I've used Windows for my entire conscious digital life, but I'm increasingly frustrated with its intrusive updates, ads, background services, accounts, and general lack of control. I'm curious whether Linux would give me a quieter, more customizable desktop without being too difficult for someone with very little Linux experience.
I mainly use my laptop for animation, digital art, music, video editing, and gaming. My usual software includes Kdenlive, REAPER, Clip Studio Paint, Douga, Moho, Rebelle Pro, Blender, and Obsidian. I also use several VSTs for music and sound work. Most of my games are played through Steam, including Hollow Knight, Slay the Spire, Don't Starve, and Don't Starve Together. I also play Minecraft.
My biggest concern is compatibility. I'm not ready to give up Clip Studio Paint, Douga, Moho, or Rebelle Pro because they're important to my workflow and group projects. I'm also unsure how well my VSTs would work. I've heard that some Windows applications can run through Wine or similar tools, but I don't know how reliable that would be.
I'm also worried that Linux might require too much technical knowledge. I'm willing to learn and even use the terminal when necessary, but I'm not especially confident with computers and don't want to spend all my time troubleshooting.
Would Linux be a practical choice for me? If so, should I try it alongside Windows first, and which beginner-friendly distribution and desktop environment would you recommend?
4 Answers
Most of your games should be fine through Steam, and Minecraft—especially the Java Edition—works very well on Linux. Kdenlive, REAPER, Blender, and Obsidian also have solid support. The main uncertainty is your animation software and Rebelle Pro, since they don’t have official Linux versions. Some people get them working with Wine-based tools, but compatibility can break after updates, so I wouldn’t rely on that without testing your exact workflow.
Your music setup deserves extra caution. REAPER itself runs well, but Windows-only VSTs can be inconsistent under Linux. Some work with compatibility layers, while others need extra configuration or fail entirely. If music production is important, keeping Windows available—at least initially—would be sensible.
You don’t need to understand the internals of a computer to use Linux. A beginner-oriented distribution such as Linux Mint or Fedora is generally straightforward, and you can use graphical tools for most everyday tasks. The desktop environment is separate from the distribution, so the childhood system with the bare-foot-looking symbol may have been using GNOME rather than being a specific distribution.
Try it without removing Windows first. You can create a bootable USB and run Linux in a live session, or install it in a dual-boot setup. That lets you test your hardware, drawing tablet, audio devices, games, and important applications while keeping Windows available for Clip Studio, Moho, Rebelle, or any VSTs that don’t cooperate. Linux Mint is a particularly comfortable starting point, while Fedora or a Fedora-based gaming-focused option may also suit you.
That’s reassuring—I hadn’t realized I could test it from a USB or keep Windows installed alongside it. I’ll try that before making any permanent changes.