Windows 10 is ending – Making the move to Linux

The time is almost here. Windows 10 is coming to an end. In October 2025, Microsoft will stop formal support and technical assistance for the Windows 10 operating system. Microsoft advises you to switch to a more recent version of Windows, but the problem is that many devices such as desktop systems and laptops that could run Windows 10 perfectly well, will no longer be able to run Windows 11. Not because your current computer is too slow, but because Windows 11 “technically cannot work” by default on many of these devices because they do not have a TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) module, UEFI, and Secure Boot. What happens to millions of computers that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11? What does this mean for you personally as a current Windows 10 user? Don’t worry. There is a way to continue enjoying your current trusty equipment for many years to come: just make the switch to Linux. Linux is no longer as scary as it used to be decades ago. In fact, Linux can be, in my opinion, even simpler and more user-friendly than Windows is today. In this article, I want to give you information to help you consider switching from Windows to one of the available Linux distributions and keep your hardware running for years to come.

Content

  1. Introduction
  2. Why can’t Windows 11 run on older devices?
  3. What is Linux?
  4. Reasons why you should switch to Linux
  5. Linux in Practice
  6. So, Windows 10 is ending. What are your next steps to make the move to Linux?
  7. Final words

Introduction

In October 2025, Microsoft will stop supporting the Windows 10 operating system. At the time of writing, the share of Windows 10 users in the total number of Windows users (Win XP + Win 7 + Win8 + Win 8.1 + Win10 + Win 11 combined) is approximately 54% (source: https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide/). So even though Windows 11 has been the most recent Microsoft operating system for a while now, 54% of users are still on Windows 10. Even worse, the share of Windows 11 is 42.66%, which means that 57.34% are working with an older version and that more than 3% are still using even older Windows versions, such as Windows XP, 7, 8, or 8.1. It is estimated that there are currently 1.6 billion active Windows devices (https://bytegain.com/how-many-windows-users-are-there-in-the-world/). With a 54% share for Windows 10, this would mean that there are 1,600,000,000 x 0.54 = 864,000,000 devices for which a decision needs to be made in the coming months. 

The more recent Windows 10 devices may be able to run Windows 11 because they already have the required technology (TPM 2.0, UEFI, and Secure Boot). But all those devices that don’t meet the technical requirements set by Microsoft should simply be replaced with a newer device on the advice of Microsoft. With this, Microsoft is essentially saying that all these older legacy computers, even if they still work fine technically, should go to the electronic waste bin and that you should spend your hard-earned money on a brand-new computer. That thought hurts me very much and also makes me think of irresponsibility for the well-being of our planet and all living beings that live on it. But there is a fantastic solution: make the move to Linux

My goal for this article is to make as many current Windows 10 users as possible aware of what Linux has to offer and to what extent the purchase of a new computer is not necessary. So, in the rest of this article, I will explain why Linux can be a very good, solid, robust, and future-proof solution for you as a Windows 10 user with the frightening prospect of a soon-to-be unsupported Windows system

Why can’t Windows 11 run on older devices?

Windows 11 is not just a superficial update from Windows 10. With Windows 11, Microsoft is trying to offer its users a more secure and stable operating system. And there is of course nothing wrong with that. The only problem is that Microsoft focuses on hardware-based security features such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. The following requirements are set to be able to install and run Windows 11:

  • Processor: 1 GHz or faster with at least 2 cores on a compatible 64-bit processor (8th-gen Intel, Ryzen 2000 series, or newer)
  • Memory: A minimum of 4 GB RAM (though 8 GB is ideal for everyday tasks)
  • Storage: At least 64 GB available storage
  • System Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot enabled
  • TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0
  • Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible graphics with WDDM 2.x driver
  • Display: Minimum 9” screen with 720p resolution

The Windows 11 requirements for processor, memory, storage, graphics, and display will generally be less of an issue for many computers currently running Windows 10 and can be circumvented with various bypass options. However, the biggest problem arises with UEFI, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0.

TPM 2.0, or Trusted Platform Module version 2.0, is a hardware security component responsible for cryptographic security, which is required for installing and using Windows 11. First, it is advisable to investigate whether TPM 2.0, without you being aware of it, may already be present in your device. Some devices have TPM 2.0 disabled by default. These machines should in principle be able to run Windows 11 after enabling it via the BIOS/UEFI. In addition, some systems do have TPM, but only version 1.2, which is not accepted by Windows 11. And then some machines do not support TPM at all. Another security-related requirement is Secure Boot, which is a feature that prevents unauthorized software from being used during the startup of your computer. Without Secure Boot present and enabled, it is not possible to install and use Windows 11.

