Posted on 10/14/2025 10:46:58 AM PDT by ShadowAce
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.
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.
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.
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.
It would probably run, but I am not familiar with that hardware.
Microsoft folded and gave a one year extension to anyone who asked. I do suspect it gives them a way to spy on Win10 machines in a way that is automatic on Win11 machines; it would have been more useful if he'd done the work to look into this, rather than doing what he did with this statement.
Its always about the applications. The accountant in our house will not give up her quicken and quilting apps. I use linux on my cloud server. Certain admin tasks are difficult and I have lots of unix experience.
Whats the learning curve once its installed?
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Me: The Firefox is that little picture there.
Her: OK
Me: Your recipes are this picture then the picture that says “Recipes”.
Her: OK
“How about Linux on an outdated iMac (2012)?”
From what I understand there are no problems with Linux on Apple. And Linux usually likes older machines. I just installed current Linux Mint on a 2004 Dell alongside Win XP. Runs like a champ! Drives everything including the old floppy drive and telephone modem.
Lol, well done... I never thought to describe the GUI with words... I’m going to have to regroup now and approach it different. :)
Where do you get Linux and how do you install it?
I ran across this website. It is a pretty good starter reference for Linux Mint.
Easy Linux Tips Project
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/
Will probably do this at home but for the the office desktop at work, hmmm.
I did the same thing on my 3 computers.
But the way I operate, I have very small chance of virus infection anyways. I shutdown updates for every 3 months by using a software utility. Less time wasted in slow updates that way.
Only thing I hate about Windows is frequent and slow updates. Other than that no problems. I have written a lot of my own software to manage my investments using dBase and I am not sure it will be problem in moving to Linux.
The slow update issue I control by disabling updates for 3 months. Never had issues with hacking in 30 years using Windows.
I will be converting four Windows PCs to Linux very soon.
The greedy SOBs running Microsoft Windows can bite me!
Running Linuxmint on my Gateway that was “too old” years ago for updates on Windows https://linuxmint.com/
Have a dual set-up of Windows and Linuxmint on my laptop. This means you basically have them side by side and you choose which one to run in startup.
Running my other old GW Windows 7 offline.
My W10 laptops are only for playing music but I noticed a lot of updates for them today.
For my actual computers I use W11.
I only use windows to play a few online games and use Linux for everything else , duel boot hard drives
Windows is like alcoholism. Most folks can’t get motivated to give it up until they’ve hit rock bottom. Until then, trying to talk them into changing is mostly a waste of breath.
...or bite the pillow for Microsoft!
I’ve been using Linux for a long time now and I wouldn’t go back to Windows.
Maybe we could start a Help Thread for people who just aren’t sure where to start.
Which version of Linux?
It has many flavors. Most people will want one most like Windows.
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