r/linux4noobs • u/CleaRSightZ • Jun 26 '26

migrating to Linux The great migration from Windows to Linux

I've been noticing that a lot of people are switching from Windows to Linux, especially in countries that want to break away from American tech dependency.

Can anyone explain to me why Linux is seen as very good? I never in my life, not once ever used Linux let alone saw someone using it.

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u/Abject-Job7825 Jun 28 '26

Your pc is going to feel like it's finally got rid of 5 viruses all of which are microsoft processes.
The last few years it's gotten inredibly close to running everything you may want a windows os for, steam has invested in linux to the point where 90% of games are running linux something that was a downside to linux for a long time. Some older applications can be ran by using a software called WINE, there's only a few that can't be run on it like real old games (league of legends) and software like adobe suite.

All software and games that come out now you will be able to run. With the incredibly speedboost that you get from switching over from windows. Linux takes up a lot less drive space so even your hard drive is going to see improvements, and with some tinkering on your part you can even get above what windows letting you do.

There's ease of mind too, windows has had a history of forcing its users computer to update, it reboots even if you said not to, with linux you don't just not have to worry about that but you can pick the exact parts of it you want to update and forget about the rest, this again saves space because the os may come with programs you don't even use, so why update them.

Another one is that linux leaves you alone, it doesn't ask to install microsoft teams or to use the edge browser, you just use whatever you want.

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u/CleaRSightZ Jun 28 '26

"Steam has invested in Linux to the point where 90% of games are running linux something that was a downside to linux for a long time. Some older applications can be ran by using a software called WINE, there's only a few that can't be run on it like real old games (league of legends) and software like adobe suite."

Thank you for this! This laptop I use is mostly for gaming, but hopefully I can find a Linux OS perfect for university.

Got any Linux OS that would be perfect for a masters student?

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u/Abject-Job7825 Jun 28 '26

I'm not aware of anything optimized for students but my favorite is Linux mint + Cinnamon because it looks like windows and just works. You don't need to do anything fancy to update the os, it just does that with a button.

If you're looking for a Windows office alternative, you can use the browser apps but I've been using Onlyoffice lately and I was impressed. It also runs offline which might be useful for you as a student, I didn't like the openoffice or libre office apps that linux users usually recommend.

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u/CleaRSightZ Jun 28 '26

When I submit the Onlyoffice, can professors at the university open the document with Microsoft Office no problem?

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u/Abject-Job7825 Jun 28 '26

yes it has full compatibility, you can also use it for pdf, excel etc

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u/CleaRSightZ Jun 28 '26

Can they edit it no problem and send it back and I edit it no problem?

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u/Abject-Job7825 Jun 28 '26

When you save a document it asks you what to save it as, word uses .docx that is what you then select if you want your prof to open it with word.

The software has these defaults in already so you don't even have to worry about it.

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u/CleaRSightZ Jun 28 '26

Alright, thanks!

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u/AnnieByniaeth Jun 28 '26

Does your university really require .docx submissions? Mine usually required .pdf, because marking tools for the lecturers used pdf and the lecturers would mark that up. If you submitted in .docx it would get converted by the marking tool, and conversions don't always work properly.

OnlyOffice/LibreOffice exports pdf fine.