How to Switch From Windows to Linux – Guide

If you’re tired of Windows 10 or don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11, you can install Linux. Here it is how to switch to an open source operating system and install apps.

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s latest operating system and it looks sleeker than Windows 10. However, if you’re tired of all the ads, updates, data collection, and software lock-ins, there are other options available. ..

If you’re thinking about switching to a different operating system, now is the perfect time. But you don’t have to stick with Windows-macOS binaries, and you don’t have to settle for browser-based Chrome OS. You can use Linux instead. ..

Choose your distribution

Linux is a versatile operating system that can be used on a variety of devices. It has a dock and an “app store,” which makes it easy to access the latest apps.

For your first Linux installation, I recommend starting with Linux Mint. It’s a popular distribution that is easy to use and provides support for beginners. ..

Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution that aims to mimic Windows in layout and functionality. However, Ubuntu is smaller and less developed than Windows, so it may not be the best choice for someone who wants to learn how to use Linux.

Linux Mint is a great option for beginners. It has a familiar desktop environment and is based on Ubuntu, so you can access the huge Ubuntu / Mint community when you need help. ..

I will be using Mint for this guide, and I recommend you do too. Mint is a great choice for new Windows migrants, and it’s easier to explore other distros after setting the basics on a beginner-friendly system.

Create your installation unit

To download the Cinnamon desktop environment for 64-bit computers, go to the Mint download page and choose the Cinnamon version. Cinnamon is a desktop environment I recommend for former Windows users, although MATE is also very similar to Windows, albeit a little less modern. XFCE is ideal for older or low-powered PCs, thanks to its light use of resources. If you use BitTorrent, I recommend getting the torrent file, which will be much faster to download. ..

To install the installer, you will need to burn the ISO or disk image file to a DVD or USB flash drive.

Linux Mint is a Debian-based Linux distribution that comes with a desktop environment called Cinnamon. It is designed for users who want to use their computer for work and personal purposes, as well as those who want to keep their system up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Now it’s time to go back up your data and restart your computer. Fasten your seatbelts because it’s time to install Linux.

Install Linux on your PC

When your computer restarts, you’ll see a message asking you to press a certain key to access the boot menu (usually something like F12). Otherwise, you will see a key to enter Setup (usually Delete). Press one of these keys and look for the option to boot from inserted USB drive. (If you go into the full setup menu, you’ll be in a boot settings menu somewhere, and you’ll have to exit the menu to restart again when you’re done.) ..

When you first start up Linux Mint, you will be greeted by GRUB, the boot menu. This menu allows you to choose to boot into Linux Mint or to load a different operating system. If you find any errors, you may need to Google a solution. I had to enable the nomodeset option for my video card, for example. Others may have to adjust or disable safe boot in the BIOS. ..

This installer is a Live CD that allows you to tweak and use the Linux Mint desktop before installing it.

Windows 10 comes with a lot of pre-installed software that you may not want. To avoid problems, be sure to check the box next to Install Third-Party Software and install any drivers or codecs that are recommended. After this, you can erase your entire hard drive and use Linux as your only operating system. Make sure you back up your data first! ..

You can split your computer into two partitions and dual boot Linux along with Windows. This will allow you to reboot into one or the other whenever you like. At the very least, it’s comforting to know that you have this safety net during the transition, before removing Windows completely.

Linux Mint is a new operating system that you can use to replace your current computer. The installation process may take a while, but when it is complete you will receive a success message. You can then click the Restart Now button to boot into Linux Mint and begin familiarizing yourself with your new operating system.

Linux is a Unix-like operating system that can be used to run applications. Some applications you may want to install are a text editor, a spreadsheet application, and a file manager.

linux applications

When you restart your computer, you will be taken to the Linux Mint desktop. The basics are quite familiar: click on the button in the lower left corner to view applications, manage windows in the lower taskbar, and so on. There are some things in Linux that work differently than Windows, with applications being the biggest difference. ..

Linux users often download applications from the web instead of from the distros’ repositories. This is because each distro has its own app store, where popular apps are available. You can install an app from the repositories in one of two ways: from a graphical software manager (again, which looks like an app store) or from the command line.

To open the Linux Mint software manager, click on the menu button in the lower left corner and go to Administration > Software Manager. From here you can download many free open source apps.

Some people use Linux distributions as their primary operating system, while others use open source alternatives. You can browse here or search for apps using the bar at the top.

How to Install and uninstall apps

sudo apt-get install vlc

This will install the VLC media player. ..

In this article, we will explore the sudo command and its various uses. We will also take a look at apt and update, two of the most important commands in Linux Mint.

sudo aptitude install vlc If you want to use a different video player, you can install it using the following command: sudo aptitude install libvlc-dev

sudo apt install vlc sudo apt update sudo apt install vlc-core ..

uninstall /Applications/MyApplication.app/Contents/Resources/ This will uninstall MyApplication.app and all its dependencies.

Remove the video codec package from Debian GNU/Linux.

This will remove the app but not its configuration files, so if you decide to reinstall it later, you’ll need to re-configure it.

rm -rf /etc/sysconfig/network This will remove all the configuration files for the network.

Remove the video codecs from apt.

How to Update apps

You can update your apps on the graphical tool by clicking on the Updates button in the toolbar, or by using the command line.

To update your software using the Update Manager application, click the shield icon in the lower right corner. You can then click the Install updates button to update all your software. ..

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install python-pygments This will install the Python bindings for the Pygments library, which will allow you to write LaTeX documents.

The “update” command checks for new versions of your software and the “upgrade” command actually updates all your applications. You’ll want to run these two together, just as you do to install new apps.

The most important things to know right now are that the Mint interface has a lot of features, and that you should browse the settings to see what it has to offer. The Welcome window that pops up on startup can be a big help – its Getting Started area will show you how to choose different desktop layouts, install desired multimedia codecs, and install drivers necessary for your hardware. ..

The Ubuntu and Mint forums are always there to help new users get started. However, be sure to search around as there may be a similar question already asked. ..

Final note

How to Switch From Windows to Linux: A Guide for Beginners