Ordered new Dell laptop, and want Linux as OS, and Windows 10 as a VM.

This is how I would do it.

Pull the Windows 10 key using Produkey.

Download an iso file of your Windows 10 version using the Media Creation Tool  and copy the iso to a flash drive.

Create a complete disk image of your Windows 10 to an external drive using Macrium Free or something similar. Make sure you create the bootable media under "Other Tasks", Macrium will add any necessary drivers to the bootable media, DVD or USB flash drive, including USB3 which will restoring images much faster. It would be optimal if you had a USB 3 and not USB 2 external drive.

Install your linux distro. The experts here can guide you on the possibility of creating a separate home partition which has it's advantages.

Follow this guide on creating a VM of Windows 10 in Mint. I am not sure the version in this guide is final the latest. 

This is just my take on it but I would wait for other people's ideas.

Edited by JohnC_21, 21 January 2017 - 10:48 PM.

Folks, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the OP has not at any stage said that he wants to install Linux Mint on his new baby.

He said, in his OP (Original Post), ie #1

 

My old laptop has Linux Mint.

He has not made any comment for or against Linux Mint nor his experience with it. He may well want to use it again, or to explore other Distros such as Ubuntu, Kubuntu, whatever. But he has not said.

The last he said on the subject was at #28

 

Ok, I got the computer today. I have it up, and running.I first had Microsoft edge up there, but didn't like it.It didn'y come with a mouse, just the pad. I found a mouse from an old laptop, and that works.

 

 So what should I do next?I did a search, and I saw Ubuntu. Do I download it from there?

... and yes, he could have got a Dell that shipped with Ubuntu, but then he might not have the Windows 10 to use on a VM.

Perhaps we could all stick with the Topic, and see what the User wants to do, and do our best to help him achieve his goals?

Let us know what you think you want, Sam, and we will do our best to steer you, without putting our interests ahead of your needs.

No offence to anyone.

Cheers all

Wizard

BTW - Sam - Kubuntu is a spinoff from Ubuntu, featuring the KDE DE (Desktop Environment). I quite like it, but it is not about me. Ubuntu and Linux Mint have a number of DEs available (different downloads) eg KDE, Cinnamon, MATE, GNOME, and on and on.

That is where using a USB stick to try them "LIve" is handy, you can "try before you buy", so to speak. Or if you like them all, run them all, lol. You have space to burn.

 

 You have space to burn.

 

Wiz, I cannot disagree with you on that one!

While I could have had several 2TiB instead of many 1TiB ones (another new Seagate is in transit to me), the reviews gets very mixed at that level. So I stick to the size that's served me well since 2010, none of which have yet to fail me.

I also agree that this Topic is about the OP & what he wants to do, hopefully this notebook will power the Kodak printer that the other one couldn't.

Cat

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/637591/ordered-new-dell-laptop-and-want-linux-as-os-and-windows-10-as-a-vm/#entry4164204

""I think I will go with Mint 18.""

Good call, Brian - my bad for missing that

But since then, and getting the laptop delivered, he has mentioned Ubuntu - so bottom line still stands.

Take your time, Sam - if you are confused with choices, or with us (including me, lol) confusing you, just ask, or better still, try a number of Linuxes on USB stick, or the method you used with Linux Mint in the first place.

Wizard out (or is that taken by punk? lol)

Wizard

Yes, I echo Wiz above, take as much time as needed, download a few Linux distros that may interest you (64 bit to take advantage of your hardware, including security features), and when you find 'the one', you'll know it w/out a doubt.

If you can, how about installing Speccy on Windows 10 & post a snapshot of your specs. This can assist us with what you need & what you don't. Example, if you have 16GB RAM, it's highly unlikely you'll need to bother with a Swap partition at all, or for peace of mind, make it something like 128 to 256MiB.

Huge Swap partitions tends to make RAM lazy on some systems for varying reasons, yet the more you can keep your data on those memory modules, the faster your computer will run, even if the 2TiB HDD was a SSD instead. RAM is the fastest storage on one's computer, and why I always try & make it a point that the RAM is filled to capacity. Note that for general computer use, 12-16GB RAM is all one will ever need, therefore less or no Swap is as well. 

Nick has been running w/out Swap for sometime, so has the Linux Mint 17.3 install setup for my wife, with only 8GB of RAM, there's no Swap partition (on an early 2011 model notebook). As time goes by & older computers are recycled into newer ones, Swap will become less & less relevant.

Since you're planning on an install of whatever Linux OS you decide upon, these are things to consider, less is more with some items.

Cat

Where do I find Specy at? In the paper that came with the computer, it mentions Ubuntu, and it says follow instructions on the screen to finish setup. Below that it says Create recovery drive for Windows. I haven't done that yet. Should I do that next? I think I will go with Mint.

