I'm considering moving from Windows to Linux, but I want to avoid making the transition unnecessarily difficult. I've never used a terminal before, so I'd prefer a beginner-friendly graphical system that doesn't require command-line work for everyday tasks.
I'm also wondering whether files copied from Windows to an external drive—such as documents, photos, and other personal data—will work normally on Linux. Most importantly, I need to continue using FL Studio and Wondershare Filmora. Are either of them usable on Linux through Wine or another compatibility tool, and are there any distributions that make this easier?
4 Answers
Try Linux from a bootable USB first. A live session lets you check the desktop, hardware, file access, and software manager without installing anything permanently. You could also dual-boot for a while, or install Linux on a spare inexpensive laptop, while keeping Windows available for Filmora or anything else that doesn’t work reliably.
Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop is probably the simplest starting point if you want something familiar. Fedora KDE is another good choice, especially if you prefer a Windows-like interface. Neither should require the terminal for normal day-to-day use, although learning a few basic commands can make troubleshooting easier later.
FL Studio can work through Wine or tools such as Lutris, and some users report good results. Compatibility can depend on plugins, especially older 32-bit VSTs, so you should test the exact setup you use. Filmora is more uncertain and may have stability or compatibility problems. Check current compatibility reports before making Linux your only system.
Your personal files should transfer fine. Documents, images, videos, and similar data aren’t tied to Windows. Programs are different: Windows applications generally won’t run natively on Linux. An external drive formatted as exFAT is a convenient choice if you want to share it between Windows and Linux, though Linux can also read many NTFS drives.
That’s my main concern—I rely on both programs, so I’ll test them before removing Windows.