I want to put linux on my laptop. I don't know yet which one but I like kali. (I'm not a hacker haha). Can I just create a boot stick and boot the pc from it? Does that delete the windows stuff? Or do I have to uninstall windows beforehand?
If I were you, I would leave Windows on and only download Linux as a digital operating system. You then have it as a program, so to speak, and have both on your PC.
Yes, I had that for 2 years and my main computer will of course stay on windows. Just not my old laptop.
If you are not an expert then keep your hands off Kali (really something for a species) and download from here… https://distrowatch.com/?language=DE...eine Linux distribution of your choice, I recommend Mint. If you have downloaded the ISO file then install the file a USB stick that you previously with e.g. Balena Etcher made bootable. When that is done then boot your PC from this stick and then follow the installation instructions… You will be shown everything you should do.
Should I first read out the Windows key and then deactivate it? Then I won't lose it, will I?
If you have Windows 10 on your box then you do not need to read out the key because you are registered with Microsoft when reinstalling Win10.
Here I would download Linux Mint Cinnamon and copy it to a USB pen with Etcher (from the web). Mint users use the "USB image maker" built into Mint. Now plug the pen into the laptop and boot from it (switch on USB boot in BIOS if necessary), press the key for the boot menu, this is usually displayed briefly (often this is F12). Mint then starts up to the desktop, now all Linux programs can be used. To install Linux in addition to Windows, select the "Install" icon on the desktop, it's very easy. Windows is completely preserved. With each future computer start, you can choose which OS should start. You can do that with Kali later.
If you are unsure, install a fresh hard drive (or one from an old computer) and install Linux on it.
Linux can also be used from the USB pen, but nothing can be saved on the pen, but it can be saved on the hard drive (Linux can do that) or on another pen.
If you want to save Linux on a USB pen like a hard drive (complete replacement for an installation): Remove the hard drive, boot from the pen created first, insert the second pen, select Install on the desktop and click through. Linux is now persistent on the second pen, so you can boot any computer, all data is retained, all additional programs installed from the AppShop remain on the pen. Windows can't do that.