It will be tomorrow before I can download Mint. I just did a search for Speccy. I will go ahead, and download Speccy, and then post the screen shot. I also need to call Dell, and ask for the disk.

Ok, it took me half an hour to figure out Dropbox. Here is the screen shot.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1lpfum6khxzrxgn/Speccy1.png?dl=0

Below that it says Create recovery drive for Windows. I haven't done that yet. Should I do that next? 

 

I will go ahead, and download Speccy, and then post the screen shot. I also need to call Dell, and ask for the disk.

Yes always create this Recovery Drive, although, this will be the same thing you are going to get from Dell, won't hurt to have two though.  You could make yours on a USB, and the one they will send is surely on a Disk.

Speccy, hahaha, oh...I remember when I was a noob! it was literally just yesterday lol.  Speccy is a highly comprehensive tool, and that snapshot is only the front page of the tool.  Here is  the Tutorial on it if you are interested to try it out.  You already have it and ran it, so now just need to post the Detailed info via. a Link.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/323892/publish-a-snapshot-using-speccy/#entry1797792

You can look at many of our Signatures and Click on our Speccy sheets to see what I mean.  It may be confusing at first so if you can't do it don't worry, there are other ways we can see what we need to install linux.

About the Recovery Drive. Can I burn it to a DVD? My flash card only holds 4 GB. And I already have stuff on there.

I called Dell, and they said that they can't send me a DVD.  So can I do the Recovery Drive, and burn it to a DVD? I have lots of DVDs, but only one flash card. That holds 4 GB.

Hi Sam

That is a bit poor (sad) on Dell's part - I had always had good dealings with them, 2 desktops and 4 monitors, and 2 printers (the latter still in use after 10 years). The 4 monitors still work after 10 years and I am sitting in front of one of them, since the Acer All-in-One's touchscreen died about 12 months ago. The Dell works fine.

I will note your circumstances for future reference, it may be something about licensual agreements.

I will leave the (combined) Windows/Linux experts to run with the ball on Recovery, but be hanging in the wings if Linux help is needed.

Keep the faith

  Wizard

Edited - added on printers

Edited by wizardfromoz, 24 January 2017 - 12:17 AM.

Where do I find Specy at? In the paper that came with the computer, it mentions Ubuntu, and it says follow instructions on the screen to finish setup. Below that it says Create recovery drive for Windows. I haven't done that yet. Should I do that next? I think I will go with Mint.

 

It will be tomorrow before I can download Mint. I just did a search for Speccy. I will go ahead, and download Speccy, and then post the screen shot. I also need to call Dell, and ask for the disk.

Actually you'll be better off & safer with DVD's, I've seen several recovery drives fail (especially USB 3.0 models), three of my own & several of others. If you're going that route, then go with a USB 2.0 that's bootable (& make sure it is by the reviews). Burned DVD's will outlast the computer if stored properly (preferably in plastic cases designed for this in a dark, cool place), and you may already have a few extra -R or +R ones laying around, I purchase in 100 count sleeves for $12.99 when on promo on Newegg. The plastic or 'jewel cases are usually sold for around $5 for a 6 pack at Walmart, or you may find these in a discount store. Note that you cannot use RW (rewriteable) media for this task, these will be rejected by the software that creates these. 

I have CD's from the late 80's & 90's still in use, and some were played hard when purchased, though don't as often now, so these have proven to withstand the test of time. It would be hard for me to trust a USB stick 8-10 years down the road, or even 5. This is why a test recovery run should be made after the task finishes. Not to worry, it won't auto boot & wipe your drive, you've be asked to backup documents, and select a location, and can cancel. The main thing being that it's bootable after creation. Don't know why, but no matter what, most USB 3.0 sticks has never realized their stated potential, no matter the task, and worse yet, some are no faster than USB 2.0 models. So a 16GiB USB 2.0 models that's bootable will do & make sure that it's not used for any other purpose for as long as you own the computer. Otherwise, it'll be ruined as a bootable device for this purpose.

BTW, here's the link for ordering the Dell Recovery DVD, click onto the 2nd link (Windows does not start correctly or at all), expand it, and at the bottom there's a Order recovery media link. It's changed since I last used the link, though should serve the same purpose. You should register your computer first to avoid delays in receiving your media & to prove the computer is yours. You'll also be notified of recalls, new software & get other Dell offerings (these can be trashed ). Sometimes there are upgrades to your software, especially CyberLink, which should be registered also, from time to time, within the first year or two after purchase, there are updates to the software that you'll otherwise miss out on & are time limited.    

https://www.dell.com/support/Diagnostics/us/en/19/nondiagnostichome?~ck=mn&

Cat

Edited by cat1092, 24 January 2017 - 02:58 AM.

Ok, I just chatted to a Dell employee online. She is not sending me a disk. She instead sent me a link to download. The DVDs I have are DVD-R, and are made by Sony.

I would be interested to see the link, unless it is somehow only for you?