If you’re staring at a Windows 10 machine that’s nearing the end of support — or you simply tried Windows 11 and didn’t like it — switching to a free, user-friendly Linux distribution like Linux Mint is a practical alternative that can revive older hardware, protect your privacy, and get you back to work quickly. This guide unpacks the exact, safe steps to switch a PC from Windows to Linux Mint, verifies critical technical details, flags common pitfalls, and offers practical recommendations so you can migrate with confidence. The procedure and tips below draw on a recent step‑by‑step walkthrough, official platform documentation, and vendor statements to ensure accuracy and reliability. (support.microsoft.com)
Linux Mint is one of the most approachable Linux distributions for people coming from Windows. It provides a familiar desktop layout, an integrated software manager, and built-in tools designed to minimize troubleshooting for new users. Mint’s “Live USB” capability means you can run it from removable media and test hardware and apps before committing to installation, an enormous advantage over one‑way migrations.
From a timing perspective, Windows 10 reaches end of official support on October 14, 2025, which means systems still running that OS will stop receiving security and feature updates from Microsoft after that date. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 or enrolling eligible devices in the Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for a limited extension, but many users choose a Linux desktop instead to keep aging hardware useful. (support.microsoft.com)
Below you’ll find a verified, realistic walkthrough: minimum hardware checks, how to verify the download, tools for creating bootable media, how to test Mint without touching Windows, what to do about Secure Boot and Nvidia GPUs, partitioning advice for dual‑boot setups, post‑install housekeeping (snapshots, updates, drivers), and a balanced assessment of benefits and risks.
ZDNET’s walkthrough highlights the live session as a low‑risk way to test compatibility before modifying disks.
to free up 40–100 GB of unallocated space. This is a good conservative approach if you want to avoid mistakes during partitioning.
You have three mainstream options:
If you take this path, give yourself a weekend to explore and customize — Mint rewards curiosity, and the community is helpful. Timeshift will be your safety net; the Live USB will be your test lab; and the Linux Mint Software Manager will help you rebuild a productive desktop without the license tab in Windows. Enjoy your new system and the extended life you’ve given to your hardware.
Source: ZDNET How to easily switch your PC from Windows to Linux Mint - for free
Background / Overview
Linux Mint is one of the most approachable Linux distributions for people coming from Windows. It provides a familiar desktop layout, an integrated software manager, and built-in tools designed to minimize troubleshooting for new users. Mint’s “Live USB” capability means you can run it from removable media and test hardware and apps before committing to installation, an enormous advantage over one‑way migrations.From a timing perspective, Windows 10 reaches end of official support on October 14, 2025, which means systems still running that OS will stop receiving security and feature updates from Microsoft after that date. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 or enrolling eligible devices in the Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for a limited extension, but many users choose a Linux desktop instead to keep aging hardware useful. (support.microsoft.com)
Below you’ll find a verified, realistic walkthrough: minimum hardware checks, how to verify the download, tools for creating bootable media, how to test Mint without touching Windows, what to do about Secure Boot and Nvidia GPUs, partitioning advice for dual‑boot setups, post‑install housekeeping (snapshots, updates, drivers), and a balanced assessment of benefits and risks.
What you’ll need up front
- A Windows PC with an internet connection.
- A USB stick (recommended) with at least 4 GB capacity, or a blank DVD‑RW if USB is unavailable.
- Time: plan two hours for the whole process if you’re comfortable with these steps; allow an afternoon if you’ve never installed an OS before.
- External backup drive or cloud account for your Windows files (strongly recommended).
Step 1 — Download Mint and verify the ISO
- Download the official Linux Mint ISO for the edition you want (Cinnamon is the default and most Windows‑like).
- Always verify the download’s integrity. Mint publishes SHA256 checksums alongside each ISO — match the checksum of your downloaded .iso to avoid corrupted or tampered images.
- Open the folder containing the ISO.
- Shift + right‑click the folder and open “Open PowerShell window here” (or a Command Prompt).
- Run:
CertUtil -hashfile path\to\linuxmint.iso SHA256
Step 2 — Create a bootable USB (recommended) or DVD
USB sticks are faster and more flexible than DVDs: they boot faster, install faster, and can be created with persistent storage if you want a portable Mint environment. Tools commonly used on Windows to make a bootable Linux USB include:- Rufus (lightweight, reliable)
- BalenaEtcher (cross‑platform, simple GUI)
- UNetbootin or YUMI (older, still usable for multiboot sticks)
- Windows built‑in ISO burner (for DVD)
Step 3 — Boot the PC into Mint live session and test
- Reboot the PC and enter the UEFI/BIOS or Boot Menu (commonly F2, F12, Del, or Esc depending on vendor).
- Set the USB or DVD as the first boot device or use the one‑time boot menu to boot from the stick.
- Choose “Start Linux Mint” from the first menu.
- Verify Wi‑Fi, video, sound, and peripherals work.
- Open the file manager to check for access to internal drives.
