I’m still afraid to switch to Linux because I’ve used Windows since i was a kid with Windows 95. It’s gotten progressively worse, and I’m still reluctantly camped out on Windows 10, but the thought of firing up a new operating system and going back to being a confused adolescent who doesn’t know how to get around (with or without accidentally making an older woman crouching in red lingerie the desktop wallpaper on my family computer and then denying any knowledge of it) makes me really uneasy.
Please, Linux whisperers. Calm my woes. 😓
It’s 2 downloads for Ubuntu. The OS and Rufus(there are other programs that can do it) to package the thumbdrive. I did have to restart the system using windows recovery to get it to boot from USB. Did it today during a lazy afternoon. Nuked windy completely. Working flawlessly so far on my “sunsetted” surface tablet. Its just a straight up desktop you can do whatever you want with. You don’t have to touch the scary terminal unless you want to
If you have ever installed windows from scratch you can throw on a Linux distro. Just back anything up you want to keep.
I’ve used Windows since i was a kid
substitute “Windows” with “computer”. If you have any history of resolving “this doesn’t work for me” on your own (as opposed to waiting for someone else do to it for you), you will be fine. Just be sure not to jump into unknown when you have urgent important things to do :)
I did what Lawnman23 mentioned, downloaded the latest Mint release and flashed it on an usb stick. booted into Linux Mint, and all my hardware did function right away from the start. Including my old printer, all my usb devices, bluetooth devices and no problems with my Nvidia graphics card. After that i installed linux mint next to my windows as a dual boot. I installed it on different SSD drive tho. Linux Mint is now the OS i always use, i got all my programs and games working on Linux, and now am deleting Windows from my pc.
Before Windows 11, I told people to switch to Linux because open source software is better for the soul. Now, I tell people because the user experience is just better. I used XP/Vista/7 throughout my childhood, and modern Linux desktop environments really do feel closer to that experience than Windows 11. I use Win11 for work, and I can confidently say that it has the worst settings menu I’ve ever used.
If you know the basics of using a desktop computer, most things won’t feel that weird or foreign to you. The hardest part will probably be learning Linux-compatible alternatives for apps that only work on Windows. What kind of programs do you typically use on your Windows system?
You’ve got a very relatable situation. Switching to Linux can be a gradual thing. -Keep your windows main, and get a flash drive boot
- make a folder on you C:/ or D:/ to store your Linux user files (like downloads and documents). This keeps your windows files more separate from your Linux files. It also let’s you keep files across boots. You can delete the Linux folder if you don’t want to keep it around.
- Open up Firefox, and have a browse of your favourite sites. See about logging in and getting your account logged in.
- what’s it like? Is it different to windows? Is the vibe different?
- try installing your favourite app or game.
- get curious!
- too much? Your windows is still right there.
Baby steps! And remember, you don’t need to see the whole staircase, just take the first step :)
Linux is way more similar and familiar than you likely imagine.
Of course, learning is inevitable going to Linux for the first time. But learning is not scary or bad. There are helpful docs and the community. Everyone here was once where you are now.
Also, try Linux risk-free on Windows in a virtual machine.
Next you can dual boot.
Next, you can resort to running Windows apps via Wine and other virtual evironments.
And only last but not least, can you go 100% pure Linux.
So there is a gentle and gradual migration path available. It’s not an all or nothing commitment right upfront.
You only have your chains to lose.
You could do what I did: Install a second drive in your computer and install Linux (e.g. Linux Mint) on it. That way you can always go back to Windows should you come to the conclusion that Linux isn’t for you . But I have to say, being a recent switcher from Windows to Linux myself, the transition was really easier than I initially thought.
Most distro’s have a live bootable install. You download a .iso and burn it to a flash drive. Plug it in and boot from it, doesn’t touch or change anything with your current Windows install.
This lets you try out the OS before fully installing it. Give it a whirl.
