Linux

Depends on what you do. I take care of this .Net 4.2 backend project which is not compatible with Linux in any safe way. For years I used windows and tbf I enjoyed it, but I am back to Linux and I use a VM with Windows on it to run the project on Rider. I have a setup which allows me to use the backend in this VM and the front-end, database and all rest is native on Linux. It works well for me with the downside of RAM usage, but I designed this laptop with this kind of use case in my from the very beginning so 64GB of RAM I have enough room to run the VM and everything else I need and steel have a snappy environment. I like it better this way, Linux has evolved so much in the past years I am honestly very impressed.

First start using ardour gimp inkscape libreoffice and blender on windows, then dual boot or use a VM to install Linux and start challenging yourself to use it for real stuff when you can. You may eventually realize you're using Linux much more than Windows, like when you boot into Windows and every time require a bunch of updates. Eventually your windows will be so out of date you remove it entirely or start using a windows vm.

What software are you using that is keeping you on windows?

FWIW, the last version of windows I've run was WinME circa 2001ish.. I've been on Linux since '99 or so. You can certainly get by for day to day stuff. The only thing holding you back is going to be pretty niche.

write my own

I either compile em or run Windows to use said "program".

...I mean... when the latter happens is always someone else's PC, so eh.

If I'm being totally honest, my primary use-case is gaming. I only have linux installed on my device, and if a game doesn't work, I simply play other things and hope it will eventually work.
Sometimes, with some effort, you can get windows programs to work using wine. For example, I was able to run Mod Organizer 2 to mod skyrim without issues. If that fails and your software won't work in wine, you could either find alternative native linux software or just dual-boot. I used to do that to play VR games in windows 10 since I've had issues running them in linux. Another option is to run a windows Virtual Machine whenever you need whatever software you can't get working, but there's pretty bad performance limitations unless you can get hardware passthrough working.

If you have to use a program that is windows only you have to use windows. I could move our entire company over to Linux if it wasn't for SOLIDWORKS been windows only.

Wine can be an option but I've found it very hit and miss on some of the more obscure windows only programs

In the past I've used virtual box (virtual machine) in seamless mode, so it looks just like a window in Linux. I can't remember why I stopped, I think it was down to licencing and oracle buying it.

A lot of programs I work with very often are Windows-exclusive, and alternatives supporting Linux are rare.

Consider mentioning the programs you work with. On a general note, Wine can be used to make Windows-software work on Linux. Bottles can be used to that effect as a front-end. Furthermore, for a more sophisticated solution; consider taking a look at CodeWeavers.

Wine/Proton can run a huge amount of Windows programs.

Honestly though I've just been using Linux for 8 or so years now and just find some other solution. For general computing it really isn't hard at all. Perhaps if you have some weird proprietary work software or absolutely need Adobe it could be an issue

Depends on what you use. I've used Linux for 6 years and I've never needed any windows exclusive app. I still do have a laptop that's running windows for just in case. I literally only open it once a week or so to update it, that's it. For my use case, Linux has everything.

I come across Windows-only apps very seldom, when it happens I run them in a VM. It's usually stuff like proprietary config app for a mouse or keyboard.

For Visual Studio Enterprise, Adobe PDF editing, native Office apps, SSMS, and RDP thin clients, I use a Windows VM.

Are they like proprietary business programs? What programs can't run on Linux even though WINE?

CrossOver is also made by CodeWeavers, but includes paid support as well. Maybe it might suit your use case?

https://www.codeweavers.com/crossover

My advice is segregatting work and personal environment, your company's computer isn't safe for general usage.

About stuff you use for yourself, don't focus on which program you want to use, but on the task you must accomplish, most software that is made to mimic a Windows workflow are not great, sometimes you think you need a msword alternative, but you just need to create a document, there's many ways to manipulate documents on linux that are so much better than text processors like word or libre/wps/only, and you will miss it by straight up looking for alternatives.

On Window's software are usually bound by a lot a comercial bullshit, they have to bloat to be able to be forever at development and pushing new versions, Linux usually follows into Unix philosophy, aiming for small high quality software that are easy to compose into a bigger workflow, even when not using cli tools that operate on text streams, a gui linux application usually work with standard formats, don't try to overlap features and are easy to replace if needed.

And about transition, i like the dual boot approach, have a linux partition, and use it for what you can do better on linux when you want to, as you get better with linux, you will be wanting to use window's less and less.

Sometimes customers want me to use a specific piece of software so I have a QEMU Windows installation I use.

Virtual machine or Bottles. If neither can help then I just take the L

Ill do my usual name drop of zorin os linux distro. its maine thing is windows compatibility and comes with play on linux and wine preinstalled and setup. Also comes with many linux applications installed out of box. I think its the best shot for an easy move over but if it does not work that does not mean it can't be done but its gonna be a bit of work more than likely.

All my games work with Steam/Proton (thanks Value!) and I mainly use my desktop as a gaming PC. I do some bussiness stuff but LibreOffice will work. Or I also use Google Docs to do things--can be saved as Microsoft Office file types or PDF.

But you are right, if you need a Windows only program, then Windows is the only option. I had to update the firmware on my Xbox controller that I use with Steam to play my games. I had to wipe one of my laptops and put a copy of Windows on there to get this done. Another time there was a free Baldurs Gate game from Amazon games I could get, BUT you needed the Amazon Game app to get it. And it only ran on Windows. I put Windows on a laptop, download the free game, then moved it to my Linux Gaming PC. After adding it to Steam as a non Steam game, I was exploring dugeons with elves and dwarves.

It's still a Windows world, but IF enough gamers switch to Linux that could change. And Microsoft is only going to get worse with ads.