How do I install old programs saved from Windows?

I have been trying to install programs onto my newly loaded Ubuntu system and so far I have found that they belong in the etc folder, but of course I do not have permissions for this as Linux has set up their systems to be like this. How can I bypass this within the terminal?

I'd like to install old programs I saved from my previous system (Windoes 10) like VLC, etc onto my Linux system. Is there a better (and safer) place to install them than the etc folder or should I just redownload them completely?

Windows programs will not run natively on Ubuntu. You would probably be able to run them in Wine (a Windows compatibility layer for Unix-systems), but in most cases, there is also a Linux version. If you're looking for alternative programs simply browsing the software center (search for "Ubuntu Software" in the dash) will get you results, if not, search the web or check out alternativeto.net. They have a filter option for Linux programs.

Be careful fooling around with folders outside your home directory. Usually you're supposed to install apps using the apt-get install application-name or snap install application-name command, from the software center, or by downloading and installing .deb files.

But if you need to do something funky in etc, just prefix your commands with sudo or type the sudo bang bang (sudo !!) command directly after you issued a command with insufficient permissions. If don't want to retype the sudo command every time, you can issue sudo -i to login as root or sudo su to log in as root and stay in your home folder. Doing this will give you administrative rights within that terminal session. After you're finished, type exit to log back in with your user account or close the terminal window. But be careful: With great power comes great responsibility. And don't drink and sudo.

Also, most programs don't go in the etc folder. Use usr or opt. If you're using wine to run your old windows apps, you will use what is called a virtual C drive - essentially just a folder inside you home directory. Detailed instructions can be found on their website.

Along with the information currently posted here I'd also like to add several things in terms of cross-platform compatibility between Linux and Windows:

• Modern Windows is built off the Windows NT platform (which in turn can run DOS applications, but is entirely different from DOS); Ubuntu/Linux is built off of Unix. You simply can't run most Windows applications natively under Ubuntu, and vice versa.
• Both use entirely different rendering APIs - Microsoft uses DirectX (can use OpenGL) while Linux relies on OpenGL (note, this is likely to change with the introduction of Vulkan, which is the cross-platform equivalent of DirectX 12).
• Wine, or Wine is not an Emulator, is a compatibility layer that allows some Windows programs to be run in Ubuntu. WineHQ has a list of applications with user-submitted reviews for various Windows applications under Wine.
• Wine is limited to DirectX 9 or lower, which means that some applications and games are not supported. Wine also can't make low-level API calls which means that some programs that interface with the hardware will not work. (Ex: AutoHotkey).
• Wine is roughly 10-20% slower than native Windows in most applications, as well. Always look for native Linux alternatives. Performance is better and you don't have to deal with the pain of switching and transferring between Windows and Ubuntu file structures.

However, files, documents, and videos from Windows that were used by other programs can be used in Ubuntu, and by Ubuntu applications.

Please, don't go around messing with system folders and permissions, especially as you are new to Ubuntu. Commands such as sudo, chmod, chown, rm, etc., can do irrevocable damage to your Ubuntu installation. Tread carefully, and you shall reap the benefits of switching to Ubuntu :)