anyone can remix it if they want. Like removing proprietary software from your machines and replacing with open-source alternatives, you are also freeing your machine from being infected with viruses, worms, and trojans. Even Linux machines can block your parent’s spying eyes!
It’s kind of like reworking a micronation or replacing a leader who runs a nation.
“De-Microsoftening” my PC is a fun thing to do as I steer towards open-source communities. As a prospective; it’s like shutting down a beef farm, and replacing with bison who graze our fields to restore ecosystem. It’s also like banning plastics and returning back to glass and ceramic products.
“De-Microsoftening” your PCs is one way to slow Microsoft’s monopoly. If we can successfully do this each day; we can speed up a transition to Linux. If this ever happens; streaming services may experience loss of revenue, and they have to rework their services for people who use Linux machines.
My Thoughts
My thoughts of “De-Microsoftening” my PCs is like switching from farming rabbits for meat to keeping them as pets/companion animals. With Windows; you must run a slaughterhouse to produce rabbit meat, and you must comply with regulations when supplying meat to people. With Linux; you don’t need a slaughterhouse; you can farm your rabbits for other uses like enabling people to adopt your bunnies to reduce surplus bunnies, or you can develop a large rabbit to ride. You can also plant crops, or trees to help reduce sunlight from heating up your bunnies.
My another thought about removing “Microsoft from my machines is like switching from walking my imaginary dog to riding my imaginary dog. With Windows; a leash is one only way to control your dog. With riding on mhy imaginary dog piggyback, I can get more control of her, and I don’t need to walk for a long time. That can save me energy, and I don’t have to use my legs that much!
Conclusion
Removing Windows from your computer after buying it is a must for people who need to switch from Windows to Linux. Together; we can all replace Windows with Linux.
Linux can save you money, and it can protect your privacy. If privacy is protected as we use Linux; we can able to get our control of our machines back. That’s more than enough for us to have enough money and veggies on our tables.
If you agree to “De-Microsoften” your PC, feel free to share this post to anyone who is switching from Windows to Linux, and stop overpaying for Microsoft Products. Wikihow has this article about switching from Windows to Linux too!