Windows software comes in .exe files, which you are expected to get from the web or from a store. Ubuntu software comes in packages, which are installed and updated through a centralised system, like a more powerful version of Windows Update and Add/Remove Programs.

See the software installation guide for instructions on how to install new programs. Application packages will usually appear in the Applicationsmenu, configuration tools will usually appear in the Preferences or Administration menu.

In the same way that Windows only runs software designed for Windows, applications must be made for Linux to be able to run on Ubuntu. Most Linux software is available for free over the Internet. The following pages feature a small selection of popular applications available for free in Ubuntu:

Firewalls and antivirus software

Ubuntu's main firewall program is called ufw (click here to install gufw). There are currently very few Linux viruses in the wild, so Ubuntu doesn't come with antivirus software installed. See Antivirus for more information.

The Terminal

Linux includes a text-based interface like cmd.exe, called the terminal. Many Linux guides ask you to run commands in the terminal, which should be available from Applications > Accessories > Terminal. See Using the Terminal for more information.

Task Manager

Ubuntu's System Monitor is the closest equivalent to the Task Manager in Windows. It's available through System > Administration > System Monitor.

Where To Put Your Files

Linux doesn't use drive letters, so there's no C: drive and no D: drive. You'll get used to Linux's filesystem gradually, but for now here are the most important locations:

/home/<your user name>

This is your home folder, which is fairly similar to My Documents in Windows. You can access this folder by clicking Places> Home Folder.
Because this folder is used so often, many programs refer to it as "$HOME" or "~" ("tilde", pronounced "till-der". For example, saving a file as ~/my-file.txt is the same as saving it as /home/<your user name>/my-file.txt

/home

This is folder contains everybody's home folders, and is fairly similar to Documents and Settings in Windows.
The main thing to remember is that despite the name, this is not your home folder. If somebody tells you to go to your home folder, they mean /home/<your user name>.

/media

This folder contains CD-ROMs, memory sticks, and other removable media.
Individual drives will also appear in the Places menu item and on your desktop.

/tmp

This folder contains temporary files, and is cleaned out when you reboot.

Safely removing drives

When you are finished with a removable drive, right click on the drive's desktop icon and select Unmount volume or Eject, depending on what type of drive it is.