Ubuntu, and to some degree its derivatives, is the most popular Linux distribution available for personal computers and laptops and due to its simplicity of use it is often chosen by the new users who decide to migrate from Microsoft Windows and Apple OSX to the Penguin’s world.
Like with any other new tech toy, a Linux novice may be tempted to experiment with the new system by keep installing and uninstalling software and sometime even configure new repositories to the package manager if a particular program isn’t available on the default ones. While generally Linux can better stand the test of time than Windows, this continuous experimentation can still lead the system to sluggishness and software misbehavior.
On the Windows’s world it is a common procedure to fix this kind of problem with a disk format and a clean install, but on Linux it is possible to restore Ubuntu, and derivatives, to the default settings without such drastic measure.
Microsoft
Access Linux partitions from Windows
If on Linux you can access the files in Windows without any problem, the same can not be said to the contrary. But there is a way to access Linux partitions from Windows thanks to Explore2fs.
How to Legally Download Windows Installation CDs
How many of you experienced the following scenario? Suddenly your computer or laptop is unable to boot up because some how Windows got corrupted (an update installation gone wrong, a virus, or anything else); you attempt to boot from the restore partition, but it fails or freezes up because either the main partition (where the not-working Windows reside) got screwed up and the restore program cannot recognize it or, even worst, the restore partition got screwed up as well. Fortunately there is a way out: you can legally download legit copies of Windows installation CDs that you can use to restore your system.
Unfortunately in the last few years, in order to save money, many computer manufacturers stopped offering the free restore CDs bundled with the computer you purchased, but they expect you to either generate the CDs yourself on the first few days of using the new computer or to buy them separately from them; unfortunately many users do not know/remember about the first option and they are unwilling to spend money for the second option and end up to be stuck on the above scenario. It is then very nice to be able to download Windows CDs legally.