Should I use Linux instead of Windows?

[Xdqwerty]

I'm using Windows 8.1 and I heard Linux is a lot better, and I saw that everyone here uses Linux, but i'm afraid of switching to Linux since i'm very used to Windows, and i have understood a lot of programs arent compatible with Linux and you have to write code to install the ones that are compatible

 

[Xdqwerty]

@Xdqwerty What laptop do you have?

I think it's a Dell Inspiron, My specs are on my signature anyways

 

[GamingIsDead]

I think it's a Dell Inspiron, My specs are on my signature anyways

Is it a Dell Inspiron 11 3147?

You can probably run Windows 10 IoT LTSC or If you want to try linux go with Linux Mint or Debian.

 

[Exidous]

https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html

Put that on a USB stick (Run it and format the stick for Ventoy special setup) and just copy over the ISOs you wish to feel out.

I got to try to boot a VHD with it... seems to powerful to be true.

Just want to second this, I recently used Ventoy for the first time and was very impressed.

It was indispensable in castrating a Windows 11 Home S Mode monstrosity. A Ventoy drive can even register itself for secure boot purposes.

PSA: you have to disable S mode in the fashion M$ wants on a computer that comes with it. It survives a hard drive format. All versions of Windows 10 and 11 I've tried will be S mode (on a fresh install!) because that parasite exists in the EFI until you disable it.

 

[Xdqwerty]

On windows, all you need is Rufus. BalenaEtcher is also a good choice. You usually don’t need a special tool to use live cds, unless you want to make your own.

Does either Rufus or balenaetcher make Linux run in Windowed mode with Windows still on? I don't like running programs in fullscreen

 

[linuxares]

Does either Rufus or balenaetcher make Linux run in Windowed mode with Windows still on? I don't like running programs in fullscreen

No, for that you need a Virtual Machine

 

[Xdqwerty]

No, for that you need a Virtual Machine

I already stated that I tested Linux mint through virtualbox and it ran like shit

 

[linuxares]

No shit, if your PC is junk, a virtual machine won't help you. The ONLY WAY to keep Windows and run another OS is by dual booting.

 

[Xdqwerty]

@NinStar said I could use ventoy to test Linux instead of either Rufus or balenaetcher since it lets you install it localy, runs on a web browser and you only have to copypaste your iso in your USB and it even lets you have múltiple isos

 

[linuxares]

So have I told you, but then you run from the USB. You copy over ISOs to it basically and run a livecd enviorment. Sure you get a feel how it might be after its installed but it isn't close to the same.

 

[Xdqwerty]

Sure you get a feel how it might be after its installed but it isn't close to the same.

Why tho?

 

[linuxares]

You run in a Live environment, you don't have anything installed, you load things from a USB, you aren't really using it. It's more of a demo.

Sorry but all you seem to do is not being able to take the plunge. Stay on Windows.

 

[Kioku]

Why tho?

All a live environment does is give you a glorified demo of how the system will look and feel. It's also great for troubleshooting and repairing a Linux install on a drive. However, it's not a realistic indication of how the OS will work for you as the user.

You will have to find a way to install it alongside your Windows install and go from there.

 

[64bitmodels]

OP you just need to get another hard drive and put Linux on that. It can run well since Linux is super lightweight and easy to run, even the most bloated distros

 

[bonkmaykr]

Does either Rufus or balenaetcher make Linux run in Windowed mode with Windows still on? I don't like running programs in fullscreen

Linux is an entire kernel and the Linux distro is the operating system, not just one small program. It doesn't run inside of Windows unless you emulate another computer with virtualization software. Windows has it's own kernel. That would be ridiculous. Running two operating systems at the same time makes no sense because just one of them needs full authority over your hardware.

Just install it already since you've been asking this question for 11 months and we've told you everything already atp.

 

[Deleted member 719522]

Buy a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 and try using it exclusively for a year. If it does everything you need it to then don't bother with Windows anymore. Personally I went from Windows to Linux then back to Windows because Linux doesn't support certain programs like Microsoft Office, iTunes and NSPsplitty and Windows is better for gaming. I still use Linux from time to time like right now because my Windows computer keeps crashing.

It took until Windows 11 for Microsoft to finally add native RAR support and the Linux disks utility is far superior to what Windows offers. Linux does have it's advantages but over time I found its disadvantages too annoying to deal with.

Or just try keeping both a Windows PC and Raspberry Pi around or go down the dualboot method.

 

[bonkmaykr]

Buy a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 and try using it exclusively for a year. If it does everything you need it to then don't bother with Windows anymore.

OP is from the third world where computers are too expensive relative to the average income. This is not a good idea. Using a virtual machine program is probably easiest and won't cost anything, and can be thrown out without much thought once he's decided to install the real thing.

With the Pi, once he's made up his mind, it would have no use anymore, you'd be committing money to something that holds no practical value to someone who isn't an engineer using it for a project. I wouldn't even do it myself, even though Pis are cheap here.

 

[Xdqwerty]

-snip-

 

[Plazorn]

Why don’t you make up your mind @Xdqwerty ? Use windows, linux or something else, it’s entirely up to you. You asked this a year ago, which is more than enough time for you to decide and investigate.

There is a website called distrosea that lets you explore the linux desktop through the browser, why don’t you try it?
https://distrosea.com/

 

[Xdqwerty]

Why don’t you make up your mind @Xdqwerty ? Use windows, linux or something else, it’s entirely up to you. You asked this a year ago, which is more than enough time for you to decide and investigate.

There is a website called distrosea that lets you explore the linux desktop through the browser, why don’t you try it?
https://distrosea.com/

I recall it being quite slow

 

[Plazorn]

I recall it being quite slow

Yes because it is over the internet, this would be avoided by booting a live usb

Edit: since you are not sure how to do this, maybe a YouTube tutorial would help? Behold: