David Gerard@davidgerard@circumstances.run
HOW TO MOVE FROM WINDOWS TO LINUX:
0. Extract your Windows license key with Produkey https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html You may need it later.
1. Pick a distro. Doesn't really matter, but see comments for 1000 suggestions and misleadingly excess complications and twiddles that nobody asked for. Ubuntu and Mint are common starters. I use Xubuntu. Again, really doesn't matter.
The one thing I do suggest is: you pick one with a live USB. That way you can start the computer in your chosen distro and check all your hardware works before committing. Vital if you have any weird stuff.
Nvidia is very unhelpful to Linux, so don't be surprised at issues. AMD is actively helpful and supportive, so if you have an AMD laptop or an AMD video card you should be very happy.
2. Install your distro that works.
3. Many programs will have Linux versions. If so, sweet! If not, a lot of the substitutes are excellent (e.g. LibreOffice).
4. Most Windows software works under Wine. If you use Steam, just install that for Windows games from Steam (it has its own separate version of Wine included).
5. Windows stuff that refuses to work under Linux? Set up VirtualBox and install Windows 10/11 using the product key you extracted in step 0. That way you can use That One Fucking App without having to use Windows the rest of the time.
6. The apps you need for real work are firmly Windows-only? YMMV of course, but I would set up a bad screen (Windows) for that work stuff and a good screen (Linux) for the rest of stuff. Separate work and play laptops are good mental hygiene in any case.
