#linux for beginners

Here's my master post I made about this a little while back. It's a complete introduction to linux

So, we're going to go through this step by step.

Before we begin, let's keep a few things clear:

Linux is not Windows, it is its own system, with its own culture, history and way of doing things.

There are many "distributions", "distros" or "flavors" of Linux. What works for you may be different from what people recommend.

You'll want to read up on how to use the terminal; the basics an absolute beginner needs is short, but important. It's not hard to learn, just takes a bit of time and effort.

ADOBE DOES NOT WORK ON LINUX.

WINE is not a Windows Emulator, it should not be treated as such.

Proton is a compatibility tool built on WINE by Valve, which has its own compatibility database, called ProtonDB. It still isn't an emulator and can have quirks.

Not everything will work on Linux. Dead by Daylight actively blocks Linux players from joining a game, as an example. The Windows Edition of Minecraft is another. (But the Java Edition does!)

There are many FOSS alternatives to popular programs, but they may lack maturity and features compared to their commercial counterparts.

You might want to invest in an external drive. It'll keep your files safe and you'll be able to move all your files to a

Step 1: why do you want to switch? Are you concerned about privacy? Are you wanting to boycott Windows? Is 11 not an option for your hardware? Want to try something new? Be honest with yourself on what you want to do. Write down your hardware specs. You'll want to know what kind of processor, RAM, video card and memory you're working on.

Step 2: Make three lists: Programs you need for work, programs you use at home (that aren't games) and games you like to play. Check each of these for if they already have a Linux port. For games, you can check if it's Steamdeck compatible! For those where you can't find one or it's not clear, you can check for the program on WINE HQ and ProtonDB (for games.) Not all of them might be compatible!

There might be Linux-based alternatives for several things, but keep in mind that Adobe does NOT support Linux and does NOT work on WINE! Sea of Thieves and LibreOffice works, Dead by Daylight and Scrivener do not.

Step 3: Get a GOOD QUALITY USB drive stick! I recommend one that's at least 30 GB. That sounds like a lot, but operating systems these days are huge-but there's some fun stuff you can get. It's really important that you get a good quality one, not just a random stick off a reseller like Wish.

Step 4: Remember when I asked you why you were switching? Time to pick a Linux version. There is no "one, true Linux" version-the operating system is open, groups make their own versions and put it out into the world. If you're confused, check out Distrowatch. Read a list here. Download an option-if you have a few sticks around, try multiple ones.

Step 5: Plug in your USB and use either UNetbootin or Rufus to create your boot device. Rufus might be easier if you're not super computer savvy. When looking over the options, make sure there's some storage, set it to most of what's left. Take out your boot stick for now.

Step 6: Find out how to boot to your BIOS. Every computer has a BIOS. Check out your model of laptop/motherboard to figure out what it is. Arrange boot order so that your USB gets checked first.

Step 7: If you have an external drive, move all your personal stuff, game saves, etc to it or purchase cloud drive storage for it. Always back up your files, and with multiple methods.

Step 8: You aren't going to be installing Linux quite yet; instead, boot it up from USB. Note, it'll be a bit slow on USB 2.0, though a USB-3 device and slot should make matters easier. Test each version you're considering for a week. It is super important that you test! Sometimes problems crop up or you turn out to not like it!

Step 9: Once you find a distro you like and have tested, consider if you want to dual boot or completely wipe Windows. Some programs for work might require Windows or you might have a few games that ONLY work on Windows and that's perfectly fine! Just keep in mind, as of Windows 11, this option is not recommended. If you want to use dualboot, you want to keep Windows 10 and NOT update. There's great tutorials on how to make it happen, search engines should be able to point you to one.

Step 10: Fully install Linux and immediately update. Even the latest installers will not have the current security patches. Just let it update and install whatever programs you want to use.

Step 11: Enable compatibility tools in Steam if you're a gamer. File, options, compatibility. Also, check the Software Store in your OS for open source re-implementations for your favorite older games!

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I recommend Linux Mint or Pop_OS! for any beginners. they both are really easy to set up, and work fine out of the box.