Microsoft does not completely close the door if your hardware does not meet the minimum requirements. Microsoft offers instructions (“create a registry key that will bypass the TPM 2.0 and CPU model checks”) that can help you to install and use Windows 11 on certain systems but gives warnings about reliability, security, and stability and is at your own risk. You also only have a limited number of days available to do a possible rollback to Windows 10 if Windows 11 does not turn out to be a success.

So let’s take a look at what Linux is and why installing and using one of the Linux distributions might be a better choice for you.

What is Linux?

Linux, somewhat like macOS from Apple and Windows from Microsoft, is a piece of software that makes it possible to use your desktop computer or laptop in a user-friendly way. Some people have a preference for Apple equipment and say that Apple’s operating system works much better than Windows. But the opposite is said by Windows enthusiasts. And in both camps, many people will say that Linux is a difficult operating system, but Linux users say it is simple and very user-friendly. So what is true?

Probably the most important reason why most people won’t choose Linux is not about the quality of this operating system but is mainly due to the lack of good information and the way that information is presented to them. This results in ignorance of that other world that is not yours. And since many people sail on convenience, most people do not really care to try a third alternative Linux as long as they are not convinced that it is a viable alternative. And that is a pity because Linux is a formidable platform and with the right user-centered approach Linux could get a much larger footprint.

Linux is, just like Windows and macOS, but also like Android and iOS, a piece of software that is located as an approachable, adaptable, and influenceable layer between the hardware and the user. Where the steering wheel and the accelerator pedal are located between the driver of a car and the engine, there is Linux between the user and a desktop computer or laptop. 

For most non-technical people Linux is seen as a complete operating system, similar to macOS and Windows. But based on a definition like that Linux gets a little too much credit since it is actually only the core of the operating system. This core is what we call a kernel. In addition to the kernel, some additional components are required before we can call it a complete operating system, or in Linux terms, a distribution. But without that kernel, there is nothing to control, while on the other hand not all other components, such as a graphical desktop environment, are needed to be able to control your computer. So in a nutshell the kernel is, although other components are needed as well, probably the most important part of the operating system. Linux is the spider in the web or the traffic controller that manages and links all commands from the user, the connected devices, and all related software components. The kernel is continuously engaged in activities such as handling hardware and software signals, assigning memory to processes, managing processes and interpreting and managing input and output signals and associated rights.

Reasons why you should switch to Linux

Maybe you didn’t know, but Linux is currently the most used operating system in the world if you include all types of devices it runs on, like Android phones, supercomputers, Internet of Things devices, and of course regular PCs. But when we look only at the statistics for Linux on desktop and laptop devices, the numbers are not that impressive. But that doesn’t automatically mean that Linux is not a good option for normal users. It’s just not as well known as Windows and in regular computer stores, they mostly only sell Windows-based or macOS-based computers. But if you give it a little more attention, give it the benefit of the doubt, delve into its possibilities, and simply try Linux before you install it, you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised at how beautiful, easy to use, and simple some Linux distributions are.

So here are my thoughts on why you should at least consider switching to Linux to solve your upcoming Windows 11 support problems and keep your hardware alive for many years to come:

  • Run and use Linux directly from a live USB stick
  • Speed and simplicity of installation and updates
  • No bloatware
  • Linux is the platform to escape AI
  • No unwanted or unexpected updates
  • Anonymity
  • Free-of-charge operating system and applications
  • A very helpful and fast-responding community
  • Great non-commercial applications available for every purpose
  • Options for beginners and experienced users
  • Runs perfectly fine on your old hardware
  • Better for the environment
  • No concessions, as it can do the same as the mainstream systems
  • Flexible to change to your needs
  • Great and extensive software center
  • Stability
  • It’s much easier to use than you think

Run and use Linux directly from a live USB stick

Compared to operating systems like macOS and Windows, Linux is much more flexible in using the system without actually installing it. So if you want to try it out first and test it on your specific hardware, that is simply possible by starting Linux from a USB stick in what is called live mode. All functionality is available for you to try without touching or impacting the installation of your current operating system. When you are done exploiting, testing, etc., just close the live environment and start your machine again with your installed operating system, or start the installation directly from the live environment. Nice and simple.

