Five Months on Linux: From Windows Fan to Fedora KDE Power User

Five months on Linux convinced a longtime Windows user that the desktop operating system they thought they needed was more of a habit than a hard requirement — the experiment that began with Linux Mint and settled into Fedora KDE Plasma revealed that most everyday workflows, many popular apps, and the comforts of a polished desktop can be replicated (and sometimes improved) outside the Windows ecosystem.

Background​

The switch described in the original account started as a curiosity and turned into a daily-driver decision: a Windows fan experimented with Linux Mint, then moved on to Fedora with KDE Plasma, kept a dual-boot setup during the transition, and found that the list of things they truly missed was surprisingly short. The narrative hits three recurring themes across modern Linux migration stories: application availability, the learning curve of command-line tools, and the qualitative difference in system control and privacy.
This feature examines that five-month trial as a case study, verifies the technical claims in the journey, and analyzes the practical trade-offs for anyone considering the same path.

---

Overview: why this matters now​

The timing of this kind of migration is significant. Windows 10 reached its official end-of-support milestone on October 14, 2025 — a hard deadline that forces some users to upgrade, pay for extended security, or look for alternatives. Microsoft’s lifecycle page explicitly notes that Windows 10 will not receive security updates after October 14, 2025, and points users toward Windows 11 or the Extended Security Updates program.
That calendar pressure amplifies interest in Linux as a practical rescue route for older hardware that cannot upgrade to Windows 11 or for users who want to avoid forced cloud account integrations and telemetry changes in modern Windows releases. Independent reporting and lifecycle documentation confirm the date and the one-year ESU bridge options — an important context for anyone who’s tempted to nuke a Windows partition and go all-Linux.

---

What the user kept — application compatibility and the modern Linux desktop​

One of the first surprises in the account was how many mainstream apps were already available on Linux, or had workable equivalents. That’s not accidental: many vendors ship Linux builds or distribute packages via DEB/RPM, Flatpak, or Snap. A quick fact-check on the most-cited apps in the story:

• Discord: the vendor provides Linux packages (DEB/TAR variants) and community packaging options; Linux clients are widely used, though users sometimes report distro-specific quirks.
• Google Chrome: Google distributes official .deb and .rpm installers for stable Linux distributions; Chrome on Linux receives updates via the repository the installer adds.
• Shadow (cloud PC): Shadow publishes Linux installers and documentation for Debian/Ubuntu-style systems and has a documented manual install path for Linux users, confirming the writer’s experience of a downloadable Linux client. Community threads also show that Linux clients exist but receive mixed user feedback around stability and distro support.

The broader point: fewer apps are binary-locked to Windows than many users assume. For those exceptions, there are three pragmatic approaches:

• Look for a native Linux build (many modern apps ship one).
• Use a web or progressive web app version when available.
• Run the Windows app in a VM, in Wine/Proton where appropriate, or keep a Windows partition/VM for niche tools.

The subject’s discovery — that most “daily drivers” were simply available in the distro’s software manager — aligns with the current reality: packaged repositories, Flatpak/Flathub, and vendor packages make installation straightforward for mainstream software. The experience varies by distribution and desktop environment (DE), but the baseline has never been stronger.

---

Apps that didn’t cross over — and their Linux replacements​

Two specific gaps in the user’s workflow were highlighted: Paint.NET and ShareX. Both are Windows-first tools beloved for their simplicity and power, respectively.

• Paint.NET is a Windows application with no maintained native Linux build; long-standing community alternatives include Pinta, KolourPaint, and the heavier GIMP. Pinta is explicitly modeled after Paint.NET and has recently seen renewed development, making it a realistic replacement for many users who only need basic raster editing.
• ShareX is a Windows-only open-source screenshot/recording/uploader utility with a vast feature set. There is no official cross-platform ShareX build, and the project has flagged Linux support as non-trivial; the community has multiple alternatives such as Flameshot, Ksnip, Spectacle (KDE), and Peek (for GIF capture). For many workflows, these tools replicate the most-used ShareX features; they don’t match ShareX feature-for-feature, but they are more than serviceable for daily use.

The takeaway is practical: if you use niche, Windows-only utilities for advanced automation or one-off features, you will need to plan replacement workflows. If your usage of those tools is moderate (screenshots, quick edits, uploads), Linux alternatives often suffice.