Since they're both based on Ubuntu (which is built off of Debian) you get all the benefits that those two distro's get, namely the fact that they both have A LOT more out-of-the-box support.

Also they both are heavily focused on the GUI aspect, which also makes them easier to use because the terminal (while fun) does take some time to get used to.

This is not a be-all, end all guide. I recommend checking out Distrowatch and asking in r/pickadistro on Reddit if you're not sure still what might be right for you. I trust anyone using this guide knows how to use a search engine, otherwise how are you here?

Want to install Linux? Here's a guide for you.

Got older hardware? Puppy Linux and Lubuntu might be your jam.

Want a middle of the road do it all OS? Linux Mint, Pop!OS, Elementary, Ubuntu, MX Linux and Debian will all be of help.

Want to go full FOSS? OpenSUSE may be up your alley.

Want things to look close to Windows? Zorin and Elementary might be your solution.

Want cutting edge Arch without having to build it yourself? EndeavourOS, Manjaro and Geruda may answer your call.

Want to run a server? Debian will be your jam.

Want to use something for a school? Edubuntu may be what you need.

Are you an artist who wants all the cool stuff pre-installed? Ubuntu Studio will do that for you!

Gamer? Pop!OS, Geruda Linux and Mint will provide.

Programmer who wants to understand this? Check out Linux From Scratch.

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Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your operating system and accelerate your career in tech? In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the Linux command line to help you master the essential skills required for DevOps engineering, system administration, and advanced power user workflows.

Moving beyond the basics, this tutorial focuses on the practical application of terminal commands that professionals use daily to manage servers, automate tasks, and troubleshoot complex system issues. Whether you are a student aspiring to enter the IT field, a developer looking to improve your workflow, or a future DevOps engineer, understanding the shell is non-negotiable.

Wow, my first ask! Thanks! Let's try this.

To answer your question, any x86 computer can run Linux. This probably means any computer you own, specifically anything with an Intel or AMD CPU, which is pretty much all computers except some tablets, and Macs made after 2018 or so. (Yes, I know versions of Linux exist for ARM computers, you can probably find them if you need them, we are not having that conversation.) Any Windows desktop or laptop you have should be able to handle it.

As for what you can do with Linux, it basically just lets you use a computer with a different operating system than Windows or Mac. Since it is open source, it is very common for professionals to use it for custom made or embedded applications, like I have a friend who works on a company that makes robot tractors who use machine learning to recognize and pick weeds, while leaving crops intact. For whatever reason, it's easier to do what they do on Linux. So much of the world runs on it, even if you don't see it every day. (Unless you have an android phone, which is based on Linux)

The main issue with trying Linux as a beginner is it is highly fragmentary, as there are many organizations that adapt it to different needs. Different versions are called Distributions or Distros.

As for what distros to use, I have heard Ubuntu and Mint are good for beginners, and are the only ones I have really played with it. There are also specialized versions of Linux like Kali, which comes with hacking tools, if you want to learn hacking (Be sure to only use it legally if you try it!). There are also specialized versions for servers and other business applications. There are even specialized versions for gaming, like on the steam deck. Any version you are interested in should have instructions on how to install it on their site, but be sure to set up a dual boot if you don't want to destroy your install of Windows/MacOS. You can do this either by adding a second SSD, or partitioning your current one. If you just want to experiment though, you should use virtualization, more details on that later.

I have to warn you though, if you are planning to install Linux and be able to do the exact same things you are currently doing on your PC with no friction or frustration, you might be disappointment, as demonstrated by Linus Tech Tips!

I am personally not really a Linux user myself. It is great for programmers and for industrial applications, but personally I find the third party software support isn't really good enough for anything I want to do, that I can't do more easily on Windows or Mac, like creative or financial software. This is why I didn't mention Linux in my Mac post (much to the annoyance of a few snarky commenters), as I wouldn't encourage a non technical person to "Just try linux" if they are using their computer for the web and basic productivity. Anyone who wants to install Linux on an old mac has already done so and doesn't need me to tell them to do it. I don't really code so Linux isn't really for me, but I'd definitely encourage you to try it if you are curious. Each distro tends to have its own small suite of specialized software but a lot of Linux users code their own stuff.