From Windows to GNU/Linux
This is what everyday users usually find better, mostly the same, or not as good, when switching from Windows to GNU/Linux.
What is better in GNU/Linux
It’s free
Unlike Windows, GNU/Linux is free software – free as in freedom. Install it on all computers and make copies for your friends! You can even study it, transform it as you please, or build and sell your own distribution.
Programs
There are a wealth of free applications available at no cost under GNU/Linux. To edit professional documents, burn music CDs, rework photos, design a website, or organise music; there’s no need for $200 software with restrictive licenses.
The internal installer makes it incredibly easy to find, install and remove programs.
It’s also safe: you can forget the demo/trial crippled software, or harmful freeware polluting the web.
No fighting
Keeping your computer in shape over time needn’t be a struggle. One year on, GNU/Linux runs just as fast as the first day. And it may bring your old PC back to life.
Also, GNU/Linux lets you choose what you want and what you don’t. If you had a hard time getting rid of Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, or adware and web browser toolbars, you’ll find it refreshing.
Security
Forget expensive and restrictive anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-anything and anti-everything. GNU/Linux is very, very secure.
It is often difficult for Windows users to believe that there are no spyware nor viruses under GNU/Linux – but it’s true. Malicious programs have a hard time doing anything at all in a well-built system.
Regular, easy software updates will keep everyone entirely safe.
Read more in our GNU/Linux FAQ:
Support
GNU/Linux benefits from a great sense of community whose friendliness will surprise you. If you try to do something complicated but can’t succeed, there are a lot of people around to help you out. Our “Help” page gives a few pointers.
The companies behind the main GNU/Linux distributions, such as Canonical and Red Hat, also provide expert commercial support.
What is mostly the same in GNU/Linux
Fundamentally, everyday users will find GNU/Linux similar in use to Windows or macOS.
General set-up
If you still believe GNU/Linux is controlled with code and command-line, you should update your views!
Just like Windows, GNU/Linux has to boot when you switch your computer on, and then you use programs in it to do different things. The taskbar and layout of applications will feel familiar to Windows or macOS users.
Web browsing and common tasks
Your daily habits won’t need to change. Browsing the web is identical, and you can continue using your favorite browsers like Firefox, Google Chrome, or Microsoft Edge. Managing your photo and music collections is seamless, and navigating your files feels instantly familiar to anyone used to Windows Explorer.
Gaming
Gaming on GNU/Linux has evolved significantly, shifting from a complex hobby to a smooth experience for most gamers, largely thanks to Valve’s Proton technology (the same tech powering the Steam Deck). The vast majority of Windows games now run on GNU/Linux, often with performance that matches or exceeds Windows due to lower system bloat.
Read more in our GNU/Linux FAQ:
Hardware support
The vast majority of computers with standard hardware work immediately upon installation. Common peripherals such as USB drives, webcams, mice, and keyboards almost never present a problem and often require less setup than on Windows.
Read more in our GNU/Linux FAQ:
What is not as good in GNU/Linux
DVDs, Blu-rays, and restricted formats
Many multimedia formats are proprietary. To avoid patent and licensing issues, standard GNU/Linux distributions cannot pre-install the software needed to play encrypted physical media.
For DVDs, the solution is simple. Most modern distributions provide helper tools (such as libdvd-pkg on Debian and Ubuntu) that automatically download and install the necessary decryption library with a single command. Once installed, DVDs play just as they do on Windows.
Blu-rays are harder to play directly due to stricter, constantly updating encryption. Many GNU/Linux users prefer to “rip” the disc to a digital file using tools like MakeMKV rather than playing the disc directly.
Fortunately, physical media is becoming less common. Major streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube work natively in standard GNU/Linux browsers (like Firefox, Chrome, and Edge) without any special configuration.
Read more in our GNU/Linux FAQ:
Conclusion
Whether you are going to enjoy GNU/Linux depends mostly on what you expect from it.
- If you wish GNU/Linux to be just exactly like Windows, you will probably be disappointed. GNU/Linux is built by people who simply wish it to be different. In the free software community, members have different visions of what makes an ideal operating system. These differences lead to variety, which is what makes GNU/Linux so special and interesting.
- Your freedom matters. Thousands in communities and companies work to build software on which you may exert this freedom. Using GNU/Linux is the easiest way to do so fully.
- It’s fun! Not having to worry about spyware, viruses, program registrations, demos that expire, or finding software that is really free as in freedom, makes using a computer suddenly very enjoyable.
We hope you’ll switch soon. There’s a large community waiting, and no one in it asking you to “sign up, purchase and register”.