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# Is Linux Really Difficult For a Windows User? My Personal Journey Answers It!
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/linux-difficult-easy-for-windows-user/
- Published: 2024-09-22T04:19:16.000Z
- Updated: 2024-09-22T04:19:16.000Z
- Description: As a Windows user, I switched to Linux successfully. And, you can too. Here's what I think.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Opinion, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

A few years ago, I used to be a Windows-only user, with brief stints using Ubuntu on the college computers. Eventually, I went for a dual-boot setup on my desktop with Windows 10 and Ubuntu to get the best of both worlds.

That is, until recently, when my desktop's [PSU](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power%5Fsupply%5Funit%5F%28computer%29?ref=itsfoss.com) went haywire due to a faulty APC UPS being unable to handle power fluctuations. Since the replacement would take some time and I couldn't stay without a functioning computer, I went out and got a laptop for my day-to-day work.

Initially, it came with Windows 11 pre-installed, and I was able to get work done, but running [Linux](https://itsfoss.com/what-is-linux/) distributions (*distros*) in a [virtual machine](https://itsfoss.com/virtual-machine/) has its limitations. 

Soon after, **I completely switched to Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS**, and that ran great until I had to test some [tools for checking GPU usage](https://itsfoss.com/gpu-usage-linux/).

A simple GPU driver switch made Ubuntu [flip out](https://itsfoss.com/ubuntu-fails-fedora-works/), and I had to switch to [Fedora](https://fedoraproject.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) in the middle of a workweek. But, don't let that deter you from the fact that Linux distros are the future of computing (*in my humble opinion*).

So, join me as I take you through my experience switching to Linux full-time on my work laptop and the challenges I faced when I started out using Linux all those years ago after being a Windows user.

📋

I have used the terms ****Linux** and ****Linux distributions** interchangeably. However, remember that Linux is the kernel and distributions are the operating systems built around it, with various components.

## Give Linux Some Time, You Will Forget Windows

![a photo showing a laptop with an external monitor running fedora 40 with some applications and a fastfetch output visible there is a keyboard and some wires in the photo too](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/09/Windows_Who.jpg)

When I started using Linux a few years prior, the first things that I was confused by were the many package managers and package types. 

It took me some time to wrap my head around the *APT* package manager on Ubuntu and the different packages used to install/run software, such as *DEB*, *Flatpak*, *Snap*, *AppImage*, etc.

💡

****Takeaway for you:** You do not need to worry about what you're using when starting out. ****Whether your software center lists Snap/deb/rpm/Flatpak pckages, you can install any of them to get the job done.**   
  
Just keep in mind that ****Snaps/Flatpaks offer newer versions of the packages**.

I was also confused as to what [desktop environments](https://itsfoss.com/what-is-desktop-environment/) were, but, I became comfortable with all of those concepts in a day or two thanks to the helpful resources on **It's FOSS**.

You might want to check out the options available and see what layout/concept suits you the best. And, then pick a Linux distro accordingly:

[8 Best Desktop Environments For LinuxA list of the best Linux Desktop Environments with their pros and cons. Have a look and see which desktop environment you should use.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2016/04/best-linux-desktop-environments.jpg)](https://itsfoss.com/best-linux-desktop-environments/)

My pick was **GNOME** for its unique layout:

![Fedora 40 with GNOME 46 desktop](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/09/gnome-46-fedora.jpg)

Now, my day-to-day includes me doing lots of research on any potential stories I can cover or looking for new apps or tools for Linux that may be of use to our readers. In this process, I end up opening loads of windows and web browser tabs, which need to be arranged properly for me to make sense of things.

That is where [GNOME](https://www.gnome.org/?ref=itsfoss.com)'s handy workspaces feature comes in, allowing me to spread out the app windows according to my preference. Similarly, I extensively use the Chromium-based [Vivaldi](https://vivaldi.com/?ref=itsfoss.com) web browser as my primary work browser due to its exceptional tab handling features.

