Switching from Windows to Linux: the simple guide

Linux is a free system that replaces Windows on your computer. It gives old PCs a second life, doesn't spy on you, shows no ads and requires no account. This guide tells you in plain words which version to choose, how to make it feel like Windows, and what to know before you switch.

Updated October 2026

In 30 seconds

  • To start: Linux Mint or Zorin OS. They are the two versions closest to Windows: Start menu, taskbar, everything where you expect it.
  • Free, no mandatory account, no ads, no data collection.
  • Try before you install: Linux starts from a USB stick without touching your Windows. If you like it, you install it.
  • Limits to know: some online games (anti-cheat) and some professional software (Adobe, installed Microsoft Office, business software) don’t work, or work poorly.

Key words (in plain English)

Don’t worry: here are the few words you’ll see everywhere.

LinuxAn operating system, like Windows or macOS: it’s what makes the computer work. It’s free and its code is public.
A distribution (or “distro”)A ready-to-use version of Linux: Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Zorin OS… They share the same core but differ in look and bundled software.
The desktopWhat you see on screen: menu, taskbar, windows. Some desktops (Cinnamon, KDE Plasma) look a lot like Windows.
The “live” USB stickA USB stick containing Linux: you start the computer from it to try Linux without installing anything or touching Windows.
The software storeLike an app store: search for a program and click “Install”. Free and virus-free, because it’s checked.
LTS“Long-term support”: the version gets security updates for several years. Always pick an LTS for peace of mind.
Dual bootKeeping Windows and Linux on the same computer and choosing which one to start each time.
Wine / ProtonTools that let some Windows programs and games run on Linux. Proton is built into Steam.

Why Linux protects your privacy better

Windows 11 and, to a lesser extent, macOS collect a lot of information about how you use your computer and push you towards their paid services. Linux does none of this by default.

Windows 11macOSLinux (Mint, Zorin…)
Free✘ licence included in the PC price~ Macs only✔ yes
Online account required✘ Microsoft account required at setup~ Apple account strongly pushed✔ none
Usage data collection✘ on, cannot be fully turned off~ limited, can be turned off✔ none by default
Ads and suggestions in the system✘ Start menu, notifications, Edge~ rare✔ none
AI that records your screen✘ Recall on Copilot+ PCs (can be turned off)✔ no✔ no
Code anyone can check✘ closed✘ closed✔ open
Forced restarts for updates✘ frequent~ sometimes✔ you decide
Runs on a 10-year-old PC✘ Windows 11 refuses many PCs✘ recent Macs only✔ yes
Viruses targeting home users✘ very many~ increasing✔ very rare

Linux isn’t invincible: phishing (fake emails, fake websites) works the same on every system. Keep updates on and be careful with links and attachments.

Is Linux right for you?

Yes, if you…

  • have a PC that can’t upgrade to Windows 11 (Windows 10 no longer gets free updates, except under a temporary security extension);
  • mostly use the web, email, office work, photos, music and videos;
  • want a fast computer with no ads, no subscription and no forced account;
  • are equipping children, parents or a charity on a small budget;
  • mostly play single-player games on Steam;
  • are a developer or manage servers.

Probably not (or with dual boot), if you…

  • use Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator or other Adobe software for work;
  • depend on Excel with complex macros, or on Windows business software (accounting, point of sale, CAD, medical software…);
  • play competitive online games with anti-cheat (Valorant, Fortnite, Call of Duty, League of Legends…);
  • have very specific hardware without a Linux driver (some scanners, old printers, pro devices).
  • In these cases, keep Windows alongside (dual boot) or try the solutions below.

Linux for your business (small businesses, freelancers, non-profits)

What you can save

  • Licences: no Windows licence needed (a Pro licence costs over $200 per computer) and no paid antivirus.
  • Office subscriptions: LibreOffice or OnlyOffice replace Microsoft 365 for most uses, with no per-user subscription.
  • Hardware: PCs rejected by Windows 11 keep going for several more years. No need to replace every computer at once.
  • Time: no forced restarts in the middle of the day, faster computers, fewer viruses to deal with.

Computers that switch easily

Reception, admin, shared computers, workshop or stockroom PCs, staff computers used mainly for email, office work and the web, training rooms, non-profit computers.

