Frustrated with Windows and considering switching to Linux? Struggling to make up your mind because of the good and bad things you hear about making the switch? Well, I’ve used both OSes for over a decade, and here are my five crucial truths about making the switch that rarely get mentioned.

As someone who has been using Linux for almost 10 years now, I’m not here to scare you or claim the switch is impossible. In fact, I’d argue everyone should try Linux—especially if you’re into tech and customization. That said, the hype can sometimes mask roadblocks that create bad experiences for newcomers, sometimes so much that they give up and never try again. That’s exactly why I’m writing this piece—to give you a detailed map of what to expect so you can get into the right mindset and not feel like the marketing lied to you.

You Can Test Distros Before Installing Them (Without Virtualization)

Credit: How- To Geek

One of the smartest moves before switching to Linux from Windows is to first test the waters and see for yourself if you like using it. You want to ensure you can do everything you need and actually like using the distro you picked before taking the plunge.

Now, the most common way to test a distro is to virtualize it using a tool like VirtualBox. Unfortunately, desktop Linux—especially most modern distros—can be extremely laggy when running inside VirtualBox and doesn’t give you an accurate representation of the real-world performance if you were to install it on bare metal.

This is why I personally prefer (and recommend) testing distros in their live environments—a fully functional Linux system that runs directly from the bootable USB drive you’re using to install it. In fact, the live environment is actually designed for you to test the distro before permanently installing it on your computer’s hard drive. Here, the distro uses your system’s actual RAM, CPU, and other hardware to give you almost native performance. You can test all the pre-installed software, browse the internet, jump into settings, tweak the UI—anything you want! You can back out and never install the distro if it’s not for you. The only caveat is that some apps might load a bit slowly since the live environment runs off your pen drive.

Now, if you’re planning to try out multiple distros, flashing the same USB stick with multiple Linux ISOs can be tiring! Thankfully, we have tools like Ventoy for this purpose. It lets you create a multi-boot USB drive where you can store as many Linux ISOs as you like (as long as the drive has enough storage space) and boot into any one of them. See our detailed guide on how to install and use Ventoy.

7/10

Brand

PNY

Capacity

256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

Speed

1000MB/s read | 800MB/s write

Connection

USB-C Type 3.2 Gen 2

This massive 2TB USB-C drive is built for speed and portability.

Pros & Cons

• Incredibly fast file transfers, even for large files
• Available in fairly high capacity options
• Sturdy metal build

• Has a tendency to heat up

Linux Is Not Free From Viruses and Malware

Credit: Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek

One of the reasons some people come to Linux is because they think it’s free from viruses and malware. Unfortunately, that’s a myth! While Linux might be practically more secure depending on specific usage patterns, it’s not technically more secure than Windows or macOS. Most cybersecurity experts will tell you that Linux is differently secure—meaning it might resist some risks common to Windows but is not immune to risks!

For example, on Windows, the typical software installation process involves downloading apps or files directly from the internet and then installing them. If you accidentally download something malicious, it gets installed on your system and can wreak havoc. However, on Linux, you’ll generally install vetted software from the distro’s official repository. As long as you’re installing software from the official repos, you’re safe. However, if you wander outside and try to install software from third-party repos or grab random installation files off the internet, then you’re facing similar risks as you would when using Windows.

That said, Linux does add an extra security layer through the sudo system. When installing software, you need to enter your password, which makes you aware that you’re making a system-level change requiring authorization. Most random apps can’t just sneak in and modify critical system files without your explicit permission. However, as you can see, this additional security layer doesn’t make Linux invulnerable to viruses and malware, and you still need to maintain good digital hygiene.

You Need to Get Into the Habit of Reading and Researching

Credit: Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | Ilija Erceg/Shutterstock

If and when something goes wrong on Windows, you usually have a lot of options. You can reference YouTube tutorials to help you troubleshoot the issue, you can call your tech-savvy friend who is a Windows power user to bail you out, or worst-case scenario—you can call a local technician to come fix it. However, with Linux, you’re mostly on your own!

