And yes, Linux Mint is awesome. Be careful with partitions if you are doing dual boot (choose to boot up either Windows or Mint at the time you start your computer) or else you could lose all the data on your Windows partition.
What exactly do you do with your PC? Work, personal; what? Mirosoft office / internet?
Can you give more info & detail, pretty please?
I'm so completely, totally & utterly sick of Mirosoft & all the crap that comes along with it, I'm seriously considering switching to Linux...and I'm the last person on the planet who ever would have said that....!!!!!
Liight office work (LibreOffice is more than adequate for that), browsing, gaming (It‘s amazing, 95% of my steam library just works, and Java Minecraft with mods is a breeze with an App called „prism launcher“), watching movies, storing photographs), ripping dvds, doing my taxes, light video editing, eMail… actually, I do almost everything on Linux - except VR.
I dual boot for the time being, as I also like to play some VR now and then (Quest 3 cableless via Wifi-Streaming), and although there is a streaming app for linux that works (ALVR), it‘s still flakey and not (yet) viable compared to windows.
If not for VR gaming, I‘d delete the Win 10 install (it‘s on a second SSD).
Linux Mint is probably your best choice for the Windows like experience. I don’t necessarily like it but it has the “feel” of Windows.
You’ll need a program called Balena Etcher to write a bootable usb, download the version of Linux you want by going directly to the site. Most casual users like Ubuntu, smaller percentage use versions like Mint.
Balena Etcher will do all the work of getting the usb ready. Then back up all of your important files.
You can dual boot but there are some issues with that.
For gamers, last I checked Nobara is still one of the better distros for plug and play though any game with an anticheat will likely screw you over unless they explicitly whitelist Linux. Another option is what it is built off of, Fedora or Bazzite. Bazzite seems to be more up and coming in this space, as it seems to do a better job handling what Fedora sets out to do (as it is also built on Fedora).
All of these work for workstation use, although the inclusion of gaming related software (Steam, Lutris, etc.) would just be bloat if that's your main use case.
I'm not personally team Balena Etcher though, I tend to prefer Ventoy since I keep OS backups for Windows, Linux (especially SteamOS) etc. on it and Ventoy is a simple drag and drop process, and lets you use the stick for things outside of being a bootable disk.
For Mint vs Ubuntu though, a lot of prevailing opinion seems to generally be that Mint is flat out better for most average users. It's been a minute since I looked in on those conversations, but a quick search seems to yield basically the same sentiments.
I don't think average users can go wrong with Mint.
I can say that Mint, from a zero experience Linux person was really easy to kick off and install on an older Thinkpad. All drivers were there for every day functionality. I was able to load and specialty driver for one of my printers as well. Overall, mint for a newbie installed and functioned with ease, highly recommend. I have been on windows since the 3.0 / 3.11 days.
Note- this experience is solely based on a stand alone PC, no 3rd party apps other than a zebra driver.
I just have to add, almost any linux distro is good for gaming. I‘m gaming on Mint, with an nVidia GPU, and thanks to the in-built driver manager of Linux Mint, setting up the GPU was a breeze.
For windows games, just install Steam from the Repository, or Heroic for Epic and GoG games, and lutris for the rest.
And you can also run most (not all unfortunately) windows programs with WINE, a compatibilty layer that „translates“ between Linux and the programs. There‘s an application called „Bottles“ which makes setting up WINE pretty easy.
As a previous SLES and Mint user I have been championing the HOLO iso steam OS for gaming PCs. It's an arch linux distro that steam uses for their steam deck and runs amazingly on PC hardware. It has a familiar windows feel to the desktop, full nvidia support built in and it's extremely easy to install from a thumb drive. I cannot recommend this enough.
Mint Ubuntu Etcher Ventoy Bezzite Fedora Nobara....Call me cynical, but I'm thinking yah really are going to lose most the public that has a hard time understanding the difference between USB-A and USB-C. Although it does sound like a good time to rework my network & passwords right now for some reason, no matter how bad I cringe at the thought.
XFCE (Mate's window manager) is nice if one wants to dig in and customize. I use it on my Debian 12 install (13" Macbook Pro from 2010). I only mention it because that's another beauty of Linux- the freedom to do what you want to your OS. I built mine from a basic install, piece by piece, and it's blazingly fast on that old machine. Definitely not something new Linux users will do (and vanilla Debian is probably not the best distro to start with for them), but just an example of what they could eventually do.
That's true about XFCE on Debian, however Mate on Ubuntu isn't something you have to fiddle with. I used to run Debian with the Mate desktop, but I kept having issues with USB devices not working unless I updated permissions and decided to switch to Ubuntu.
I use POP_OS! -- yes, weird name, but a really nice Linux distribution. And for all of us out there that are tech support for their family: I switched my Mom from Windows to Linux with almost zero learning issues, because the POP_OS! experience is very user friendly.
