this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2025
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I really need to move my PC over to Mint, but change makes me deeply uncomfortable :(
Take it slow. Install a VM with Mint. Play around with it. Get familiar. Move your regular usage over to it gradually. Make the jump when you are ready. It's perfectly OK to have reservations about a big change like that. But you don't have to do it all in one go.
It's not using it that's the problem, I have Mint installed on my work PC and my laptop, and I like it. But for some reason installing it on my main PC, which I use pretty much every day, has me worried for reasons I don't get myself. It's like a soft phobia, an irrational fear.
Dual boot? Keep like 200GB for windows, and the rest mint. If you need windows for something, boot over. But otherwise, I legit feel more worried when windows has access to my data.
It took me 3 years from when I first started dual booting to when I launched Windows for the last time.
Take your time, move as slowly as you want, and always leave a way back. Eventually you might notice that you're feeling more comfortable with Linux than Windows, and if you're lucky, you might not even notice when you've stopped using Windows.
It took me over a year too. I was using a mini PC with Mint but still kept my old Windows PC under my desk. When I built a new PC, it never got defiled, though.
Just put it on a USB stick. No install, no commitment. Baby steps.
Honestly this is the best suggestion especially if you can mount your windows partition read only. You get the benefits of Linux while still having access to your files.
For most folks, the biggest hurdle is getting compatible apps. Once you find the apps you need, moving over is just a backup and restore away.
Ironic, the fact that I hate change is the whole reason I ended up using Linux. I felt that Mint was closer to Windows 7 than 8.0 at the time.
lil bruh just move to mint already u gon be fine 💔
but osrs mint is widely regarded as best for transitioning to different OS. All the shit you did on win has alts on mint/ubuntu
You have Arch on your username and you're not using Arch Linux? You are doing a disservice to your username.
It would appear to be a reference to Magic the Gathering
I'm currently using Win10 IOT LTSC on my main gaming rig, and Mint on my laptop to get used to the environment (started 2 years ago). It's a great way to both get used to the new ecosystem, and have a fallback cushion if some software or scenario doesn't work properly.
What changes exactly?
Ease of gaming if you don't have your entire library of games on Steam tbh. If you do, then it's a no-brainer. If not, then ehh.
Also sometimes Nvidia cards do not play nice in Linux.
Is it "change" itself that makes you uncomfortable or the fact that change means putting in effort in areas you've developed habits to minimize effort?