You’re extremely unlikely to find a local technician who knows Linux well enough to fix your issue without suggesting a system reinstall—at least I don’t have one in my area! Likewise, most friend groups don’t have a Linux whiz—we’re a much rarer breed compared to Windows power users. Finally, while there are some good Linux YouTube channels, video-based troubleshooting guides are more niche and harder to find.

What Linux does have going for it is excellent documentation—I’d argue it’s miles better than even Windows and macOS. You can head to ArchWiki and find detailed instructions about most tools and error messages. Of course, you also have your distro-specific forums and community discussions where you can browse previous issues to see if something matches what you’re facing, or create a new post asking for help. That said, the people who reply on forums are usually unpaid volunteers and not dedicated support staff. While they are willing to help, they might not be able to hand-hold and will expect you to carry your own weight.

As such, if you decide to use Linux, and you don’t have an expert buddy, you need to embrace this DIY research-and-implement lifestyle. If something breaks, there’s probably a written tutorial out there on how to solve it. You need to be proactive about researching the solution and implementing it yourself. Likewise, if you want to make some changes or customize your system, the same wisdom applies. That’s just the Linux lifestyle—and if you ask me, I find it pretty empowering.

You Will Suffer From Analysis Paralysis

Credit: Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek

One of the best things about Linux is that it doesn’t force anything on you—it gives you complete freedom to choose everything about your desktop experience. While this freedom is exactly what I and many other Linux users love, the sheer amount of choice can quickly become overwhelming for newcomers.

You literally have to make decisions even before you start using Linux in the form of picking your first distro—and there are literally dozens of tempting options to choose from. Let’s say you go with Linux Mint, one of the most popular distributions for Windows migrants. Now you need to choose between three desktop environments: Cinnamon, MATE, or Xfce.

Next comes finding alternatives to your Windows software. For example, LibreOffice is a popular for Microsoft Office, but there are equally great options—I personally prefer OnlyOffice over LibreOffice. Then you need to decide where you want to install the app. You might find it available in your distro’s official repo and also as a Flatpak, Snap, and AppImage. So, which platform do you pick? As you get deeper in customizing your experience, you’re faced with even more technical choices: X11 or Wayland? Systemd or alternative init systems?

That’s why my advice to newcomers is to just pick the popular option. Use it, discover what you like and dislike about it, then research alternatives that fix any dealbreaking issues that come up. I personally hopped between dozens of distributions before I found my forever distro.

Linux Is Not a Windows Substitute

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Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek | Leonardo.AI

Many people switching to Linux from Windows expect to get a comparable computing experience where all their known keyboard shortcuts work the same, and the majority of their workflow remains intact. Now, while Linux is extremely flexible, and yes, there are distros that try to mimic the Windows workflow, you need to understand that it’s never going to be a 100% one-to-one translation.

Linux is its own beast—It’s not designed as a Windows substitute! It has unique tools, workflows, and philosophies that are fundamentally different from Windows. Take Ubuntu, which uses the GNOME desktop environment. It’s built around a workflow that prioritizes virtual desktops. You’re supposed to open one, maybe two app windows per workspace, then switch between workspaces to maintain productivity and multitasking fluidity. This is completely different from the default Windows approach of cramming everything onto one desktop—albeit Windows 10 and 11 have implemented a basic virtual desktop experience.

As such, if you force Linux to behave like Windows, it can, but you’ll be fighting against the grain. It will feel like faux Windows! However, embrace Linux for what it is—the workflows it recommends, the tools it offers—and you just might love it! It’s the same principle as switching to macOS. You wouldn’t force a Windows workflow onto macOS and expect great results. The same applies to Linux!

These facts aren’t meant to discourage you but rather empower you to make the switch. Now that you know what you’re getting into, you can approach Linux with realistic expectations. Embrace the learning curve, expect the unexpected, and you might just discover your new favorite operating system.