After 35 years, I ditched Microsoft.
Posted by generalmelchett2@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 231 comments
I'm almost 45 years, started with MS-DOS5 as a kid and here I am writing that I entirely ditched Microsoft.
I'm not gonna bother you with all the reasons that I have, but the main reason is security. These big tech companies push you into their clouds, steal your data and spy on you.
To me back in the 80's and 90's Microsoft was all about innovation and cool stuff. Now these days, just like Google, it seems to be all about power and money. There seems to be barely anything happening anymore, aside from releasing a new Windows version every X year with the same stuff but the start button on a different location, and perhaps a few different colors and more and more cloud integration.
I've seen MSDOS, Novell Netware, all Microsoft releases, BSD, OS2/Warp and a bunch of linux distro's. For now I'm on Mint as I love how tidy and clean everything is, not sure what is next.
justredd-it@reddit
I had ditched microsoft entirely, But rn my college uses Asure for everything and so I have to use it's stack, But for now my every microsoft utilization is limited to mail, teams and office on my college id
jeddhor@reddit
One of us
12151982@reddit
I still like windows but my main driver is a recent desktop build with Debian 13 on btrfs with brtfs assistant and btrfs grub. I have an old laptop on windows 10. I need to probably figure out how to hack windows 11 on it or get something newer. I have legacy games and apps I still need a basic windows install for. Wine works but always seems to have an issue somewhere. After you get used to Linux windows feels pretty weird. I'm a windows desktop admin at my job. So. I appreciate it for what it is and has been.
telmo_trooper@reddit
Mint is a great choice!
Nmx_10@reddit
Did you run into a problem where your screen won't turn on after you wake your pc from sleep? If so, please let me know your solution to that haha ,:)
littypika@reddit
Welcome to Linux community! Mint is a great distro choice, and I am very sure you will not be going back to Microsoft any time soon.
Having full control over your PC, an ad-free and private experience, as well as freedom is so liberating, as a fellow Windows to Linux recent convert myself.
Nmx_10@reddit
Did you run into a problem where your screen won't turn on after you wake your pc from sleep? If so, please let me know your solution to that haha ,:)
Indolent_Bard@reddit
Unfortunately, nobody cares about that stuff.
TheRealLazloFalconi@reddit
Why are you here?
Indolent_Bard@reddit
Because I love linux, I'm typing this on Nobara rn.
Adventurous_Crab_0@reddit
Been almost a year, don't miss Microsoft at all. Work computer has Windows and it feels like advertising hub
Curious-Intern-5434@reddit
... and usability of Microsoft products is substandard as well.
Majestic_beer@reddit
Happy to convert when games I like plays at all. (Don't bullshit with most games works, kernel anticheat takes most of popular multiplayers out of the list)
Not gonna happen any time soon.
Buddy59-1@reddit
Fun fact, easy anti-cheat and battle eye both have Linux runtimes, they just need to be allowed by developers to be used
Majestic_beer@reddit
I know. Game developers just dont want to put the effort.
tukanoid@reddit
Clicking a checkbox (from what I've heard its that easy) is considered effort at this point?
Temujin_123@reddit
Yeah, if those games are deal breakers, you'll have to stick with Windows.
One angle is to take a step back and decide whether those games are worth all the baggage, lack of control, and lack of privacy of Windows. Is that gaming worth it? If not, change behavior/lifestyle, stop playing those games, and move to Linux. If it is, keep Windows.
I know people are likely doing this assement (and have different ways of evaluating it). But I think it's worth pausing to think about it existential. Similar to social media. I deleted my X, Facebook, Instagram accounts after asking the existential question: "Is all this BS worth it?" It ended up being a no. I miss some small, niche chat groups, but 100% dont miss the BS.
For me with Windows, it got to the point where I valued control and privacy above any game or Windows-only program. It required some changes on my part, but the calculus was worth it to me. Others will weigh things differently.
Majestic_beer@reddit
Those are the points I also weight a lot. I did do it already once. But reality is that games that friend group plays doesnt work, I weight more that. I love playing.
Temujin_123@reddit
Yeah, I get that. One thing to say, "I'm not putting that game above privacy/control." Quite another to say, "I'm ditching this friend group for whom this game is what brings us together."
For social media deletion, it did mean that. I knew some people online where were great on niche topics I'm passionate about. It meant saying goodbye to some of those relationships. But it did free me up to spend more time with people in-person. I do wonder about how much we're trading in-person relationships and socializing for online-only relationships and socializing. Again, no hard/fast rules here. I do think in-person relationships have tangible benefits that online only can't have. But it's not all or nothing either.
Indolent_Bard@reddit
How much better is in person really? It's great, don't get me wrong, but there's no reason both can't coexist.
Majestic_beer@reddit
I'm Finnish. We talk with polar bears outside, nothing else.
dell_hellper@reddit
Gaming is for computer noobs. Try to learn how a CPU works.
3dGrabber@reddit
you can have a dedicated gaming rig, and a cheap second box for work on linux. Anything 10 years old or less will run Linux just fine, possibly faster than a “Windows 11 ready” PC.
Not blaming you of this as I don’t know you: I have the suspicion that some folks push the “my games won’t work” argument because they are scared to make the jump, which is only natural after one has been used to one system for such a long time (e.g. decades for OP and me).
However, IMO the switch is worthwhile, liberating even, like from a relationship that has become toxic.
DigitalDunc@reddit
I had to ditch some games after I got robbed by a game that required microtransactions to advance. Greed will kill most games in the end and I haven’t looked back since. The worst part was that it wasn’t made clear at the time of purchase.
Also, LMDE rocks as my daily driver. I still love to play DFLW and StarCraft mind, and those do work.
I think the take home here is that it depends on what you want to do with your computer and how much you will let the tech overlords know.
