Linux needs to grow. Stop telling people it's 'tech-y' or acting like you're more advanced for using it, you are scaring away people. Linux Mint can be used by a senile person perfectly.
Explain shortly the benefits, 'faster, more secure, easier to use, main choices of professionals and free'. Ask questions that let you know if they need to dual boot, 'do you use Adobe, anti-cheat games, or Microsoft Office', 'how new is your computer', 'do you use a Mac'.
And most importantly, offer to help them install.
They don't understand the concept of distros, just suggest Linux Mint LTS Cinnamon unless they're curious.
That's it, spread Linux to as many people as possible. The larger the marketshare, the better support we ALL get. We can fight enshittification. Take the time to spread it but don't force it on anyone.
AND STOP SCARING PEOPLE AWAY. Linux has no advertising money, it's up to us.
Offer family members or friends your help or copy and paste the below
how to install linux: 1) copy down your windows product key 2) backup your files to a harddrive 3) install the linux mint cinnamon iso from the linux mint website 4) use etcher (download from its website) to put the iso on a usb flash drive 5) go into bios 6) boot from the usb 7) erase the storage and install 8) press update all in the update manager 9) celebrate. it takes 15 minutes.
edit: LET ME RE-STATE, DO NOT FORCE IT ON ANYONE.
and if someone is at the level of ignorance (not in a derogatory fashion) that they dont know what a file even is genuinely dont bother unless theyre your parents cause youll be tech support for their 'how do i install the internet' questions.
I don't work in IT, I have even said I studied in a field that has nothing to do with IT. I simply happen to know how to do basic stuff and therefore illiterate people think I'm some sort of tech genius (I am not).
IT people also won't be out of a job if people knew how to right click something.
Well I've got bad news for you, training and helping people is part of my job, I teach them and help them do their daily tasks and the same people ask me the same questions over and over again.
You say "they need to know even if they'll use it once or twice"? Well they will have forgotten when that happens because they don't use it often enough to remember and computers aren't something they're interested in in the first place. The computer is their gateway to the internet, just like a car is someone's way to get to work, the intricacies of how it works and how to do things that are unrelated to these tasks can be taught to them, they will not absorb the information.
that's a them problem. Doesn't mean we shouldn't teach people these skills. And I reiterate that these people should probably use something else that works better for them, not a computer then.