If you’re tired of waiting for Microsoft patches, dislike Windows 11’s direction, or simply want to revive an older PC, switching to a free, easy-to-use Linux distribution like Linux Mint is one of the quickest, lowest-risk options available—and you can do it without spending a dime.
Linux Mint is a desktop-focused Linux distribution built on a stable Ubuntu base and designed for users who want a familiar, Windows-like desktop experience. It offers three main desktop editions—Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce—so you can pick the look and resource profile that best fits your hardware and taste. Cinnamon is the default and recommended option for modern systems; MATE is lighter and suited to somewhat older machines, while Xfce is ideal for very low-power hardware.
The broader context matters: Windows 10 reaches end of support on October 14, 2025, which means no more security updates or feature patches for standard installations after that date—one strong reason many users are evaluating Linux as a cost-free alternative.
CertUtil -hashfile path\to\linuxmint.iso SHA256
Compare the output to the sha256sum listed on the download page. A mismatch means re-download; never skip this step—tampered or corrupted ISOs are a real risk.
If your PC previously relied on Windows-only enterprise controls (Intune, domain policies), check with your IT team—company-managed devices may not be practical to move off Windows without IT support.
If you want a smooth, low-cost, modern desktop that gives you control, privacy, and a strong community behind it, Linux Mint is a pragmatic choice—especially if you test it first with a Live USB, back up everything, and plan a staged migration via dual‑boot. The tools and vendor support available today make moving away from Windows easier than it’s ever been.
(Installation time: usually 30–120 minutes from download to first login on broadband. If you prefer, try a virtual machine or Live USB for several days before committing.)
Source: bahiaverdade.com.br How to easily switch your PC from Windows to Linux - for free - Bahia Verdade
Background / Overview
Linux Mint is a desktop-focused Linux distribution built on a stable Ubuntu base and designed for users who want a familiar, Windows-like desktop experience. It offers three main desktop editions—Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce—so you can pick the look and resource profile that best fits your hardware and taste. Cinnamon is the default and recommended option for modern systems; MATE is lighter and suited to somewhat older machines, while Xfce is ideal for very low-power hardware. The broader context matters: Windows 10 reaches end of support on October 14, 2025, which means no more security updates or feature patches for standard installations after that date—one strong reason many users are evaluating Linux as a cost-free alternative.
Why choose Linux Mint (short and practical)
- Familiar UI: Cinnamon provides a taskbar, start menu, and system tray that will feel comfortable to Windows users.
- Low cost: The OS and most user applications are free—no license fees, no subscriptions.
- Long life for older hardware: Lightweight desktop flavors can revive PCs that no longer meet Windows 11 requirements.
- Easy trial: Boot a Live USB to test everything before touching your hard drive.
- Good out-of-the-box hardware support: Modern Linux distributions have solved many old driver headaches, and proprietary drivers are available where needed.
What you’ll need (materials, time, cost)
- A Windows PC (desktop or laptop) with:
- At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended).
- 20 GB disk space (100 GB recommended for real use).
- Graphics capable of 1024×768 or better.
- Internet connection to download the ISO.
- A USB stick (4 GB or larger)—recommended—or a blank DVD.
- Time: allow an afternoon (1–3 hours depending on downloads and backups).
- Estimated cost: $0–$10 (USB stick if you need one).
Step 1 — Choose the right Mint edition and download the ISO
- Decide which desktop fits your machine:
- Cinnamon — best for modern PCs (recommended).
- MATE — good balance for older hardware.
- Xfce — best for very low-power or very old systems.
- Download the ISO from Linux Mint’s official download page (select the edition and mirror). The ISO is typically in the 2–3 GB range depending on the release.
Step 2 — Verify the download (do this every time)
Before burning or writing the ISO, verify integrity using the SHA256 checksum the Mint site provides. On Windows you can run:CertUtil -hashfile path\to\linuxmint.iso SHA256
Compare the output to the sha256sum listed on the download page. A mismatch means re-download; never skip this step—tampered or corrupted ISOs are a real risk.
Step 3 — Create a bootable USB or DVD
- USB is recommended because it's faster and more reliable.
