5 reasons you should ditch Windows for Linux today

ZD Net ^ | 14 October 2025 | Jack Wallen

[ShadowAce]

ZDNET's key takeaways

• Windows 10 support has ended, making Linux a possible alternative.
• It's a good time to consider switching from Windows to Linux.
• Switching to Linux can extend your computer's life and performance.

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I can still remember when I decided to install Linux on my very first computer (a Pentium 75). I'd been using Windows 95 and found myself more frustrated than not. I was experiencing constant blue screens of death, couldn't make the OS behave how I wanted, the software was expensive, and I hated the way it looked.

So, I installed Linux over Windows, and the rest is history. I've been using Linux as my operating system of choice since then, and I haven't regretted it one bit.

Also: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first - here's how

If you're starting to get frustrated with Windows, I think I have five reasons that might help you decide.

1. The requirement of a Microsoft account

This might be something you've not really considered during a time when everything seems to require an account. Microsoft is taking this one step further with Windows, as it has announced that it's removing the last remaining workaround for creating a local account during setup. What that means is, when you first set up Windows 11 Home, you must use a Microsoft account. On Windows 11 Pro, it's still the default, but you can easily bypass it with a workaround. 

To be clear, you can switch to a local account after setup is complete. You don't have to keep using a Microsoft account to sign in every time you want to log into Windows. Microsoft's own post specifies it's only removing known methods for creating a local account during the setup process (the OOBE phase), not after the OS is running.

Also: Microsoft just blocked a popular way to set up a local account in Windows 11 - here's what still works

To me, that's still a privacy red flag. It's interesting that this is happening around the same time support ends for Windows 10 (an OS that allows local accounts from the start). Why does this bother me? Encouraging you to log into a Microsoft account means the company can create a profile of you so it can push targeted ads to the OS and pester you to use more (paid) Microsoft services. 

For anyone who values privacy, this is not a positive step forward. Linux, on the other hand, will always allow for local account creation, so you don't have to worry about your information being saved on a third-party server.

2. Windows 10 support is over

Today's the day. October 14 -- the moment support ended for Windows 10. It happens with every operating system, but when it does, you'd like to think the next iteration will be an improvement over what you've been using. The biggest issue with the upgrade is that many computers running Windows 10 do not support Windows 11. That means, if you want to keep using a supported OS (never use an unsupported one), you'll have to purchase a new computer. 

Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distro

Or, you can install Linux over Windows 10 (after backing up your data) and experience superior performance, even on that aging machine. Even better, you can go with a Long Term Support distribution and know that in four or five years (when support ends), you can simply upgrade to the next LTS and keep going. It's a rare occasion that a Linux distribution's system requirements change from one iteration to another. Even when those requirements do change, it's incremental. Even so, if you find out your distribution of choice can no longer run on that older PC, you can always switch to a lightweight distribution, and you're good to go.

3. Better performance

I've tested Windows and Linux side by side for years and have yet to experience a situation where Windows outperforms Linux. The only area I've not done such comparisons is gaming (because I'm only a casual gamer). Beyond that, Linux blows Windows away every time. I could take a Windows 10 machine, install Linux on it, and that computer would still be able to outperform a brand-new Windows 11 PC. Every time I have to deal with Windows, I feel as if I've gone from a Ferrari to a Yugo with square wheels. It's painful. 

Also: 10 Linux features you should be using to get the best performance and functionality

On top of that, the Linux desktop is just way more efficient than its Windows "equivalent." If you want a well-performing computer (without having to max out system resources -- or your budget), trust me when I tell you that Linux is the way to go.

4. Superior flexibility

Linux is flexible. Windows is not. I could end this point here, but I'll continue. On those rare occasions that I have to use Windows, I always wish I could change just about everything to better match my needs. I want equal parts efficiency and aesthetics. I want the OS to bend to my will, not threaten to break my sanity. With Linux, I can change just about everything. If I want a real-time kernel, I can switch. If I want a different desktop environment, change. If I want more control from my keyboard, Linux has my back. 

Also: The 5 most customizable Linux desktop environments - when you want it your way

There isn't a single aspect of Linux that you cannot customize, tweak, change, alter, or switch. Linux is, without a doubt, the most flexible OS on the market (and there is no comparison). When I'm using Linux, if I think of a better way to do something, you can bet that I can make it happen. With Windows? No way.

