If you are familiar with booting from a CD or flash drive, as you did when you installed windows, this is the same. If you’re not familiar, or don’t remember. Then, the best instructions I have found, are on “Lifewire”. Step by step, with the links to the download of the Linux Mint version. I recommend the Cinnamon 32 or 64 bit edition located there.
After downloading the Linux mint .iso, follow the three steps on the instructional. Upon completion, you will have a bootable usb drive to boot your computer with. Please consider, this “live” version of Linux is on a thumb drive, it will not be as fast as a regular install on a hard drive would be. So don’t judge it by its speed from the usb.
- I started using Linux 4 years ago. No regrets. It was easier than I ever dreamed, and I have truly enjoyed using it.
- There’s not one paid for program, on my computers.
- I replaced Microsoft Office, with Libre Office which contains the same components as Office.
- I use GIMP for graphics, which rivals Photoshop.
- Kdenlive is my free video editing software. Better than some commercial programs costing hundreds.
- No more fragmentation of the hard drive.
- Updates are sent out immediately when a problem or security issue is discovered.
- I can update when I wish.
- No antivirus subscriptions anymore. Linux has free programs if needed.
- No advertisements on “my” desktop.
- Only what “I” want on or in my computer.
- Simple backup and restore when needed.
- Best of all, it’s FREE!!
- I can choose, Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers as I wish.
- Complete control over what is on my machine. True freedom.
- I can’t think of anything negative, that I have run into.
Give it a try, see if its something you might like. If you have questions, ask. I’ll do my best to answer them. I will always have fond memories of Windows 7, but this is where I will stay. Linux may not be for everyone, but I love it.
Microsoft gave us Windows.
Linux, gave us the whole house!
Comments always welcome,
So …. are you suggesting that it could advantageous, and not complicated, to replace Windows 10 with Linux, or am I completely missing a few brain cells? 🙂
For me, it’s advantageous. Not as many worries about viruses. Smooth, faster, reminds me of Windows 7. It’s no more complicated, than installing windows. 🙂 You can try it from a thumbdrive without installing it.
Thx Ron.
Ron, you make it sound so easy. This was a most seductive post! I am dying to try Linux, but I wouldn’t know which computer to start with. I suspect the beginning should be on the travel laptop that is not critical to my happiness and well-being. Would you feel safe traveling with Linux and using motel WiFi?
Will current applications work on Linux? or do you need to find similar programs? We have four computers that we use regularly, and I suspect it would be disconcerting to send things to each other if the files had to be converted. Is WordPress easy to use with Linux?
I think I need to think about this carefully and read a bit more. I suspect my husband would balk at changing to a new system, since he has always struggled with using computers.
Thank you for writing this alluring post.
Thanks Anne.
Hotel Wi-Fi: You have to be cautious with any “provided” Wi-Fi that is not your own. While Linux may be more immune to viruses from a hotel network, Your information is at the mercy of whatever network you connect to.
Applications:WordPress being web based through your browser, works just fine. I am using my Linux computer for this post as always. Unless they are complex types of Microsoft office files, you might run into the occasional glitched format, Microsoft loves to change things up, so you have to buy office again. I just opened a ms word doc from 2000. No problem. You can actually run many windows programs on Linux, using a compatibility software program called WINE.
My advice would be to try a “live” CD or USB thumb drive, that way you can play with it, and not have to install it right away. You can test to see if it opens the files you use often. It won’t’ change anything on your computer, unless you tell it to install.
I think sometime soon, I will make a video so those that have never seen it, can tell more about it.
Thanks for the wonderful comment and questions, Anne.
Great, Ron! Many thanks. I shall play with Linux on my old laptop and see how it goes. It’s great that I can try it without installing it.
I’m struggling with Linux. Since I knew nothing about it, I found a tutorial. I have the OS file on the desktop and thought the next step was to get it to a USB flash drive. The tutorial suggested checking the OS file by running two other files, and that is beyond me. I think I shall right click the OS file and see if I can get it on the flash drive. If that goes well, I might try booting up the laptop with it. My laptop was not listed as being hardware compatible, but I figure the worst that can happen is that Linux won’t run on it.
I’m not very adventuresome, so I shall walk away from the mess for today. Maybe my brain will generate other alternatives overnight. I’m trying to limit myself to one huge frustration per day.
Yes, Anne. If you can get it onto the flash drive, then it won’t change anything on your computer, unless you tell it to install from the Linux Desktop.
There is a program called “Etcher” that will put that file onto a blank flash drive for you. The program is free, just follow the directions. It will format, and make the thumb drive bootable and it also puts the Linux file on it for you.
If you do get it where you can boot from it, and your laptop winds up working with it, just relax, and play with it. It uses a menu button and menu structure, much like Windows 7. Checking the file is just a way to make sure it came from that reputable site. You don’t have to do that part, as you know it came from there.
You are very reassuring. Thank you. I may not be able to work on Linux tomorrow, but you’ve told me the next step. I’ll begin there. I won’t have to struggle with it during the night. Many thanks.
I’ve ruined the new flash drive, but that seems to be the worst of it. I thought Etcher had prepared the drive and tried to boot the laptop with it. It didn’t work. I should have walked away from it then, but I tried to set up Etcher again. Now the 64GB drive has only 2.28 MB of space on it. ??? I tried reformatting, but it can only reformat to 2.28 MB. I’m going to put this aside and hope some alternatives will pop in my brain.
Hi Anne, sorry about the drive. Even a new flash drive, can go bad. Etcher shouldn’t have caused any problems. I recently had one go bad, a new one. Those instructions also contain directions for using windows program for formatting it and making it bootable. If you decide to try again later.
Thanks, Ron. I’ll look for the Windows bootable instructions. It never entered my head that the flash drive could fail. If course it could, but I haven’t had one fail before.
You need to live next door! Sounds intriguing.
That’s a great pitch for Linux, Ron. Once Windows 7 dies an untimely death, I will remember this post.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. Some of my forum members are planning the same thing. Two have already started using it. One of them, just bought himself a laptop with Linux installed on it.
I only pitch Linux to friends, like this blogging circle.
I have enough on my plate already, Ron. I use Apple and have very few problems ever. I use Firefox, though, not Safari.
I can understand, Elizabeth. Since you use Apple, you know what it’s like to use another OS. I would be lost using an Apple. Hats off to you. My daughter was level two support for a long time with Apple. I use Firefox as well, have for years. I like it.
Thanks for the comment.
Now I freeze up in front of a PC using anything else.