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switching from windows to linux, can you give some advice? (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I need some advice regarding which distro to choose. I tried installing fedora workstation on my laptop as test and it seemed quite annoying to get the user interface right.

I dont mind the technical differences, in fact i'm looking forward to them as linux is more secure and better designed.

The problem i'm having is that i want the good things from windows desktop. for example; tray icons, being able to control filesystem easily with gui, shortcuts on desktop.

Every distro i have tried or seen has been really basic regarding this out of the box with very little customization options. I prefer not having to download million extensions for every little feature that might stop working at every major update or if developer doesnt feel like continuing.

I also would like to be able to easily backup customization settings so i dont have to do everything again if i need to reinstall. I like being able to easily customize everything so having a lot of settings is good thing for me.

I read somewhere about kde plasma and screenshots seemed promising and downloaded kde fedora. Haven't installed it yet but am I on the right track for what i'm looking for? Are there other even better choices? I'd like to nail this from the start so I dont have to reinstall later. I really dont want to wade through every possible distro.

Thank you all, you have been big help

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago

I second Mint. (This is aimed at OP, not you, Hendrik). Not because I like it, myself, but because it's a really easy transition from Windows.

I saw someone recommending Nix. That must have been a troll, because they may as well have suggested starting with Linux From Scratch. Don't start with Arch, either - not even the EndeavorOS flavor. Arch is my preferred distro, but I've been running Linux since the late 90's and it doesn't feel like Linux to me if there's nothing I have to fuss with by hand.

Just start with Mint. It'll give you a really easy, mostly familiar environment with few surprises and - most importantly - everything will just work out of the box. It's stable and solid. You can always change later after you get comfortable with The Linux Way - or not! I gave my octogenarian dad a laptop with Mint on it 5 years ago; earlier this year he bought himself a new laptop and - without booting into Windows - installed Mint by himself, with me on the phone for moral support. He's perfectly happy with it.