- Popular tools for Windows:
- Rufus (very popular for Windows users)
- BalenaEtcher (cross-platform, simple)
- UNetbootin or YUMI (useful for multi-boot USBs)
Step 4 — Try Mint first: the Live session
Boot the PC from your USB stick or DVD and choose “Start Linux Mint.” This enters a Live session that runs entirely from the USB/DVD and leaves your Windows installation untouched. Use this session to:- Verify Wi‑Fi, touchpad, display scaling, printers, and audio.
- Check that essential peripherals work (webcam, Bluetooth, external monitors).
- Try the desktop layout and default apps.
Step 5 — Troubleshooting GPU issues (NVIDIA and “nomodeset”)
- Many NVIDIA cards will work with Mint, but older GeForce cards sometimes have trouble with the default open-source drivers at boot. A common Live-boot workaround is to edit the boot options and replace “quiet splash” with nomodeset to get a basic display so you can boot, install, and then switch drivers. This is a temporary compatibility mode and will reduce performance until proper drivers are installed.
- Important: NVIDIA has shifted its Linux strategy in recent years and now publishes open-source GPU kernel modules and a transition plan to those modules (R515, R560 releases and later). That change reduces many past compatibility headaches and improves long-term support for GeForce and newer architectures on Linux. For modern NVIDIA hardware the open-kernel-module path is now widely documented.
Step 6 — Back up Windows and your files (non-negotiable)
Before installing any new OS, do a full backup:- Create a full disk image (recommended).
- Copy personal files to an external disk or cloud.
- Export important application data (emails, browser bookmarks, licensing keys).
- Disable BitLocker or other full-disk encryption on Windows to avoid installer confusion.
- Disable Windows Fast Startup to reduce disk access/locking issues when dual-booting.
Step 7 — Install mode: dual‑boot or full replacement?
During installation you’ll be offered options:- Install alongside Windows — Mint will resize partitions and install a bootloader so you can choose the OS at startup. This is the safest route for most users.
- Erase disk and install Mint — wipes Windows and uses the full drive for Mint. Good for those prepared to commit but keep a backup image just in case.
- Something else / manual partitioning — for power users: set up root (/), swap, and optionally /home on ext4, and configure EFI/BIOS partitions manually.
Step 8 — UEFI, Secure Boot, and the bootloader
- Modern Mint and Ubuntu-based installers support Secure Boot. Canonical/Ubuntu provide a signed shim that works with Microsoft’s pre-installed firmware trust chain; Mint inherits this compatibility from Ubuntu, so Secure Boot is typically not a blocker. If you run into issues, you can temporarily disable Secure Boot in UEFI/BIOS and re-enable it later.
- After installation the GRUB bootloader will let you choose between Windows and Mint at startup. You can change the default boot entry and timeout if you prefer one OS by default.
Step 9 — Post-install essentials: drivers, codecs, and updates
After the first boot:- Run Driver Manager to check for recommended proprietary drivers (NVIDIA, Broadcom Wi‑Fi, etc.) and install them if needed.
- Install multimedia codecs if you need MP3, DVD playback, and other proprietary formats. Mint’s installer or the “Install Multimedia Codecs” utility handles this.
- Update the system using the Update Manager (Mint patches both the OS and bundled apps like Firefox and LibreOffice). Mint’s update model is less intrusive than Windows updates and usually avoids forced restarts except for kernel updates.
Step 10 — Backups on Linux: Timeshift and Deja Dup
- Timeshift is included with Mint and makes system snapshots (OS and system files only). Set an automatic schedule so you can roll back after problematic updates or configuration changes. Timeshift is not a personal-files backup tool.
- For personal documents and media, use Deja Dup (easy GUI) or the built-in Backup Tool. Store backups on an external disk or cloud service—never keep backups only on the same drive as your OS. Deja Dup can encrypt your backups and supports many cloud backends.
Running Windows apps: options and practicalities
- Microsoft 365: You can access Microsoft 365 by logging into Online apps or integrate OneDrive via mint’s GNOME Online Accounts (OneDrive access from file manager). Mint supports web-based Office apps out of the box.
