Escape Windows

Fed up with Windows 10? Looking to switch to a more user-friendly variant of Linux that gives you the best of all worlds? Nick Peers has all the answers…

- Nick Peers

By the time you read this, Microsoft will have rolled out another major Windows 10 update on to its user base. These days you’ve barely had time to get used to one set of changes (whether it’s features being added, taken away or simply moved with no explanation) before more are incoming. There comes a point when you say enough is enough, but what’s the alternative? It’s Linux of course, but some would say that’s a complicated and difficult substitute in itself.

The answer is no, and as proof we offer up this article to show you how easy it is to get started with Linux. We’ve carefully picked a flavour – delicious Mint – that’s specifically designed to appeal to Windows switchers. Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, which means it’s well-supported, but it’s also been customised to make Linux more accessible and easier to use, all wrapped up in a user interface that’s both familiar and welcoming.

Brilliant… but it’s not as simple as that. Ditching Windows for Linux in one go is a huge leap into the unknown. What happens to your data? Can you find replacement programs easily? What happens if you decide it’s not for you after all? Don’t worry – we’ve got all that covered. Over the next few pages we’ll show you how to both road-test Linux Mint without touching your Windows installation. Then, once you’ve realised how good it is, we’ll show how to install it alongside Windows, so you can transition between them as you desire without committing to anything permanent (for now).