I've been contemplating making the switch to Linux for quite some time now, mainly because I'm concerned about privacy and security in Windows 11 with its increased AI integration. I've been using Windows for years due to its simplicity, but now that Windows 10 support is ending, I'm feeling pushed towards Linux. My main uses for my computer are gaming and writing, but I'm not tech-savvy and I'd rather avoid diving into programming or extensive troubleshooting. I'm overwhelmed by the different Linux distributions out there and want to know which one will allow me to play all my Steam games while being secure and easy to use. I'd appreciate any recommendations on where to start!
5 Answers
Zorin and Mint are great if you're new to Linux. They have familiar interfaces and are easy to use. Also, try the distro chooser tool on distrochooser.de to find one that suits your needs.
Check out http://linuxjourney.com for a good starting point. It's helpful to look at the official pages of any distro before installation. Just pick one, get familiar with the basics, and dive in! Most mainstream distros are quite stable these days.
If you don't want to install Linux right away, try a Ventoy USB stick with a few distros on it first. This way, you can test them live without messing with your current setup. Make sure to back up your data before installing any OS!
I went with Bazzite, which worked well for gaming right out of the box. You might find some initial challenges with software, but once I got past those, it was pretty straightforward.
I'd suggest starting with either Ubuntu or Linux Mint. They're pretty user-friendly and have good community support. Once you get comfortable with those, you can explore other distros if you're interested.
Starting with a base like Ubuntu makes the transition smoother. I moved from Pi OS to Ubuntu and then to Fedora KDE, and it definitely helped me ease into Linux.