Majestic_beer@reddit
Yeah I agree with you, I don't like at all mega corporations but well I need to work with windows even coding at day job. What can you do?
DigitalDunc@reddit
Well, it kind of depends on how you make your living. I use Linux both at home and at work without trouble but many need some vendor lock-in trash or to cut with corporate stuff.
I use my machine to design and program small embedded systems, maintain a spreadsheet, write, game, 3D modelling and printing (both 2D and 3D), play movies and music, surf the web, email, video call and so much more.
There is almost nothing I can’t do in LMDE.
Majestic_beer@reddit
You got to the main points corporate bullshit and Windows based softwares.
Nmx_10@reddit
Did you run into a problem where your screen won't turn on after you wake your pc from sleep? If so, please let me know your solution to that haha ,:)
No_Construction2407@reddit
One of us
FondantIcy8185@reddit
One of us
SampleNo471@reddit
One of us
x13x13@reddit
One of us
SameBother8618@reddit
One of us
WarriorCat3310@reddit
One of us
hsoj95@reddit
One of us
NikolaiMcGuire@reddit
One of us
Androidish1@reddit
One of us
Cheap_Ad_9846@reddit
One of us
nartimus@reddit
One of us
Bruhme_72@reddit
One of us
Over-Wall-4080@reddit
One of us
JanMMIV@reddit
One of us
realkarthiknair@reddit
One of us
Real-Abrocoma-2823@reddit
One of us
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One of us
joffff@reddit
One of us
Elegant_Room_1904@reddit
One of us
chowderTV@reddit
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D3c1m470r@reddit
One of us
Foxler2010@reddit
One of us
FedMellow@reddit
one of us
slash_gnr3k@reddit
One of us
Artistic_Quail650@reddit
One of us
StackInTheWild@reddit
One of us
EconomyFoundation852@reddit
One of us
HelmiHelmutson@reddit
one of us
PaulJ505@reddit
one of us
Mysterious_Lab_9043@reddit
one of us
odekam@reddit
One of us
Unfair_Caramel_3376@reddit
One of us
numerical-mozart@reddit
One of us
Additional_Draft_690@reddit
r/ruleofidkhowmuch
AccordingAd7469@reddit
r/theruleof4
giquo@reddit
One of us
SameBother8618@reddit
One of us
Equivalent_Bird@reddit
One of us
MarzipanEven7336@reddit
You’re an AI Bot?
No_Construction2407@reddit
No. Why would you think im AI?
Isofruit@reddit
Wait, "one of us" is not a movie reference?
No_Construction2407@reddit
Freaks (1932)
Its literally a prehistoric meme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Bnk6VU53Y
Phreakears@reddit
He's not the Last of Us. Hopefully
PatterNoster69@reddit
one of us
Internal-Tadpole-792@reddit
one of us
SubstanceLess3169@reddit
One of us
Master-Gate2515@reddit
one of us
reviewflow@reddit
not one of us, macos
reviewflow@reddit
not one of us, macos
Maleficent-One1712@reddit
This is the way
Placidpong@reddit
Very nice, the only advantage windows has is some software is stubbornly made for windows only. Other than that, desktop Linux is superior in every way.
hurlcarl@reddit
Sweet. While I've been using Linux as a daily driver forever, I have a gaming machine that was still Windows. I finally ditched it and am fully Linux now. Might be a title or two I can't play but well worth all the upside.
produit1@reddit
Ads, forced upgrades and bloat. Thats what Microsoft is today. I despise any Microsoft software that I am forced to use, thank goodness our company runs on Gsuite and MacOS. At home its MacOS and Linux for me. Absolutely no time for MS and their crappy practices.
fusilaeh700@reddit
preach, brother.
Thunt4jr@reddit
My first computer was all on cmd line. All my servers was Linux in the 90s. All my laptop is Ubuntu today.
CameramanNick@reddit
I'd love to, but I work in media (see the username).
The software just isn't there, and computers aren't a hobby for me, they're a means to an end. I need things to work. I don't care about the politics and I can't spend 75% of my time tweaking.
So here I am on Windows 11, with few practical options.
FrozenLogger@reddit
Media is a pretty big field, there is lots of Linux in that field.
So you taking about taking photos, editing video, making video, publications, presentations, what?
CameramanNick@reddit
There's a lot of Linux at the very, very high end. Owner operators doing mid range work are not going to be Linux people. It's mostly Apple, though they dropped the ball terribly with Final Cut, and they no longer have a proper workstation class machine. Everyone else in video production is on Resolve or Avid on Windows.
Software is probably the least of the problem. Yes, you can now get resolve on Linux, although as ever the question is which type of Linux we're talking about, because no matter what distro I use, some neckbeard will tell me I'm doing it wrong. Wait, what am I talking about: twenty neckbeards will tell me I'm doing it wrong. At the same time, sure, there are now drivers for some of the video I/O boards. Sound is still a sick joke, of course, and outside very specific niches, support for esoteric hardware is likely to be poor. Gimp is a miserable excuse for Photoshop and the best answer to After Effects is Fusion as part of Resolve, which is just as inadequate an alternative. There's nothing to touch Sound Forge.
But the biggest problem is the day to day usability. There's a million and one versions of Linux which are nearly almost compatible in a million complex ways. The package management approach doesn't really work. Much of the UX is a paper thin layer over a command line tool or config file which cries out for discoverability that just isn't there. It's a science project and that's fine, but it's not a useful day to day experience for most people.
dell_hellper@reddit
Not true, for most people Linux is just fine. My 80 yo grandma uses it daily: typical stuff in the browser + some messengers for video calls. She's never seen a Linux terminal, all OS updates are applied automatically.
You maybe one of those 1% of users who needs photoshop, which means YOU are an outlier.