- Try your day‑to‑day apps (browser, Office via the web or native alternatives).
ZDNET’s walkthrough highlights the live session as a low‑risk way to test compatibility before modifying disks.
Step 4 — Nvidia graphics and GPU driver caveats
If your laptop/desktop uses Nvidia GPUs, you may encounter boot freezes or black screens in the live session because of driver conflicts. Two important items to know:- The temporary workaround is the nomodeset kernel option: from the boot menu, edit the boot entry (press ‘e’ or Tab depending on firmware) and replace the “quiet splash” options with nomodeset, then boot. This forces a basic mode that usually allows the system to start so you can install proprietary drivers later. ZDNET documents this exact troubleshooting step.
- The long‑term situation has improved: NVIDIA has been transitioning to open‑source GPU kernel modules and has published an open‑source kernel module project and roadmap. That transition started showing tangible releases and guidance in 2024–2025; however, user‑space components (CUDA, certain video stacks and proprietary firmware) may still use closed binaries depending on GPU generation and your use case. In short: the historical pain with Nvidia on Linux has eased considerably, but expect occasional driver‑oriented caveats on older or very new hardware. Use the official Nvidia open‑kernel announcement and impartial news coverage for specifics on which GPUs are supported by the open modules. (developer.nvidia.com)
Step 5 — UEFI, Secure Boot, and Canonical signing
Modern PCs use UEFI with Secure Boot enabled. Ubuntu and Ubuntu‑based distributions (including Linux Mint) use a bootloader shim that is signed in a way that lets those distros boot on Secure Boot systems without disabling it in firmware. Canonical signs most bootloader binaries, and the shim (which boots GRUB and the kernel) is itself signed and trusted by the Microsoft‑signed firmware on many PCs — this is why Mint/Ubuntu generally work with Secure Boot out of the box. If for some reason your installer won’t boot under Secure Boot, you can temporarily disable Secure Boot in firmware, but that’s seldom necessary with modern Mint ISOs. Official Ubuntu documentation explains the signing and shim flow in detail. (wiki.ubuntu.com)Step 6 — Prepare Windows: backup, disable Fast Startup and BitLocker
Before touching partitions, do these housekeeping steps in Windows:- Make a full backup of your important data to an external drive or cloud. Even when doing a non‑destructive “install alongside” (dual‑boot), backups are essential. ZDNET emphasizes backing up and notes that a partitioned install usually leaves Windows intact, but always backup first.
- Disable Fast Startup (Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do → uncheck Turn on fast startup). Fast Startup keeps the Windows filesystem in a hibernated state, which can cause filesystem corruption if Linux mounts the Windows partition.
- Turn off BitLocker encryption (if enabled) or suspend it before partitioning; installer access to encrypted Windows partitions is obviously problematic.
to free up 40–100 GB of unallocated space. This is a good conservative approach if you want to avoid mistakes during partitioning.Step 7 — Installing Linux Mint: dual‑boot vs full replacement
When you double‑click “Install Linux Mint” in the live session you’ll be guided through language, time zone, username, and partitioning choices.You have three mainstream options:
- Install Mint alongside Windows (dual‑boot). This is the safest route if you want to keep Windows as a fallback. The installer typically offers a clear “Install Linux Mint alongside them” choice that will resize partitions automatically and configure GRUB so you can pick the OS at boot.
- Replace Windows with Mint. This wipes the disk and gives Mint the whole drive — faster and cleaner but irreversible without backups.
- Manual partitioning (power‑user route). Use ext4 for Linux partitions, create a swap file (or swap partition if you prefer), and consider a separate /home partition for easier future upgrades.
Step 8 — First boot, drivers, codecs, and updates
After installation and reboot:- Run the Driver Manager (Mint includes this) to check for proprietary drivers — you might want the NVIDIA proprietary driver for full GPU performance in some cases, or the open modules if your GPU is supported.
- Install multimedia codecs if you need proprietary formats (DVD playback, certain codecs). Mint makes this an easy checkbox during or after installation.
- Use the Update Manager (shield icon) to apply system updates. Unlike Windows, Mint updates generally do not require frequent reboots, except when a new Linux kernel is installed.
- Native Linux alternatives (LibreOffice, GIMP, Thunderbird).
- Wine / Proton / CrossOver for many Windows apps and games.
- A Windows VM (VirtualBox, KVM/QEMU) for applications that won’t run under Wine.
Step 9 — System snapshots and backups (Timeshift and Backup Tool)
Linux Mint includes Timeshift, a powerful snapshot tool that saves system files and settings so you can roll back after a bad update or configuration change. Timeshift is not a substitute for personal file backups — it focuses on the system. Configure Timeshift to create regular snapshots and store them on an external drive or separate partition to protect against drive failure. For personal file backups, Mint’s Backup Tool or Deja Dup (recommended) will handle your documents and media and give you cloud/remote backup options. These tools and best practices are standard recommendations in Mint documentation and community guides. (github.com)Special notes: Microsoft 365 and OneDrive
Linux Mint can integrate with Microsoft 365 in several ways:- Web access: Office.com and Office 365 web apps run flawlessly in the browser.
