Ubuntu :: Install A New Version Or Distro In The Partitions Where A Current One Resides?

Is there a simple way to delete an existing Linux Distro install so you can install a new version or distro in the partitions where a current one resides? We have several laptops, all of which are at least dual boot with Windows and with a Linux Distro. A few have Windows and two Linux Distros.

What we want and need to do, without disturbing the Windows install is simply remove a current Linux install and replace it with another install, a simple way. We cannot find a simple Partition command of eliminate install or install over existing install. Since the movement in Linux community for four years now is "easy", "simple", and "user friendly" you would think Ubuntu project would by now have a simple, low risk way of doing this. The delete and expand specific partitions method is very risky (to the O/S installs one wished to keep intact) and requires more partition study than all but a few people have interest or time to invest in.

Anyone know of a simple way to replace an install. What puzzles us is why Ubuntu has not come up with a simple command that allows users to replace one Ubuntu version with another, or at least uninstall back to a previous install when a user finds the new version tanks his system and requires hours of study to figure out how to get his basic hardware up and running.

I realize that Linux community members tend to accept criticism about as gracefully as a Republican or a Democrat but progress cannot happen without constructive or well meaning criticism. For those so tempted, please spare me the "stupid", "its easy idiot", "Works fine on my PC" or "this is the best of all possible worlds" replies.