CameramanNick@reddit
Sure, you can do web, word and email, but basically all of that becomes a web browser at this point. That's hardly a particularly stern test. Printing I find is something Linux just endlessly can't get right and hasn't really got right for twenty years. Sound, too. Sound is a complete nightmare. Multiple monitors. Networking.
It's not really about Photoshop. It's an example, but I don't have Photoshop on the Windows 11 machine (I do miss it, but I refuse to pay the Adobe tax). It's the knowledge that if I find a piece of software that's described as "for windows" I can probably run it. If I find something "for Linux" I have to concern myself with which distro the author was using, in which version, with what changes, patches, updates and additions, which repository it's in... hacking text files and sudoing all the things because Pop OS is sort of Ubuntu which is sort of Debian, sort of, mostly... except when it isn't... then some update arrives and breaks everything and you're back to hacking configuration files based on some ten-year-old forum post.
it's a nightmare. I'd just rather download an .msi and have some confidence in it. Linux will do a limited range of things with huge reliability but general purpose workstation is not one of its strong suits.
That's why people avoid Linux even when they'd actually quite like to use it, and until Linux world realises that, there can be no solution.
dell_hellper@reddit
I do hundreds of installations every year. Literally had ZERO problems with networking, printing, sound or multi monitor setup in the last years. These are all Ubuntu and Mint. You can always try Linux live off a pendrive before making permanent changes. Your message sounds like Linux was many years ago, but things have changed a lot for the better.
CameramanNick@reddit
I have an interesting history with Linux because I was an Amiga person in the 90s and when they stopped publishing the Amiga magazines, they switched my subscription to a Linux magazine.
The problem is that most of the core issues with Linux haven't really changed since then. Sure, it's got a few more pieces of software and a few more drivers for pieces of hardware. It's still not great in either respect, but that's not really the problem.
It's a problem, sure, but it's not the problem.
The big problem is the fragmentation of a million slightly-incompatible distros, the complete lack of standardisation, the chaos, the horrible UX and the unpleasantness of the community. None of those has changed in decades because they're sort of core to what Linux is.
I don't think you can have all the flexibility and freedom, and all the resulting fragmentation, without creating huge usability problems. Linux can't fix these problems without betraying what it is. It's a choice. You can have it be the tinkerer's paradise, or you can have it be a useful workstation OS that's usable to normals. I don't think you can have both.
dell_hellper@reddit
If you choose one distro and keep using it for two decades, how does that fragmentation affect you?
CameramanNick@reddit
Precisely because everything else on Linux is fragmented.
I want something that's been developed on Mint and I'm using Manjaro? Someone writes a driver for something on Fedora and I'm using Arch? Best brush up your makefile-editing and kernel-recompiling skills.
In my experience Linux works decently well if you want only stuff that's been preapproved by the distribution. Otherwise - and there will be an otherwise - it's chaos.
dell_hellper@reddit
I don't care if it's fragmented. I am a VERY advanced Linux user and my distro has all I need. The problems mentioned by you are entirely imaginary.
CameramanNick@reddit
And that's great for you.
It doesn't really work for anyone else. I'm a reasonably technical guy and I'd love to escape widows but I just can't spend that much time administering a machine.
Linux world as a whole needs to accept that computers are a means to an end for most people. If you want yours to be a hobby project then that's absolutely great, no disrespect, but it's never going to be a solution for most people while it's like that
dell_hellper@reddit
I use computers as tools to make money. My OS-es is never tweaked, everything is default. In other words you are 100% wrong, administration of over 50 Linux boxes takes me literally zero time - all updates done automatically.
killersteak@reddit
That is up to manufacturers to begin supporting it. They wont support it until there's enough users. Users probably will sit back until some kind of big commercial backing comes along. Then we're back at a Microsoft Windows situation with a big corp deciding what we should be doing with our PCs. I think people need to be more stubborn and use it regardless. Keep a windows pc around, but learn linux.
CameramanNick@reddit
I don't think it's commercial backing. You can add all the high-end commercial software you like and the user experience will still be a nightmare.
The big problem is fragmentation.
For one thing, people will claim some piece of software can be run "on Linux" whereas it'd probably be more accurate to say it could once be done in Ubuntu 16.04 with a whole list of patches and tweaks, and it hasn't been touched since, and you're using Mint, so it's going to take a really large amount of computer science to get where you're going.
Configuration and settings are still a huge pain, and different on every edition. Documentation is slim to none. Hardware support is an issue, but again, someone will put together a driver for something and you don't have a driver for Linux, you have a driver for Fedora 23, which might, possibly sort of work a bit, sometimes, maybe after a lot of screwing around, on other things.
I mean, good grief, sound. Sound on Linux. It's become bad on Windows, too, recently, with 101 options, but good grief, it's not a tenth of THAT nightmare. I mean really, the prosecution rests. This is the result of the open source, do what you like, zero coordination approach.
In the end I understand why people like the idea of configurability and flexibility and choice and I get it, I really do. The problem is, I just don't think you can possibly have this level of sheer chaos and ever expect to create something that works for average humans, at least not without having a personal IT specialist following everyone around.
killersteak@reddit
You pick a distro that is well supported and you stick with it. I sat on Manjaro since 2019, there wasn't much I couldn't do as a hobbyist illustrator/video maker. KDE let me do what I wanted when it came to weird stuff, like throwing system sounds into the microphone output.
I dont know the technical stuff. Because I pick my hardware I haven't had to screw around with kernel editing for drivers. So I dont even know how. Most config file editing I leave for my file server, since it runs headless.
If there's a windows app I need, I use windows, on my spare pc that I havent upgraded since 2013. If there's some hardware Im interested in, I make sure it has linux support before buying.
Eh, Im getting sick of it bugging for microsoft accounts after certain updates, making me pick a customisation between education, gaming, whatever, and not even telling me what, if anything, those do...?
