I don't know anything about Linux and the idea of installing it frightens me. Where do I start?

Dont install it, yet. Make a bootable usb stick with balena etcher and put a linux distro on it (I highly recommend mint, pop_os or ubuntu (standard version) as ISO on it.

Ubuntu is very controversial in the more advanced sphere but I learned on it and its great for beginners.

If you want to go a little bit over the top download ventoy and put it on the usb instead. You can then put as many ISOs on there as you can fit and just select one of them at boot.

The most important part for beginners is the desktop environment anyway so gnome should be fine. If you have tried it for more than an hour and still feel like this could be fun, click install and give it a go.

You could also dual boot but windows might fuck you over since they‘re not great neighbors as an OS.

Feel free to ask if you want to know more. Good luck.

Try Linux Mint. You set it up on a USB drive, and you can try using it before you install it. So load it up, and try doing a few things you'd normally do (check email, etc.). This way, you can get your feet wet without committing fully. If you find you like it, you can do an installation (and it doesn't require any fancy terminal stuff).

You don't have to install Linux if you are not ready for it. You can test it without installing by using Linux live distributions. With Ventoy you can have 10 or 20 different Linux distributions on one USB stick and test them to see how well your laptop works with it and which flavors you would prefer.

Did you install Windows 10 yourself from scratch? If you managed to do that you should be able to handle most Linux installs as well. I would go so far to say that generally Linux is easier to install than Windows nowadays. Go with Mint or OpenSUSE or Ubuntu and you should be all right.

If you have nvidia graphics that might give you trouble in the form of one extra package to install. If you have Intel or AMD graphics you shouldn't expect any trouble at all.

The biggest difference between Windows and Linux is that you generally don't download apps and drivers from websites but use your package manager to install stuff. Similar to app stores on smartphones. And unless it's nvidia all drivers are already built in.

You can download live Linux images that boot directly from USB to try them out without installing. Often the live image is the same one you can then use to install Linux, if you want to.

I was once like you. You can do it. I like Linux mint. Here's how to install it: Go to https://www.linuxmint.com/ and see what it's about. It's friendly, it's very Windows like, it just works. Go here for the install guide: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ Pick an .iso file and download it. Go to https://etcher.balena.io/#download-etcher To download the program that puts .iso files on USB drives. Use the Balena Etcher program to burn the .iso onto a USB thumb drive. Put your non-redownloadable files with sentimental value in another drive and remove the drive from your computer. Do not skip this step, order another drive if you have to (INB4 new laptop, but don't forget this with your other machines). Plug in the USB drive that has Linux Mint on it. Power off your computer. Wait 20 seconds. Power on your computer. Mash the F2, F10, F12, and F5 keys until you get to the bios screen, or get to the bios screen if you know some other way. Find the setting that says something like "boot priority" and put USB drive above your C drive. Save and power off. Wait 20 seconds. Power on. Press F12 or whatever key you need to to get to the boot selection screen. Choose the option to boot from the Linux Mint USB drive. This is where you can test drive Linux before installing. Try ctl-alt-t to bust open a terminal. The terminal is your friend, but not required for the install. Close terminal with the command 'exit' or ctl-d or ctl-c ctl-d. Double click the install icon on the desktop. Follow instructions. Choose to delete windows forever from your life and put Linux on the hard drive. Follow instructions, they are no harder than any other wizard you have seen to install software. Reboot. Enjoy. Here are some tips: The terminal is your friend. Commands for learning the terminal, because the terminal can teach you to use the terminal (man is short for manual): man man man apt man ls man cd man vi man nano man less man pipe man mkfifo man rm apt search game ---> searches for the keyword 'game" apt update ----> this is how to update your cache. Use it to pull your software updates apt upgrade ----> this is how to apply the updates to your machine.

---End terminal stuff--- You can use your machine in the normal way too, same as any windows machine. Look around and explore. All the stuff in the software center is free (gratis). There's lots of stuff. No more .exes to get software. Look at www.fsf.org to discover why free software is important.

