I know enough to get myself into trouble. What do I need and what are the steps to replace Windows 10 with Linux Mint. I have a new laptop I just purchased, ASUS, and I wish to replace the OS with Linux Mint.
I have attempted several of the suggestions that are on the web but none has successfully completed it. I do not wish to run Linux as a dual boot, I want to replace Windows 10.
I also would appreciate the steps in performing this project.

The process is documented at https://linuxmint-installation-guide...t/install.html. Opt for erasing the disk in step 5.

1 members found this post helpful.

kapolonczyk,

Welcome to LQ forums.

Download the Linux Mint MATE 64-bit ISO image (or similar) and use Etcher or Rufus to install it on a USB drive:
https://linuxmint.com/download.php

It is likely that you have UEFI boot enabled in W10 64-bit.

(If that is not the case and you are using the earlier Legacy BIOS or CSM boot then you would delete all Windows partitions). Check in UEFI/BIOS for your setup.

Secure Boot is best disabled in BIOS/UEFI.

Also disable Fast Startup:
https://help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/art...-in-Windows-10

Boot from the installation media by tapping the special key for Boot Device such as F12, F2, F9 or whatever and select the boot media (e.g. SanDisk UEFI).

Double click on Install Linux Mint icon.

Select language.

Connect to the internet via wifi or ethernet cable.

Install third party software.

Select Something else.

This video will show you how to make 3 additional partitions (main part starts at 10.00) using the Something else option:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_4Kh5kE3xA

If there is already an EFI system partition (esp), then keep it (sda1) and delete all other existing Windows partitions to create free space.

Then create the 3 Linux partitions below using the Mint installer and the Something else option.

Create 3 new Primary (not Logical) partitions in the free space. Make sure to select Beginning for the location of each partition.

Highlight the free space and click on Change.

First create sda2:
sda2....formatted (X in the box) as ext4 as the root partition (/)......Size: 25000MB
Click on OK.

Highlight the free space and click on Change.

sda3.....not formatted (no X in the box) as the swap partition.............Size: 2000MB.
Click on OK.

Highlight the free space and click on Change.

sda4......formatted (X in the box) as ext4 as the Home partition (/home)......Size: Remainder of hard drive.
Click on OK.

Install on sda and follow the rest of the video above or the Linux Mint installation guide as mentioned by berndbausch.

Note that Linux Mint 19.3 MATE and some other Linux distros now automatically create a swap file (not a partition), so 2 extra partitions (root and home) will be enough. Either way works.

It is useful to have a separate home partition for future use:
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...-distro-37074/

3 members found this post helpful.

Beachboy2 good to see you have a well worked out (and supposedly canned) reply for this new user.

Hermani,

Many new users have probably "lurked" for some while before making their first post (I know I did) and they are understandably nervous.

It is my way of trying to reassure them that LQ forums is a welcoming, friendly place and that they won't have their heads bitten off with a RTFM reply.

Excellent starting position! Getting yourself OUT of trouble is how you learn.

Some general advice, since I've no Linux Mint experience:

You should make sure you understand how disk partitions work since the installation will almost certainly ask how you want to set up your drive. If the laptop has bleeding edge hardware you might need to search for Linux drivers before everything works properly. Almost everything you need to know is available on the web, you just need to get the search terms right (which may need guesswork). When you run into problems come back here and let us know what you've tried. I like your idea of not dual booting. Remember that the worst consequence of seriously breaking something is a reinstall - not a biggie.

And welcome to the forums.

You're going to have to tell us exactly what errors you are getting.
As hinted above, could easily be a HW compatibility issue, but without details, could be anything...
Also tell us exactly what make/model of PC you have.

first while you're in windows 10 is get a usb stick 16GB at least and use window to create a boot install usb stick for windows, then just put that somewhere safe, then do whatever it takes to destroy windows in the process of installing Linux. as the others have explained that bit.