---

Desktop, UX, and the learning curve: why “it doesn’t hold your hand” can be a strength​

The writer expected Linux to be rough and command-line-centric; in practice, the learning curve was front-loaded and educational. Running occasional commands, learning package management, and troubleshooting hardware led to a better understanding of system behavior — a frequent outcome for desktop Linux newcomers who move beyond live-USB trials into persistent installations.
Two important practical points emerge:

• Modern desktop environments like KDE Plasma are feature-rich and polished; KDE’s Spectacle is a full-featured screenshot/recording utility and shipped support for basic recording in recent releases. Some users report Wayland-specific quirks that require attention, but overall KDE Plasma can feel as finished and responsive as Windows, with deeper customization and tighter control over updates and telemetry.
• Package managers (APT, DNF, Pacman) and universal packaging formats (Flatpak/Snap) make installing and updating software predictable. The expectation “install UI app, click, done” generally holds true; when the GUI isn’t available, the terminal remains a short, learnable path to fixes and customizations. Forum and community archives from the migration era underscore that users learn more efficient workflows when they accept a small amount of initial friction.

This is a crucial cultural difference: Windows aims to minimize friction by design; many Linux distributions intentionally expose more of the stack to the user. That’s a feature for power users and an occasional hurdle for those moving from a “click-and-forget” model.

---

Gaming, Steam Proton, and anti-cheat realities​

Gaming is often the final sticking point for Linux migrations. Tools such as Steam’s Proton and Valve’s work on anti-cheat compatibility have dramatically improved the native gaming story on Linux, but there are important constraints:

• Proton enables thousands of Windows games to run on Linux with minimal intervention; compatibility databases like ProtonDB detail game-specific experiences. However, kernel-level anti-cheat systems and Secure Boot/driver checks remain a persistent blocker for some titles. Developers sometimes exclude Linux because a game’s anti-cheat treats non-Windows environments as unsupported or insecure by design. Valve’s policy changes and developer guidance now require explicit disclosure when a title uses kernel-level anti-cheat, helping users identify games that may fail under Proton.
• Real-world examples illustrate the constraint: several high-profile titles (or updates to them) have caused Steam Deck/Linux compatibility problems because anti-cheat or platform decisions made the Linux port impractical. Conversely, some games and anti-cheat vendors do provide Linux-compatible solutions, but the landscape remains uneven and developer-dependent.

If gaming is central, the safest migration strategy is to research each title’s ProtonDB entry and vendor statements. Many single-player and hundreds of multiplayer games run well on Linux today; competitive titles that use proprietary kernel-mode anti-cheat are the ones to watch.

---

Security, updates, and the Windows partition question​

The writer kept Windows 10 in a dual-boot setup “just in case,” then found they booted into it only a handful of times in five months. That hedging is rational: a Windows partition is an easy fallback for niche tasks, installers, or DRM-locked software. However, the EoS date matters. Microsoft’s notices confirm Windows 10 will not receive public security updates after October 14, 2025, and recommend migrating to Windows 11 or enrolling in the ESU program for temporary coverage. Those public documents are the factual anchor for any plan to remove Windows from disk.
Practical transition checklist for readers inspired by this story:

• Inventory essential applications and classify them: native-Linux, web-based, runs in Wine/Proton, or Windows-only.
• Try live USB boot sessions (try-before-you-install) to confirm hardware and peripheral compatibility.
• Back up everything (disk image + user files) before repartitioning or deleting Windows.
• If gaming is important, consult ProtonDB and anti-cheat disclosures for your library.
• Consider keeping a minimal Windows VM or a preserved recovery partition for the rare cases where only native Windows will do.

This checklist supports the writer’s cautious but decisive approach — dual-boot first, then trim Windows when risk and need have been satisfactorily reduced.

---

Strengths and risks: a balanced assessment​

Strengths observed during the five-month experiment​

• Control and privacy: Linux distributions are less opinionated about telemetry and account linkage, giving users clear choices during install and operation. The user’s delight at escaping ads, forced features, and background telemetry reflects a real difference in vendor control.
• Performance on older hardware: Many distributions are kinder to older CPUs and smaller RAM footprints; reports and benchmarking outlets frequently show Linux outperforming Windows in certain CPU-bound and IO workloads. Independent benchmarking outlets, including Phoronix-cited coverage, have recorded Linux advantages across a range of workloads, reinforcing the anecdotal performance gains many migrants experience.
• Package management and update predictability: The ability to update apps and the OS via a single package manager, and to schedule kernel upgrades or keep multiple kernels for rollback, offers operational predictability that many users appreciate. Fedora and other major distros document kernel retention and rollback strategies that reduce update risk.