Speed and simplicity of installation and updates

Installing, for example, Linux Mint, Zorin OS, or Ubuntu, including the graphical desktop environment and a lot of important ready-to-use applications like LibreOffice, Thunderbird, and Firefox, will take no more than 10 minutes. Yes, really! I didn’t believe it as well the first time I installed Linux Mint on an old Dell T3400 workstation. Compare that to the lengthy installation process of Windows, which feels suddenly like a joke.

No bloatware

When you buy a new Windows workstation or laptop, or when you do a fresh install of Windows, the first thing you see when you click on your start button is that there are quite some apps that you don’t need and that have only a highly commercial function. Of course, you can remove them, but that is the whole point. Probably most of you want to start with a clean system that you can fill with whatever you want, not with what a manufacturer wants you to see or buy. When you install a distribution like Linux Mint or Zorin OS, only a minimal set of very useful apps will be installed by default, and sometimes you even have the option during the installation process to choose a minimal installation that installs even fewer applications out of the box. So, you are the owner of your system and you are in control of what you need and use.

Linux is the platform to escape AI

It is somewhat in line with the previous topic, namely unsolicited components in your operating system. In this case (unsolicited) integration of AI (Artificial Intelligence) functionality directly into the operating system.

There seems to be no article, blog post, or YouTube video published lately that does not mention something about AI. There are many use cases described where AI can greatly improve and enrich our lives. Productivity experts and enthusiasts present us with the most fantastic possibilities that AI already has to offer, even though it is still in its infancy. The possibilities are already endless. We were recently able to generate photo-realistic images based on some commands. We can have entire articles written for us by only offering some thoughts about the AI engine. Recently, we have even had very realistic short films generated based on some creative statements. From a productivity perspective, we are tempted by the possibility of having a received email summarized for us. On the other hand, we are also offered the possibility of having an email generated for us based on some cleverly described commands. But what are we doing? Has the recipient of an email not earned the respect to read a text with ideas that have been composed for you by hand by the sender? And does a writer of an email not deserve the respect that his or her content is actually read with attention and that the important nuances are not missed? Do we really think it’s okay that we no longer give each other sincere attention for what we have to say to each other and what we have produced for each other? 

There are a lot of questions that concern me about AI. I am a person who usually finds it very important to look at and interpret everything with an objective view, as far as that is possible for a human being. I am therefore not someone who has yet formed a conclusive negative or positive opinion about the use and possibilities of AI. I do see advantages for us as humanity, but I also definitely see dangers and problems on an ethical level at the moment. AI is already being offered to us as if it were a fully-fledged end product, but there are a lot of conceivable situations and outcomes of AI that are currently downright scary, discriminatory, and sometimes even life-threatening. So what should you do as a computer and software user who is still a bit skeptical about AI and wants to calmly wait for developments without having to come into contact with it forcibly or having to use it unintentionally, for example in your operating system? Linux is a very nice platform for that, which still gives you a platform and the possibility to really be in control of what you want to do with your computer and not be forced into a way of working. With Linux, we are still talking about real personal computing, and everything you do there is still really personal.

You can read more about AI and Linux in my article “Is Linux the only platform left to escape AI?“.

No unwanted or unexpected updates

The update strategy of Windows is in my opinion absolutely terrible. Multiple times I have been confronted at work with non-stoppable updates while giving a presentation for often large important audiences. Or when you start up your laptop and you can’t start working for 20 minutes because you can’t cancel the update process. But in Linux, you are the one in control. You determine when you want to do an update and on which level. And while the update is running you just continue with your work. No interruptions at all as it is mostly a smooth update process.

Anonymity

Microsoft is increasingly busy with the integration of functionality to follow, steer, and bind the user from a commercial perspective. Especially Windows 10 was full of tracking functionality. But when you want to be the owner of your pc, your software, and your data, without being followed by your Operating System manufacturer, then Linux is in my opinion a far better option. The developers behind Linux and most related distributions don’t feel the need to know what you do on your machine, and if they want to know a bit of technical system data, they give you the option to completely opt out of data gathering. With Linux computing is personal again.

Free-of-charge operating system and applications

Most Linux distributions are free of charge. Most Open Source applications are free of charge as well. So you can have an operating desktop or laptop while only paying the investment of the computer, which can be an old cheap secondhand as well. And if you are grateful you can donate some small cash for the people behind different development teams behind the applications you use, as these people are creating these solutions out of a passion, not from a commercial standpoint.

A very helpful and fast-responding community

The developers in the Open Source community are creating their applications or distributions mostly out of a passion for what they do and believe in. But also almost all users of Open Source software share this passion as well. So if you as a beginning user have some issues with your software, you can ask anything on numerous forums and user groups and you almost always get a helpful response. More experienced users were once beginners too and are mostly driven to help starters out with their Linux-related issues. Real issues that impact more users will be picked up by the community and mostly fixes will be available very fast.

