With the growing number of users jumping from Windows to Linux, I decided to fully take the plunge and dive deep into the Open Source ocean. A few months and several headaches later, it has proved to be the best computer-related decision I've made in over a decade (and perhaps in my entire life).

There. That’s out of the way. I recently installed Linux on my main desktop computer and work laptop, overwriting the Windows partition completely. Essentially, I deleted the primary operating system from the two computers I use the most, day in and day out, instead trusting all of my personal and work computing needs to the Open Source community. This has been a growing trend, and I hopped on the bandwagon, but for good reasons. Some of those reasons might pertain to you and convince you to finally make the jump as well. Here’s my experience.

[…]

It’s no secret that Windows 11 harvests data like a pumpkin farmer in October, and there is no easy way (and sometimes no way at all) to stop it. The operating system itself acts exactly like what was called “spyware” a decade or so ago, pulling every piece of data it can about its current user. This data includes (but is far from limited to) hardware information, specific apps and software used, usage trends, and more. With the advent of AI, Microsoft made headlines with Copilot, an artificial assistant designed to help users by capturing their data with tools like Recall.

[…]

After dealing with these issues and trying to solve them with workarounds, I dual-booted a Linux partition for a few weeks. After a Windows update (that I didn’t choose to do) wiped that partition and, consequently, the Linux installation, I decided to go whole-hog: I deleted Windows 11 and used the entire drive for Linux.

  • jaybone ( jaybone@lemmy.zip ) English
    19·
    9 months ago

    Windows 11’s unwanted AI spyware + Trump’s administration makes for the perfect storm for Microsoft to take a big hit outside of the US.

    • rotateabull ( rotateabull@lemmy.ca ) English
      1·
      9 months ago

      Mind if I ask why dual boot two Linux distros? I’ve heard (and am currently trying to find the time to attempt myself) of dual boot with windows and Linux, but not often of multiple distros.

      • Europellinore ( Europellinore@europe.pub ) English
        2·
        9 months ago

        Initially with the aim of finding out which one I prefer, and to better be able to help other Linux starters like my 75yo father when they have questions. Additional benefit: if I damage one of the distro’s into some severe state of unusability (like I did yesterday per accident), I can still use the other distro😀

  • ZogeLebac ( ZogeLebac@lemmy.ml ) English
    7·
    9 months ago

    A few weeks I also dumped Windows 11 for Linux Mint… and what a relief and improvement! I feel in control again and can see what’s going on in my machine. My laptop is running smoother then ever without the AI rubbish in my face (and behind the screen).

    I have started recommending the switch to friends as well.

  • AceOnTrack ( AceOnTrack@lemmy.blahaj.zone ) English
    2·
    9 months ago

    Every time I have tried linux it was a miserable time.

    Look I understand your concerns, however I like being able to use my computer.

    The only actually functional linux systems I use are my android phone, my TrueNAS scale and my steam deck. The only reason they are functional is because in each case, they go to great length to abstract the OS to a point it’s barely there and you’re just interacting with a point and click system… And even then, I still can’t get my steam deck to access network shares because linux fucking sucks.

    • cøre ( core@leminal.space ) English
      2·
      9 months ago

      Sounds like a user issue. What do you do when the UI changes and you can’t find something? What do you do when your phone doesn’t connect? If you want a perfect user experience where you don’t have to use your brain at all, don’t use a computer. Or any technology.

    • wltr ( wltr@discuss.tchncs.de ) English
      1·
      9 months ago

      It’s like you’d do anything than read some short book on Linux basics and learn these 15 new things you never knew about, so you’d actually understand at least something about the system you’re going to use all your life.

      Here I mean a computer operating system. Whatever you’d use, you don’t have many options, and assuming you’d not stop using a PC, kinda makes sense to learn the basics.

      I don’t know, Windows kinda sucks. It’s literally the worst, you wouldn’t find a system that is worse, would you?

      If you’d at least said same things about macOS, which is polished and truly was the best polished system (at least pre macOS 26). But Windows. LOL, it’s like a North Korean someone boasting how cool their country is, the best quality of life in the world. Same vibes. Looks rather miserable.

    • BeigeAgenda ( BeigeAgenda@lemmy.ca ) English
      1·
      9 months ago

      Good you have tried switching.

      The network share issue is most likely because newer versions of Windows have disabled support for older versions of SMB (1.0 and 2.0), if you enable support for those on the windows host you are trying to access from the Steam deck it could work.

      • AceOnTrack ( AceOnTrack@lemmy.blahaj.zone ) English
        2·
        9 months ago

        Funnily enough, I managed to get the deck to read my windows shares without an issue, it’s the shares on the NAS that I can’t access. You’d think linux<->linux would be straightforward. Nope.

  • 1stQ ( 1stQ@feddit.org ) English
    1·
    8 months ago

    Wish I could. Didn’t find a replacement for dxo photolab (mainly for the noise reduction) and onenote (on the work tablet).

    At least my TV PC runs Zorin now. Display magnifyer doesn’t work the way I want. I can only start it with a keyboard shortcut, not just with the mouse. And I haven’t gotten the printer running yet.

    My old docked tablet also runs Zorin. I wanted to make a simple NAS but server / network sharing stuff seems even more complicated. (Same as Windows.) Always just access denied.