I’ve Had Enough of Windows: My Journey Switching to Linux

In a world dominated by Microsoft's Windows operating system, it's easy to feel trapped in a cycle of endless updates, intrusive ads, and privacy concerns. For years, I've been a loyal Windows user, navigating through the quirks of Windows 10 and the disappointments of Windows 11. But recently, I reached my breaking point.

Full-screen ads popping up uninvited, forced updates that disrupt my workflow, the controversial "Recall" feature that feels like Big Brother watching, and the looming end of free security updates for Windows 10—it all added up. Add to that persistent taskbar glitches, the mandatory push for Microsoft accounts, and the ever-present Copilot AI shoving itself into my daily tasks, and I knew it was time for a change. That's when I decided to switch to Linux as my primary OS.

The Breaking Point: Why Ditch Windows?

My dissatisfaction with Windows didn't happen overnight. It was a slow build-up of annoyances that eroded my patience. Windows 11, in particular, felt like a step backward in user experience. The ads were everywhere—promoting Microsoft services or third-party apps right in my face. Updates would install without warning, often at the worst possible times, rebooting my machine mid-project.

The "Recall" feature, which screenshots your activity for AI-powered search, raised serious privacy red flags for me. I realized I wanted an OS that respected my time, privacy, and choices, not one that treated me like a product. Linux, with its open-source ethos and customizable nature, started looking like the perfect escape.

One major hurdle kept me from switching earlier: my reliance on the Adobe ecosystem for video editing. Adobe Premiere Pro has been my go-to for years. I knew alternatives like DaVinci Resolve existed, but breaking old habits felt daunting. Still, the Windows woes outweighed the comfort, so I took the plunge.

Choosing the Right Distro: From Pop!_OS to Linux Mint

Diving into Linux can be overwhelming. I started with Pop!_OS, a popular choice for its user-friendly interface. Installation was straightforward, but I ran into minor bugs—a glitchy interface here, an "off" feeling there. It wasn't bad, but it didn't click.

Based on recommendations from the Linux community, I switched to Linux Mint. What a difference! Mint is based on Ubuntu but with a Cinnamon desktop environment that feels familiar yet fresh. If Pop!_OS was a test drive, Linux Mint was the car I wanted to keep.

The Installation: Faster and Easier Than Expected

Setting up Linux was a breath of fresh air. Linux Mint installed in under 20 minutes—blazing fast. For dual-booting, I had to disable Fast Startup in Windows and tweak a few BIOS settings, like enabling AHCI mode for storage. It was simple, and soon I had both OSes living harmoniously on my drive.

Hardware Compatibility: Hits and Misses

Not everything was plug-and-play, but most hardware worked better than I anticipated. My Elgato capture card functioned perfectly out of the box. However, the GoXLR audio interface was a mixed bag—it handled basic audio routing but missing some advanced features. For content creators like me, this was a minor setback, but solvable with workarounds.

Gaming on Linux: Surprisingly Viable

Gaming was a big concern, but Linux has come a long way thanks to tools like Proton. I tested modded Minecraft, and it performed flawlessly. VR gaming with SteamVR was another win; my headset connected easily, and experiences felt immersive.

The Verdict: Linux as My Daily Driver

After weeks of testing, Linux Mint has become my main OS. It's faster, more respectful of my privacy, and free from the corporate overreach that plagued Windows. I still boot into Windows for Adobe editing and those pesky anti-cheat games, but that's rare.

If you're fed up with Windows like I was, give Linux a shot. Start with a user-friendly distro like Mint, back up your data, and dive in. It's empowering to take control of your computing experience. Who knows? You might never look back.