Official documentation has no screenshots or anything graphical to point out for people unfamiliar with the icons or screen areas of where to look. If you want to give an elderly person a sheet of howtos, you gotta take all those screenshots yourself. It's really no better than Fedora/Zorin/Ubuntu. Mint at least has some user PDF guides.
FrozenLogger@reddit
So it good enough for professional work, but not amateur or semi - pro? That doesn't make a lot of sense.
There are pro photographers using Linux, some even use nothing but GIMP and Darktable in their workflow. Magic Owen for example.
There are illustrators and video makers using linux every day. And animation studios for the matter. Autodesk Maya, Foundry tools, Flame, all on linux.
I don't know if you are doing it wrong or not, I imagine you can pick any windows software you want and someone will tell you there is a better way. For what its worth, it seems most of the professional studios seem to use Rocky for its compatibility with Red Hat and stability.
Sound is not a sick joke lol. There are people in that space too.
As for day to day usability? Its why I gave up on windows 20 years ago. It is not reliable enough for work. I will admit I am very much an amateur in video and photo editing - I don't make a living with it. But I know people who do.
What I do know is my job is to support all things microsoft. I get free microsoft software, free Azure instances, and I will support it. But I do all of it from a linux workstation, because windows and microsoft products are not reliable enough.
CameramanNick@reddit
No, that's not what high end means. In this context, high end means the extremely rarefied top end of feature film production, where people will sometimes have one of two general categories of gear. Sometimes, they'll have big render farms which will often be Linux. Other times, they'll have very specific bits of software, such as the a colour grading system, which will run on a Linux-based workstation. At that point it's a single-purpose machine running six figure software and the OS is an afterthought. You're running the distro specified and configured by the vendor and you would not expect to change anything, and you would not expect it to work on anything else. That's not a very demanding environment for an OS in terms of general user experience.
In neither case are we talking about something that's a general-purpose workstation. Linux isn't really capable of being a general-purpose workstation in that sense (I mean, in principle it is, but with the consequence of taking up enormous, unrealistic amounts of admin time constantly working around the total user hostility). You hit the issue that most Linux distros are very capable of being set up to do one or a few jobs, and they will absolutely do those jobs very reliably until the heat death of the universe. I think that's what people mean by reliable and that's true. In any sort of fast-changing environment with a demand to run a diverse range of user-facing software, Linux really just is not practical. It's not consistent enough for the package management, updates and configuration processes to work reliably. It's a consequence of all the flexibility and configurability that people love, and that's fine if you're into it, but to get a tasks done it's really not the right tool.
Facilities at the highest of the high end have very specific requirements and crucially they have a team of IT people with Linux experience to baby it along and keep it working, which is a constant process. Outside that situation, well, you could be a full time wedding photographer and try to do it all in Gimp, I guess, but I think you'd be working a lot harder than you had any need to.
FrozenLogger@reddit
Bullshit. I use Linux for work, for editing, for production, BECAUSE it is such a user friendly, predictable, and very easy to manage environment.
I don't think you know what you are talking about, this is just shitting on something for no reason.
CameramanNick@reddit
It works if you view the process of managing the machine to be productive work. If you're an IT specialist, then that's your job, and that's fine.
Otherwise, that stuff just becomes a time sink, and if you're trying to tell me that linux doesn't need a lot of babying along, I think you're not being entirely realistic.
FrozenLogger@reddit
Part of my job is dealing with windows bullshit. I use linux because it does not waste my time, or need baby sitting. There a dozens of other reasons too, like my guitar studio is completely linux because it just works.
I can't tell if you had a bad experience, are uninformed, or are just a troll.
I can understand if you said that software you are used to doesn't work, or specialized hardware doesn't work, or even you are used to a workflow that you don't want to change.
But Linux is by far the easiest and most stable platform to use. Largely thanks to Microsoft making things worse year over year since win xp.
BinkReddit@reddit
Who cares? Use what works for you.
This is exactly why I left Windows.
CameramanNick@reddit
You'll care when you install a distro, find one of the things that is broken, then twenty people will tell you that it's your fault for picking the wrong distro, and you should use their favourite.
The only thing they will agree on is that all the others are wrong.
The only other thing that's nearly as common is being told off for what you want to do.
Got some software that won't run? Got a piece of hardware that doesn't work? You shouldn't want to use that, that's terrible! How dare you! Buy something else at once. Hey, you can use that discontinued obsolete widget that does some of what you want, there's some driver code on github that hasn't been updated in thirteen years and was written for a distro you've never heard of, it'll be easy...
That's Linux.
Low_Arm9230@reddit
I’m currently on MacOS and with metal upgrade I think I haven’t looked back into windows in at least last four years.
Equivalent_Bird@reddit
Similar age, from MS-DOS era when Norton was also cool back then, and I understand all the reasons you had besides security, even though you didn't mention all of them. Yeah, Mint is great, and I'm using EndeavorOS and NixOS, and Bazzite for my kids.
I can remember my early school computer teacher once said, "Microsoft is the top company in the world, it surpassed Apple because it's open, and can be installed on your cheap family computer, but as always, even the best companies have a lifespan about 40 years, it's like a curse, noone escapes."
Forward_Routine2008@reddit
I agree with the spying part. I have recently spotted something on the PC and it was to identify the user.
vyporx@reddit
I swear, if game devs added linux support to their games, windows would lose so many users.
mrelcee@reddit
Steam is calling
MySpaceLegend@reddit
I'm exactly like you
Lost-War6446@reddit
I’m with you! Windows 11 telemetry and Microsoft data collection really bothered me. On top of that, Windows 11 24H2 would no longer boot on my 2021 gaming laptop with no way to fix it.