Use some search-fu for clear directions - it's not as hard as you think to switch out your machine. (Example article)
I did, about twelve years ago. Been using Ubuntu, and perfectly satisified with it. And there's enough open-source software out there that I haven't had to pay for Office, PhotoShop, et al. since then. In fact, I am typing this post on my Ubuntu laptop right now.
As a caveat, I do have to say that it may not be for the utterly computer-ignorant. Getting things configured or recovering from a damaged update may prove baffling and frustrating for those who consider CTRL/ALT/DEL a complex operation.
My only excuse for holding off on Linux over the years has been my Steam library of games on my PC. Now that VALVe have brute forced Linux compatibility for the vast majority of my library, I really have no excuse.
This was my issue, until I found HOLO iso steam OS (arch linux) which is what the steam deck is run on. It is amazing on any modern gaming rig. I was anchored to windows 7 for my steam library until I installed this. If you are a heavy steam user like I am, I cannot recommend this distro enough.
I have quite a steam library myself. Look up games on the Proton Database to check compatibility. Most games I've wanted work. I took a chance and bought a game recently that has no ratings yet on Proton and it worked, so I'll add my review to it soon.
I generally play 2D games, but my daughter enjoys 3D games as well.
For those considering switching, but don't want to outright nuke their Windows installation, there are a couple of options to try it out while keeping Windows around which isn't a bad idea when your learning.
Install VirtualBox which is free software that can create virtual machines which you can run Linux in. There are loads of videos on Youtube showing how to set it up and install Linux. This is a great option to play around with Linux and get comfortable with it. Don't expect to run your games in a virtual machine though.. it can be done if you have two graphics cards, but it's complex to setup.
Another option is to look into dual-booting windows and Linux. If you have lots of disk space, you can resize the windows partition using the disk management utility and install Linux into the freed up space. When you start your computer, you will get a boot menu from which you can choose windows or Linux. Again, as much as Youtube sucks, there are loads of video tutorials which will show you how to do this step by step.
SWITCH TO LINUX!
Just did about a month ago. Feels good man.
Congrats
Videos about Linux Mint by STL
SwitchedToLinux: Will WINDOWS Next Stunt FINALLY Get Your Attention? Screenshots every 3 minutes, for 3 months!
SwitchedToLinux: Mozilla Dabbles with Ad Networks
I recommend this channel for all things privacy.
And yes, Linux Mint is awesome. Be careful with partitions if you are doing dual boot (choose to boot up either Windows or Mint at the time you start your computer) or else you could lose all the data on your Windows partition.
Always keep two backups of your data.
What exactly do you do with your PC? Work, personal; what? Mirosoft office / internet? Can you give more info & detail, pretty please?
I'm so completely, totally & utterly sick of Mirosoft & all the crap that comes along with it, I'm seriously considering switching to Linux...and I'm the last person on the planet who ever would have said that....!!!!!
Liight office work (LibreOffice is more than adequate for that), browsing, gaming (It‘s amazing, 95% of my steam library just works, and Java Minecraft with mods is a breeze with an App called „prism launcher“), watching movies, storing photographs), ripping dvds, doing my taxes, light video editing, eMail… actually, I do almost everything on Linux - except VR.
I dual boot for the time being, as I also like to play some VR now and then (Quest 3 cableless via Wifi-Streaming), and although there is a streaming app for linux that works (ALVR), it‘s still flakey and not (yet) viable compared to windows.
If not for VR gaming, I‘d delete the Win 10 install (it‘s on a second SSD).
How do you fo this?
I am not real computer savvy.
Linux Mint is probably your best choice for the Windows like experience. I don’t necessarily like it but it has the “feel” of Windows.
You’ll need a program called Balena Etcher to write a bootable usb, download the version of Linux you want by going directly to the site. Most casual users like Ubuntu, smaller percentage use versions like Mint.
Balena Etcher will do all the work of getting the usb ready. Then back up all of your important files.
You can dual boot but there are some issues with that.
Linux Mint is pretty mint for sure.
For gamers, last I checked Nobara is still one of the better distros for plug and play though any game with an anticheat will likely screw you over unless they explicitly whitelist Linux. Another option is what it is built off of, Fedora or Bazzite. Bazzite seems to be more up and coming in this space, as it seems to do a better job handling what Fedora sets out to do (as it is also built on Fedora).
All of these work for workstation use, although the inclusion of gaming related software (Steam, Lutris, etc.) would just be bloat if that's your main use case.
I'm not personally team Balena Etcher though, I tend to prefer Ventoy since I keep OS backups for Windows, Linux (especially SteamOS) etc. on it and Ventoy is a simple drag and drop process, and lets you use the stick for things outside of being a bootable disk.
For Mint vs Ubuntu though, a lot of prevailing opinion seems to generally be that Mint is flat out better for most average users. It's been a minute since I looked in on those conversations, but a quick search seems to yield basically the same sentiments.
I don't think average users can go wrong with Mint.
