Switching from Windows to Linux is one of the best things I’ve done in 2026. I’ve genuinely loved the experience so far, with no ads, no random background junk, and far more control over privacy. But I have to be honest: telling someone to “just switch to Linux” is not enough advice to actually get started.

There are a few things I feel everyone should know before making the switch. It’s not that these things would’ve stopped me from switching, but being aware of them beforehand would’ve made the transition way less frustrating.

Not every Windows app has a proper Linux replacement

Some workflows are harder to replace than others

When people talk about switching to Linux, they love saying, “There’s an open-source alternative for everything.” Technically, that’s true, but it doesn’t always work. For instance, apps like Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Paint.NET, and ShareX are not available on Linux. Yes, alternatives exist, and some of them, like GIMP and LibreOffice, are surprisingly good. But don’t expect to find a decent alternative for every app.

Sure, you can run some Windows apps using WinBoat or Wine. Linux users will proudly tell you about it within seconds of you mentioning missing software. And while they are impressive, they don’t work flawlessly every time. More importantly, it’s just extra work for a regular user who just wants to use an app.

The thing I’m grateful for is the rise of web apps. Most of my favorite services work perfectly in a web browser, which has made switching to Linux a lot less painful than it would’ve been a decade ago. But yes, for anyone considering switching, it’s better to figure out all the app alternatives before actually making the switch.

It’s better to test Linux distros before committing

A lot depends on it

One of the mistakes I made when switching to Linux was going all in immediately. I wiped my Windows installation, installed Linux, and thought I was ready. I initially went with Arch Linux because it sounded like the ultimate Linux experience, and ended up replacing it with Linux Mint.

The thing that most beginners aren’t aware of is that Linux comes in a lot of different flavors called distros (short for distributions). And these are all different from each other, not just visually, but also in terms of the apps and features they support. For most beginners switching from Windows, Linux Mint is the safest starting option, while for those who want a bit of freedom, Arch Linux is a great alternative. And if you’re using an old PC, something lightweight like Xubuntu makes a lot of sense.

The smartest thing to do is simply find a few distros for your specific usage and test them inside a virtual machine. You can even boot them directly from a USB drive or set up a dual-boot system to keep Windows as a backup. Once you’re in, test your favorite apps, set up the desktop, and test your workflow to get a good feel of the distro. If you don’t like what you picked, try something else.

You can avoid terminal, but it’s better not to

It’s better to embrace it

One of the biggest myths about Linux is that you need to live inside a black terminal window to get anything done. That’s no longer true. Most modern-day Linux distros are far more beginner-friendly. You can install apps, manage Bluetooth devices, download updates, and customize the desktop without touching the terminal ever. In fact, I managed to use Linux Mint for weeks without ever opening the terminal.

But the thing is, Linux becomes far easier once you stop being afraid of the terminal and start embracing it. I’m not saying you need to memorize every command there is, but even just learning a few can make a difference. With commands, things like installing apps, navigating folders, updating the system, or fixing small issues are much less frustrating. Once I learned a few of them, tasks that took minutes barely took seconds and that’s what makes Linux so powerful.

Be prepared to spend some time searching

Not a bad thing, but something to be aware of

Credit: Yadullah Abidi / MakeUseOf

The thing I seriously underestimated before switching to Linux was just how much time I’d spend searching online for answers. And I don’t even mean complicated problems. Even simple things like connecting a printer, setting up the firewall, enabling automatic backups, or figuring out how desktop customization worked.

On Windows, I was already familiar with how everything worked. And even though Linux Mint offers a fairly beginner-friendly experience, you still have to spend time learning. Sure, you can figure most things out through trial and error, but honestly, it’s usually faster to search online or read community posts. Once you switch to Linux, checking forums, Reddit threads, or Linux tutorials just becomes part of the experience. The good news, though, is that this is mostly a one-time thing.

Linux is amazing in a lot of ways, but it also comes with its own learning curve, compromises, and little nuances. Of course, none of this has made me regret Linux. If anything, learning how it works made me appreciate my computer more.

OS

Linux

Minimum CPU Specs

64-bit Single-core

Minimum RAM Specs

1.5 GB