I don't know anything about Linux and the idea of installing it frightens me. Where do I start?

I bought a laptop yesterday, it came pre-installed with Windows 11. I hate win 11 so I switched it down to Windows 10, but then started considering using Linux for total control over the laptop, but here's the thing: I keep seeing memes about how complicated or fucky wucky Linux is to install and run. I love the idea of open source software and an operating system without any of the bullshit that comes with Windows, but most of the open source stuff I have is on my android and fairly easy to install. Installing and using Linux just feels like it'll be a whole different beast that'll eat up most of my time and I'm kind of intimidated by it.

TL;DR Linux scawy, how does a barely computer literate scrub like me who's used nothing but windows since the dawn of their life get started with Linux?

snekerpimp ,

Don’t install on your main rig over your main hard drive. Don’t obliterate your windows drive, that will ease a lot of the intimidation, knowing you can always go back. Getting a cheep laptop or thin client to try distros out on will elevate that intimidation as well.

Start with what you have heard of and have been recommended repeatedly, Mint, popOS, Ubuntu, all great distros to learn on, have great documentation.

Also, read the docs. They are dry and long, but will always have the solution.

tabular ,
@tabular@lemmy.world avatar

In my experience it being easy to just switch back to Windows wasn't always a good thing. When there was an issue or I had something new to learn sometimes I would just take the easier option of switching out the Linux drive for the Windows one, even though I really wanted to stop using Windows.

Not saying OP should go cold turkey, but something perhaps worth considering at some point.

DrillingStricken ,

I was just like you, but one day I got a USB stick and decided, 'Heck, I'm gonna install Linux today!'. And it was surprisingly easy, I haven't seen anything weird.

Just remember to back up your important data before making any changes. There are a lot of helpful comments already, but if you need anything, the community will always be happy to help you figure it out. No need to worry!

steventrouble ,

Hello and welcome to the club! It depends on your skill level. For some it can be very difficult an OS, Linux or no.

I'd recommend practicing on a VM first to verify your technical chops.

Step 1: Download virtualbox and create a new Linux virtual machine with 30 GB of disk space.
Step 2: Download a Linux ISO and mount it in the VM.
Step 3: Maximize the VM window and install Linux.
Step 4: Play around with your new Linux installation as though it were your real OS.

jjlinux , (edited )

This will be the closest to bare metal install when compared to running it from USB. USB live tend to feel laggy, because of the bus, but in a VM, it's just like bare metal (almost) minus the "going all our" part.

Try many different distros and DEs before you make your choice.

Try atomic distros too, they may or may not be your cup of tea.

Go crazy on a VM. If you don't like it, nuke it, try again with something else.

The only problem is the insane amount of options, which is also what makes this so much fun.

groche ,

In my opinion the hardest thing in linux is leave to use propietary or exclusive software for windows, the first think you must do is leave to use propietary software in windows, and when you can live without windows exclusive programs, switch to linux.
You can start for ubuntu or other linux friendly distribution, doesn't care, afther the migration you can try other for curiosity without risk

toynbee ,

Alongside many of the useful comments here, I'd like to add one great thing about installing Linux on a new computer: you can't accidentally anything on the new computer! There's presumably no data to be lost, you can even install Linux without ever booting into the Windows environment. If you don't have it connected to your network, there's nearly no risk; even if you do, that risk is minimal. I always feel a distinct comfort imaging a system that's never been used.

As for the how, others have covered it, but just identify your distribution of choice (Fedora and Linux Mint are great starters), download the ISO from their website, plug a thumb drive into any running system, and download a USB imaging tool. Balena Etcher is a popular one and the one I use, but many others are available and popular as well if you have a preference.

ko4fzg ,

Check out Linux Mint or Fedora, ez pz

GolfNovemberUniform ,
@GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml avatar

Fedora's installer can be confusing for new users and you need to know some technical terms (3rd party repos, Flathub etc) to set it up

boredsquirrel ,

The installer is actually pretty easy, even though a bit strange in some parts, really stable.

Like, better than Calamares in my eyes.

But yes, on Fedora you basically need

flatpak remote-delete -y fedora
flatpak remote-add flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

And on NVIDIA good luck, I would honestly just use uBlue there.

BaalInvoker ,

Well, looks like you know how to format a PC. Then you already did 90% of the dirty work of installing and using a Linux.

Choose a friendly-linux distro and you'll be fine. I suggest you to try Arch (I'm joking!) Linux Mint, Fedora, PopOS or Zorin OS.

I think PopOs would be really easy!

boredsquirrel ,

I really like System76s work so even though never used PopOS it is very likely fine.

But Zorin, hell no. It is a randomly patched outdated GNOME and their installer is Buggy.

Just use Fedora with Dash to panel and you have a better experience.

tkk13909 ,
@tkk13909@sopuli.xyz avatar

Like others have said, definitely try a few distributions out via USB before committing. Also, you can dm me if you need help beyond what you find online.

Good luck, and have fun!

lemmyreader ,

You don't have to install Linux if you are not ready for it. You can test it without installing by using Linux live distributions. With Ventoy you can have 10 or 20 different Linux distributions on one USB stick and test them to see how well your laptop works with it and which flavors you would prefer.

boredsquirrel ,

Note that what you will experience is just the Desktop, as the details of the distributions are more "which one has less errors over time and not outdated or unstable packages"?

Blisterexe ,
@Blisterexe@lemmy.zip avatar

For me to give better recommendations or help than what other people are saying, I'd need more info, I can help you here, but id rather help you on a chat app, I'm available on matrix, signal and discord.

The extra info I'd need is stuff like whats the model of your PC, what do you use it for, what are your preferences, ect.

demoman ,

Installing linux is actually very easy and painless depending on your distro choice. What do you need your computer to do? Your choice of distro would depend on the answer to that question so we cant advise any further.

bou ,
@bou@kbin.social avatar

@ComicalMayhem what do you plan to use it for?

DaddleDew , (edited )

I was hesitant for a long while and ended up installing Linux Mint on an old SSD I had laying around this way there was no commitment.

Now I'm realizing I haven't booted up my regular windows 10 drive ever since and am considering getting rid of it altogether.

On a side note I created a virtual machine on the Linux side that runs Windows 10 LTSC on it for a few other programs I sometimes need that would be very difficult or impossible to make work on Linux like Inventor, Office and Photoshop. It lives trapped in the box and isn't allowed to connect to the internet. If I need to download something for it I download it on Linux and drag and drop it into the box. It's like having a little pet Windows that you keep locked in a pen, so it works for you and only for you and it can't escape to go into your house to spy on you and shit bloatware all over your carpet.

shigutso ,
@shigutso@lemmy.world avatar

You are not "barely computer literate". Most people have no idea how to put a OS installer on a flash drive and boot from it. If you know how to format your laptop and reinstall Windows, you know how to install Linux. Install any beginner distro (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc) and have fun. Google is your friend if you find any issues. There are a lot of resources online to help you.

If you want to play games or use any specific Windows-only software you may have to do some research, but if just for browsing the web you will most probably have a good time. Don't be afraid to try and learn.

spicytuna62 ,
@spicytuna62@lemmy.world avatar

Mint and Kubuntu are great for newbies. Ubuntu is also great, but the community hates Ubuntu these days so be ready to get replies criticizing Ubuntu or your choice to use it. It still makes a lot of shit really easy.

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