Risks and caveats​

• Application compatibility gaps: Specialized professional tools — especially some Adobe products, niche audio/video suites, and bespoke corporate utilities — may remain Windows-only or poorly supported via compatibility layers. These are deal-breakers for certain professional workflows.
• Anti-cheat and gaming edge cases: As discussed, kernel-level anti-cheat can block titles, and developers’ choices matter. Gamers should verify compatibility title by title.
• Hardware and driver edge cases: Some peripherals (specialized scanners, proprietary graphics tablet drivers, or vendor-supplied control panels) still have better Windows support. Community drivers and vendor efforts have closed many gaps, but not all.
• Support model differences: Linux support is community-driven. While community help is often rapid and detailed, it’s a different model than vendor telephone support; that can be uncomfortable for users who prefer a corporate support contract.

Where the writer thought they would miss features and productivity conveniences, they often substituted analogous tools or changed habits — an important meta-skill for a successful migration.

---

Practical alternatives and replacements that worked for the writer​

• Screenshot and short-recording needs: KDE’s Spectacle handled the majority of the writer’s screenshot and recording needs; for advanced annotation or upload workflows, Ksnip or Flameshot are excellent alternatives. Spectacle’s integration with Plasma and Wayland support is mature, although Wayland-specific caveats remain for some users.
• Quick image edits: Pinta and KolourPaint provide Paint.NET-like simplicity; for heavier edits, GIMP or Krita are ready. Pinta’s revival in recent releases makes it a credible default for many users who want a Paint.NET-style editor.
• Cloud and browser-first apps: Chrome, web-versions of many services, and vendor-supplied Linux clients covered email, cloud storage, and chat in most daily scenarios. Shadow’s Linux client gives cloud-PC functionality on Linux, though users report varying experiences depending on distro and driver configuration.

---

Verdict: who should try this path — and how​

The five-month experiment demonstrates a clear thesis: migrating to Linux is now a pragmatic option for many mainstream users who value control, privacy, and a lighter system footprint. It’s especially compelling for:

• Owners of older hardware blocked from Windows 11 upgrades.
• Users whose daily workflows hinge on browser, chat, and Office-style productivity apps available cross-platform or as web apps.
• Power users who enjoy customizability and learning system internals.

It’s less well suited for:

• Professionals locked into Windows-only creative suites or enterprise utilities that lack a Linux equivalent.
• Competitive gamers reliant on titles with incompatible anti-cheat systems.
• Users who require vendor phone support as a primary crisis recovery method.

If you decide to try Linux, adopt a staged migration:

• Run a live USB and validate hardware.
• Dual-boot for a month while doing real work on Linux.
• Document fallback needs and test alternatives for each blocker.
• Consider keeping a small Windows VM for rare, essential tasks before deleting any partition.

---

Final takeaways​

The writer’s five-month journey from Windows fanboy to content Fedora KDE user is emblematic of a larger trend: desktop Linux maturity is no longer an academic claim — it’s a practical reality. The migration is not frictionless, but the friction often leads to meaningful competence: better understanding of system behavior, more control over updates and privacy, and a toolkit of lightweight, open tools that cover the majority of daily computing tasks.
The factual backbone of this transition is verifiable: mainstream apps like Discord and Chrome have Linux options, cloud-PC vendors such as Shadow provide Linux installers, KDE’s Spectacle and alternatives like Flameshot/Ksnip fill screenshot needs, and Windows 10’s end-of-support date creates a concrete migration impetus. Those are documented facts that support the lived experience in the original account.
For many enthusiasts and pragmatic users, the result is simple: try it, test the corner cases, and decide. The five-month diary shows that, when approached methodically, Linux can increasingly be more than a hobby — it can be a fully functioning, daily desktop alternative.

---

Source: XDA I used Linux exclusively for five months instead of Windows, and I was surprised by what I didn't miss