Should you switch to Linux from Windows? Know this first! 

You're a perfect and non toxic advocate for adopting linux for non tech savvy people!

I am a Gamer and I have found that most games will run great with Protonup QT and Proton GE on Linux. Some games wont run, not the fault of the operating system but because of certain game developers refusing to optimize their anti-cheat software to run on Linux. Now with Nvidia supporting Linux with proprietary drivers, things are looking good for Linux gaming.

i swictched to linux 4 years ago, and when i got my new computer i retired my old and installed mint for my grandparents and they had no issues.

Who else came here b/c they are tired of Windows Bloatware and new creepy spyware ??

I switched to Linux (Ubuntu Mint) 6 years ago and never looked back. Including Linux, every software application I use is free. I use Inkscape, GIMP, Libre Office and Brave for the browser. There was a learning curve at first, but now I can install any application, printer, microphone and handle the various sound tools. If you like your Windows ECO-space, and you don't have much patience and/or are not technical, and you don't mind paying for your O/S and all your software than don't bother with Linux. For me, it's been great. Running on a 17-year old Aspire 7741Z laptop!

Yes, take back your privacy and freedom by switching to Linux.

I'm a Windows 10 user who recently tried out Linux Mint and also Zorin. Two years ago, I had problems with Linux Mint not automatically installing things like drivers for my USB ethernet adapter and the Brave browser. I had to use Terminal, which is a lot like going back to MS-DOS and typing in various commands on the command line. Not my cup of tea! However, I recently tried out the latest version of Zorin, and it automatically installed everything, including the ethernet adapter and the Brave browser. I'm still using Win10 as my main OS because I like it just fine, but all the stuff Microsoft is doing lately with Windows 11 and their intrusive Copilot and even more intrusive Recall feature is making me think I will have to switch to Zorin in the next year or so. Thanks, Liron, for a very timely guide to doing so.

I switched to Linux over 15 years ago. I've never looked back.

A complete non-techie person here. I switched to Linux Mint 7 years ago, because of constant viruses. I am still using Linux, because Linux Mint feels less bloated, less forced. But some open software feel like they were written in 1990s.

Windows A.I. CoPilot is now taking screenshots of your desktop, no matter what is opened, so it can "help" it learn, including while you're online banking. Say goodbye to privacy and security. Linux looking mighty tempting.

YES! Please do a video on both WIne and Bottles.

I really enjoy your cybersecurity videos! Mahalo for keeping me safe online! Yet...I always enjoy your Windows videos, too, because they show me what I've been missing in Windows. I've been on Linux for years. All of the problems you find in Windows show me that I made the right choice for me. You, in essence, make great Linux content...by highlighting Windows problems with your distinctive clarity, detail and excellent humour!! So...mahalo for THAT, too! Much aloha to you!

I switched to Cinnamon Mint three years ago. Every time I hear about something related to Windows, I'm confirmed in that choice.

Zorin is by far the easiest Linux to switch to if your coming from Windows and it's a very nice distro. Good video!

I am happy you are making videos spreading knowledge! ❤

Huge thanks Liron, that was very informative. Great video.

Welcome to the resistance! We have been waiting for you!

If you use Ventoy you can try several distros without installing and uninstall until you decide which one you like best. Best way to describe it is a small os on a usb that will boot any ISO you have. The only issue would be if you are trying different OS's to see which one will run the fastest or best on your hardware configuration then you won't know without a full install.

Knowledgeable, warm, and welcoming. I subbed just for the positivity. This is what our community needs more of. :)

What a wonderful video! Would you do more of these with the other distro's, please? I've only dabbled in linux back in the 90s, but having a video like this bridges the gap between linux and windows for complete beginners. I'm sure it would help onboard many more if you walk us through other distros just like this.

Satisfied Fedora user here. :D

Looks like Linux has come a long way since i last tried it back in the early 2000,s ,seeing it running in this video has renewed my interest thank you

Thanks Liron, great info.

Thank you! Great video! I'm a Windows 10 user, having used Windows since 95. The approaching end of support for Windows 10 and Windows 11's loss of useful features, increased restrictions, and continued erosion of privacy has me considering moving to Linux. I'd obvious prefer a more comfortable and seamless transition to something as close to Windows XP/7/10 as possible, without the loss of features and functionality that I use throughout the day, something that's at least as secure, and something compatible with all of my precious files and games. This look into Zorin looked VERY promising on most of these fronts. Thank you again!

