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.

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TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: endoflife; linux; windows; windows10; windows11; windowspinglist

[ShadowAce]

[Navy Patriot]

Bookmark!

[Red Badger]

Windows XT!......... 😄

[Ikeon]

How difficult is it to install Linux? Whats the learning curve once its installed?

[ansel12]

For the W10 lurkers who won’t do Linux, at least today.

I just did the 1 more year thing by signing into my microsoft account and getting the one year free update extension on five laptops.

[ClearCase_guy]

Bfl

[sqwrell]

It’s not that simple when we have nstf drives packed with tb’s of data that will cannot be accessed by the Linux version of the program we run (plex media server) ..

and we have other win programs that have shitty Linux interfaces.

Otherwise we love Linux on our other system

[Yo-Yo]

If you have a Microsoft account, you can extend Windows 10 support for another full year.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/extended-security-updates

[null and void]

“(the OOBE phase)”

Does this call for a NDE-OOBE (Near Death Experience - Out Of Body Experience) ping?

[AppyPappy]

Linux can access NTFS drives

[ShadowAce]

How difficult is it to install Linux?

Interesting question. It's actually a multi-part question.

Do you want to entirely replace your Windows? Simple as pie. Stick a USB stick in and boot up. Choose "Install" and off you go

Install Linux along Windows? More difficult, but the operative word is "more." Gotta figure out free space on the drive, etc.

Install Linux on a separate drive? Easier than option 2 above.

Whats the learning curve once its installed?

It can be really easy to use. Modern distros can be entirely GUI like Windows. You have the option of using the command line, but it is not required.

You can start out using the GUI, and learn the command line at your own pace, if you want. Again, it's not required. If you can point and click, you can run Linux.

[Openurmind]

“How difficult is it to install Linux? Whats the learning curve once its installed?”

“Mint Cinnamon” is the go to for a first time user. I have been using Linux for ten years now and have test driven just about all of the best major players. It operates almost like Windows 7. If you have used Win 7 you will be able to fly right away.

1. First download and install a program called “Rufus”.

https://rufus.ie/en/

It is the top option: rufus-4.11.exe

2. Download the Mint Cinnamon .iso file from the Mint site. The “James Madison University” Mirror source is known to be a clean download.

https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=322

3. Insert a USB stick that is empty or that you do not mind being wiped clean of current data.

4. Start Rufus and go select the Mint .iso from your downloads. It should autodetect the USB stick as the destination for the .iso to be installed. The default settings in Rufus are all fine. Just answer yes to any options it asks and then select create.

5. When done close Rufus and power your computer off.

Now here is where the only challenge can arise. You now have to make the computer boot from that external Linux stick. There should be no problems doing this. But on some computers Windows has locked out the ability to see that external Operation System and so it will not boot from it. So there is a process of elimination that has to be done sometimes. But 9 times out of 10 the following does indeed work...

6. With the Linux stick inserted power on your Computer, stay right there and be ready to hit the key that will give you your boot options for that computer make. When the Manufacturer’s logo comes up tap that key. Depending on make it might be the Esc key. F2 key, F9 key, or on a Dell it is the F12/Star key. Select the USB as the boot option.

7. Be patient because the screen may go Black a few times as the Linux boots up. And from a stick it is a bit slower to do this.

8. If it does not boot from the stick as it should then there will need to be some configuration in the bios that needs to be done. That can be addressed later as a separate issue.

But it should Boot for you if you did everything above step by step. Now you will be in Linux and running from off the stick completely isolated from your internal drive and Windows. It should auto detect your internet connection and you will have to put in your password to access your internet source. Bottom right in the same place it is in Windows 7.

It will tell you when it makes the connection. Then you can use the Firefox browser to access the net if you like and check out all the stuff it comes with and what can be done with it. Basically you are in test drive mode. But nothing can be downloaded, installed, and while you can make temporary changes they will be forgotten and it will go back to default when you shut down.

Run it for awhile from off the stick when you have extra time and check it out, Go explore and discover what the apps are and what they do, go look at the System Settings and how they work. Then after you feel comfortable with it then you can install it if you like. There are two options, wipe the drive completely and install only the Linux, or you can install it “Along Side” (Dual Boot) the existing windows and have both. The installer will do all of the partitioning and disk work for you during the install. So no need to worry about complicated partitioning and disk preparation first, it does it all for you. Just take your time and read the options well as you step through it.

[Still Thinking]

Advertising anything to me through my OS running on my computer is unacceptable, targeted or not.

[ShadowAce]

Agreed—that’s another reason I run Linux

[T Ruth]

How difficult is it to install Linux?

Grok will walk you through it, step by step.

[so_real]

We have one single accounting machine remaining that runs Windows because of ... Quickbooks. Oh, how I detest what Quickbooks has become. If there is a non-web-based decent accounting software out there that runs on Linux, please let me know. But any software, including Quickbooks, that forces me to store my vendor and customer data online is a non-starter. That info is gold and stays inside our four walls. I miss the days that I could air-gap the machines running accounting software.

[ShadowAce]

I do not believe that Quickbooks has a Linux version.

However (while I have not looked into this extensively), I also believe there are some high quality accounting software out there that runs on Linux.

[JZelle]

How about Linux on an outdated iMac (2012)?

[sauropod]

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