I switched 5 or so years ago. I'm not a Dev or anything but I found it pretty easy. Ubuntu and mint are very easy to use. Really doesn't feel that different, except there's no Microsoft bullshit to deal with. And it's free.

I would suggest installing Ventoy just in case you decide to distro hop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAnA7X8fAGs

You can then download whatever linux iso you want into your USB and be able to install it.

I personally did actually switch to linux completely. I've come to the mindset of just not buying games that don't run on Linux (which are few and far between at this point: https://www.protondb.com/

Garuda Linux was very helpful for shoving in my face the names of software for Linux gaming that I was unfamiliar with, but definately save your files on a different hard drive from your install if you decide to go this route: https://garudalinux.org/

(My favorite desktop environment is still cinnamon)

But if you're familiar with the names of software you can actually use any distro and then just install the software you need.

I completely switched when I heard the end of life news for windows 10, but I had been using Linux for many years before that on laptops (I only had windows for gaming at that point) and windows was not worth holding on to for that long. After a while I found plenty of software on Linux as my go to solution for things I wanted to work on that just work way better on Linux and work kinda bad on the Windows version.

tldr: its worth the switch bro

I would suggest starting with Ubuntu or Fedora. Those are both the 2 most mainstream distros and you will have the best support.

Personally, I use Fedora but many claim that Ubuntu is more user friendly. (I've used Linux so long that I can't honestly tell if Ubuntu is more user friendly than Fedora or not -- but I know most converts from Windows seem to prefer it)

I’m too tired of dealing with Windows 11; it sucks. I am fed up with their AI experiments, especially that annoying Copilot. I’m planning to switch to Linux, but first, I am learning how to do it and whether it’ll work for me. I’ve heard Linux is a pretty nerdy thing—makes me wonder if it’s worth the leap.

I would definitely recommend switching! I've been 100% Linux for a couple of years now, and it's made my life so much easier. It also made computers a lot of fun again!

The biggest thing I would say to do is try to forget the "Windows Way" of doing things. Linux is not really harder, it's just different!

Linux Mint or Pop!_OS would be my recommendations as a good starting point, but Ubuntu or Fedora would also be good options.

Switched in early 2000s, from Windows 98 SE to Slackware Linux. Still use Windows sometimes, for example, now typing this from laptop running Windows 10, but all my other machines run Linux.

Switched 20 years ago. It was a great decision. I don’t miss Windows even a little bit. The only downside at the time was everything was in Office. But now with the online availability of Office even that minor inconvenience is gone. Games might still be an issue for some but, a lot of it can run on Linux (Steam). All around better for privacy, security and usability.

I switched recently from Win10 to Ubuntu 22. If you play games that requires installation, probably not worth it. Otherwise you will befine! If you do coding or research then it is great.

I always use Linux in lightweight though. I also used window 3.1

Don't do a sudden shift, take a little exercise every now and then.

If the software you use on Windows can also be used on Linux, there is no reason not to switch. 🙋🏻‍♂️

Linux is good! Most of the programs you are used to on Windows have counterparts with impressive performance and I think you will find this experience useful.

Moved to Linux 2003 and never been back to microsoft. Never regretted it. Would never go back to corporate state surveillance shitware.

The only problem early on was some closed source drivers for hardware like wifi and sound were sometimes time consuming to get around but now those problems are largely solved.

The benefit is being part of an ecosystem and community that is built without evil intent. It is hard to quantify the difference in user experience but IMO it is a quantum leap improvement.

Suggest maybe start with Ubuntu (with firefox browser with duckduckgo search) and over time move to Debian but there are so may different Linux versions others may suit you best as everyone has their preferences. Its free to try them all!

IMO the ethos of Linux is far better aligned with that of Bitcoin, freedom and privacy than other OSs.

it's a huge pain in the ass, but it's absolutely worth it.

when i switched about 16 years ago i audited a Linux class at the local community college, and that helped me get started.

And you don't have to go whole hog at once. You could get a cheap spare computer and install Linux and start using it to browse the web, write documents, make backups, etc... until you get comfortable using it as a daily driver.

I'd recommend starting with Linux Mint. Both my parents and my wife use it with minimal issues, but they dont really use any software and just do everything in the browser.

The switch to Linux is more than just changing operating systems. You will need to be prepared to leave much of the software you're accustomed to behind (I.e. office or Photoshop ), so learning how to use/configure/install/compile new software will usually be a requirement.

That being said, I switched about 6 years ago and is one of the best decisions I ever made. I ditched all proprietary software and now use only Free Software. There's a learning curve involved, but its worth it in the long run.

For gaming under linux, you are not in rest.

