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Question from a total beginner (self.linux)

submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by Jumi to c/linux

32 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hello everyone

You probably heard and answered this a hundred times already but I'm a bit overwhelmed by everything when I start searching by myself online. Even more so when I'm not fully sure what I'm even looking for.

I want to switch to Linux but I don't really know where to start and also I'm a bit scared to abandon Windows which I have been using for 20+ years now. Could you recommend me sources for absolute beginners (English or German) and/or give me tips and pointers?

Edit:

Thank you all for your help!

I got it working with a dual-boot from a USB and it's way easier than I feared. Next step is to get an external drive and get serious.

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

The great thing about a lot of very good Linux distros is that you can run them from whats called a 'live USB' meaning you download the ISO of the distro you like the look of, put it on a USB drive, then reboot your PC and boot to the USB you just created (you might need to alter your BIOS boot order). There's a full guide here. The point here is to give the distro a try without putting anything on your harddrive so Windows is safe. If you like it, most distros will let you dual boot so you can have Windows and your linux distro on one machine.

In terms of the right distro a lot depends on what you'll be using the PC for. For a really good, stable general purpose distro I think Mint is perfect.

[–] Jumi 14 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I'm replying from my Linux Mint from my USB, so that was successful :)

Is that like a "lite" or test version of the OS because I doesn't seem to apply any changes I made when I restart it?

Edit: I figured it out myself

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

When running from a live USB, any changes are lost, unless the usb is written with the persistence mode. A live media is mostly to install the os and fix errors.

[–] Jumi 7 points 2 weeks ago

Gotcha, thanks :)

[–] Jumi 11 points 2 weeks ago

That is neat, I'm gonna try that. Thank you!

I use my PC mostly for gaming.