I can say that Mint, from a zero experience Linux person was really easy to kick off and install on an older Thinkpad. All drivers were there for every day functionality. I was able to load and specialty driver for one of my printers as well. Overall, mint for a newbie installed and functioned with ease, highly recommend. I have been on windows since the 3.0 / 3.11 days.
Note- this experience is solely based on a stand alone PC, no 3rd party apps other than a zebra driver.
I just have to add, almost any linux distro is good for gaming. I‘m gaming on Mint, with an nVidia GPU, and thanks to the in-built driver manager of Linux Mint, setting up the GPU was a breeze.
For windows games, just install Steam from the Repository, or Heroic for Epic and GoG games, and lutris for the rest.
And you can also run most (not all unfortunately) windows programs with WINE, a compatibilty layer that „translates“ between Linux and the programs. There‘s an application called „Bottles“ which makes setting up WINE pretty easy.
As a previous SLES and Mint user I have been championing the HOLO iso steam OS for gaming PCs. It's an arch linux distro that steam uses for their steam deck and runs amazingly on PC hardware. It has a familiar windows feel to the desktop, full nvidia support built in and it's extremely easy to install from a thumb drive. I cannot recommend this enough.
Mint Ubuntu Etcher Ventoy Bezzite Fedora Nobara....Call me cynical, but I'm thinking yah really are going to lose most the public that has a hard time understanding the difference between USB-A and USB-C. Although it does sound like a good time to rework my network & passwords right now for some reason, no matter how bad I cringe at the thought.
Thank you.
This is way over my pay grade.
I am friends with our IT guy at work. I asked him to navigate through this with me.
I use Ubuntu with the Mate desktop. Mate is more of an "old school" desktop. https://ubuntu-mate.org
XFCE (Mate's window manager) is nice if one wants to dig in and customize. I use it on my Debian 12 install (13" Macbook Pro from 2010). I only mention it because that's another beauty of Linux- the freedom to do what you want to your OS. I built mine from a basic install, piece by piece, and it's blazingly fast on that old machine. Definitely not something new Linux users will do (and vanilla Debian is probably not the best distro to start with for them), but just an example of what they could eventually do.
That's true about XFCE on Debian, however Mate on Ubuntu isn't something you have to fiddle with. I used to run Debian with the Mate desktop, but I kept having issues with USB devices not working unless I updated permissions and decided to switch to Ubuntu.
Thank you.
I am learning so much.
https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
One way to do it.
Thank you.
linux is a great way to learn more about how computers work too. you will eventually get comfortable using the terminal and never want to go back
Thank you.
I am friends with our work IT guy.
I asked him to help me navigate through this.
I use POP_OS! -- yes, weird name, but a really nice Linux distribution. And for all of us out there that are tech support for their family: I switched my Mom from Windows to Linux with almost zero learning issues, because the POP_OS! experience is very user friendly.
Use some search-fu for clear directions - it's not as hard as you think to switch out your machine. (Example article)
Thank you.
I didn't know this.
"SWITCH TO LINUX!"
I did, about twelve years ago. Been using Ubuntu, and perfectly satisified with it. And there's enough open-source software out there that I haven't had to pay for Office, PhotoShop, et al. since then. In fact, I am typing this post on my Ubuntu laptop right now.
As a caveat, I do have to say that it may not be for the utterly computer-ignorant. Getting things configured or recovering from a damaged update may prove baffling and frustrating for those who consider CTRL/ALT/DEL a complex operation.
My only excuse for holding off on Linux over the years has been my Steam library of games on my PC. Now that VALVe have brute forced Linux compatibility for the vast majority of my library, I really have no excuse.
This was my issue, until I found HOLO iso steam OS (arch linux) which is what the steam deck is run on. It is amazing on any modern gaming rig. I was anchored to windows 7 for my steam library until I installed this. If you are a heavy steam user like I am, I cannot recommend this distro enough.
I have quite a steam library myself. Look up games on the Proton Database to check compatibility. Most games I've wanted work. I took a chance and bought a game recently that has no ratings yet on Proton and it worked, so I'll add my review to it soon.
I generally play 2D games, but my daughter enjoys 3D games as well.
For those considering switching, but don't want to outright nuke their Windows installation, there are a couple of options to try it out while keeping Windows around which isn't a bad idea when your learning.
Install VirtualBox which is free software that can create virtual machines which you can run Linux in. There are loads of videos on Youtube showing how to set it up and install Linux. This is a great option to play around with Linux and get comfortable with it. Don't expect to run your games in a virtual machine though.. it can be done if you have two graphics cards, but it's complex to setup.
Another option is to look into dual-booting windows and Linux. If you have lots of disk space, you can resize the windows partition using the disk management utility and install Linux into the freed up space. When you start your computer, you will get a boot menu from which you can choose windows or Linux. Again, as much as Youtube sucks, there are loads of video tutorials which will show you how to do this step by step.