I have found applications on Linux for almost everything I need:

- An app for editing images (*GIMP*) ✔️
- An app for streaming music (*Spotify*) ✔️
- A VPN app (*Proton VPN*) to dodge nosy Big Tech corps and ISPs ✔️
- A well-equipped office suite (*LibreOffice*) ✔️

**So, unless you are dependent on a special software tailored specially for Windows. You do not have to break a sweat on Linux for the app you need.**

Next, the mind-blowing part of Linux for me 🤯

I can customize a Linux distribution to extents that won't be possible on a proprietary operating system like Windows. 

**Turns out, it is easy to do that** (with many advanced options to explore later)!

Just take the above photo of my work setup, for instance. I have many cool [GNOME extensions](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-shell-extensions/) in place, I can quickly check the details of my system using [Fastfetch](https://itsfoss.com/fine-control-fastfetch/), and I can even swap out the desktop environment (*GNOME*) to something more minimal like [LXQt](https://lxqt-project.org/?ref=itsfoss.com).

The window tiling with the GNOME extension on my previous Ubuntu desktop looked like this:

![gnome tiling shell extension](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/09/Tiling_Shell_a.png)

So, if you are picking Ubuntu/Fedora, you are going to enjoy things like this. There's also a clip of me using this functionality across multiple displays with Ubuntu, and it is really neat:

0:00 

/0:27 

1× 

And, the possibilities of doing things like this on Linux is endless 😄

**Even** **gaming is a joy** 🎮

Earlier this year, I [tested out](https://itsfoss.com/windows-game-on-linux-experience/) Cyberpunk 2077, and it ran without any hiccups, performing impressively, which then motivated me to dedicate [30 days](https://itsfoss.com/native-linux-game-experience/) during which I exclusively played native Linux games, with the end result being superb.

**Suggested Read** 📖

[Running One of My Favorite Windows Game on Linux: Here’s How It WentCurious to know how it looks like to run your favorite Windows game on Linux? We share our experience here.![](https://news.itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra![](https://news.itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/07/cyberpunk-game-ubuntu-review.jpg)](https://itsfoss.com/windows-game-on-linux-experience/)

## If You Are Ready to Switch...

Taking my experience as an indicator, if you are ready to make the jump, you need to realize that whether it is Windows/macOS/Linux, none of them are perfect.

**However, Linux is not difficult to use**. You just need to put some time learning about it (*as it is entirely new for you*) before you jump into installing a Linux distribution.

**It has got all the essential apps, utilities to game, edit videos, create content, produce music, develop software,** and as a **bonus**, **the freedom to control every aspect of it** (if you know enough about it).

To get started, I would recommend you to try [Linux Mint](https://linuxmint.com/?ref=itsfoss.com), which features a familiar user interface with many desktop environment choices. The other pick would be [Ubuntu](https://ubuntu.com/?ref=itsfoss.com), which makes things effortless (*for the most part*) with its well-rounded package.

In the end, **a few pain points do remain**, mostly related to gaming and a few popular video editing software (*Adobe suite isn't available*), but that's fine. I can play games with pesky anti-cheat software on my Windows-equipped desktop, and there are many wonderful [open-source video editors on Linux](https://itsfoss.com/open-source-video-editors/) that can serve your needs.

Looking at the state of the most [popular Linux distributions](https://itsfoss.com/best-linux-distributions/), I can confidently say that even non-technical people or students can easily get into Linux without the fear of getting lost 😎

Moreover, I have also realized that **I still have much more to learn about Linux**. I can't wait to dig in deeper, improving my understanding and providing you, the readers, with good-quality content.

*💬 How has your Linux journey been? Faced any issues? Couldn't be more satisfied? Let me know!*

**Suggested Read** 📖

[Best Linux Distributions For Everyone in 2024Looking for the best Linux distribution that suits everyone? Take a look at our comprehensive list.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/01/best-linux-distros-for-2024.png)](https://itsfoss.com/best-linux-distributions/)