On Linux Ubuntu now and very happy with it. I also run MacOS 26 on another machine, but I appreciate how lean Linux distros are generally and how they can run on anything.
codecreate@reddit
I ditched MS after 7 years, been on Ubuntu for a long time. Recently degoogled too, I self host most of my own services too.
howard499@reddit
The moment that one decides to make a clean install and not return to MS.
BCat70@reddit
Feels good, doesn't it? like being an adult again.
bswalsh@reddit
Welcome aboard! Mint isn't what I use, but it's a solid choice and I wish you luck! Your computer is about to become fun again.
mar1lusk1@reddit
Void Linux.
ChiefSraSgt_Scion@reddit
I still use Microsoft for work. They pay me good money to fix problems caused by Microsoft and nontech savy users.
No-Annual-4698@reddit
What about games? Will I be able to run iRacing on Debian? Or GTA5
rotlung@reddit
i'll have to run win11 on my sim rig PC because of iRacing. too bad, but at least MS isn't getting any real data, lol. My main gaming PC is CachyOS and I'll be converting my work PC (self owned) to Fedora 43 over my next break.
dell_hellper@reddit
get a life!
lusuroculadestec@reddit
GTA V story mode runs flawlessly for me, GTA V Online will not run at all. The same is true for most of the Windows games that require kernel-level anti-cheat.
ProtonDB is a great place to check if specific games work or not. The page for iRacing shows people having problems with recent versions, seemingly because of anti-cheat: https://www.protondb.com/app/266410
ProtonDB shows only 82% of the top 100 games in Steam having a gold or better rating. It being good for gaming depends entirely on what games you play. A game can be rated highly because single player works perfectly, but multiplayer wont work at all.
New-Peach4153@reddit
Something trivial like GTA5 would probably run better on Linux. iRacing could be a tossup, not sure how Linux would support fancy wheels and pedals
lalaband314@reddit
I left MacOS for the same reason
ThoughtObjective4277@reddit
for more ideas see r/Earthporn
sudo apt install mint-background*
/usr/share/backgrounds folder to thin out
here's a few I like
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_14/backgrounds/linuxmint-nadia-extra/amazing_sunset.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_17.3/backgrounds/linuxmint-qiana/dexxus_5652914929.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_17.3/backgrounds/linuxmint-qiana/dexxus_5626316429.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_17.3/backgrounds/linuxmint-rebecca/dexxus_8820877336.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_17.3/backgrounds/linuxmint-rebecca/dexxus_7992014472.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_18/backgrounds/linuxmint-sylvia/jdonovan_yosemite.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_19/backgrounds/linuxmint-tina/adeole_yosemite.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_20.3/backgrounds/linuxmint-ulyana/jankaluza_dew_drop.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_19/backgrounds/linuxmint-tina/jwestrock_fog.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_20.3/backgrounds/linuxmint-uma/mkavelashvili_georgia.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_19/backgrounds/linuxmint-tara/jowens_kauai.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_19/backgrounds/linuxmint-tina/linuxmint_hawaii.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_19/backgrounds/linuxmint-tricia/linuxmint_hawaii.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_19/backgrounds/linuxmint-tara/proskurovskiy_coffee.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_18/backgrounds/linuxmint-sonya/jenemark_conifer_cone.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_20.3/backgrounds/linuxmint-uma/vanessaog_conifer.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_18/backgrounds/linuxmint-sylvia/dcoffman_lake.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_18/backgrounds/linuxmint-sylvia/dcoffman_nature.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_20.3/backgrounds/linuxmint-uma/aholmes_canada.jpg
https://github.com/rt2yrru/linux_mint_wallpaper/blob/main/linux_mint_20.3/backgrounds/linuxmint-una/aholmes_moraine_lake.jpg
tuxkrusader@reddit
too little too late, should have switched to linux 10 years ago
iddqd21@reddit
Why did it take you so long?
Specific_Frame8537@reddit
What happens to files on the PC when you install linux from windows? like is the explorer a 1:1 or will I have to sort things afterwards?
Not things like images and videos but appdata.
sharky6000@reddit
What comes next is a new version where the Start button is in a slightly different location than the last version! 😜
j/k.. welcome!
D3c1m470r@reddit
Im on Mint as well and wont ever go back to win. I urge most ppl to ditch that crap windows but unfortunately its mostly falling upon deaf ears
w1ldr3dx@reddit
I also used DOS/Windows for a very long time, from DOS to Win2000(incl. NT, I had it all). Then I moved to Linux(Debian -> Ubuntu). In 2008 i started to use MacOS/iOS and in 2018 I went back to Windows then now 2025 back to Linux(Fedora). Well, over all the years since 2008 I kept using Debian and FreeBSD on Servers but didn't bother to use Linux for Desktop anymore, until now.
I'm amazed how far Linux has come on the Desktop, specially Game(Steam, Heroic(EPIC, GOG)) wise. I'm using Fedora 43 now on my primary computer and ditched MacOS, iOS and Windows.
Firefighteroo7@reddit
Agree!
No-Goat6405@reddit
Y no solamente te llevan a su nube todos tus datos. Te meten IA hasta en la sopa ! Exaspera tanto manoseo. Me pasó como a vos. Migré a Debian hace 1 mes y medio, 1 semana hasta dejarlo a punto como a mi me gusta y entenderlo. Pasé de 1 par de horas diarias en Debian a prácticamente el 100% del tiempo en estos momentos. Hoy tuve que arrancar en mi partición de Windows porque tengo una aplicación propietaria alli que no pude migrar. Después de casi 3 semanas sin asomarme a Windows tuve que ingresar. No te miento, estuvo casi 30 minutos con procesos en segundo plano, leyendo los discos, subiendo la temperatura y mandando telemetría hacia la nube de MS ... robo descarado !!
