Back up what you need, forget the rest
Before you touch anything, save what matters. Documents, photos, code projects, bookmarks, password managers, configuration files for any tools you care about. Copy them to an external drive or cloud storage.
Don't try to preserve Windows "just in case." Dual boot sounds safe but creates more problems than it solves. You'll spend time managing two systems instead of learning one. Ubuntu runs Windows programs through Wine when needed, and most Windows workflows have better Linux equivalents anyway.
Make a list of the programs you actually use daily. Not the ones installed on your machine, the ones you open regularly. You'll replace most with better alternatives, but knowing what you depend on helps you plan the transition.
Download and create installation media
Get Ubuntu 24.04 LTS from ubuntu.com. The LTS version gets security updates for five years. Skip the non-LTS releases unless you need bleeding edge features for specific AI frameworks.
Download Rufus on Windows to create the installation USB. Pick a USB drive with at least 4GB space. Rufus will erase everything on the drive, so use one you can wipe clean.
Run Rufus, select your Ubuntu ISO file, choose your USB drive, and hit start. Takes about 10 minutes. When it finishes, you have a bootable Ubuntu installer.
Boot from USB and start the installation
Restart your computer with the USB plugged in. Most machines boot from USB automatically, but you might need to press F12, F2, or Delete during startup to access the boot menu. Every manufacturer is different.
If you see the Ubuntu logo and a "Try or Install Ubuntu" screen, you're in. Choose "Install Ubuntu" to start the real installation.
The installer walks you through language, keyboard layout, and network connection. Connect to WiFi if you can. Ubuntu downloads updates during installation, which saves time later.
Erase Windows completely
The installer asks how you want to handle the disk. Choose "Erase disk and install Ubuntu." This wipes Windows entirely and uses the full drive for Ubuntu.
Ignore the "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows" option. You want Ubuntu to own the whole machine. No shared boot loaders, no partition juggling, no wondering which system will start when you power on.
The installer shows you exactly which disk it will erase. Double-check you're looking at the right drive, especially if you have multiple disks. Once you click "Install Now," Windows disappears forever.
Set up your user account
Pick a username that's easy to type. You'll use it constantly in the terminal later. Avoid spaces, special characters, or anything that needs quotes or escaping.
Choose a password you can remember but others can't guess. Ubuntu can require a password for administrative tasks, which happens often during AI development setup.
The installer copies files and configures the system. Takes 20-40 minutes depending on your hardware and internet speed. The machine restarts when finished.
First boot into your new system
Remove the USB drive when Ubuntu asks, then restart. You should see the Ubuntu login screen. Enter your password and you're in.
Ubuntu looks different from Windows but the concepts are the same. Applications, files, settings, web browser. The layout is cleaner and there's no advertising or telemetry by default.
Open the terminal with Ctrl+Alt+T. This black window is where AI development happens. Don't worry about commands yet, just confirm it opens. You'll live in here soon enough.
Why this approach works
Clean installation forces you to learn Ubuntu properly instead of falling back to Windows habits. You discover better tools faster when the old ones aren't available.
Most Windows only software has Linux equivalents that work as well or better. The few exceptions run through compatibility layers or in virtual machines when absolutely necessary.
Your machine boots faster, runs cooler, and gives you full control over updates and installed software. No more Windows deciding when to restart for updates in the middle of your training runs.
Next, you'll explore the Ubuntu desktop and learn how everything connects. The hard part is done.