Hi Liron, excellent video. I've thought about giving Linux a shot for some time but wasn't sure which distro to try. I was familiar with most of the "big" names but I'll admit that I wasn't familiar with any of the ones that you choose from and had never heard about Zorin at all. What made you select from those particular options? Thanks!

I Would like to see a video on getting Windows Apps working on Linux, Thanks :)

I'm amazed by the quality and simplicity of this video. It's just so well explained i wish i had the exact same video in spanish to send it to my mother lol

Pro-tip if you're truly new to switching, make a boot usb of windows as a backup as well before you go messing with dual-booting or full install of linux. This will take away some of the hesitancy as it gives you a fallback in case things go sideways during linux install or Grub boot

I made the change since last November (Kubuntu 23.10) and I'm happy. Not a power user, but I get my thing's done. Also have my Steam account with my games, and since my laptop is more like a working station, I can get some light gaming 🙂 and some retro gaming as well. But this is a personal choice. You can try out and see if it works for you.

A Linux user since Windows Vista came out. I really can't imagine being on Windows again, also my best friend bought a laptop with a preinstalled Linux on it more than 10 years ago. His system once crashed so I installed another distro - Mint. Then it needed a reinstall, and I was away, someone installed Windows 10 on his laptop, and after some issues, he came to me to ask me to "install something normal", so Linux is not that hard to get into.

Ciao and thank you for your nice Video.. personally i'm a Debian Linux User since late 1998.. many greetings from brunswick in germany and please stay safe 🙃

Just switched and im loving it. Never going back

You did a good job introducing Linux

I'm also surprised that you prefer outlook and chrome since you are keen on privacy. Those windows programs constantly call HQ with your information for them to have.

I tried Zorin OS a few years back and it showed me how much Linux had advanced over the years to actually being usable. I didn't stick with it mainly because I still found it a little restrictive for what I wanted (almost like a hamstrung KDE with some Gnome thrown in). But it's definitely one of those distros that make it easier to switch over from Windows for new users - and for that I'm thankful there's distros like Zorin OS that got me away from Windows.

I've shifted to Mint on my two desktops as I only watch video's and do emails. I do listen to high quality music though through a DAC. I have a windows 11 on my approved laptop. Love your wisdom.

The Linux software (and all the distro makers) give it out for FREE but these developers always put an option on their web page for people to pay them - getting an income stream tends to motivate people to keep on doing what they do. They're OK with you sending then $5.00 or $10.00 /month - if you find yourself always using their apps as a tangible form of appreciation.

Yes, you will not be disappointed.

Good video Liron.

I switched to Debian 12 from Windows 11, and for now, all my stuffs run smoothly. I can do same things and play the same games. Still lacking HDR and DLSS 3.x but maybe it will happen soon. Best of all I'm learning plenty of new things with the help of videos like yours thank's, forums, web site and so on.

I hope you do more videos on Linux the first one I tried was Mint

57 old nerd guy here, knows computers till ZX-81 and before. Even beyond the considerations of data confidentiality with the problem of what becomes of Windows, I must say that apart from gaming where it really depends on the games, and for some rare applications only found under Windows, otherwise, for 95% of my work I do everything under Linux, and better and faster than on windows. Archlinux which I discovered a few years ago, for me the perfect OS: simple, customizable and easy to use, so efficient! I just use Windows as a game console, and I think that with the evolution of Proton and other Vulkan and Wayland things should quickly change in the years to come.

I switched my old laptop to LMDE6 distro, 6 months ago and I'm enjoying it 👍🏻✨

Hoe gaan dit, broer. When my Windows 11 rig recently updated, I've been thinking about using Linux on an ajacent hd. I stumbled upon your video and you answered all my questions. Thank you so much.

Hi Liron. Have watched a number of your vids and have generally found them helpful. Yes Please. I would love to see a video on getting windows apps working on Zorin.

We are done with windows!!! Off course we would like a video that shows how to use wine nd bottles. Still, some of us have many third party software for video and audio including some small portable games and the Asio drivers of and external sound card. How to make them work on Zorin will be great.