5. Security

In the nearly 30 years that I've been using Linux, I've only had maybe two instances where security was an issue. The first time was when I had to take over as administrator on a Linux server. Because the person had Ubuntu Server configured very poorly, someone was able to get in and plant a rootkit on the machine. The second instance was when I'd left desktop sharing on in an open network, and someone somehow managed to connect to the machine. In the first instance, I had to completely reinstall the OS. The second instance only required that I shut off desktop sharing. To put it bluntly, Windows cannot hold a candle to Linux security. 

Also: Want to save your old computer? Try one of these 8 Linux distros for free

With Windows, you have to be very careful and always have some form of antivirus installed (otherwise, it's a crapshoot). Linux does not require antivirus software and probably never will. Of course, that doesn't mean you should ignore the security aspect of Linux. Do use the firewall, do not install software from unknown sources, and don't willy-nilly click on URLs. Even with the most secure OS on the market, you need to take security seriously.

[Openurmind]

“I use linux on my cloud server. Certain admin tasks are difficult.”

The current Linux Desktop GUI experience is not at all like this. It is not much different than using Windows 7. Most average users will never even need the Comandline Terminal. It is all point and click, Drag and Drop.

[dayglored]

As the Allman Brothers sang:

My mamma she done told me, this day will surely come.
I wouldn't listen to her, had to have my fun.
The bell has tolled, my Windows Updates up and gone.
It's all my fault, I musta' did somebody wrong.

Windows 10 End-of-Life ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to ShadowAce for the ping!

[Openurmind]

For first time users I highly recommend Linux Mint Cinnamon. It is boxed with a great app package by default. And it is highly customizable.

[Openurmind]

I was just talking with another member about that. I think it is universal human nature. People just do not like “change” even if it will benefit them greatly, sometimes even save their lives. Like alcoholism.

[Openurmind]

“I will be converting four Windows PCs to Linux very soon.

The greedy SOBs running Microsoft Windows can bite me!”

Good for you! And once you get settled in and dialed in the way you want you will ask yourself why you didn’t do it 10 years ago... I promise... Almost everyone does.

[Openurmind]

“Only thing I hate about Windows is frequent and slow updates.”

OK, this is what you WILL like about updates. It does not give you the “Checking for updates” every time it starts up. Depending on how you want your updates or even not want any updates it does it all in the background later after you are already booted up and using it. You never even know it is happening. It boots up, you go to work, and it does all that in the background without bothering you.

And the best thing? It only updates what is absolutely needed. It doesn’t hand you a bunch of crap and setting changes you do not need or want. And you can shut off updates indefinitely if you want. And after it gives you a reminder you can go pick through the updates and choose what you want updated or not. You are not forced to into the windows style update requirement and hold up keeping you from using it.

[so_real]

I played with GnuCash back when it was just a baby, like back in 2002'ish, but iirc it did not have relational database support at the time. Maybe I'll have to try it again. Do you think it is ready for small enterprise use?

[ScottHammett]

If only it could manage my snaps...

[Pollard]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GnuCash#Features

[Bob434]

[[I can still remember when I decided to install Linux on my very first computer]]

Me too- it was back i nthe 90’s, and it was NOT a pleasant experienc-e linux back then was not nearly as automated as it is today- nothing worked with it, printer, floppy disk reader- etc- thankfully mouse was detected- so made it a little less annoying- but still- I ended up wiping my hard drive, formatting it, and putting windows 95 back on (which also wasn’t a joy ot deal with for certain things)

Today linux is much much better- but still need windows for certain windows programs that need the GPU

[Bob434]

the hardest part is getting it onto a thumb drive- which really isn’t that hard-

During install however, you will want to choose either to install beside windows, or to wipe the HD and install as sole os-

Once you get it onto a thumb drive- you can try it out without installing it- just make sure you don’t click ‘install’ at any time- it will run from the thumb drive- though it will be slower-

[Bob434]

you can run windows games through the steam app in linux- they make it pretty easy- and it works well- i have a number of games i play in linux- windows games- they run perfectly-

[Bob434]

linux mint- or the other one some folksl ike is ubuntu- there are others that are popular- but I’ve tried a lot and linux mint is the one I settled on- it just fits how i like an os to be-

[MikelTackNailer]

