Switching to Linux? 8 things to know before you start
Switching to Linux? Learn the 8 things new users wish they knew about distros, apps, hardware, backups and gaming before making the move.
Switching to Linux goes smoothly when you know eight things first: Linux comes in distributions, it works differently from Windows, software installs from a store-like package manager, some apps and games won't run, hardware is worth checking, a little terminal knowledge helps, backups matter, and gaming is far better than its reputation. This guide explains each one in plain language, so your first week feels familiar instead of frustrating.
If you are still deciding whether to switch at all, read Linux vs Windows vs Mac first. If you are leaving Windows 10 specifically, our Windows 10 to Linux guide covers the dates and your options.
1. You don't install "Linux", you install a distribution
Linux itself is only the kernel, the core that talks to your hardware. What you actually install is a Linux distribution (a "distro"): the kernel bundled with a desktop, apps, a software store, and settings that are tested to work together. Most distributions share the same building blocks, so skills you learn on one carry over to the others.
For a first distro, pick one built for newcomers:
- Linux Mint: stable, simple, and closest to Windows in layout. The current version, Linux Mint 22.3, is supported until April 30, 2029.
- Zorin OS: a more modern, polished look that can mimic Windows or macOS.
Both are based on Ubuntu, so almost every Ubuntu tutorial online also works on them. Compare them side by side in Linux Mint vs Zorin OS, browse the best Linux distros for beginners, or read how to choose your first Linux distro.
2. Linux is not Windows, and that's fine
Linux does many of the same jobs differently. Your files live in a home folder instead of "C:\Users", there are no drive letters, and the disk uses Linux file systems such as ext4 (the default on Linux Mint and Ubuntu) or Btrfs (the default on Fedora) rather than Windows' NTFS.
You don't need to understand file systems to use Linux. The practical point is that Linux can read and write your existing NTFS drives, so an external disk full of Windows files keeps working. Expect a short adjustment period, as with any new phone or computer, and resist the urge to make Linux behave exactly like Windows.
3. Software comes from a package manager, not random websites
The biggest day-to-day change is how you install programs. Instead of downloading installers from websites, you install software from your distribution's repositories through a package manager, which also keeps every app updated along with the system.
You don't have to use the command line for this. Linux Mint's Software Manager and Zorin OS's Software store work like an app store: search, click Install, done. They also include apps from Flathub, a large catalog of desktop apps that work on most distributions.
If you do like the terminal, one command can install several programs at once. On Linux Mint, Zorin OS, or Ubuntu, for example: sudo apt install vlc gimp
4. Check the apps you can't live without
Most everyday software runs on Linux or in a browser: Firefox and Chrome, LibreOffice, VLC, Spotify, Zoom, Discord, Steam, and many free, open-source tools that were built for Linux first. If you already use free software on Windows, much of your workflow comes with you.
Some popular programs don't run on Linux, most notably Adobe Creative Cloud and the desktop version of Microsoft Office. You have four options:
- Use an alternative that runs natively, such as LibreOffice, GIMP, Krita, Kdenlive, or DaVinci Resolve.
- Use the web version, such as Office on the web.
- Dual boot: keep Windows installed alongside Linux and start it only when you need that one program.
- Try compatibility tools such as Wine or a virtual machine in VirtualBox. Both can work, but expect some rough edges.
Make a list of your must-have apps before you switch, and check each one. It is the single best predictor of whether Linux will work for you.
5. Check hardware before you buy (or install)
Most computers and plug-and-play accessories, such as USB mice, keyboards, and basic speakers, work on Linux without drivers. The devices worth checking are printers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapters, and some specialist peripherals, because their support depends on the manufacturer.
Before buying a printer, look it up in the OpenPrinting database. Before installing on a laptop, run through our 7 things to test before installing Linux from a live USB, and search the Linux hardware reports.
When something doesn't work, it is usually because the manufacturer chose not to support Linux, not because Linux can't. Favoring brands that support Linux saves you trouble next time.
6. Don't fear the terminal
You can use Linux Mint or Zorin OS for months without opening a terminal. It is still worth learning the basics, because troubleshooting guides often give terminal commands, and it helps to know what a command does before you run it.
Five commands cover most beginner needs on Ubuntu-based distributions:
- sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade: install all available updates.
- sudo apt install program-name: install a program by name.
- ls and cd folder-name: list files and move between folders.
- man command-name: read the manual for any command.
- Up arrow: repeat and edit your previous command.
A good rule: never paste a command from the internet that you don't understand, especially one that starts with sudo, which runs it with administrator rights.
7. Back up before you switch, and keep backing up
Back up everything important before you install Linux. Installing an operating system rewrites your disk, and a wrong click can erase a partition. Copy documents, photos, and browser passwords to an external drive or cloud storage first.
Once you are on Linux, keep two kinds of backup:
- System snapshots: Linux Mint includes Timeshift, which rolls your system back if an update or a settings change goes wrong. By design, it excludes your personal files, so it is not a full backup on its own.
- File backups: back up your home folder with a tool such as Back In Time, Deja Dup (called "Backups" on many desktops), or a cloud sync app.
Also keep your Linux live USB stick. If a mistake stops the system from starting, for example a typo in the disk configuration file /etc/fstab, you can boot the USB stick and fix the file from there instead of reinstalling.
8. Gaming on Linux is better than its reputation
The idea that you can't game on Linux is out of date. Many games run natively, and Steam's Proton compatibility layer runs a large share of Windows-only games, often about as well as on Windows. For games outside Steam, Lutris and the Heroic Games Launcher handle other stores such as Epic and GOG.
The main limit is anti-cheat. Some online games block Linux on purpose:
- Valorant and Fortnite don't run on Linux, according to Are We Anti-Cheat Yet.
- Apex Legends used to run through Proton, but EA blocked Linux and Steam Deck players in late 2024, citing cheating.
- Dead by Daylight runs on Linux through Steam, with some workarounds listed on its Are We Anti-Cheat Yet page.
Check each online game you play before you switch. For distributions tuned for games, see the best Linux distros for gaming.
Your first steps
- Step 1: Make your must-have app and game list, and check each one.
- Step 2: Back up your files.
- Step 3: Put Linux Mint or Zorin OS on a USB stick and try it live, without installing.
- Step 4: Install alongside Windows (dual boot) if you want a safety net.
- Step 5: Set up Timeshift snapshots and a file backup on day one.
Not sure which distribution fits you? Answer five questions in the distro finder.
Is Linux hard to learn for Windows users?
Not with a beginner-friendly distribution. Linux Mint and Zorin OS have a taskbar, start menu, file manager, and settings app that work much like Windows, and everyday tasks don't need the terminal. Most people feel at home within a week or two; the learning curve is mainly about installing software the Linux way.
Can I go back to Windows if I don't like Linux?
Yes. If you dual boot, Windows stays installed and you choose it at startup. If you replaced Windows, you can reinstall it from Microsoft's installation media, which is another reason to back up your files before switching.
Can I use Microsoft Office on Linux?
Not the desktop version. You can use Office on the web in any browser, or LibreOffice or ONLYOFFICE, which open and save Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. If you rely on advanced Office features such as complex Excel macros, test your files first or keep a Windows dual boot.
Can I try Linux without deleting Windows?
Yes. Boot Linux from a USB stick in live mode to test it without touching your disk, or install it alongside Windows and pick which one to start each time. The Linux Mint installation guide walks through both.