Oh, also - if want some PCs to boot up using Mint/Linux on a USB stick, you might have to make an adjustment in the BIOS.
This explains it pretty well -
https://www.howtogeek.com/175641/how-to-boot-and-install-linux-on-a-uefi-pc-with-secure-boot
Cool thing about having a Linux USB Stick - or even install CD - is you can often use it as a “Rescue Disk” on the PC it’s plugged into. If nothing else, you can use it to copy/move/ save files from the host PC system.
On the Windows 7 thing in your original post; I’m planning on keeping Win 7, but not for use online - just for offline use. There are some good Windows programs that I’m not ready to give up yet!
Otherwise, I’m ready to go with a Linux distro as my primary OS in 2020.
Yes, I am familiar with needing to set the Bios to boot from a stick. Or the boot option menu HP has.
“Otherwise, I’m ready to go with a Linux distro as my primary OS in 2020.”
I didn’t wait, I got on it as my primary right away. Love the security for normal everyday use. :)