I'm using Linux as a server on my home lab for self-hosting my services. I'm using Windows for gaming and general use. And if I have a Mac, I will definitely use it for photo/video editing and rendering. In other words, it really depends on your use cases.

Nicely done! I really hope this encourages anyone considering making the switch to go ahead and try. Both Zorin and Mint are fantastic for new Linux users who are accustomed to the Windows environment. I've been on Linux Mint for just under two years and cannot imagine using anything else. Also, I'm using a seven year old Dell laptop which is, under Mint, is scorchingly fast. Way WAY faster than Windows 10 which it was running previously.

What about photoshop, digital audio workstations like cakewalk and protools? What about game emus like epsxe?

Short answer is yes for your home computer. You don't need something that resembles windows. You need something that makes sense and does what you need. basics are running an update, install a program whether (tar, deb or equivalent , snap or flatpak) and customization's ie settings like (sound, display or etc)

Been running Zorin OS Distro, on my older back-up PC for some time, switched to, from Windows 10, and have been fully satisfied with Zorin's performance, which requires less resources to help speed up computer, have a Steam library , of about 30 games, had to fiddle a little with two to run, and issues with one from MP Anti-cheating issues, but majority all run (some better than when on Windows) , using Steam Proton , Wine and Lutris platform, older PC doesn't meet Windows requirements with a first Gen Ryzen CPU, so decided upon an early departure from Big Brother (Microsoft), slowly learning terminal usage when time permits for more advance usage, but Zorin is user friendly for general use, believe those performing just basic Internet tasks, such as web searching, emails and videos won't know the difference.

I've had Linux Mint for a few years now and I love it! It just seems to work, even on pretty low rent hardware.

As a Linux user of more than 20 years standing, my view of Windoze is that it is actually a prison, and the inmates still stay there because they are too scared to leave for someplace better.

Using (and getting used to) Linux can bring you lots of life-changing conveniences including the ability to use a 2W desktop-replacement-able machine. (i.e Orange pi zero 3.)

Well explained mate Best regards Andrew

I appreciate what you've covered here and I like all your stuff, but as a complete Linux newbie I'd like to see some mention of antivirus. And updates/patches. Thanks

Linux, in my experience, is *virtually* stress free. It tends to be much faster than Windows, and not nearly as buggy as it used to be, with far less time screwing with the Terminal. As for gaming,... it's come a long way. Utilitarian programs that most people use tend to be ported to Linux, but that tends to come with popularity. The same applies to games. There's a good chance your favorite game will work on Linux if it's popular. If not, there's still a fair chance you can run it in Wine, or Steam's Proton. I've had very few issues running things in Linux with a few exceptions like Filmora which crashes through emulation. Some games like Minecraft work perfectly as it was actually built in Linux.

2 years ago I switched to Pop_OS, never looked back.

Can you go over installing Linux Mint Cinnamon too. Does it see your internet connction like android automatically or do you need specific settings like the print server for linux drivers for your printers, fax, etc.? Thank you for your excellent learning channel. 👍

Thanks for your video, I have been tempted on and off but now I feel it's almost time to jump.... I have spent a crazy amount on software but since windows is going to be adding more and more limits to it's users I'm tired of having to rip it all out of the system and having issues non stop. I will have a play and hopefully it will push my buttons :) Thanks again!

Does Linux have dark mode I'm legaly blind so that would be a great help.

Learn how to disable windows update completely, and how to use powershell to install only security updates

Switch to Arch a couple of months ago (had a Linux mint a bit more than 10y ago) as I was told it's the fastest. I just followed a tutorial on RU-vid and got it fully installed in half an hour basically. Took me some time to get used to it but I don't miss anything from windows: I had no issue so far, gnome looks great, it's faster, all my games from steam work and I've even learned a bit of bash programming and some stuff are now totally automated :)

Something I've learned to help minimise any issues that may occur on updates is to wait about a week or so before installing. Usually I do this when I new kernal comes a long. Have had about 2 or 3 times in about 5 years a kernal cause issues. I'm not a techie so it can be a headache. Usually for me just quicker to reinstall/use Time shift, than having to try figure it out. Just waiting a week seems to cut down on the number of wonky updates. As fixes usually come pretty quickly.