- GNOME Online Accounts (GOA) and GVFS provide OneDrive access in file managers on GNOME‑based desktops; Mint’s Cinnamon can use GOA components to mount OneDrive in many cases. However, OneDrive/GOA integration has had intermittent issues and regressions in some distributions and versions — community bug reports exist where users can browse files but cannot open them due to authentication or backend library incompatibilities. If OneDrive integration is critical for your workflow, test it in the live session and be prepared to use a proven alternative such as the fully-featured OneDrive Linux client (community projects like abraunegg/onedrive), rclone, or a web‑app shortcut as a fallback. The integration is possible but not flawless across every release. (github.com)
Strengths of switching to Linux Mint (verified)
- Cost: Free to download and use; no license fees.
- Revives old hardware: Mint’s modest requirements let many older PCs stay productive. (linuxinstitute.co.za)
- Try before you commit: Live USB lets you test hardware and software without installing.
- Robust snapshot and update systems: Timeshift + Update Manager provide a safety net that’s easy to use. (github.com)
- Improved Nvidia story: NVIDIA’s move to open kernel modules and improved packaging for Linux has reduced driver friction for many users, especially for recent GPU generations — though details vary by model. (developer.nvidia.com)
Risks and real‑world friction (what to watch for)
- Hardware edge cases: Very new Wi‑Fi chips, specialized peripherals, or unusual laptops may require extra driver work. Always test in a Live session.
- Proprietary software: Certain industry‑standard Windows apps (Adobe Creative Cloud, some proprietary engineering tools, specific anti‑cheat components) are Windows‑only; plan to run a VM or keep a Windows machine for those workloads.
- Gaming anti‑cheat: Competitive titles sometimes rely on anti‑cheat systems incompatible with Proton/Wine; verify each title’s compatibility before assuming full parity.
- Cloud integrations: OneDrive and Microsoft 365 integrate but may require extra troubleshooting or third‑party clients for full reliability in some distributions. (github.com)
- Nvidia caveats: While NVIDIA’s open kernel work has improved compatibility, not every GPU generation is fully supported by the open modules; older GPUs may still require legacy proprietary drivers. Check Nvidia’s open‑kernel documentation for your exact GPU family. (developer.nvidia.com)
A conservative migration checklist (ordered steps)
- Back up everything important from Windows to external storage.
- Verify you have at least 2 GB RAM and 20 GB free disk space (4 GB / 100 GB recommended). (linuxinstitute.co.za)
- Download the Linux Mint ISO from the official site and verify the SHA256 checksum.
- Create a bootable USB with Rufus or BalenaEtcher (enable persistence if you want a portable environment).
- Boot the Live USB and check Wi‑Fi, display, sound, and file access.
- Suspend BitLocker and disable Fast Startup in Windows.
- Shrink the Windows partition (optional) to make space for Mint using Windows Disk Management.
- Install Mint using the “Install alongside” option if you want dual‑boot; otherwise, choose full replace if you’ve backed up and are ready.
- On first boot, run Driver Manager, install codecs, enable Timeshift snapshots, and update the system. (github.com)
- Reinstall or configure your applications: native Linux apps, Wine, or a VM for Windows‑only apps.
Final verdict — who should switch (and who shouldn’t)
Switch to Linux Mint if:- You need to extend the useful life of older Windows 10 PCs that won’t or can’t run Windows 11.
- You want a Windows‑like desktop that’s friendly for beginners but powerful for power users.
- You prefer open‑source software, want a lightweight system with built‑in snapshot safety nets, or are ready to tolerate a small learning curve for big gains in privacy and control. (linuxinstitute.co.za)
- You depend on mission‑critical Windows‑only applications that won’t run in Wine or a VM.
- Your workflow requires guaranteed, vendor‑supported enterprise suites tied to Windows management tooling (Active Directory/Intune) unless your IT department supports migration.
- You are an avid competitive gamer who needs guaranteed anti‑cheat compatibility for specific titles.
Closing notes and recommended reading
Switching from Windows to Linux Mint is a realistic, low‑cost way to avoid forced hardware retirement, regain performance on aging PCs, and control your computing environment. The single most important advice is simple: backup first, test with a Live USB, and verify hardware compatibility before installing. The walk‑through we’ve summarized reflects the tested steps and recommendations from the Mint/Ubuntu ecosystem and is consistent with guidance published in the community and official vendor documentation. (support.microsoft.com)If you take this path, give yourself a weekend to explore and customize — Mint rewards curiosity, and the community is helpful. Timeshift will be your safety net; the Live USB will be your test lab; and the Linux Mint Software Manager will help you rebuild a productive desktop without the license tab in Windows. Enjoy your new system and the extended life you’ve given to your hardware.
Source: ZDNET How to easily switch your PC from Windows to Linux Mint - for free