If you have trouble you can DM me. I will help if I can. Good luck, you got this.

I will keep this as easy as possible, but if you installed Windows 10 that's much harder than installing most Linux distros. If you want a lengthier tutorial but with pictures go to https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

1. Go to https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=311 click any of the links there, the nearest to you they are the faster they will be.
2. Find a USB drive you can use (probably like you did with Windows, and just like then everything inside it will be lost, so make a backup on another drive) and plug it on the PC.
3. Download https://www.balena.io/etcher/ select the image you just downloaded, the USB drive you just plugged, and click flash.
4. Reboot and boot using the USB drive like you did for Windows 10.
5. You're now on Linux, feel free to just poke around, you can connect to your wireless, browse the internet and do whatever, just notice that anything you install or save will be lost since its not really installed but running from the USB drive. When you're ready click the install button.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions like you did with Windows 10 (or )
7. Reboot and unplug the USB drive and you should now be in Linux.

As you can see it's 99% of the same you did with Windows, the hardest part of it (boot via USB drive) you already know how to do.

Now, that being said I do have one small recommendation, while installing you'll see this screen https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/_images/installer-install.png I personally recommend you select the "Something Else" option there and manually partition your drive to have:

• 512MB vfat (or fat32 not sure how the Mint installer calls it) partition to be mounted on /boot (this might not be needed, but if you're in UEFI mode, which is very likely because the machine originally had Windows 11, it is needed)
• 60GB ext4 partition to be mounted on / (this is your system, 60GB should be enough, but if your disk is large enough you can give it 100 or whatever you like, just bear in mind that every program you install will be here)
• <Amount of RAM> swap partition (e.g. if you have 16GB of RAM then 16GB swap partition) (Swap is a place in the disk that can be used as RAM, you want it at least the same size as your RAM so you can hibernate the computer since RAM gets wiped when the computer powers off)
• Remaining as an ext4 partition to be mounted on /home (This is where your data, games, photos, etc will be, having this in a different partition is the reason I recommended to go with the custom partitioning. Unlike Windows on Linux partitions are just folders, so if your data is in a different partition than your system you can wipe your system, reinstall it or even install a completely different distro, without touching your data. In short this means that even if you screw up and end up with a non working system, you can follow the installation again, ensure that this partition is not marked for formatting, and you should be back in a new system but without losing any data or configurations)

That's just a recommendation for future-proofing, but if you just want to try it and are okay with wiping everything later if needed then feel free to choose the default.

Just download Balena Etcher (it's the easiest USB flashing tool), flash a Linux Mint .iso file to a flash drive using it and boot from it like you do with Windows installers. Unlike Windows, Linux can work in "demo mode" straight from the USB without installing to the hard drive. It may be slow in this mode but it should give you an idea of how Linux looks and feels. If you like it, double click the "Install Linux Mint" button in the top left corner and proceed with installation. Other distros usually have the installation icon on the same place or somewhere in the "Start menu" so you shouldn't have hard times finding it in case you decide to try another distro

Just dive in head first. You will likely find things you miss about windows but if you give Linux a fair chance I promise you in the end it pays off.

My switch was first a dual boot but I quickly realized I was rarely booting into windows and eventually just formatted the drive to purge all Microsoft from my system.

These days even games only built for windows run just finez if not better than Linux.

LibreOffice is great alternative to MSOffice and most other windows software will run with some form of wine (wine is not a windows emulator).

Freedom isn't free. But it sure as heck is worth the extra steps to get there.

Linux Mint is a great starter Distro.

Buy a new SSD or hard drive. Take the existing one out of your computer and put it in a drawer. That eliminates the possibility of the Linux install somehow messing up your Windows drive. Put in the new drive and do your Linux install onto your new totally empty drive. Now you can always go back to Windows by swapping the drives again.

