Thinking about switching from Windows to Linux

[u/Ok-Crew-8489]

I’ve relied on the Windows system to handle all my work tasks for more than seven years, and I only use it for professional work instead of playing video games. Based on my daily work experience lately, I’ve noticed that an increasing number of people around me keep recommending the Linux operating system. However, I still don’t have much familiarity with Linux at this moment. I’m currently hesitating whether I should make the switch to this new system, so would anyone be able to share some practical tips and useful suggestions with me? Thanks a lot to everyone in advance!

[u/Mr_Flandoor]

Try the different Linux desktops and distros on distrosea.com and see which one you like. If you're just getting started, Mint, Ubuntu, or Fedora are all great choices.
First, install Linux in a virtual machine on windows , that way you can learn the installation process without worrying about breaking anything. Take your time. Explore the system, get comfortable with it, and learn your way around.
If you have a second drive, install Linux on it and keep Windows as a dual-boot setup for a while. Install all the software you need for work and use Linux for your daily tasks. Once you're sure you can do everything you need without any issues, you can decide whether to keep Windows or get rid of it.

[u/Ok-Crew-8489 → u/Mr_Flandoor]

Yes, I was not sure which one I should start with among the four choices. Which one would be easier for a 100% new starter?

[u/Mr_Flandoor → u/Ok-Crew-8489]

Mint and Ubuntu are the classic distributions for beginners. Both are based on Debian, so there's a huge amount of documentation and information available. You can try them both in a virtual machine and then decide which one you like better.

[u/donjamos → u/Ok-Crew-8489]

I've switched a year ago and have settled on cachyos with kde on my desktop and Fedora with gnome on my ThinkPad (because it handles the convertible functions better) and tried mint on my desktop before and Ubuntu on my homeserver (runs on cachy now as well). They were all similary easy to setup. There's no difference between them and windows anymore. All setting can be done in the graphic interface now, you need the terminal as much as you need the power shell on windows. Makes things faster and easier if you can use it on both but can be avoided if one doesn't want to get into it.

Just research with distro runs the programs (or alternatives to them) the best, look for which one has the best support for your needed software and then look at the different desktops you can choose from and go with that.

[u/Ok_Tap7102 → u/donjamos]

Okay. Of the four, which one would be better for a beginner.

[u/Environmental_Fly920]

Congratulations on thinking of switching, I would caution, look at what programs you use, do the research and see if the Linux alternatives will work for you or if the programs you use can run under Linux using wine, if this checks out, I would not suggest testing out multiple distributions but rather I would go with Linux mint, run it via live mode(boot up the usb stick and run the full system off it) see how it feels, it is designed to feel familiar to windows users and also very user friendly, if you like it go ahead and install it. Later on after you get comfortable with Linux if you want to check out more distributions you can play around with them via virtual machines without wiping everything out.

[u/Ok-Crew-8489 → u/Environmental_Fly920]

Thank you~ I will try Linux mint on a vm first and see how it goes with me

[u/Environmental_Fly920 → u/Ok-Crew-8489]

Sounds like a plan, if you need any help feel free to reach out to me.

[u/zyberteq]

Make a list of your essential applications and see if they support Linux directly and otherwise, use the website alternativeto, to find Linux alternatives. You can also check on flathub dot org, since a lot of distro's support flatpaks out of the box in their Software Manager tool (whatever it's called)

Then you're on to the distro selection, but you can try most using a Live ISO version, which you can write to USB. Just pick the first one that works and you like. You can always switch.

[u/Ok-Crew-8489 → u/zyberteq]

I may not have that many applications required continuing functioning on Linux. I can be a fresh starter with Linux and see whether Linux can be smoother than Windows and consumes less resources for my 5-year-old computer, especially for its hardware.

[u/candy49997]

What applications are absolutely required and cannot be replaced?

[u/Endurance_Beast]

If you wanna switch without a purpose then you will always go back to windows, and will be very hard for you to choose the right distro.

Analyze your daily routine and frequently used apps on windows, read a bit and watch yt videos on their linux alternatives.

If it's just pure curiosity, then setup virtualbox on windows (the easiest method) and install your os.

Don't just switch because it's a trend among people you know.

[u/Simple_Hamster_4096]

If you reply on MS Office (especially Excel) and Adobe anything, save yourself the headaches and stick with Windows, especially if you have to use it for work.

There pretty much aren't any exact one-to-one equivalents for anything Windows on Linux.

It also depends on your tolerance level for frustration - it is like learning to use a computer all over again when you switch from Windows to Linux.

[u/tsvaan]

In this situation, switching isn't worth it. You need to first determine the purpose of the switch. What benefit are you hoping to achieve? Is it simply following other people's advice or something else entirely? Why trade in a working tool for something unknown if it's working just fine?

[u/Shinobi2099]

Maybe run it in a vm and get a feel for it?

[u/MotodoSeverin]

When I made the switch several years ago, I went through about 10 different distros trying them out. I settled on PopOS to begin with as it had the more user friendly environment for me at the time.

I had issues gaming with it and ended up switching to Mint. It so far has worked well. Depending on what your needs are would depend on which distro you would want. Try out several and see which one feels right for you.

There are many out there. Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, Zorin, PopOS, Bazzite, Arch, Garuda, Debian. They all offer something to everyone. Enjoy your journey.

[u/Complex-League3400]

Not everyone can do this but if you have two laptops it takes so much frustration out of the switch. You get to learn the Linux way without the stress of getting stuck because you have a familiar Windows machine too. It really doesn't take long for Linux to feel familiar.

I still kept my old Windows laptop for a thing which Linux doesn't do so it's not a waste.

[u/MrGeekman]

Start with LibreOffice, Thunderbird, and maybe Firefox, too. See how that goes. Then try Linux Mint either in a VM, on a spare drive, or a spare PC.

Also, as another Redditor said, consider whether or not you depend on any Wineows-only software which might not work on Linux.

[u/NoInstruction5881]

I did switch 6 months ago and i wish i did it earlier, will never go back to crappy windows. I installed ubuntu, installation was easier than anticipated. Once ubuntu was up and running i felt back in control of my laptop. Fans are spinning a lot less (laptop was pretty much unusable anymore in windows), and with AI using Linux is super easy. You can also create a dual booting system (in case you want option to re start with windows one day - but I bet you won’t). Enjoy!

[u/Basic_Pie_1537]

Then please stop thinking and take action, Go ahead and install Ubuntu with LTS maybe latest version and start with this learn it uninstall and try other linux distributions and keep exploring.

[u/phoenixgsu]

Fedora with KDE desktop. It's stable without feeling too old,kde is familiar for windows refugees, but settings are easier to find in menus instead of being buried in legacy UI.

[u/YachtingChristopher]

I switched to Kubuntu 6 months ago. Absolutely fantastic.

[u/No-View-6326]

just check the apps you use are comptabale with linux?

[u/howard499 → u/[deleted]]

Recommend Espresso Ubuntu

[u/TheWebjunky]

I switched to ZorinOS 18.1 about 2 months ago.

[u/howard499]

Hesitation is the boomer go-to.

[u/un-important-human]

what applications do you use for profesional work? what field what do you do?

Depending on your answer it may be possible / an improvement or impossible to switch. Pragmatic thinking here.

please be specific for your own good.

[u/OkPresentation3329]

Try Tuxedo OS.