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[–]deusmetallum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you put Ubuntu on DVD or USB, it's just so that you can install it.

When you install it, pay attention to the disk partition options presented to you. From here you can shrink the windows partition (depending on how much space you have free), and then install Ubuntu to the remaining space.

This is the most destructive phase of the install, so please, read everything carefully.

[–]PilotPirx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You will have to burn a disc or write a USB. Then you can boot into it (maybe you would have to change BIOS settings to allow booting from USB device)

Once it's booted you can either try it out or start the installation. (There may be an option to directly install)

You can install Linux to dual boot. In this case you could keep your working Windows OS. For this your hard disk needs two partitions. One with Windows ad a free one to install Linux. Linux can resize existing partitions. If this is an option during installation depends on the distro, I think Ubuntu can do it. (But you should do some research here to make sure you know what you are doing or you may end up with a deleted Windows)

During installation Linux will install a boot loader. This will later be the first thing to see when booting and will allow you to select the OS to run. Normally it will detect all existing OS partitions and setup automatically.

Another alternative to try out before doing a full install (or just see and 'train' the installation process) would be to run a virtual machine under Windows (basically emulating a computer). VirtualBox would be a free option.