I personally recommend Fedora KDE. https://fedoraproject.org/kde/
Instead of burning the ISO to the flash drive, I recommend burning Ventoy to your flashdrive. Then you can drag and drop ISOs for every distro you want to try without having to burn them every time.
Ventoy is so freaking cool!
The PC Gamer article’s title also says “upgrade or”. That’s a heck of a detail to editorialize out of the title.
From the Mozilla post it cites:
After this, no security updates will be provided and you are strongly encouraged to upgrade to a supported Microsoft Windows version.
Or, if your current hardware can’t handle Windows 10 or higher for some reason, you can switch to a Linux-based operating system. The vast majority of Linux distributions come with Firefox as the default browser.
I agree switching to Linux is the better option. I want to try Bazzite.
Already on Linux.
Life is good 👍
Made the switch when Windows 7 went EOL. Helped plenty of others make the switch now before 10 was killed off. Life is good indeed.
Pretty sure Mozilla has the numbers on how many installations each OS has, so it’s probably a legitimate decision. HOWEVER, if they want to maintain their position on Linux, I highly recommend changing the default behavior of Ctrl+Shift+C to match how it works in Helium, where it simply copies the selected content instead of opening Developer Mode, which cannot be closed again using the same keystroke.
You can change that in about:keyboard in the new Firefox versions
Absolutely, all behavior can be changed somehow. But the default defines the product :)
Ah the classic Linux community response to any complaint.
- The default either actively ignores what every other software does or purposely uses something other than everything else for no apparent reason.
- Someone brings up the fact that it makes no sense why it’s different and how it makes the user experience worse.
- Someone else recommends a half baked solution that still doesn’t really solve the problem and doesn’t address the fact that the specific weirdness being default is the issue. So it ignores the actual complaint and only provides a half solution.
- Nothing is ever done to address the issue and it remains for decades constantly annoying new users and being one of thousands of small issues that turn potential curious new users away as they accumulate.
“Most browsers, including Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, have already ended support for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1.”
To me Millions of flies can’t be wrong: eat shit. is a crappy argument but at least they’re
“If your current hardware can’t handle Windows 10 or higher for some reason, you can switch to a Linux-based operating system. The vast majority of Linux distributions come with Firefox as the default browser.”
If you’re still using those old and bugged versions then you probably don’t care about unpatched software. Big security issues. Hope no one is using them.
Honestly surprised to learn that they were still supporting 7-8.1 until now.
it was bullshit when they ended support for XP, and now I have to find alternatives on 7!!?
fuck you Mozilla, you just lost a customer!
lol how much have you been paying them?
at least $25 a month for the past year!
they won’t get another dime from me, that’s for sure.
Rookie mistake. After your free trial is over, just cancel it and start a new one.
95 was the last good windows i said what i said
Shoulda stopped at xp tbh
Is there a good distro to pick for a surface tablet?
My understanding is you need a specific kernel, which likely limits your choices somewhat (dunno, don’t have one, but that seems like a good place to start). Seems totally doable though.
Ubuntu working got damn flawlessly out of the box. Might try a dual boot with arch later when feeling like doing clicky clacks
Good to hear. Have fun.
Currently looking into Ubuntu will report back
Wait, I don’t even know what I’m using, it might be one of those. First they bring in AI without having to opt in, hiding any opt out part, now they quit supporting old windows?
I am afraid if trying to switch to linux it doesn’t work, but I need to. If you can’t download new os software because you deleted windows and the stuff you had didn’t work what are you going to do? My computer doesn’t even take cd’s. Computers sold around 2020 are shit.
So you have no idea which OS you are running? Well, that’s certainly a choice.
I think it’s 7, idk. I know microsoft was trying to get me to upgrade to a newer version for free a couple of years ago and I told them no.
If you’re doing anything private on that computer, like social media, banking, cell phone payments, you need to get an operating system that gets current security updates. Windows 7 has not had security updates in 6 years. Malware, ransomware, etc have had 6 years to break Windows 7. Look at Linux Mint, it is a popular distributor, that many find to be a good bridge to get you up and running.