Great non-commercial applications available for every purpose

Although not as extensive as in the Windows-related closed commercial software world and to a lesser extent in the macOS world, there are tens of thousands of software solutions available for free in the different software centers of and for different Linux distributions. For example, in the Software Center of Linux Mint or Ubuntu, you can search in different categories and will be supported with descriptions, ratings and user feedback. As these applications do not have a commercial driver you even find software solutions for use cases you never thought of.

Options for beginners and experienced users

Linux is just the core underlying different distributions and the nice thing of having different distributions available is that each distribution can focus on a certain user group. For generic use and for first-time switchers, for example Zorin OS and Linux Mint are great offerings. If you are completely into audio editing you can look for Ubuntu Studio or KXStudio. Do you need a solution for schools? Look at Edubuntu. Scientific Linux has been created with universities in mind.

Runs perfectly fine on your old hardware

Both macOS and Windows are relatively resource-heavy systems that require powerful hardware on which they run and with every new version you lose a bit of performance on your current hardware and in the long run you can no longer avoid a hardware upgrade. Linux on the other hand is a very slim operating system and requires relatively simple hardware resources. And your hardware does not have to be super modern. Most Linux distributions run fine on hardware from the first generation of core 2 duo-based systems, which means that regularly buying new hardware is not really necessary anymore. Just keep enjoying your old but trusted machine.

And of course, this directly touches on the problem and the solution for the topic for which I started writing this article and why you are reading it now. Because Linux is very easy to install and use on relatively older computers, you have an opportunity here to continue using your current equipment for a much longer time, instead of being forced to buy new hardware to be able to run Windows 11. Windows 11 is not required to support all your computer needs, although Microsoft wants to make you believe it is. Linux is a fantastic, solid, and future-proof alternative with long-term support and the fact that future releases will continue to support your hardware.

Better for the environment

This reason for switching to Linux is directly related to the previous reason. When you can use your “old” but still well-functioning hardware with the help of Linux for a longer period than Windows users can do with the same hardware, you ensure that the global electronic waste pile grows less quickly. Why do we always have to renew for the sake of renewing when you can keep your existing computer running smoothly with Linux? In my opinion, it is irresponsible to unnecessarily dispose of still-working equipment in the landfill. With Linux, you can at least postpone this for a few years. 

There are no concessions, as it can do the same as the mainstream systems

Lots of users of commercial software will say at first that they can’t switch to Linux because their software is not available. That’s true. A lot of big commercial applications have not been built to run natively on Linux. But if you are a bit more flexible and think of alternatives instead of fixation on the de facto standards, you will see that there are a lot of Linux-based solutions out there that might be working for you. For most use cases there are Open Source alternatives available. Solutions such as LibreOffice, darktable, and Gimp can work fine with the file formats of the established packages, so there is no reason to not have a look at these alternatives. And if you look for example at what most normal / home users of Microsoft Office actually use out of all available functionalities, we can often conclude that this is usually minimal. So there is no reason not to try applications like ONLYOFFICE or LibreOffice. And nowadays more and more software solutions are offered via your web browser and no longer need to be installed on top of your operating system, which completely eliminates the argument of compatibility. Think of important applications like Notion, Todoist, Monday, and ClickUp, all of which can be used within your browser and no longer matter which operating system you use.

Flexible to change to your needs

The beauty of the layered structure of every Linux distribution is that you can construct and tweak it as you want. If you want an entirely different desktop environment such as Cinnamon, Budgie, KDE or Gnome, then it is a matter of installing and logging into which desktop environment or graphic shell you want to use. But also adjusting the complete look and feel, the buttons, the colors, and the behavior of movements can be done without any problem. And even if you want Linux to look like Windows, it is no problem. With Linux, you are in the driver’s seat. 

Great and extensive software center

Distributions like Linux Mint and Zorin OS are being delivered with very complete software centers, which are basically comparable with the Google Play store or the Microsoft Store. A distribution like Zorin OS even combines multiple formats (deb, flatpack and snap are all available out of the box in the current Zorin OS) in one convenient store. And software hubs like Flathub or Snap Store can also be accessed and used via your browser. In these Software Centers, you can directly search for lots of applications, or browse via different categories. When you select an application most of the time descriptions, ratings, and user feedback are available to support your decision to install the application. These stores are, partly depending on which distribution you choose, very extensive and complete. So basically it is not necessary to search for applications on the web (with the risk of downloading insecure software), as you have all software available in one convenient place, safe, checked, and secure.

