NutWrench

If you’re still on the fence about switching to Linux, try downloading a Live Linux USB image and booting it from a USB stick. This lets you try out Linux without changing anything on your Windows drive. The Live version will also let you see if Linux detects all your computer’s hardware before you install it for real.

I recommend Linux Mint for beginners.

This. Also, get a VPN service, like Nord that’s preferably not based in the US. Also, Microsoft is literally installing spyware on your computer already. (CoPilot and Recall). They would have NO problems turning over your computer data to the Trump regime on their whims.

Another vote for trying a live distro. If the live version detects all your computer’s hardware, it will detect it when you install it for real.

I’ve had 3 different graphics cards since 2009.

I have an nVidia RTX 3060, running on a desktop I built back in 2009. I’m running Linux Mint with the KDE Plasma desktop with no problems. All the Steam I bought on Windows, run with no problems under Linux.

Any non-Steam games, like Giants: Citizen Kabuto or Deus Ex (1) run on Wine under the default settings with no problems.

I think adopting Proton was the smartest thing Valve ever did. They are going to capture 90% of gamers switching from Windows to Linux.

Many Linux distros have “live” versions that you can boot from without changing anything on your computer. If the live version detects your fingerprint sensor, it will detect it when you install it for real.

I tried setting up Windows 10 in a virtual machine recently and damn, what a miserable experience that was. “Please wait. We’re getting things ready . . . please wait . . . We’re getting things ready. Hey, you want Cortana? Tough shiat, we’re installing it anyway. Do you need an Office App? Well we’re going to install Live365, whether you like it or not. Also, we really want your email address. You don’t have a choice. Just give us your damn email address. And your phone number, too.”

Installing Linux: 15 minutes later: “You’re done. Enjoy.”

I switched to Linux to get AWAY from root kits and corporate malware.

Another vote for Linux Mint. Many Linux distros are available on bootable USBs, so you can try out Linux without messing with your Windows installation at all.

I have 3-4 older games, like Giants: Citizen Kabuto and Deus Ex that I run separately under Wine, using the default settings.

Agree on Mint. The Nvidia drivers installed automatically for me. They’re 4-5 months old, but they’re stable.

The way tariffs work is companies pass on the cost of those tariffs directly to consumers by raising their prices. THAT’S how tariffs work.

Nobody is getting “punished” by this except consumers.

You didn’t seriously think China or Logitech was going to pay that tariff, did you? Be prepared for a LOT of stuff to cost more.

Started with Linux Mint. Added the KDE desktop. And I’m done. This distro does everything I want.

I could play single-player games like Witcher 3 over and over for the next 5 years and not miss a single thing put out by EA, Bethesda, etc. We’ve got other stuff to do.

Add Steam to “Windows gaming for Linux.” Every game I bought on Windows runs great in Linux Mint. Steam has a native Linux client and ot uses a Wine layer called Proton that has all the settings for each game.

If Valve just keeps supporting Proton, it will capture 95% of all the Windows users migrating to Linux.

Windows 10 support ends this year. Nobody wants to use 11, especially with its built-in mandatory spyware like Co-Pilot and Recall.