The only Linux distro to stay away - Wubuntu ( looks like windows 11 but it's very buggy)

Installing Chrome from the web is not a good idea, better to use "software" (Microsoft Store analogue). Unlike on Windows it's useful

I manage networks, with data stored in NAS and numerous computers sharing said data. All computers are Windows 10 and Windows 11. A few are Windows 10(32bit) because only THAT o/s still supports 16-bit legacy (DOS) apps that are vital to us. I am wondering if a Linux computer can read,write from/to files stored in Synology NAS, where the files are shared by SMB (CIFS) technology? Your video implied otherwise. And... can 16-bit DOS apps run on any Linux distribution?

Hi Liron, interested in swapping to Linux am not super techy. Willing to learn & not a gamer. Use my laptop for backing up Apple products, via iTunes will it run on Linux? W10 was the last iteration for me I don’t like all the intended “screen learning fr m/soft”. My L/T has 8gb Ram & 500 gb SSD. Can I do a dual boot so that old pics don’t disappear or would it be better to put pics onto external HD then reload after installation of Linux? Always here for yr informative videos. Ty. Best wishes from Adelaide; South Australia🦘🐨🇦🇺💐

Best way to test drive Linux is to buy a cheap 1 liter mini pc off of eBay. With patience you can get one for around $30. Add a hard drive and you’re ready for a safe test drive.

If you use a browser only on PC then Linux is best for you.

Gave my niece one of my extra laptops with Zorin OS she's been using it with zero issues. Highly recommend Zorin or Pop OS for new users!

4+ years here. Started on Mint, hopped like a fiend, settled on Arcolinux running i3wm. Heavily personalized for fun. No thought of going back. :)

Liron, You know there are abundant videos on how to do something in Linux. It's not that big of a deal to switch. And, if people choose a windows like version of Linux like Mint, that shortens the learning curve. Linux is far better and you can do way more with it.

I can't switch, would lose out on my favorite game

I am going to install Linux on an old computer. Is there a way to import data from windows 10 to Linux? For example, can I import my Brave bookmarks, can I import my contact to Thunderbird, etc. Accessing actual files isn't a problem but these other items would take many hours to reconstruct.

Yes we would definitely love to see a video on Wine and Bottles

i grew up with windows so i think i will stick with my good windows

👍👍👍👍

Loved the way you did this Video!!!!! Linux is Awesome ,I use Arch BTW,greetings from Cape Town

The linux community needs to understand that if they ever want it to become mainstream they must strive to make it simpler. I'm the most tech savvy among my friend group and upon first switching could not get anything done not even things as simple as installing software without google searches and following never ending instructions on decade old forum boards. Nobody wants to memorize infinite console commands to accomplish the most basic of tasks.

Good video. I would add: If you primarily use your computer to get online and do basic work processing, etc, there is no reason not to switch to Linux. Do NOT spend one more penny on a Windows machine if you're in that category. Keep in mind, Mac is Linux at it's base and Windows is transitioning to Linux at it's core so you are going to go to Linux at some point whether you like it or not. IF you use a computer instead of a cell or tablet that is. Some points... Linux does not use drive letters and Windows does. This can cause an issue seeing a Windows machine from Linux on you local network. From Windows to Linux, you can use Samba and it works great. Another: printers, usually older printers, can be painful on Linux. Generally, newer printers work fine. If you can't understand Linux, ask your 4 year old grand daughter how to do it. She'll explain it... That's the world we live in and I love it.

All my pcs are running linux

Hey, I'm considering moving from Windows 11 to Linux. I'm curious about which distribution would be best for gaming and VR via ALVR streaming while still being user-friendly. Any suggestions?

ZorinOS is my daily driver for more than year. As a long time windows user, more that 25 years, I am happy

Zorin, is not great unless you pay for the all options version. Linux Mint is hands-down the best Linux OS for Windows and MacOS users!

uninstalling firefox to install google spyware? But the whole point of the video is to get away from spyware on your computer by using linux lol

On my windows, i use win10 ltsc. Even without the store, i am able to install icloud and publisher-native apps like from facebook (messenger). For my dual boot linux, i am testing the waters with LMDE. However i seem to love void linux for my graphics accelerated tear-free desktop rendering -- but at the expense of slow bootup at limited support

For me, and I would suggest many senior computer users who basically only browse or email, it is a sensible move to switch to Linux. I moved to Linux Mint about four years ago, and have had no issues at all. I don't like where Windows is heading with their constant tracking, and other privacy related matters. The thought of introducing AI technology imbedded in their operating system is of huge concern to me as well. Linux is easy to use, and NOT a steep learning curve, Thanks for your video. Cheers from Australia.