Seriously, Linux installation is pretty easy if a bit time consuming. I generally use Debian MATE since I don't like Gnome. Go to https://cdimage.debian.org/images/release/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/ , copy debian-live-12.5.0-amd64-mate.iso onto a USB flash drive, set your BIOS to boot from USB, plug in the flash drive and boot and follow the prompts. Give yourself an hour or so for this since the installer is going to install 100s of packages one at a time. You mostly won't have to interact while this is happening though.

Step one is back up your data.

Step one is always back up your data.

I was just like you, but one day I got a USB stick and decided, 'Heck, I'm gonna install Linux today!'. And it was surprisingly easy, I haven't seen anything weird.

Just remember to back up your important data before making any changes. There are a lot of helpful comments already, but if you need anything, the community will always be happy to help you figure it out. No need to worry!

Go to your local Linux Users Group meetup

While the actual install process is super easy especially if you managed to install windows 10 on your own, I'm actually more curious as to what laptop you went and bought. Whether or not your hardware even works well with linux is the much more common problem that people have when using it. It's what leads to the vast majority of something works on my hardware, but not yours posts. Plenty of people have already given instructions on installing, so I won't go into that, but maybe try to research linux on [insert whatever laptop you bought] first.

Go setup a Linux on a spare hard disk and fail as many times as you can.

Don't fail twice because of same issue.

That's all it takes to learn any skill really.

You can search online how to fix things, reach out to this community with logs. Over time you will learn how not to fail from many pitfalls, and voila, you are now a champion.!

Like others have said, definitely try a few distributions out via USB before committing. Also, you can dm me if you need help beyond what you find online.

Good luck, and have fun!

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@ComicalMayhem what do you plan to use it for?

Don’t install on your main rig over your main hard drive. Don’t obliterate your windows drive, that will ease a lot of the intimidation, knowing you can always go back. Getting a cheep laptop or thin client to try distros out on will elevate that intimidation as well.

Start with what you have heard of and have been recommended repeatedly, Mint, popOS, Ubuntu, all great distros to learn on, have great documentation.

Also, read the docs. They are dry and long, but will always have the solution.

Well, looks like you know how to format a PC. Then you already did 90% of the dirty work of installing and using a Linux.

Choose a friendly-linux distro and you'll be fine. I suggest you to try Arch (I'm joking!) Linux Mint, Fedora, PopOS or Zorin OS.

I think PopOs would be really easy!

It does not matter much which distro you choose, as long as you choose a bigger distro. They are all well supported linux systems. Use a live USB. You do not have to install it, you can plug it in and use it. Or, install via a virtual machine.

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.

Check out Linux Mint or Fedora, ez pz

Alongside many of the useful comments here, I'd like to add one great thing about installing Linux on a new computer: you can't accidentally anything on the new computer! There's presumably no data to be lost, you can even install Linux without ever booting into the Windows environment. If you don't have it connected to your network, there's nearly no risk; even if you do, that risk is minimal. I always feel a distinct comfort imaging a system that's never been used.

As for the how, others have covered it, but just identify your distribution of choice (Fedora and Linux Mint are great starters), download the ISO from their website, plug a thumb drive into any running system, and download a USB imaging tool. Balena Etcher is a popular one and the one I use, but many others are available and popular as well if you have a preference.

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.

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.

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.

An excellent place to start is https://linuxjourney.com/ to get you started!

1. Download Mint
2. Download VirtualBox
3. Setup a Mint VM
4. Get used to it (this is a long step, you're free to try other distros, take your time)
5. Download Rufus, install a Linux ISO of your choice to the USB
6. Shrink Windows' partition
7. Turn off Secure Boot and RAID in your BIOS (steps vary by laptop/motherboard manufacterer)
8. Boot your USB (try booting it in EFI mode instead of BIOS mode first, if you can)
9. Follow the install instructions to install it alongside Windows

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!

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.

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

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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.

Enjoy! Welcome! And I don't even run it as my primary, just on servers and stuff (Apple guy).