- Wine / Proton / Bottles: Many Windows desktop apps and games run via Wine or Proton; Steam integrates Proton for games. For mission-critical Windows software, consider keeping a small Windows VM (VirtualBox, QEMU) or a dual‑boot as a fallback.
- Virtual Machines: If you need the occasional Windows-only app, keep a VM image of your Windows system or create a fresh one—this preserves the Windows experience without sacrificing Linux as your main desktop.
Troubleshooting checklist (most common problems)
- Boot doesn’t see USB: check UEFI/BIOS boot order, disable Fast Boot, or use different USB port (try USB 2.0).
- Wi‑Fi not working: check Driver Manager for Broadcom or proprietary chip drivers; try wired Ethernet to fetch drivers.
- Display hangs on boot: use nomodeset to boot, then install proprietary GPU drivers or switch to the open-source NVIDIA kernel modules where available.
- GRUB missing after install (rare): boot a Live USB and reinstall GRUB or use the Boot Repair tool.
Security, updates, and long-term maintenance
Linux Mint will receive security updates from its package repositories; unlike Windows, most package updates don’t require a restart (except kernel updates). That said, keep an eye on kernel updates and reboot when required. Use Timeshift snapshots before major system changes.If your PC previously relied on Windows-only enterprise controls (Intune, domain policies), check with your IT team—company-managed devices may not be practical to move off Windows without IT support.
Validations and key confirmations (what was checked)
- Windows 10’s end-of-support date October 14, 2025 is confirmed on Microsoft’s official pages and repeated widely in migration guidance. This is a major driver for many migrations away from Windows 10.
- Linux Mint’s minimum desktop requirements (2 GB RAM, 20 GB disk, 1024×768) are documented in release notes and distribution guidance; 4 GB and 100 GB are recommended for comfortable long-term use.
- Secure Boot: Ubuntu/Canonical provide a Microsoft-signed shim to work with most UEFI Secure Boot setups; Mint benefits from the same ecosystem, so Secure Boot is rarely a blocker. If necessary you can disable Secure Boot in UEFI/BIOS.
- NVIDIA’s move toward open-source GPU kernel modules (R515/R560 and later) has materially reduced driver friction on modern GPUs, though older cards may still need legacy drivers. This change is documented in NVIDIA’s technical posts and independent coverage.
Quick-install checklist (copy-and-use)
- Back up Windows (full image + personal files).
- Download Linux Mint ISO (choose Cinnamon/MATE/Xfce).
- Verify SHA256 checksum.
- Create bootable USB (Rufus/BalenaEtcher) with persistence if desired.
- Boot Live session (“Start Linux Mint”) and test hardware.
- If everything is OK, run the installer and choose “Install Linux Mint alongside them” for dual‑boot, or "Erase disk" if you’re ready to commit.
- After install, run Driver Manager, install codecs, update the system, and set up Timeshift and Deja Dup backups.
Final analysis — strengths and risks
Strengths- Fast path to a working desktop: Mint’s Live USB means you can test hardware and UI without installing anything—this drastically reduces migration risk.
- Revives old PCs: Lightweight desktops let you keep using older machines that Windows 11 can’t support.
- Improved driver story: Vendor commitments (notably NVIDIA’s open-kernel work) have reduced the drama of past Linux GPU problems.
- Software compatibility: Some proprietary Windows apps and DRM-heavy games may not run natively—research each critical application; plan for VM or dual-boot fallbacks.
- Enterprise constraints: Company devices and domain-managed PCs have policies that can prevent migration without IT coordination.
- Backup complacency: Skipping backups is the number-one cause of post-install regret; image your Windows install before starting.
If you want a smooth, low-cost, modern desktop that gives you control, privacy, and a strong community behind it, Linux Mint is a pragmatic choice—especially if you test it first with a Live USB, back up everything, and plan a staged migration via dual‑boot. The tools and vendor support available today make moving away from Windows easier than it’s ever been.
(Installation time: usually 30–120 minutes from download to first login on broadband. If you prefer, try a virtual machine or Live USB for several days before committing.)
Source: bahiaverdade.com.br How to easily switch your PC from Windows to Linux - for free - Bahia Verdade
