From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
If you can install windows, you can install Linux. Easy distro are Ubuntu or maybe Mint. Medium may be fedora or something.
I might get hate but Fuck gnome and debian. Debian is solid af don't get me wrong but Holy hell it feels like the Apple of Linux.
Tbh Fedora can be harder, or you can click "automatic" and let it fly lol.
Actually I was trying to set it up the way I was used to with the custom-blivet option like 2 days ago to upgrade to 40 and it wouldn't let me install because of some firmware or kernel bug (the error was unhelpful), so I tried auto and it worked! Not sure if it's because this laptop is dying though, and I have a framework coming in the next few weeks so who cares, but auto worked when custom wouldn't!
You are not "barely computer literate". Most people have no idea how to put a OS installer on a flash drive and boot from it. If you know how to format your laptop and reinstall Windows, you know how to install Linux. Install any beginner distro (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc) and have fun. Google is your friend if you find any issues. There are a lot of resources online to help you.
If you want to play games or use any specific Windows-only software you may have to do some research, but if just for browsing the web you will most probably have a good time. Don't be afraid to try and learn.
Mint and Kubuntu are great for newbies. Ubuntu is also great, but the community hates Ubuntu these days so be ready to get replies criticizing Ubuntu or your choice to use it. It still makes a lot of shit really easy.
Installing linux is actually very easy and painless depending on your distro choice. What do you need your computer to do? Your choice of distro would depend on the answer to that question so we cant advise any further.
I was hesitant for a long while and ended up installing Linux Mint on an old SSD I had laying around this way there was no commitment.
Now I'm realizing I haven't booted up my regular windows 10 drive ever since and am considering getting rid of it altogether.
On a side note I created a virtual machine on the Linux side that runs Windows 10 LTSC on it for a few other programs I sometimes need that would be very difficult or impossible to make work on Linux like Inventor, Office and Photoshop. It lives trapped in the box and isn't allowed to connect to the internet. If I need to download something for it I download it on Linux and drag and drop it into the box. It's like having a little pet Windows that you keep locked in a pen, so it works for you and only for you and it can't escape to go into your house to spy on you and shit bloatware all over your carpet.
I gave what I think are the easiest and most beginner friendly instructions (Mint over Debian, Endeavour, Fedora or Ubuntu for example). Not all are the best suggestions (I suggested VirtualBox over QEMU and Rufus over Ventoy), I recommended you to go with your own preferences if you have any
If you run into any problems, this Lemmy community, the Ubuntu SO (also for non-Ubuntu questions, everyone is there) and the Mint Forums for Mint related questions are always there for you, don't be afraid to ask and "don't ask to ask" ;-)
Good luck!
In my opinion the hardest thing in linux is leave to use propietary or exclusive software for windows, the first think you must do is leave to use propietary software in windows, and when you can live without windows exclusive programs, switch to linux. You can start for ubuntu or other linux friendly distribution, doesn't care, afther the migration you can try other for curiosity without risk
Distro choice doesn’t matter. Alternately, just use Debian.
It’s hard to use a different computer and nothing will make that easier. If you’ve ever been plopped down in front of a Mac you probably already know this.
Pay attention during the install process and ask questions when you don’t understand something. Don’t be afraid to bail out if you’re worried about messing something up. Make a backup so you can’t lose anything when you do mess something up.
Dual booting is what you’ll do to start with, but windows updates tend to break the system that allows you to choose Linux or windows at boot time. The first time it happens you’ll have to figure out a way to fix it.
For me to give better recommendations or help than what other people are saying, I'd need more info, I can help you here, but id rather help you on a chat app, I'm available on matrix, signal and discord.
The extra info I'd need is stuff like whats the model of your PC, what do you use it for, what are your preferences, ect.