5 reasons you should ditch Windows for Linux today

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Home windows 10 help has ended, making Linux a doable various.
• It is a good time to contemplate switching from Home windows to Linux.
• Switching to Linux can lengthen your laptop’s life and efficiency.

I can nonetheless keep in mind after I determined to put in Linux on my very first laptop (a Pentium 75). I would been utilizing Windows 95 and located myself extra annoyed than not. I used to be experiencing fixed blue screens of demise, could not make the OS behave how I needed, the software program was costly, and I hated the way in which it appeared.

So, I put in Linux over Home windows, and the remaining is historical past. I have been utilizing Linux as my working system of alternative since then, and I have never regretted it one bit.

Additionally: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first – here’s how

If you happen to’re beginning to get frustrated with Windows, I feel I’ve 5 causes that may allow you to determine.

1. The requirement of a Microsoft account

This is likely to be one thing you have not likely thought-about throughout a time when every little thing appears to require an account. Microsoft is taking this one step additional with Home windows, because it has announced that it is eradicating the final remaining workaround for signing into Home windows with an area account. What meaning is, to log into Home windows, you must have a Microsoft account. 

Additionally: Microsoft just blocked a popular way to set up a local account in Windows 11 – here’s what still works

To me, that is an enormous privateness purple flag. It is attention-grabbing that that is taking place across the identical time help ends for Home windows 10 (an OS that permits for native accounts). Why does this hassle me? Basically, having to log right into a Microsoft account means the corporate can create a profile of you so it may push advertisements to the OS. Think about each time you log into Home windows, the corporate has entry to every day telemetry. For anybody who values privateness, this isn’t a optimistic step ahead. Linux, then again, will at all times permit for native account creation, so you do not have to fret about your info being saved on a third-party server.

2. Home windows 10 help is over

At this time’s the day. October 14 — the moment support ended for Windows 10. It occurs with each working system, however when it does, you’d prefer to assume the subsequent iteration might be an enchancment over what you have been utilizing. The largest concern with the improve is that many computer systems operating Home windows 10 don’t help Home windows 11. Meaning, if you wish to preserve utilizing a supported OS (by no means use an unsupported one), you may need to buy a brand new laptop. 

Additionally: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distro

Or, you’ll be able to set up Linux over Home windows 10 (after backing up your information) and expertise superior efficiency, even on that getting old machine. Even higher, you’ll be able to go along with a Lengthy Time period Assist distribution and know that in 4 or 5 years (when help ends), you’ll be able to merely improve to the subsequent LTS and preserve going. It is a uncommon event {that a} Linux distribution’s system necessities change from one iteration to a different. Even when these necessities do change, it is incremental. Even so, when you discover out your distribution of alternative can not run on that older PC, you’ll be able to at all times swap to a light-weight distribution, and also you’re good to go.

3. Higher efficiency

I’ve examined Home windows and Linux aspect by aspect for years and have but to expertise a state of affairs the place Home windows outperforms Linux. The one space I’ve not executed such comparisons is gaming (as a result of I am solely an off-the-cuff gamer). Past that, Linux blows Home windows away each time. I might take a Home windows 10 machine, set up Linux on it, and that laptop would nonetheless be capable to outperform a brand-new Windows 11 PC. Each time I’ve to take care of Home windows, I really feel as if I’ve gone from a Ferrari to a Yugo with sq. wheels. It is painful. 

Additionally: 10 Linux features you should be using to get the best performance and functionality

On prime of that, the Linux desktop is simply far more environment friendly than its Home windows “equal.” If you would like a well-performing laptop (with out having to max out system assets — or your finances), belief me after I inform you that Linux is the way in which to go.

4. Superior flexibility

Linux is versatile. Home windows isn’t. I might finish this level right here, however I will proceed. On these uncommon events that I’ve to make use of Home windows, I at all times want I might change nearly every little thing to raised match my wants. I would like equal components efficiency and aesthetics. I would like the OS to bend to my will, not threaten to interrupt my sanity. With Linux, I can change nearly every little thing. If I need a real-time kernel, I can swap. If I need a totally different desktop setting, change. If I would like extra management from my keyboard, Linux has my again. 

Additionally: The 5 most customizable Linux desktop environments – when you want it your way

There is not a single facet of Linux that you simply can’t customise, tweak, change, alter, or swap. Linux is, indubitably, essentially the most versatile OS available on the market (and there’s no comparability). Once I’m utilizing Linux, if I consider a greater technique to do one thing, you’ll be able to wager that I could make it occur. With Home windows? No approach.

5. Safety

Within the practically 30 years that I have been utilizing Linux, I’ve solely had perhaps two situations the place safety was a difficulty. The primary time was after I needed to take over as administrator on a Linux server. As a result of the particular person had Ubuntu Server configured very poorly, somebody was in a position to get in and plant a rootkit on the machine. The second occasion was after I’d left desktop sharing on in an open community, and somebody in some way managed to hook up with the machine. Within the first occasion, I needed to utterly reinstall the OS. The second occasion solely required that I shut off desktop sharing. To place it bluntly, Home windows can’t maintain a candle to Linux safety. 

Additionally: Want to save your old computer? Try one of these 8 Linux distros for free

With Home windows, you must be very cautious and at all times have some type of antivirus put in (in any other case, it is a crapshoot). Linux doesn’t require antivirus software program and doubtless by no means will. After all, that does not imply you need to ignore the safety facet of Linux. Do use the firewall, don’t set up software program from unknown sources, and do not willy-nilly click on on URLs. Even with essentially the most safe OS available on the market, that you must take safety severely.

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