Cautious_Crew_2639@reddit
This could have been written by me...except I'm 47 and made the jump back in 2000 ,🤣
Phreakears@reddit
One of us
RobotechRicky@reddit
Autoexec.bat and Config.sys would like a word.
JumpyJuu@reddit
Do check out Gambas 3 if you want a Visual Basic clone for your new operating system.
Dweller201@reddit
I've been using computers since the 80s but never installed Linux.
Are there programs for it so that you can do word processing, use speech to text, and so on?
What are browsers used for Linux?
DonManuel@reddit
Are your question satire? I'm confused.
Dweller201@reddit
No.
I said I never installed it and after reading the OP, which made good points, I was curious.
I'm curious about daily functionality and since I have never used it, don't know.
DonManuel@reddit
You don't even need to install it, just boot a live-system from any distro. And check for yourself. Of course you wouldn't find a sub like this with almost 2 million users if it wasn't an OS running all kinds of applications. Even when you e.g. download Firefox for Windows you will likely see that there are linux versions too.
Dweller201@reddit
I will look into this.
When I was younger, you had to wipe your hard drive, then install Linux.
It was very do it yourself programmer kind of stuff. I know I could have done it but wasn't interested in doing all of that work, but it could have been fun.
I didn't know that you could boot it from an existing Windows system because my info is out of date. Also, based on your last post I did looking it up and found programs.
I wasn't sure if Linux had stuff like that or was it mostly for people operating on what would be like a 1990s simple kind of system.
DonManuel@reddit
Since almost 2 decades a linux setup is usually more simple than a windows setup. Only a few nerd distros exist that still appear like sport exercise for admins.
The open source concept allowed developers to optimize an admin and user experience while microsoft was mostly optimizing the shareholder experience.
Dweller201@reddit
You are correct.
In the past Linux seemed like an overly difficult thing to use, just to use it. So, it was a "computer nerd" to do and use.
I knew people who got fully loaded computers, erased hundreds of dollars of free software, installed Linux, and had nothing on there but Linux. So, that's my old time conception of it all.
Since Microsoft now charges subscriptions for programs that used to be free I have been using open sourced programs, which I just learned are the same ones for Linux.
Thanks for the education!
Deenergizedtrans@reddit
I have excellent news for you, things are much easier than they used to be and don’t require much up front commitment to test compatibility etc
This youtube channel, ExplainingComputers, is run in the style of old British technology shows, you might find it the best place to start
https://youtu.be/n8vmXvoVjZw
Dweller201@reddit
I am learning that from reading all of the posts here.
Back in the day it was totally different.
DonManuel@reddit
Have fun with the further exploration. I wish I could feel your surprise about the linux ecosystem's abilities again, but I'm used to it since 25 years.
Dweller201@reddit
I'm going to check it out!
Thanks for being cool about it.
gringer@reddit
FWIW, The Knoppix Live CD was released in 2000; it was one of the first popular install-free Linux distributions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knoppix
vyze@reddit
IIRC having to wipe your hard drive was more of a reflection on Microsoft using the FAT filesystems. FAT32 isn't resizable but you can convert it to NTFS and then resize it. Of course this might make your Linux installation unable to fully access your Windows partition.
TheRealLazloFalconi@reddit
Pretty much any browser you'd want to use has a Linux version, even Edge!
There are quite a few word processing applications for Linux, from the esoteric like troff and LaTeX to friendlier options like LibreOffice and OpenOffice. If your needs are basic, and you're already paying for MS Office, you can also use the web versions. Be aware though that the other office Suites can do almost everything MS Office can, but they're not 100% clones, and the UI is different.
There are speech-to-text programs out there, but as I don't use them, I don't know of any.
Anything that you can do on Windows, you can do on Linux. The only problem is that you won't always be able to use commercial software, although even this is getting better! Just run a web search for "[your task] linux"
Dweller201@reddit
Thanks for the info!
I already used some of those programs for Windows because I'm not paying subscriptions for things I occasionally use at home.
I use speech to text a lot, so I have to search it out.
raven2cz@reddit
Well yeah, but it took you a while... you should’ve started about 10 years ago. Most of your data’s already out there anyway, and you could’ve been enjoying tons of great features for years by now. We’re the same age, so just keep an open mind and explore what you can... you’re coming back to a time when it all used to be fun.
MisterJasonMan@reddit
A gentle reminder - if you like mint, please donate what you can. I realize that things are tough for many but even a few dollars in their patreon will help keep this fantastic distro thriving!
generalmelchett2@reddit (OP)
Good you mentioned it, I donated 100 euro via stripe:
We listed your donation as 2025-11-11 Netherlands KEMPERMAN J. $106.
MisterJasonMan@reddit
Thank you - I've been trying to remind everyone on various posts since the hard working people behind the scenes so often get forgotten. Another way to help is for you to also remind people whenever you see an appreciation thread! Let's all support this community effort!
generalmelchett2@reddit (OP)
Impossible for me, since there is no bitcoin option, yes I would love to donate.
beertown@reddit
My memory of Microsoft in the 80's and 90's is... blue screens.
Nevertheless, you're welcome!
20dogs@reddit
Blue screens and forcing IE onto everyone
bilange@reddit
Nothing changed apparently, now they are forcing Copilot down everybody's throat. :)
HeavyMetalMachine@reddit
Linux is just an operating system. Wish people would stop making these posts as if their change of OS is some revolutionary, history changing act. It's literally just an operating system that is not Microsoft Windows
TheRealLazloFalconi@reddit
Well, if you want to be reductive, Linux is just a kernel.
dell_hellper@reddit
Agreed it's just an OS. But stories like OP's show that life without Microsoft is possible, and for many is still unimaginable (until they try).
Erchevara@reddit
It's pretty amazing how people think Linux is this impossible thing.
Installing SteamOS is literally one click. Most distros have an installer that is way easier than Windows'.