Currently, there is a brand-new OS in alpha, based on NixOS. It's French but do a translation and check out the video, it's pretty promising. https://youtu.be/PpWXcuI5Oxw

I started using Linux in 1993 and I dual booted it with MICROS~1 Winblows until 1999, when I finally format'ed the hard drive where the ugly thing was living to replace it with OpenBSD. I've been using mainly Linux (Debian first and Devuan now) since then, and also OpenBSD and Haiku.

I fully switched to Linux many years ago without any regrets. It was the time when Win7 was in development. I was using win XP and had try ubuntu a bit, and I promised to myself never again to use windows personally. It really worked well so far. You are so welcome to your journey on using Linux, you'll be more sovereign and more free, having more control over your OS. Please start with Kubuntu LTS, the interface is similar to windows because M$ copied the KDE theme a lot, and Kubuntu is stable. This is the distro I installed for my parents and sisters and recommand to beginners.

For Office alternative, of course you have LibreOffice, but if you want a more similar Office experience, try out WPS (I know it's chinese, but what can you do).

Don't worry, you're not late to switch to linux, because after 20 years, it has become only better. After a good year of using your kubuntu, you'll feel more confident, and you can experience other distro if you like to change. KDE and Gnome are both working on an immutable OS like NixOS. So wait and see, it will only become better.

I didn't know anyone still ran windows personally... it's enterprise groupware, that's like using salesforce for your cell phone contacts.

The KDE variant of Ubuntu is what I'd recommend, Kubuntu... turn-key without the craptastic GNOME UI

I did it around 2 years ago, but I did have a few aborted attempts 10 or so years ago, so I had so e familiarity. Linux OGs don't like it, but in my non expert opinion the current Ubuntu releases make the transition very easy. I posted about my experience a while back: #126179

Pick a well known and batteries included linux distro (OS), and I can assure you there's no going back.

I switched indirectly -- switched from Windows to Mac, then to Linux (and still use Mac when I'm at work).

That said, if your main use for a computer is writing and using the internet (I'm guessing a machine old enough to not be eligible for the upgrade probably isn't creating videos), Linux will be just fine. There are plenty of builds/interfaces that are great for newer users, and LibreOffice can do everything I ever used MS Office for. Just remember you are changing user interfaces, so there will be a learning curve.

Pop!_OS makes great software in top of Ubuntu and also great hardware @ system76.com

They're just doing all around cool stuff, like their cosmic Wayland desktop in development.

I support them as much as possible

Debian

Definitely switch it has become so easy to do now even for non-technical people. I second using Ventoy so that you can copy a bunch of distros on a flash drive and try a lot of them to find what fits for you. Then there is a FOSS Linux version for all Mac/Windows software

I leave my comment from my experience as a user of both platforms, with Linux since Debian 5 Lenix, and Microsoft since 98. In my case the migration should depend on the use to be given, I personally like the free software, the shell and all that implies in speed, security and performance, however as a designer, I work on platforms like Adobe and there neither Gimp, Linkscape, nor Cut, nor anyone in the Linux universe has been able to stop. So if it does not involve any tool that is not available for Ubuntu, I certainly recommend that you migrate, you remove thousands of problems, but only knowing the real use that you would give. Otherwise you will feel obsolete in front of thousands of paid tools that are used for projects like in my case Adobe.

Do it. You will have a solid and sicure system, you will improve your computer skills and you will finally "own" your PC. Few days ago I tested, after several years, Fedora, it's great! Really smooth and curated user experience, highly recommended.

I switched a few days ago from Win10 to Ubuntu 22. If you play games which requires installation, probably not worth it. Otherwise you will be fine! If you do coding or research then it is great.

I always use Linux in lightweight though. I also used window 3.1.

Don't do a sudden shift, take a little exercise every now and then.

Windows is the OS (Operating System)...

Switching all depends on what tasks you do on your computer. If there are specific apps that are only on Windows and they are deal breakers it will be harder to switch.

For most people its my opinion if you really want free (as in speech) OS you will drop Windows. Linux Mint is a good option for beginners and specifically for those coming from Windows.

There is some good advice in the comments already but I say you should try it. Install Mint or some of the others mentioned on a flash drive and try it out. What I hear from people that switch from Windows is how much faster their machine runs with Linux. Its true. Linux will run on almost any hardware. Even really old stuff.

One suggestion for a beginner: use as much of the default stuff as possible. Just get used to it. When you start configuring it to feel like windows or have some fancy features and stuff, then you will spend long hours & days debugging it. Linux lets you change literally everything. But especially as a beginner, you will most likely end up with a broken OS that you need to reinstall from scratch. With a bit of luck you won't lose your data during this.

When you start tinkering it's very easy to break it. This is the final boss of broken linux booting :)