How to Make the Switch From Windows to Linux – Guide
If you’re tired of Windows 10 or don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11, you can install Linux. Here’s how to switch to an open source operating system and install apps. ..
Windows 11 is Microsoft’s latest operating system and it looks sleeker than Windows 10. However, if you’re tired of all the embedded ads, constant updates, data collection, software lock-ins, and growing hardware requirements, then you may want to consider switching to another operating system. There are a number of options available to you. ..
If you’re considering switching to a different operating system, now is the perfect time. But you’re not stuck with the Windows-macOS binary, and you don’t have to settle for browser-based Chrome OS. Instead, you can resort to the world of Linux.
Choose your distribution
Linux is a versatile operating system that can be used on a variety of devices. It has a dock and an “app store,” which makes it easy to access the latest apps.
Linux Mint is a popular Linux distribution that is easy to use for beginners.
Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution that aims to mimic Windows in layout and functionality. However, Ubuntu is smaller and less developed than Windows, so it may not be the best choice for someone who wants to learn how to use Linux.
Linux Mint is a desktop environment designed for beginners. It offers a familiar desktop environment and is based on Ubuntu, so you can make use of the huge Ubuntu / Mint community when you need help.
Mint is a great distribution for new Windows migrants. It’s easy to set up and explore other distros after getting started on a beginner-friendly system. ..
Create your installation unit
To download the Cinnamon desktop environment for 64-bit computers, go to the Mint download page and choose the Cinnamon version. Cinnamon is a desktop environment I recommend for former Windows users, although MATE is also very similar to Windows, albeit a little less modern. XFCE is ideal for older or low-powered PCs, thanks to its light use of resources. If you use BitTorrent, I recommend getting the torrent file, which will be much faster to download. ..
To install Ubuntu on your computer, you will need to burn the ISO or disk image file to a DVD or USB flash drive. We’ll do the last one using a tool called Rufus. Install Rufus, open it up and insert a 2GB or larger flash drive. (If you have a fast USB 3.0 or 3.1 drive, even better.) You should see it appear in the Device drop-down menu at the top of the Rufus main window. ..
After clicking the “Select” button next to Disk or ISO Image, choose the Linux Mint ISO you just downloaded. After pressing the “Start” button, if prompted to download new versions of Syslinux, click Yes. Note that this will erase your flash drive, so make sure there is nothing important on it before continuing. When finished, you will see a success message and your pen drive will be called LINUX MINT.
Now it’s time to go back up your data and restart your computer. Fasten your seatbelts because it’s time to install Linux. ..
Install Linux on your PC
When your computer restarts, you’ll see a message asking you to press a certain key to access the boot menu (usually something like F12). Otherwise, you will see a key to enter Setup (usually Delete). Press one of these keys and look for the option to boot from inserted USB drive. If you go into the full setup menu, you’ll be in a boot settings menu somewhere, and you’ll have to exit the menu to restart again when you’re done.)
Linux Mint is a Linux distribution that comes with a boot menu that you can use to choose to boot into Linux Mint. If you find any errors, you may need to Google a solution. I had to enable the nomodeset option for my video card, for example. Others may have to adjust or disable safe boot in the BIOS.
This installer is a Live CD that allows you to tweak and use the Linux Mint desktop before installing it.
If you want to install third-party software on your computer, be sure to check the box next to Install Third-Party Software. This will contain useful drivers and codecs that you will almost certainly want. From here, you can wipe your entire hard drive, erasing all traces of Windows and using Linux as your only operating system. (Make sure you support up your data before doing this.)
You can split your computer into two partitions and dual boot Linux along with Windows. This will allow you to reboot into one or the other whenever you like. At the very least, it’s comforting to know that you have this safety net during the transition, before removing Windows completely.
Linux Mint is a new operating system that you can use to replace your current computer. The installation process may take a while, but when it is complete you will receive a success message. You can then click the Restart Now button to boot into Linux Mint and begin familiarizing yourself with your new operating system.
Get familiar with Linux and install some applications
Linux Mint is a desktop environment for Linux that was created by Ubuntu creator Canonical. It is installed on your PC and provides a familiar Linux experience with applications in the lower left corner and a taskbar in the center. There are some differences, such as applications working differently, which can be confusing at first.
Linux users have two main ways to get applications: through a graphical software manager, or by using the command line. ..
To open the Linux Mint software manager, click on the menu button in the lower left corner and go to Administration > Software Manager. From here you can access a variety of free open source applications. ..
Some people use Linux distributions as their primary operating system, while others use open source alternatives. You can browse here or search for apps using the bar at the top.
How to Install and uninstall apps
sudo apt-get install vlc
sudo apt install vlc
In this article, we will explore the sudo command and its various uses. We will also take a look at apt and update, two of the most important commands in Linux Mint.
sudo aptitude install vlc If you want to use a different video player, you can install it using the following command: sudo aptitude install libvlc-dev
This will search for and install the latest version of the VLC media player.
uninstall /Applications/MyApplication.app/Contents/Resources/ This will uninstall MyApplication.app and all its dependencies.
sudo apt remove vlc-plugin-streaming sudo apt remove vlc-plugin-mkv sudo apt remove vlc-plugin-h264 ..
To uninstall an app:
- Open the App Store on your device.
- Tap the app you want to uninstall.
- Tap the three lines in the top left corner of the screen.
- Tap Uninstall. ..
rm -rf ~/.config This will remove all the config files in the current directory.
Remove the video codecs from apt.
How to Update apps
You can update your apps on the graphical tool by clicking on the Updates button in the toolbar, or by using the command line.
To update your software using the Update Manager application, click the shield icon in the lower right corner. You can then click the Install updates button to update all your software. ..
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install python-pygments This will install the Python bindings for the Pygments library, which will allow you to write LaTeX documents.
The “update” command checks for new versions of your software and the “upgrade” command actually updates all your applications. You’ll want to run these two together, just as you do to install new apps.
The Mint interface is a great place to start if you’re new to the Linux Mint system. The Welcome window can be a big help – its Getting Started area will show you how to choose different desktop layouts, install desired multimedia codecs, and install drivers necessary for your hardware.
The Ubuntu and Mint forums are always there to help new users get started. However, be sure to search around as there may be a similar question already asked. ..
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Final note
How to Make the Switch From Windows to Linux: A Guide for Beginners If you’re looking to make the switch from Windows to Linux, this guide is for you. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to make the switch and cover some of the basics you’ll need before starting. We’ll also include some tips on how to get started and help you get the most out of your new Linux experience. So let’s get started!
