Hi everyone.
I have to give my HP laptop up to my son, but he wants to put windows on. For school

Is there anyway that this can be done?

Would appreciate it very much

Thanks.
Les

Do you want to install Windows or Linux?

Welcome to the forums!

When you purchased the computer, did it come with Windows preinstalled? If so, did it come with a Windows DVD? Or perhaps there is a Windows recovery partition on the hard drive? Does the computer have a sticker with a Windows license number?

If the answer to all the above questions is "no" then probably you will have to purchase Windows from your favorite retailer. I believe it costs about $100 and comes with instructions how to install it.

(Note: I am assuming that you want to wipe the existing data and give your son a fresh Windows-only computer. If you are trying to do something else, like create a "dual boot" of both Window and Linux, or run Windows virtually inside of Linux, then please do be as specific as you can.)

If you mean that you want to put Windows on an existing Ubuntu laptop, you have at least a couple of choices if you want also to retain the existing Ubuntu installation:

. dual boot between Linux and Windows (in this case it's usually best to install Windows first).

. create a Windows virtual machine in Ubuntu.

Hi no I want to install windows. But ubunu will not allow it.
Thanks.
Les

Do you have a valid Windows install disk? If so, which version of Windows?

What model of HP laptop is it?

Hi it did have windows on the laptop but this was overwritten when I installed Ubuntu
Thanks.
Les

Yes I do

Do you want to keep Ubuntu in any form on the laptop?

The only person who decides whether you can run Windows or not is Microsoft. Ask it for an install disk for the version you have paid it the license fee for and it will probably let you dowload it and give you instructions into the bargain.

Apologies for the grumpy reply but I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been ripped of by Microsoft.

I do have the original windows disc. But Ubuntu does not allow windows installation.

Ubuntu is about freedom and doesn't prevent you from installing Windows. What you need to do is reboot the computer and select the Windows installation disk from the boot menu in your computer's BIOS. At that point, the Windows installer will take over, and give you the option to install using the whole drive (erasing Ubuntu).

We are a Linux forum so we can offer less experienced advice about installing Windows than if you go to a Windows forum. Alternately, a local computer shop can do it for you for a small fee.

2 members found this post helpful.

Hi snow pine.
Yes I would like to wipe all of the data from my laptop, and do a straight install of windows so that my son can use it. I have copy of win which has licence.

I tried to do an install but Ubuntu will not allow something to with the way Ubuntu installs itself.

Thanks.
Les

That is almost certainly not the case. Just boot from the Windows disc, as snowpine suggested, and you should be able to install Windows on the laptop.

1 members found this post helpful.

What did you try exactly?
Did you reboot the computer, with the Windows DVD in the drive, enter the computer's BIOS (usually one of the Fn keys, I think F9 on HP computers?), and choose to boot from the Windows DVD?
Once you have booted from the Windows DVD, then Ubuntu has no control of the situation, and Ubuntu cannot stop Windows from installing itself.

If you really are convinced that Ubuntu is blocking Windows from installing (it isn't) then you could try this: Boot from an Ubuntu Live DVD or USB, run the GParted Partition Editor, and erase all of the partitions on your hard drive. Then your hard drive will be blank. Do you agree that installing Windows on a blank hard drive ought to be possible?