The last time I installed Windows (with 15 years of experience doing that) I accidentally installed it on my HDD somehow and only realised it 3 hours later after the setup finally finished and I could see task manager. Restarted the installer, did it on the SSD and the whole setup was done in 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, with most Linux installers, the drive picker interface is way more transparent.
KjOnReddit1010@reddit
Welcome. But to be technically correct, that's not called security, that is called privacy.
AKSo18@reddit
Yesterday I upgraded to Fedora KDE from Windows 11 crappy OS with shitty driver incompatibility issues bcoz neither OEM or Microsoft release/include in updates. So I'm done with Windows after a decade
l8s9@reddit
I started with Windows 3.11, left Windows last Year.
BinkReddit@reddit
Win!
Equivalent_Menu_675@reddit
I was raised on DOS and Windows, was in the Army which required Windows. I didn’t start using Mac until it went Intel. Been in the Apple ecosystem ever since. This year I switched to Linux on my daily driver (Fedora 43 GNOME) and ditched the iPhone. Partly because I’m done with big tech (you can keep your Copilot and your T2 chip BS), but partly because Linux stopped being geeky and started working for normal people. When the $10 Chromebook/chrultrabook trash runs better than a $1000 laptop, something is wrong.
voodoovan@reddit
Way to go! I switched my daily driver from Windows 10 laptop to Fedora 43 KDE on the desktop. I have Windows 11 installed on the second drive as some apps I use are only available for Windows, so I fire Windows up when I need to only.
BinkReddit@reddit
I don't dual boot; I relegated Windows to a virtual machine instead. This way I never have to leave Linux and only fire up Windows for legacy stuff.
AryaStark369@reddit
Me too. First experience was bricking and formatting my friend's laptop with Kali in 2011 -12.
WLHDP@reddit
I ditched Microsoft in 2020. Using a mix of MacOS, Ubuntu and Kali.
SubstanceLess3169@reddit
Mint is great
Paladin-C6AZ9@reddit
Started out on 8088, maybe MS DOS 3 (?), had a Novell certification, did some mainframe stuff and learned Unix enough to maintain a mini-mainframe but main job was transition about 60 HR folks from typewriters to PC and them to use Worstar, then Enable/OA. Lots of fun met lots of great people. Lots of DIY opportunities as we set up the first internal networks.
However, at 65...looking move to Linux, not a fan of the Windows constantly asking me to move my data to their cloud. Can anyone recommend a good checklist to migrate a PC/laptop from Win 10 to Mint? Being former a SAC troop, a checklist that goes, 'read a step, do a step, get a banana' works best :-) !
scotty-utb@reddit
Dos5?
I am Also m45, started with msdos 3.2 and tried Windows 1.0.3
strangecousinwst@reddit
I salute you my friend
MrAjAnderson@reddit
When you are born into a cloud/subscription/targeted ads world you don't appreciate 'the before days'. The XP desktop experience was clean and intuitive. There will be a subscription to have an uncluttered and telemetry free desktop in no time and what's worse is some influencers will get it free and the sheep will pay follow.
Samiassa@reddit
The Microsoft of today just really isn’t the same. Even the beginning of windows 10 was pretty alright until they fucked it up. It’s just miserable using half the os, and Linux has ended up being pretty damn comparable. Especially if you’re a power user some stuff in windows is so hidden out of the way that it’s genuinely easier on Linux. To change my resolution to 480p on my crt when I emulate I have to click display settings, scroll down to advanced display, click a tiny little “display stater properties”, click “list all Modes” and then click the resolution I want. This would be completely avoidable if it just let me choose this resolution where I choose all the others. I had to open the terminal to format a drive how it needed to be because it wouldn’t let me choose it in the gui. I’ve had consistent driver issues with my gpu. There’s so much stuff like that in windows that I just don’t have in Linux, which is crazy when one is open source and free and the other one is $100.
jseger9000@reddit
Yeah. I genuinely liked Microsoft and Windows, up through Windows 10, when the ads started creeping in.
XdrummerXboy@reddit
Same. Windows 10 and then Windows filled a void with WSL, but I also switched recently and I'm never looking back. Also de-googling a little and using Firefox + DDG
0nlyCrashes@reddit
I'm not full-time committed yet, but I started dual booting Kubuntu and using it as my main OS any time I'm not gaming. So far so good. I've only had two issues. One I resolved fairly easily, which was getting my old Dell Dock to display to my monitors and then getting connected to my NAS. Still having trouble with that. But it's been fun!
tomkatt@reddit
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."
Mean_Patience1319@reddit
I'm attempting to do the same thing. I have an old Dell Inspiron with an AMD Ryzen 5 1400 quad core with 32GB RAM which Microsoft says can't handle Windows 11 so I'm trying to convert to Linux Mint. I have it dual booted with Windows 10 on one hard drive and Linux Mint 22.2 Zara on another. I'm not a stranger to Linux Mint as I have been using it for several years on various laptops that I use mostly for my ham radio hobby.
I can't afford a new desktop computer right now so I'm trying to extend the life of this one as long as I can. I know security patches will be coming for a while but not bug fixes, and Windows is no stranger to bugs. I'll check back in every now and then to report on my progress.
photo-nerd-3141@reddit
Google gaba, one of us...
babiha@reddit
I wonder how people use or make peace with Windows now. It was back in 1993 when I used it most. Then my co-worker introduced me to FreeBSD. I’ve been sober since.
Bitter_Okra_6756@reddit
emoji:linux: I use KALI by the way
Fuzzy-Artichoke4935@reddit
In 35 but still similar story. Been loving Bazzite and Omarchy.
inbetween-genders@reddit
It’s an OS. If Mint does everything you need a OS for, stay with Mint.
dell_hellper@reddit
For many computer noobs the sole purpose of an OS is to customize its desktop. Been to /r/linuxmint lately?
dell_hellper@reddit
I hope next will be your donation to Linux Mint!
davidyoungcos@reddit
Well done! Get off all the big tech cloud solutions, too.
