The Truth About Switching to Linux For Regular People
Here’s my honest take on why switching from Windows to Linux isn’t as easy or as practical as some people make it sound.
Let’s imagine we’re sitting in your home, at your dining room table. I consider that to be an immense privilege. You’ve asked me for my honest thoughts on all the online talk about switching to Linux, especially Linux Mint. You’ve seen some videos and read a couple of blog posts about how it’s time to ditch Windows and “finally be free.” So what’s my take on it?
You want the truth, not a sales pitch, not tech jargon, and not a bunch of buzzwords. So here it is, straight from me, the same way I’d tell a friend or a client in their own home.
Windows 11 is hot garbage “out of the box”. It takes significant effort to remove the bloat and make it usable, so I can’t recommend it. Clean up Windows 10 using Windows Toolbox ($15CAD), or have someone you trust do it for you and you’ll be fine.
Why I’m Frustrated with the “Just Switch” Crowd
The supposed end (it’s NOT) of Windows 10 support has passed. Extended Security Updates are still available, but not new features. I’ve watched a growing wave of YouTubers and bloggers pushing Linux like it’s the holy grail of computing.
They tap into people’s real frustrations with Windows, the ads, the telemetry, the forced sign-ins, the annoyances, the frustrations, and all the junk Microsoft keeps cramming in. I get it. I’m frustrated too.
But the way some of these creators spin it? It’s reckless. They make it sound like you’ll install Linux Mint and suddenly your problems are gone.
They never tell you what happens after the camera stops rolling, when you’re sitting there, alone, trying to make something work.
That’s not honesty. That’s clickbait. They’re trying to make some YouTube money.
I Used Linux Mint Full-Time For Two Months
I didn’t test Linux Mint for an afternoon and make a reaction video about it. I used it as the operating system on my primary computer for two solid months. And you know what? For the basics, it’s great. It’s lightweight, clean, and familiar enough. You can browse the web, check your email, edit a few photos, and it’ll do fine.
If that’s all you ever do, it might even be better than Windows.
But if you do more than the basics, if you rely on certain apps, use peripherals, or expect things to “just work,” Linux Mint will test your patience faster than you can say “sudo apt install.”
I recently installed Linux Mint on a secondary computer I use for testing just to keep up on it, because I really do hope Linux takes over one day.
When People Say “Just Use Wine or Bottles,” Here’s What That Really Means
People want to run Windows apps on Linux, so let’s clear this up.
Wine and Bottles are programs that TRY to run Windows apps on Linux. They allow you to run Windows apps on Linux, though that doesn’t always work, and those Windows apps certainly aren’t designed to be operated that way, and for some very simple apps, they might get away with it. But most of the time? Things break or crash, at least when I tried it.
If you depend on a Windows-only app, Wine and Bottles aren’t magic, they’re a gamble. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t, and when they don’t, you’re the one paying the price in wasted time and frustration wishing you were still using Windows.
The Command Line Isn’t for Everyone, and That’s Okay
Linux fans love to say how easy it is now, but let’s be honest. Once you step outside what’s available in the app store, you will eventually be told to open the terminal and “just run a few commands.” I’d never tell one of my clients, or my mom, or you, to do that.
The command line is powerful, sure, but it’s not user-friendly. It’s a different language, and the idea that regular people should have to use it for everyday tasks is ridiculous.
My Deal Breakers
Here’s what finally made me throw in the towel:
Dropbox and Google Drive refused work or sync. No matter what I tried, they just didn’t behave. That’s not a minor issue, that’s a deal-breaker. I depend on Dropbox every day.
Zoom scheduling didn’t work either. I had to go back to my Windows computer to schedule the meeting, then jump back to Linux Mint just to join it.
That’s the kind of nonsense these “switch now” videos never show you. They make it look effortless. It’s not.
Hardware Support Is Still a Mess
Windows has its flaws, but at least when you plug something in, it’s very likely to just work. Printers, cameras, USB devices, whatever. On Linux, you’re praying someone wrote a driver for your exact model, and that it still works.
It’s 2025. You shouldn’t have to roll dice to make your printer work.
Developers Follow the Numbers
Here’s the reality. Around 75% of desktop users run Windows. Maybe 2–3% use Linux. Mac has a decent share as well. Developers focus on where the users, and the money is.
It’s not bias, it’s business. So apps like Zoom, Skype, and even Chrome are more stable and fully featured on Windows. The Linux versions lag behind and break more often. Things tend to work well on the Mac as well.
Pretending that’s not the reality is just straight up lying to people.
Open Source Is Great, But It’s Not Always Enough
I love open-source software. But replacing your tools isn’t always that simple.
LibreOffice is good and I’ve used it along with Google Docs for years, since I don’t need the horsepower of Microsoft Office, but it’s also not fully featured.
GIMP is powerful, but it’s not Photoshop.
The question isn’t, “Can I make this work?” It’s, “Will this work for what I actually need to do?”
Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it’s no. But the “just use open-source alternatives” argument ignores that people have workflows, habits, and needs.
Why I Went Back to Windows 10
After two months, I went back to Windows 10. Not because I love it, but because it works. My software works, my hardware works, my sync tools work. And with a few third-party utilities I’ve talked about before, like Windows Toobox. we can strip out the telemetry, remove the bloat, and make Windows behave.
Would I rather not have to do that? Absolutely. But I’ll take an afternoon of setup and cleanup over weeks of frustration trying to make Linux act like Windows.
You Don’t Have to Panic About Windows 10
There’s so much fearmongering right now about Windows 10 reaching end of life.
Relax. You can enroll in Microsoft’s free Extended Security Updates through October 2026.
If you want extra coverage, 0patch costs about $37 a year and gives you ongoing security fixes, even ones Microsoft doesn’t consider priorities.
Why I Didn’t Put Linux on My Mom’s Laptop
I considered it. I really did. My mom travels for months at a time doing house and pet sitting in her retirement, and I didn’t want to be doing remote tech support every week and fighting Linux. So I bought her a MacBook Air instead, and it’s been rock solid.
That’s the ultimate test for me. If I wouldn’t put Linux Mint on my own mom’s laptop, why would I recommend it to strangers on YouTube, or on my website?
Who Linux Mint Is Actually For
Linux Mint is perfect for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and people who like tinkering with their systems. It’s great for experimenting, learning, or running a lightweight setup.
But for regular users, people who just need things to work, it’s NOT READY YET.
And the people pretending otherwise? In my view, they’re being dishonest. They’re chasing outrage clicks, engagement, and YouTube money. They’re not looking out for you.
The Bottom Line
Look, I want Linux to succeed. I really do. But it’s not there yet, not for the average user. Switching just because you’re mad at Microsoft will only trade one headache for another.
If you’re on Windows 10, stay there. Clean it up, and enroll in the ESU program. If you’re on Windows 11, I recommend the same cleanup tools. And if you’re still tempted by Linux, go in with your eyes open and be seriously willing to learn, and be honest with yourself if you’re not. If you switch to literally anything, I’d recommend the Mac.
I’ll always tell you the truth, even when it’s not popular. Because at the end of the day, I’m not here to sell you an ideology, I’m here to make sure your computer works and we keep things refreshingly simple. At least that’s the goal.