Stability

Linux is known for its robustness and stability. I have to use Windows for my day-to-day work as it is provided to me by my employer, but that doesn’t mean that I am happy with it. I can’t count the number of crashes anymore, as I have them every week. This is not always the Windows operating system itself, but also how the operating system reacts to crashing applications. From the moment I started using Linux for my personal work and activities, which was already quite some years ago, I can count the total number of crashes on one hand. So Linux never let me down and I use it a lot. And if Linux is even used for multi million dollar projects like NASA’s Perseverance Rover and the International Space Station, it says something about reliability and the trust people have in it and should thus be good enough for your personal work and projects as well.

It’s much easier to use than you think

The last but certainly not least important reason to consider using Linux is that Linux is much simpler than many people think. Linux is easy to install (much easier than installing macOS or Windows in my opinion), Linux is easy to use, it’s easy to find good applications, there are many simple user environments available and there is a lot of information and support available. Today’s Linux is no longer the Linux of the past, but a powerful, user-friendly, and beautiful operating system, especially when you look at user-oriented distributions like Zorin OS, in which everything a modern user expects from an operating system can be found.

For my parents, I had equipped their old Core 2 Duo computer with Linux Mint, which still runs like a charm. I advised many friends to switch to Linux Mint or Zorin OS. They could not believe that their old computer could be that fast again. And they quickly got used to the somewhat different operating system and software. So for them switching to Linux was not a big deal. Because of my enthusiasm for Linux and the possibilities it offers, I have already been able to make more people think about postponing a possible purchase of a new computer. After I showed what Linux has to offer just by booting their system with a USB stick with a Linux live environment, I have already been able to make several people enthusiastic about Linux as a viable alternative to Windows.

Linux in Practice

If you are worried about the impending end of Windows 10 and are unsure about what to do next, and you have just considered the above arguments that would justify a possible switch to Linux, you may still be wondering what such a switch means in practice. That is why I want to tell you a little more about my personal transition to Linux so that you can experience a practical situation from a little closer.

For my personal situation, I didn’t come from a Windows background but came from the Apple ecosystem before I turned to Linux. I completely switched somewhere in 2016 to using Linux as my daily driver from being an OSX / macOS user for more than 10 years. Due to increasing hardware issues and hardware not being supported anymore by Apple (so the same problem you are facing now with Windows 10), I had some decisions to make. I had to think about what to do next. Because I had set other goals for my money and did not feel like spending thousands of euros on new equipment again, I looked for cheaper alternatives that could serve me equally well. And that was also the moment my attention was drawn to Linux.

Of course, I did my research. I investigated hardware and software options. I had to find out if the things I did on my Apple computers were also somehow possible on Linux. I tried to be open-minded, so one of the things was my mindset shift to not focus on specific well-known applications or brands, but on what my specific functional and technical needs out of software were and if I could find alternatives for Linux that could serve me equally well. And from the first day I started using Linux, I was sold.

Hardware

With Linux, you have many cheap options at your disposal, such as old computers that you may still have lying around in your garage, or very nice refurbished computers that companies have replaced, or, because of the topic of this article, you have a perfectly working desktop or laptop computer that will not be supported anymore by Microsoft. 

At the moment I am the very happy owner of an old Dell precision T1700 Intel Xeon E3-1200 mini-tower workstation with 16 GB internal memory and a Quadro K620 graphics card from 2013. So, this is a computer that is over 10 years old. In technology terms, it is an ancient machine, but running Linux it is still a very capable workhorse for my specific use cases (writing, coding, photo management and photo editing, digital drawing). 

In addition to my desktop computer, I use a refurbished Dell Latitude 5520 with an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 16 GB of memory, and 256 GB of internal storage (read my article: “My first impressions of using Linux on my new old refurbished Dell Latitude 5520“). This laptop is initially from 2021, so a bit more recent than my 2013 Dell Precision T1700. 

Further, I have a MacBook Aluminum Late 2008 running Linux. With the highest possible installable version of the older version of OS X El Capitan, I noticed very clearly that this old Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo 2GHz MacBook was getting really slow. Even unworkable slow. Even after an upgrade from the old hard disk to a fast SSD and an expansion of the memory to 4GB, everything became far too slow for my requirements and needs. And on top of that some software only worked with a higher macOS version. However, when I installed Linux Mint on this ancient MacBook, I suddenly felt like having a new machine again. Not kidding. The difference in speed was enormous. Starting up applications, using applications, browsing, file management, and even video editing with for example Openshot, or photo editing with Darktable, everything suddenly felt workable again. Amazing what Linux can achieve with old hardware and therefore offers a second life.

