Hey everyone! I'm a Windows 11 user looking to make the jump to Linux. I'm not looking for anything too complex—I'm okay with using the terminal but would prefer some user-friendly GUI options. I'd like to keep my Windows setup as it is for now, so I can manage my essential tasks while getting familiar with Linux.
I'm particularly interested in which Linux distribution would feel most similar to a standard desktop experience. Ideally, I want to be able to easily install applications like Brave or Firefox, have a GUI for settings, and manage files without relying heavily on the terminal. Also, I have a 256 GB USB 3.2 drive—is it possible to run a distro from there while maintaining access to my laptop's peripherals and ports?
Moreover, I do game occasionally, so if I can download Steam or GOG and have most of my games supported, that would be awesome! Thanks for any advice!
4 Answers
If you're looking for a no-fuss experience, definitely go with Linux Mint. It’s pretty much plug-and-play. And if you need an office suite, LibreOffice or OnlyOffice can be installed easily—OnlyOffice looks more like Microsoft Office, if that’s your thing. Also, maybe consider keeping a separate partition for your home disk; it makes switching between distros in the future easier!
Linux Mint would probably be your best bet! It's user-friendly and has a familiar interface similar to Windows, which makes the transition smoother for newcomers. Plus, you can easily install software via the Software Manager without diving into the terminal all the time.
You might want to check out Fedora. It's working well for me—smooth experience and a pretty decent look. Just keep in mind, if you want to play games, you may need to tweak some settings initially for Steam to recognize certain drives. But overall, it's been a solid choice for a beginner like me!
What you said about the sound—did it sort itself out after a restart? That's something to keep in mind if I run into issues.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely give Fedora a try!
Don't stress too much—just pick a distro you're excited about and dive in! You might need to do some research and troubleshooting, but that's part of the learning process. Also, check out YouTube channels like Distrotube and Learn Linux TV for great resources to guide you along the way!
I love YouTube tutorials! I'm definitely going to give those channels a shot.
Great tip about the home partition! That sounds like a smart way to go for future distro hopping.