If I install Ubuntu on my laptop, will I be able to use my files created in windows? Thanks.

files, of course, most definitely you can use them.

programs, in some cases yes, but you have to install the program called wine and install and run them via wine. you can get wine from the synaptic package manager. if can check the winehq apps database to see if a specific program works. just google "winehq".

Whilst you will be able to access your windows files from ubuntu, it won't be possible to access your ubuntu files from windows, as windows does nto implement alternative file reader/writers (unlike ubuntu).

However, you can of course place any documents on the windows disk and it will be accessible to both.

Note that being able to *access* them does not immediately mean that you can interpret them directly -- it will depend upon what you need to do.

Common tasks:
* Openoffice can read and write MS word/excel/powerpoint document files, but more advanced layout may cause problems (some tables, equations, videos). Macros may not work.
* Movies can usually be played back, but you may need to install some additional playback software
* MP3s need additional playback software, as ubuntu cannot legally ship MP3 playback software (patent restrictions), however installing additional software is trivial.
* Photos should be fine, as these use standard formats

You will be able to read and write your user data but apps wilt not be executable unless they are very portable.