Software

When you talk to other people, mainly macOS or Windows users, about Linux, you will often hear that the software you are currently using is not available for the Linux platform and that it is better to just continue using your familiar platform and software. Even though they are partly right about certain software not being natively available for Linux, they unfortunately do not look beyond the well-known software names and the functionality they offer. In my opinion, people are too quick to think and share opinions that you can only edit images professionally with Adobe Photoshop, that you can only use serious office applications with Microsoft Office, that you can only seriously edit videos with Adobe Premiere or Apple Final Cut Pro, etc. This imposes too many limitations on themselves. For Linux, there are a great many very serious and powerful application applications available that can compete with the de facto standards, both open-source and closed-source. Think of Krita (free) for professional digital drawing, GIMP (free) as an alternative to Photoshop, darktable (free) as an incredibly powerful alternative to Adobe Lightroom, DaVinci Resolve (free version) is even the most professional video editing application in the world, used for many Hollywood blockbuster movies, and ONLYOFFICE or LibreOffice as free alternatives to Microsoft Office. Read my article “A yearly review – My 53 most favorite apps for Linux for 2024” for my personal favorites, or my article “What are the best alternatives to Adobe products for Linux” to get more insight into alternatives to Adobe products.

So, Windows 10 is ending. What are your next steps to make the move to Linux?

If you are, after almost finishing this article, a little more convinced that Linux might be a viable solution for your upcoming Windows problem or at least something you want to put some time into for further investigation, I have several informative and educational options available that can very quickly help you understand and try out Linux. I have worked hard on these options over the years and they are set up with a friendly and inviting tone of voice and the premise that you are still a Linux beginner. 

I currently offer of course a lot of free articles via the RealLinuxUser.com website, but also a free Linux Mint tutorial series, a cheap but comprehensive Zorin OS course, and my pride and joy, my first book on Linux, with the title “Linux for the rest of us: A starter guide for people who just want to be productive with Linux“, containing 360 pages of valuable information for Linux beginners and switchers to Linux. This book helps novice Linux users, doubters, and potential switchers, to understand what Linux is, what choices to make and how, to properly choose the right distribution, where to find Linux distributions, how to create a Linux live USB media, how to make sure you have a secure download to start with, how to install Linux, how to get the system working optimally for different hardware types, how to find and install beautiful applications, and it also offers many more interesting topics that will help you further in your Linux journey. The book will help anyone who is not really interested in the most in-depth technical aspects but wants to use a computer for productive purposes, to understand, set up, and effectively use their new Linux system, according to a logical step-by-step approach.

In all of the above options, I offer through several short Linux beginner tutorials, a simple starter guide for those who have never done anything with Linux and do not know exactly where to start and where to find the necessary information. I think they are all great and valuable starting points for your exciting new Linux journey.

Final words

I hope after reading this quite extensive article, that you have more helpful information to consider a switch to Linux as a viable replacement for your current Windows 10 Operating System. Of course, you can buy a new computer with a freshly installed Windows 11, but why get rid of still-working equipment before trying out what Linux could potentially do for you? Linux is free of charge to download, install, and use. 

You can run and use Linux directly from a live USB stick, the speed and simplicity of installation and updates are remarkable, there is no bloatware, it offers you a platform to escape AI, it has no unwanted or unexpected updates, it offers you anonymity, it offers mostly a free-of-charge operating system and applications, there is a very helpful and fast-responding community, there are many great non-commercial applications available for every purpose you can think of, there are numerous options for beginners and experienced users, runs perfectly fine on your old hardware, it is a better choice for the environment, no concessions, as it can do the same as the mainstream systems, it is flexible to change to your needs, offers great and extensive software centers, stability is incredible, and not the least important…Linux is much easier to use than you think.

I hope you will enjoy this Linux journey as much as I did and still do every day.


Have a look at my latest book on Linux, in Paperback or Kindle format.

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About John Been

Hi there! My name is John Been. At the moment I work as a senior solution engineer for a large financial institution, but in my free time, I am the owner of RealAppUser.com, RealLinuxUser.com, and author of my first book "Linux for the rest of us". I have a broad insight and user experience in everything related to information technology and I believe I can communicate about it with some fun and knowledge and skills.

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