What to check first

  • Your business software: accounting, payroll, certified till systems, quoting or management software. If they only run on Windows, keep Windows on those computers.
  • Your hardware: label printers, card readers, payment terminals, scanners: test them from the live USB stick.
  • Shared files: Word and Excel documents open fine; complex Excel macros may need Microsoft 365 online.
  • The method: list what everyone uses, test Linux on a single computer for a few weeks, then roll it out.

The secret: online software

More and more business tools run straight in the browser: banking, taxes, online accounting, calendars, email, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Online software works the same on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, tablet or phone: the computer’s system no longer matters.

That is exactly why KSPNAI apps are 100% online. Dishvero runs in any browser with nothing to install: on the Linux PC at reception, the manager’s Mac, the kitchen tablet or an employee’s phone. You choose the system that suits you; our tools follow.

Which version of Linux should you choose?

All of them are free. If in doubt: Linux Mint. You can always switch later.

1. To move from Windows to Linux (recommended)

The simplest, closest to Windows.

Linux Mint

Free and open source

For: Anyone coming from Windows. The safest choice.

A desktop very close to Windows 7/10 (menu bottom left, taskbar), a simple software store, a driver manager and built-in system backups. Stable and light.

Good to know: Visually less “modern” than Zorin, which is exactly what makes it reassuring.

Cinnamon · LTS until 2029

Official website · linuxmint.com ↗

Zorin OS

Free and open source

For: People who want a desktop that looks like Windows 11 right after installing.

Several layouts to choose from (Windows 11, Windows 10, macOS…), recognises Windows installers (.exe) and suggests the right solution, built-in OneDrive access. Version 18 is supported until 2029.

Good to know: The Core edition is free; the Pro edition (more layouts and preinstalled software) is paid.

Core free · Pro paid

Official website · zorin.com ↗

Ubuntu

Free and open source

For: People who want the most widespread version, with the most help online.

The best-known distribution: countless tutorials, and many companies and programs support it. LTS versions are supported for 5 years.

Good to know: The desktop (GNOME) is different from Windows: expect a short adjustment period.

GNOME · 5-year LTS

Official website · ubuntu.com ↗

2. To customise or try something different

Kubuntu

Free and open source

For: People who love customising every detail.

Ubuntu with the KDE Plasma desktop: very close to Windows by default and endlessly customisable (themes, panels, menus).

Good to know: Lots of settings: it’s easy to get lost at first.

KDE Plasma

Official website · kubuntu.org ↗

Fedora

Free and open source

For: Curious users who want new features quickly.

Modern, very clean, backed by Red Hat. A new version every 6 months.

Good to know: Video codecs and NVIDIA drivers take a few extra steps.

GNOME or KDE

Official website · fedoraproject.org ↗

elementary OS

Free and open source

For: People coming from a Mac or who like clean interfaces.

An elegant, simple desktop inspired by macOS, with its own app store.

Good to know: Less like Windows than Mint or Zorin.

Pantheon

Official website · elementary.io ↗

3. For gaming

Bazzite

Free and open source

For: Gamers, gaming PCs, handheld consoles (Steam Deck, ROG Ally…).

Built for gaming: Steam, graphics drivers and tweaks are preinstalled. Can boot straight into “console” mode.

Good to know: The system is locked down to stay stable: software is mostly installed from the store (Flatpak).

KDE or GNOME

Official website · bazzite.gg ↗

Pop!_OS

Free and open source

For: Gamers and creators with an NVIDIA graphics card.

A version with built-in NVIDIA drivers, the fast new COSMIC desktop and great window management.

Good to know: COSMIC is new: a few rough edges are possible.

COSMIC

Official website · system76.com ↗

CachyOS

Free and open source

For: Advanced gamers who want the best performance.

Optimised for speed, with a simple installer despite its reputedly technical Arch Linux base.

Good to know: Very frequent updates: best for people who like tinkering.

KDE and others

Official website · cachyos.org ↗

4. For an old PC (10 years or more)

MX Linux

Free and open source

For: Old PCs, computers 10 to 15 years old.

Very light, stable, with many simple tools to configure everything.

Good to know: A more classic look.

Xfce · KDE · Fluxbox

Official website · mxlinux.org ↗

5. For advanced users

Debian

Free and open source

For: Advanced users and servers.

The base of Mint and Ubuntu. Extremely stable, changes little.

Good to know: Less guided installation, older software.

Your choice

Official website · debian.org ↗

Getting a Linux as close as possible to Windows

1. Pick the right version

Zorin OS offers a “Windows 11” or “Windows 10” layout on first start. Linux Mint looks like Windows 7/10 with no tweaking. Kubuntu (KDE Plasma desktop) can mimic Windows down to the details.

