What should I know before switching from Windows to Linux?

Try the live USB mode before installing anything. It boots the Linux desktop from the thumb drive without changing your internal drive, so you can test Wi-Fi, sound, graphics, displays, and general usability. It will be slower than a normal installation, but if everything works and you like the desktop, there’s usually an install shortcut right there.

Back up anything important first, especially documents, photos, and other files you can’t replace. A mistake during partitioning or installation can make an existing Windows installation unbootable. You can either replace Windows entirely or use an installer’s automatic option to install Linux alongside it, which lets you choose an operating system when the computer starts. If you’re nervous, testing on an unused computer or inexpensive spare laptop is a great way to learn.

Before choosing a distribution, check whether you rely on Windows-only software. Some Adobe and Microsoft applications don’t work properly on Linux, although there are alternatives and compatibility tools for many use cases. It’s also worth choosing a desktop environment you like, such as Cinnamon, KDE, or GNOME. You don’t need to start with a technically demanding distribution; pick something mainstream and beginner-friendly rather than choosing based on internet memes.

For a beginner, Linux Mint or Ubuntu are good places to start. You download the installer image, use it to create a bootable USB drive, restart the computer, and choose the USB drive from the BIOS/UEFI boot menu. The installer handles most of the complicated work; you’ll typically select your language, region, time zone, keyboard layout, drive, username, and password. Many installers are mostly just a series of straightforward prompts.

You generally don’t need to manually design partitions or configure every system detail anymore. Modern installers can usually create the required file systems and partitions automatically. If you want to understand the terminology, reading about drives, file systems, and partitioning beforehand helps, but it shouldn’t be necessary for a basic installation. The most important preparation is having backups and checking the installation instructions for your chosen distribution.