With windows 10 support stopping in just over a year, many people are going to look to switch to Linux, do you think you could make a full length video from start to finish on switching a windows 10 pc to a recommened Linux OS?

I'm a windows poweruser, including all sorts of stuff I like to try out, I've done a little bit of everything seemingly. Though with burn out from work I mainly use the browser and play a handful of games now-a-days. For that linux /might/ be serviceable, but as somebody who's almost entire life on a computer has been on windows and who probably takes a bit of pride at knowing the ins and out and how to do more technical stuff on it, including fixing errors, trying to move to linux is a /major/ adjustment and I've run into a /lot/ of issues trying to do something I could easily do on my windows machine by my experience but is more advanced than my knowledge base on linux would allow. By all means basic usage is just fine, but if I want to tweak it like I heavily tweak windows I'll need a whole new skill set and set of programs. Like you said for macros, I don't really have office macros, but in the same vein I do have software based keyboard macros in AutoHotkey that will /not/ just port over directly. I've done quite a bit of looking and even my basic functions would take quite a bit of work to get functional, or would just need to be changed to something else to have a different triggering hotkey or something because the support for it just isn't in Linux. There's /maybe/ a possibility of writing a python script but I haven't really looked too heavily into that and I'd have to rework everything. I'm also wondering if my logitech G602 with extra buttons would work on Linux. I haven't tried /every/ game in my library yet to see if they'll work on Linux yet as they're large downloads, but most of them I've tried were surprisingly functional, though I would also have to verify mods work. I also have a large collection of old games I've accumulated over the years that I'd have to test. I know there's even some windows games in my current collection that don't work on modern windows and it'd be nice to see if they'd run under WINE. Unfortunately while WINE and the like will greatly help with most individual/isolated applications, the ones that work on other programs or tweak the OS aren't so easy, WINE basically runs in a sandbox so can't even see programs that aren't running under the same WINE environment. Which rendered Autohotkey near useless for the functions I use it for when I tried to run it under WINE. Any global hotkeys just straight up would not work unless I was in a WINE window.

Right now, I use Windows for my games and windows programs and Bazzite for emulation, aesthetic, and customizing my Desktop and bootloader. Want to install another distro along with Bazzite and maybe get into KVMing soon

I use Nobara linux. It's what I recommend to new users. I've heard good things about Chimera Os aswell.

I am interested in hearing your recommendations on running Windows apps on Linux.

Yes of course we need a video on W-Apps on Linux, like Camtasia, does that work or do I need to start using my ScreenCastOmatic whatever it's now called, and will that work? Asking for everybody, will terminal allow DOS games etc to be run? Obviously anything that runs thru a browser should work, but can I import say Photoshop's specific image formats to be edited, and will Photoshop work at all? I know anything Adobe usually has issues, so asking for that specifically as many people will be lost without their photoshop functionality.

Did not hear anything about Anti-Virus options. The rest of the video is very informative. Many Thanks

I finally put a solid week into really trying to replace windows with Linux. 2 days ago I thought it was impossible, With Too many issues and too difficult to operate the system. I have now changed my mind. I actually think windows is not necessary. I'm at least at the point where I'm happy doing just about everything on Linux, and I have Windows to boot into for that one app for work that I can't get working on Linux. If you only focus on what you can't do on Linux, you're not understanding what you can't do on Windows

The other thing that's rarely mentioned is you can safely create a bootable linux USB and try linux without altering your computer (when you reboot, it's unchanged unless you specifically install it). It's not like Windows where you must install it to use it.

Is it possible to run a full Linux distro with a GUI on WSL yet?... or is it too much of a headache to be worth setting up?

Zorin is fairly easy for running Windows programs on. It doesn't work for everything, and the first time you set it up to run a Windows program it can take a few steps. But it seems to be designed with the realization that people will want to run Windows programs on Linux. I prefer Thunderbird for e-mail. It's most like Outlook Express before Microsoft dropped it.