- (Windows) Time Has Come Today -

Time has come today
End users can go their way
Can’t put it off another day
I don’t care what others say
They say we don’t subscribe anyway
Time has come today
(Hey)

Oh
The choice has changed today (hey)
I have no cause to stay (hey)
I don’t believe what Clippy say (hey)
The love has flown away (hey)
B-SoD has come and gone (hey)
Oh my Lord, I have to roam (hey)
I finally know (hey)
I’m free to go (hey)

Now the time has come (time)
Other places I can run (time)
I see that Window’s time is done (time)
But I had my fun (time)
I’ve been used and made to wait (time)
Through the neverending Update (time)
And my marketing psychoanalyzed (time)

(Time)
Now the time has come (time)
It’s YOUR data, realize (time)
Time has come today (time)
Time has come today (time)

(Time)
(Time)

Oh, oh

Their hold was fear
People got burned
Theres a Penguin coming
You don’t need no...

Microsoft is done

Now the time has come (time)
Change to Linux and be done
The time is now
I just had to run (time)
I’ve been used and put aside (time)
Windows time is done

Time, yeah

(thanks to The Chambers Brothers)

[Bob434]

I have run into situations during update where i can’t turn off the computer until the update is done- but other than that- updates are always very quick- easy- in the background, and a real treat compared to the slow clunky updates with windows- and the resulting fixes to correct what it breaks afterwards-

[[And the best thing? It only updates what is absolutely needed. It doesn’t hand you a bunch of crap and setting changes you do not need or want]]

Absolutely! Windows is like a freakin virus these days- changing things you set every time-

I’m just prayign for the chance to run windows with full GPU on linux so i can finally throw windows where it belongs, in the trash

[dayglored]

Excellent!!

[daniel1212]

Glad there are alternatives, but below is (again) a pushback to any who may insist one should switch to Windows

1. The requirement of a Microsoft account

Neither this nor legal Windows has cost me a cent since a $29 upgrade to W/8 Pro many years ago, thank God. Telemetry not an issue. Yet.

2. Windows 10 support is over

I run W/11 Pro. but significantly customized to be like customized W/10, customized to be like W/7.

3. Better performance

Perhaps, but not worth the loss of acquired (not default) efficiency.

4. Superior flexibility .. equal parts efficiency and aesthetics.

All Linux distros I have tried come far short in equal efficiency and aesthetics compared to significantly customized Windows, which is relativity easy compared to the time and energy doing so to Linux would require.

5. Security

Never had a serious issue nor any for years (pray and press, "drive" safe)) despite running many browsers, hundreds of tabs. multiple emailsThanks be to God.

Conclusio, to the time and energy it would take me to customize a Linux distro to be the way i have done so to Windows it not warranted at this time. PcLinuxOS is my favorite Linux now though. My old home built PC (4.2Ghz0 has/is running Mint for years.

[Openurmind]

“I have run into situations during update where i can’t turn off the computer until the update is done.”

Wow, I haven’t had that happen yet. But I suppose it is a good thing, you would not want a partial interrupted update process. I have watched my processes and usually it only takes a couple minutes shortly after I fire it up to do those tiny minimal updates.

[Openurmind]

Thank you for this post Ace. Folks really are down to the wire. And they can set themselves free with minimal effort.

[Openurmind]

Are you talking about Snap packages? Mint dropped default support for Snap because Snap is not secure at all. But if you want to you can install Snap and then it will support Snap packages. I stopped using snap altogether. If I can’t get an app from the repository or as a Flatpak or appimage I don’t trust it.

“That sentiment came to a boil recently, when Clem said, “...in the Ubuntu 20.04 package base, the Chromium package is indeed empty and acting, without your consent, as a backdoor by connecting your computer to the Ubuntu Store.” In other words, Clem makes the claim that if you issue the command sudo apt-get install chromium -y, instead of it installing the .deb package, it instead installs the Chromium snap package. To this, Clem says, “Applications in this store cannot be patched, or pinned. You can’t audit them, hold them, modify them or even point snap to a different store. You’ve as much empowerment with this as if you were using proprietary software, i.e. none. This is in effect similar to a commercial proprietary solution, but with two major differences: It runs as root, and it installs itself without asking you.”

https://www.linux-magazine.com/Online/News/Linux-Mint-Drops-Snap