Changing to Linux without an IT degree.

[Andy in Germany]

Microsoft is sending messages on my computer telling me it's "incompatible" with the new, subscription based OS they're changing to in November, so I'm considering moving to Linux. I'm told that the system has become considerably more user-friendly since I last tried to make it work.

I use my laptop for online browsing and things like writing stuff and email, and I've used Firefox and Libre Open Office for that for years now.

What is the current user-friendly system from Linux, and is it vaguely usable for people like me who are not technically minded?

 

[Mike Ayling]

Some may consider this heresy to run an operating system which is not protected by the suppliers regular updates but if the system still works after 31 October why not just keep going. It is what I intend doing. (Dons flame retardent suit)

 

[Chris S]

I use Lubuntu on what was once a Windows 8 laptop. It's lightweight and has all the essential functionality. I've been told that Linux Mint and Cinamon are like the later versions of Windows.

You install it from a USB stick, they usually cost about £10 on ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315816555860
Make sure you get the latest LTS (long term support) version otherwise you'll be downloading a lot more updates.

Some machines will automatically check the USB ports for a bootable drive when they start up. In others you have to go to the BIOS screen and select 'boot from' there. A Google search should show you how to do it. Then it's just a case of following the onscreen instructions.

If there is an option to download updates during the installation process then select it. It saves a lot of time later and prevents obsolete modules causing problems.

 

[Chris S]

Some may consider this heresy to run an operating system which is not protected by the suppliers rjegular updates

All Linux systems come with automatic updates.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

As above Linux Mint with the Cinnamon environment would be a good shout for someone starting off.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I use Lubuntu on what was once a Windows 8 laptop. It's lightweight and has all the essential functionality. I've been told that Linux Mint and Cinamon are like the later versions of Windows.

You install it from a USB stick, they usually cost about £10 on ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315816555860
Make sure you get the latest LTS (long term support) version otherwise you'll be downloading a lot more updates.

Some machines will automatically check the USB ports for a bootable drive when they start up. In others you have to go to the BIOS screen and select 'boot from' there. A Google search should show you how to do it. Then it's just a case of following the onscreen instructions.

If there is an option to download updates during the installation process then select it. It saves a lot of time later and prevents obsolete modules causing problems.

Also useful, thanks: there's a bewildering selection of versions. Ubuntu was unusable, and I had to get someone to reboot the computer but that was about 10 years and several laptops ago.

 

[Andy in Germany]

As above Linux Mint with the Cinnamon environment would be a good shout for someone starting off.

What's the difference between Mint (OS?) and a Cinnamon "Environment"?

 

[DCBassman]

Linux Mint Cinnamon is a good bet. My one caveat to all of them is that the current Bluetooth manager is pants. If you don't use Bluetooth peripherals, it's a snap.

 

[DCBassman]

Cinnamon/Mate/Xfce etc etc are the actual desktop 'environments' you interact with.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

I'm in the same boat as the OP (and many others). After the first couple of replies I have no idea what anyone is talking about, so I'll either take my PC into a shop, or (more likely) just continue using it without any updates.

 

[Alex321]

Microsoft is sending messages on my computer telling me it's "incompatible" with the new, subscription based OS they're changing to in November, so I'm considering moving to Linux. I'm told that the system has become considerably more user-friendly since I last tried to make it work.

Windows 11 is no more subscription based than Windows 10 (or earlier versions).

Modern versions of linux are far easier for non-techies than they used to be, but still a bit more technical to use, and particularly to set up, than Windows

 

[accountantpete]

Linux Mint is the "mainstream" version - regular updates and in 15 years of using it I have had no security problems.

In the "old" days you had to get used to using the terminal for certain typed in commands but now it is almost all GUI so it is just about getting to know the os and if you ever get stuck there is a big community to help.

The downsides are mainly some (only a few minor ones in my case) programs you are used to wont run on Linux without a bit of effort.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

What's the difference between Mint (OS?) and a Cinnamon "Environment"?

Linux has a GUI )graphical user interface) which, unlike Windows isn’t baked into the core. That means you can pick and choose which one you want to use.

When downloading Mint you can select which interface you want to use. Cinnamon is considered to be a good option for new users.

 

[Dadam]

What's the difference between Mint (OS?) and a Cinnamon "Environment"?

In the Linux world you have the basic operating system, which comes in different flavours, known as "distros", short for distributions. The OS handles memory management, files, networking and all the techie stuff under the bonnet. The environment is the user interface that handles how your interact with your computer. The look and feel, the icons, windows, menus, how your apps are managed on your desktop. With Windows the environment is baked into the OS. A distro generally comes packaged with a particular environment but there are quite a few options for different ones.

You didn't like Ubuntu when you tried it. I recall the side menu was quite a change for a lot of people. But there were other window managers available for ubuntu so it's possible you might have liked one of those better.

I'm not up to date on what Linux distros are good, but Mint gets a good rep. I did put Mint on an old laptop to sell on ebay about 10 years ago but it's doubtless moved on a lot.

One possibility if you have the space on your hard drive, is to dual boot. So you run Linux for day to day but if say, there's an app that won't run on Windows you could boot into that. You can also boot the Linux off a SD card or USB stick for a while, retaining Windows for the time being. So you could keep your options open to make sure you like it before transferring it to your hard drive and getting rid of Windows.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I use Windows on my laptop

What are these message that you are seeing and where do they come from

I haven;t seen anything and nor has my wife
and i have not heard anything and I frequent some proper IT Technician websites and they would be all over something like that

are you sure you have got it right?



on another point - I used to have a desktop computer that was dual boot - I could boot it from either Linux or Windows 10
but I normally used Linux - Ubuntu mostly - partly to not use WIndows but also because it ran some software that I used at work and i just left it on that OS most of the time
Worked fine