2. Find your programs

Most programs you use exist on Linux, or have a free equivalent:

Find them all in our selection of free programs.

3. Still run a Windows program

  • Bottles (or Wine): runs many small Windows programs directly, without Windows. Zorin OS does this almost automatically when you open an .exe file.
  • WinBoat: runs a real, invisible Windows in the background and shows its programs as if they were installed on Linux. Needs at least 8 GB of memory and a Windows licence.
  • Virtual machine (VirtualBox): a full Windows in a window, for occasional use.
  • Dual boot: the safest solution for essential business software.

Gaming on Linux: what works and what doesn’t

What works very well

Thanks to Steam and its Proton technology (the same as on the Steam Deck), most single-player Windows games run on Linux, often with no tweaking at all. Linux now accounts for over 4% of Steam players. For Epic Games and GOG, the free Heroic launcher does the job; Lutris handles other games.

Before buying a game, check its rating on ProtonDB: “Platinum” or “Gold” means it runs perfectly.

What doesn’t work

Online games protected by anti-cheat that blocks Linux, including Valorant, League of Legends, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Battlefield 6, Apex Legends, GTA Online, Rainbow Six Siege and EA Sports FC. The up-to-date list is on Are We Anti-Cheat Yet. If you play these games, keep Windows in dual boot.

Tips

  • AMD or Intel graphics card: everything works out of the box.
  • NVIDIA card: choose a version that installs the driver for you (Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, Bazzite).
  • For a dedicated gaming PC or a handheld console: Bazzite.

Try it, then install it, step by step

1. Get ready

  1. Back up your files to an external drive or the cloud. Always.
  2. Download the file for your chosen version (.iso file, 3 to 6 GB) from its official website.
  3. Get a USB stick of 8 GB or more (it will be wiped).
  4. Copy the file to the stick with Ventoy or Rufus (both free).

2. Try without installing

  1. Plug in the stick and restart the PC.
  2. At startup, press the boot menu key (often F12, F11, Esc or F8 depending on the brand) and choose the USB stick.
  3. Linux runs from the stick: test Wi-Fi, sound, your printer and your usual websites. Nothing on your PC is changed.

3. Install

  1. Click the “Install” icon on the desktop.
  2. Choose “Install alongside Windows” to keep both, or “Erase disk” to keep only Linux.
  3. Follow the steps (language, keyboard, time zone, name and password). Allow 15 to 30 minutes.
  4. On first start: run the updates, install the suggested drivers and turn on system snapshots (Timeshift on Linux Mint).

On recent PCs, “Secure Boot” is not a problem with Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Zorin or Fedora. If your drive is encrypted with BitLocker, write down your recovery key before installing Linux alongside Windows.

A few precautions

  • Back up first. Installing alongside Windows is safe, but a wrong click can erase data.
  • Install software from the software store or Flathub, not from random websites, and avoid pasting unknown commands into the terminal.
  • Keep updates on: they’re quick, don’t force restarts and fix security holes.
  • Stay alert to scams: fake emails, fake websites and fake tech support target users of every system.

Frequently asked questions

Is Linux really free?

Yes. Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Zorin OS Core, Fedora and the others are free, including for business use, and so is most of their software.

Is it hard to use?

No. With Linux Mint or Zorin OS you get a menu, a taskbar and windows just like Windows. You don’t need the terminal for everyday use.

Can my old PC run Linux?

Almost always. A PC that can’t install Windows 11 runs very well on Linux Mint; for a PC over 10 years old, choose MX Linux or Linux Lite.

Can I keep Windows?

Yes, with dual boot: you choose Windows or Linux each time you start. You can also simply try Linux from a USB stick without installing anything.

Will my Word and Excel files open?

Yes, with LibreOffice or OnlyOffice. Very complex documents (advanced Excel macros) may need Microsoft 365 online.

Do I need antivirus on Linux?

For home users it’s generally not necessary: software comes from checked repositories and desktop Linux viruses are very rare. Caution with fraudulent emails and websites is still essential.

What about my printer?

Most recent printers (HP, Brother, Canon, Epson) work straight away. Test it from the live USB stick before installing.

See also

104 free programs to replace paid software →A free AI on your own computer →57 free online tools →

Links to official websites only. Back up your files before any installation. Game and software compatibility changes quickly: check case by case.