The_Brovo@reddit
Self-hosting is like crack for me since I found it. I just keep tweaking things. So much fun though. Plus hosting my own cloud, discord-alternative, password manager, and recursive DNS server with unbound + pihole. I feel like I have my own data fortress ( I know not literally , but it feels good having control over my own stuff)
killingourbraincells@reddit
r/homelab - go a step further, host your own cloud.
Gugalcrom123@reddit
'own cloud' is a misnomer and most people don't need tens of VMs running on server-grade hardware, but it is a good idea nonetheless.
killingourbraincells@reddit
Layman's terms.
I host for my family, 8 people, around 20 devices. I get much use as I do photography and videography. Lived off external hard drives for years and got tired of it.
You can use an old PC, don't get have to get too fancy, but that's the place to start, and r/selfhosted
Gugalcrom123@reddit
I know, I was just being pedantic. I have a personal setup on Raspberry Pi which hosts my files over SFTP and I am very happy with it.
_GenericTechSupport_@reddit
Welcome to the party, I am a Microsoft Certified Master by trade, and am typing this on Linux Mint.
Scout339v2@reddit
Since fedora 43'is release I've been able to swap my data over to Linux mainly and it's fantastic. I pretty much only have my windows partition for a couple games that don't work through Proton because they don't have anticheat supported. (Rust and PUBG)
Specialist_Guard_330@reddit
At first I thought this said you ditched Minecraft D;
Fun-Landscape-7094@reddit
Sorry, Microsoft was never about innovation in the 80-90s. Some critics say they improved the optical mouse, a tiny bit during this period. You should know better
DanFSFJ@reddit
I'm 43 and grew up with MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, 95 and XP... but I toyed with Linux since 1996 (Slackware, Mandrake, Red Hat, SUSE, etc), and in 2006 I fully switched to Linux (Ubuntu at the time, for years, then fedora for years and for the last 6 years, Arch) and never had a Windows OS on any of my machines ever again. Never missed.
Ronald0581@reddit
Welcome partner to the best. World
Crackalacking_Z@reddit
Linux serves the user, Windows serves the user's data to Microsoft and their data brokers. It's never been a better time to switch to FOSS.
GogoTheGreat@reddit
I feel seen.
Prize-Grapefruiter@reddit
congratulations. I never used it much either. I started with PC dos, then desqview, os/2 then Linux. windows was always inferior.
JanjolaoRS@reddit
Novell Netware was good
Beautiful_Crab6670@reddit
Someone -REALLY- needs to come up with a r/linuxintroductions subreddit for posts like these.
SneakInTheSideDoor@reddit
Hmm. Maybe not - seeing post like this brightens the day.
Asa_bias_baemon@reddit
I'm recent linux user too
CinSugarBearShakers@reddit
Check out Arch based distros. I really like Manjaro with XFCE. If you have some really old hardware check out tiny core.
profanityridden_01@reddit
Are you me... I still have a laptop with win on it but it's kinda more like an emergency fallback
AlterNate@reddit
Next is just getting comfortable with a different toolset. You might have a different music player, office suite, etc.
stlee2112@reddit
I tried switching to Linux in the 90's, it was not ready for me. I switched everything about 4 months ago now. Great experience these last few months.
Active_Meringue_1479@reddit
Welcome to Linux! I guess this is a goodbye to forced updates and blue screens ;)
teikki@reddit
Liberating, isnt it?
jcamina@reddit
You can only say so much. Welcome to the personal. Welcome to computing. Welcome to the base of many things. Welcome home. Applause!
Long-Ad5414@reddit
If you like to play with the system I'm seeing you on Arch (or some distro from Arch) pretty soon. Is not hard, is just barebones, install what you need.
Ditched MS too about 3 months ago, not going back, and after hopping to every distro I could find, I landed on Arch and I think I will stay here for a long time.
BinkReddit@reddit
Congrats! I too was on Windows for way too long, but Windows 11 helped me see the path Microsoft is taking and it's a path I'm not interested in going down. Things change and I'm overjoyed to be off Windows and on Linux now!
val_anto@reddit
I too grew up with in those times. But I remember Microsoft while claiming they were all for innovation and cool stuff, they were actually out there to steal ideas and crush competition by any means. MS was never a "good guy".
renaneduard0@reddit
im such a noob in the Linux world and I got cachyos running in 1 hour.. been using for a over a week, updates every day.. no issues, way more perfomance than old windows 11
Strict-Soup@reddit
I did the same with kubuntu. I love it
18ekko@reddit
Hope you stick with it. Linux is a source. Change your life.
hadrabap@reddit
Personally, I see much more innovation in Linux and Apple. Definitely not in Windows.
denzilferreira@reddit
I so relate. Had to use Win11 yesterday for one app, kept it on a VM. Have been on Fedora since v21. Feels always sad to see how far behind Windows is. They may have fresh paint, but underneath is all ducktape together.
CorsairVelo@reddit
Your history ignores Apple/macOS which has grown a lot at Window’s expense in the 2010s and later. But as an ex-Windows person now running macOS, Fedora and Mint, i totally agree with what you are saying.
As far as ‘what is next’? Who knows… there’s a lot to explore but i find that it’s only time before I will be able to go 100% linux.
ousee7Ai@reddit
Nice to hear you could finally let go :)
ProgramSpecialist823@reddit
Welcome to the family! There are some crazy uncles here too. Have fun tinkering!
Guromir@reddit
Welcome dear friend
CoronaMcFarm@reddit
jamieelston@reddit
Thanks for letting us know