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An enigma. (lemmy.zip)
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[-] Chivera@lemmy.world 16 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

What's the best Linux distro for an easy switch from Windows?

Thank you everyone!! My PC is being left behind by Windows 11.

[-] ALoafOfBread@lemmy.ml 46 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

+1 to Mint. It is a very easy transition & you will not have ragerts.

Pros:

  1. prettier than windows while having a similar interface

  2. more responsive than windows

  3. more stable than windows

  4. zero spyware/bloatware

  5. basically the same level of software compatibility as windows

Only things that take some research ahead of time or getting used to imo:

  1. deciding how you want to partition your drives during installation (you can let it automatically do this, but there are reasons to create a different partition structure across drives/have different sized partitions),

  2. mounting drives. There are GUI tools for this (file explorer for mounting, gparted for formatting), so it really isn't a big deal, but it is a little more difficult than with Windows and you may need to reformat your drives depending what file format they're currently in.

  3. make sure your motherboard/video card/cpu all work well with linux. They should, but just check first.

  4. note that games requiring kernel level anticheat (aka spyware) won't work. So if that's a deal breaker, then dual boot or don't switch.

[-] simbico@lemmy.zip 15 points 2 months ago

+1 mint

I also have a bit higher FPS in some games (both proton and native) but some just don't run at all

[-] DJDarren@sopuli.xyz 5 points 2 months ago

+1 for Mint as a gateway drug.

I started on Mint back in October. My server is still running Mint, because I can't be arsed with setting everything up on another distro, but my work machine is on KDE Neon. And that isn't safe.

[-] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

prettier than windows while having a similar interface

uhh...

more stable than windows

Not if you have multiple screens and want to zoom the interface or something. I remember there was a massive bug with this

basically the same level of software compatibility as windows

Except all Adobe software, video editing software, many windows only software, the full Office suite

So, no, that's just false

[-] fossilesque@mander.xyz 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)
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[-] theunknownmuncher@lemmy.world 17 points 2 months ago
[-] sorghum@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 months ago
[-] 474D@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago

Linux Mint. It's boring but easy and stable.

[-] besmtt@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago

I've used Ubuntu and multiple flavors of mint. I like bazzite the best. Literally zero problems since I switched.

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[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Linux Mint

Maybe Fedora but it has a bigger learning curve. You also could try Fedora KDE.

[-] sanderium@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 months ago

Some time ago I answered this question on a post that seems have been deleted but got some good feedback:

The most important decision as a new Linux user is the desktop environment, the most similar desktop environment to the Windows desktop are KDE Plasma and Cinnamon. This means your best options are:

  • Linux Mint (Cinnamon): They are the creators of the Cinnamon desktop environment and will be the default on installation.
  • Kubuntu (KDE Plasma): This is Ubuntu's official KDE Plasma flavour, it comes with everything as usual just different desktop.
  • Fedora (KDE Edition): Same story as Ubuntu here, only that with Fedora's own packages and environment.

First I would check if the hardware is compatible (99% of the time is). Then I would check what software you need and/or want and check if it is available at these distros, and get familiar on how to install the software packages (either with their respective app stores or in the command line).

There is a lot to learn but with these distros you can just install, forget and simply keep using them for eternity.

The last and more important tip I have is to not to worry about the sea of options out there, you will not be missing anything huge by picking one or the other. Which is how most of new users feel (I did in my time).

Hope you have a great Linux journey mate!

[-] rtxn@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

That question is like asking which superhero is the strongest in a comic shop. There is an answer, but some people have made their own opinion part of their identity, and are extremely ~~passionate~~ emotional about it.

It's Linux Mint, by far. Others like Fedora and Pop are solid choices, and things like Arch, Bazzite, or CachyOS have their merits, but Mint offers by far the most uncomplicated, entry-level experience.

[-] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 2 points 2 months ago

distros are like porn

There's a general consensus, but everyone has their kinks and preferences that bring people near insanity

[-] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 4 points 2 months ago

I made the worst fucking comparison

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[-] oppy1984@lemdro.id 5 points 2 months ago

I switched 10 years ago, started on Ubuntu and hated it, switched to ZorinOS and gained understanding, then switched to Mint and found a home. I now recommend Mint to all windows refugees, it's layed out similar enough to be intuitive and let's you learn Linux at a comfortable pace.

Tl;Dr - switch to Linux Mint when leaving windows.

[-] xylol@leminal.space 5 points 2 months ago

If all you do is use a browser and game then bazzite is solid.

If you do more stuff then fedora might be the way to go.

I started with popos but since its more on a stable ideology updates to stuff take much longer which is why I started looking around to try all the lingo I've heard about on Lemmy like KDE Wayland immutable atomic etc etc

[-] ivanafterall@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

How is KDE Wayland Immutable Atomic? Been meaning to try it.

[-] olafurp@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

Fedora Ublue is immutable/atomic and Bazzite is gaming distro built on top of that which has the option to use KDE Wayland as it's desktop environment

[-] Hudell@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

If you want something that barely ever changes and works today as its gonna work 5 years from now, then Mint. If you want constant compatibility with the shiniest new stuff, then an atomic fedora distro (Bazzite for gaming, aurora/bluefin for general purpose).

[-] Quill7513@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 months ago

Mint if all you want is all your shit to work. Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) if you also have ideological issues with microsoft's involvement in the israeli genocide of the Palestinian people

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 months ago

I'm not sure I understand for Linux Mint is tied to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Linux Mint isn't affiliated with Microsoft. (Not even a little)

[-] Quill7513@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 months ago

it's not about linux mint, it's about its base, Ubuntu which also isn't involved with microsoft, but its parent company, canonical is guilty of providing similar aid as ms does. so if you're boycotting microsoft, you should boycott canonical, too. thus, LMDE being my recommendation in that case. LMDE is developed by the same people who make Mint. i was never trying to imply they're the proplem

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 months ago

That makes more sense

Thanks for the explanation. I personally don't see Linux Mint as supporting Ubuntu since they are independent and not financially tied but I think that comes down to personal choice.

[-] Quill7513@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 months ago

i contribute code back a lot so any distro i use will end up getting free labor from me so it works a little different for me. like you said, it's a personal choice

[-] Cevilia 3 points 2 months ago

Unpopular opinion: There is no one "best" distro. I'd recommend you download a few, try them out, see what clicks for you. Nobody knows your use case as well as you do.

[-] randombullet@programming.dev 3 points 2 months ago

I feel like I'm probably the sole one who's happy with Kubuntu. It's just Ubuntu with KDE on it.

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[-] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago
[-] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Do you want to game much?

[-] wabafee@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago
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this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2025
1056 points (100.0% liked)

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