If your Windows 10 PC is approaching the end-of-support cliff, moving to Linux is a realistic and often smart choice — but it requires honest trade-offs, careful testing, and a migration plan that protects what you can’t afford to lose.
Microsoft will stop shipping security updates and technical support for mainstream Windows 10 editions after October 14, 2025 — a hard deadline that forces a decision for many users: upgrade to Windows 11 (if your hardware supports it), pay for extended support, buy new hardware, or choose an alternative OS.
Linux presents a distinct option: a mature, free, community-driven family of operating systems that can extend the life of older machines, give you more control over updates and telemetry, and, in many cases, deliver better performance on constrained hardware. That said, Linux is not a seamless drop-in replacement for every Windows user. The decision to switch should follow a deliberate checklist: test first, back up everything, verify essential apps and games, and stage migration rather than flipping a single switch.
Linux is a powerful, cost-effective, and practical path out of the Windows 10 end-of-support problem for many users. The right choice depends on your specific apps, games, and tolerance for change — but with the right plan, testing, and backups, switching can restore performance to aging hardware, give you more control over updates and privacy, and keep your PC secure long after Windows 10’s support window closes.
Source: which.co.uk Should you switch your Windows 10 PC to Linux? - Which?
Microsoft will stop shipping security updates and technical support for mainstream Windows 10 editions after October 14, 2025 — a hard deadline that forces a decision for many users: upgrade to Windows 11 (if your hardware supports it), pay for extended support, buy new hardware, or choose an alternative OS.Linux presents a distinct option: a mature, free, community-driven family of operating systems that can extend the life of older machines, give you more control over updates and telemetry, and, in many cases, deliver better performance on constrained hardware. That said, Linux is not a seamless drop-in replacement for every Windows user. The decision to switch should follow a deliberate checklist: test first, back up everything, verify essential apps and games, and stage migration rather than flipping a single switch.
Why people consider Linux right now
Linux’s appeal in the context of Windows 10’s end of support can be boiled down to a few practical benefits.Cost and hardware life
- No license fees for most desktop distros — the OS itself is free to download and install.
- Lower hardware bar: many distributions run comfortably on older CPUs and minimal RAM, making them excellent for PCs blocked by Windows 11’s TPM/Secure Boot/CPU gates.
Performance and efficiency
Linux distributions range from lightweight (Xfce, LXQt, tiny window managers) to fully featured (GNOME, KDE), and many users report faster boot times, lower idle RAM/CPU usage, and cooler operation on older machines after switching. That often translates to a perceivable speed boost without hardware upgrades.Control, transparency, and privacy
Linux is open source: the code is visible and auditable, and most distributions do not embed the kind of opaque telemetry found in proprietary systems. Update timing and scope tend to be user-controlled, and many distros offer Long Term Support (LTS) branch options for predictable security patching.Flexibility and customization
From the user interface to the package sources and update cadence, Linux gives you choices. If you prefer a Windows-like experience, distributions such as Linux Mint, Zorin OS, or KDE Neon reduce friction — while more advanced users can build minimal systems (Arch, Debian, or custom installs) tuned precisely to their needs.Where Linux shines — real strengths
1. Reviving older PCs
If your device is excluded from the Windows 11 upgrade path (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPU family), Linux often runs well right out of the box and can preserve years more of useful life. This is particularly valuable for secondary machines, home lab gear, and modestly powered laptops.2. Predictable, user-driven updates
Many distros let you pick when updates occur and whether to install feature updates at all. LTS channels prioritize security patches only, which is attractive if you want stability without surprise feature changes.3. Package management and system recovery
Linux package managers (APT, DNF, Pacman) and snapshot tools (Timeshift, btrfs snapshots) simplify system updates and make rollbacks straightforward. This can reduce the accidental breakage risk that scares many Windows users.4. Growing viability for gaming
Valve’s Proton, Wine improvements, and the Steam Deck ecosystem have greatly expanded the number of Windows games that run on Linux. Single-player and many single‑session titles work well, and for many hobbyist gamers this gap is closing fast. However, there are important caveats (see Risks section).Where Linux can cause friction — real risks and trade-offs
Linux’s improved maturity does not erase certain hard constraints. These are the real red lines to check before deciding to switch.App compatibility
- Professional Windows-only software (certain industry engineering suites, some accounting packages, Adobe Creative Cloud in full) either lacks native Linux equivalents or runs only with workarounds. Running these programs reliably can require a Windows VM, a remote Windows host, or a cloud-based solution.
Gaming anti-cheat and multiplayer
- Titles that rely on kernel-level anti-cheat systems may refuse to run on Linux or run with broken multiplayer. Some anti-cheat vendors have added Linux support, but publisher adoption is inconsistent. If competitive multiplayer titles are essential, verify each game’s current compatibility (ProtonDB/user reports, publisher notes) before migrating.
Hardware and driver edge cases
- Very new Wi‑Fi chips, niche peripherals (some scanners, cameras, or enterprise docking stations), and exotic power‑management features on laptops may require manual driver work or might not be fully supported. Testing with a Live USB is the only reliable way to know.
Enterprise constraints
- Company-managed devices or those dependent on Active Directory/Intune tooling aren’t practical to migrate without enterprise support. Policies, compliance, and remote management tooling can lock devices into Windows.
The learning curve and support model
- While many users never need the terminal for day-to-day tasks, occasional command-line intervention and community-based troubleshooting are still part of life on Linux. Unlike vendor support phone lines, help is often community driven; paid enterprise support exists for some distros but is not universal.
Distros that make sense for former Windows users
Not all Linux distributions are equal for switchers. Pick one that maps closely to your priorities: familiarity, hardware support, or minimalism.- Ubuntu — broad device support, strong community, and an easy “Try without installing” Live mode; recommended as a first testbed.
- Linux Mint — Windows-like layout (taskbar, start-like menu), preinstalled codecs and apps, excellent for users who want minimal friction.
- Zorin OS — specifically designed to mimic Windows paradigms, easing the transition for users who want a familiar interface.
- KDE Neon / KDE Plasma — highly configurable, can be themed to resemble Windows; good if you want a modern, powerful desktop.
- Arch — for advanced users who want a minimal, hand-built system — not recommended as a first switch unless you’re comfortable with Linux internals.
- Debian — extremely stable but may feel different to Windows users; a solid base for servers and cautious desktop setups.
How to evaluate whether you can switch — a short checklist
- Inventory critical software and hardware: list the Windows-only apps and make a plan (native Linux alternatives, Wine/Proton, VM).
- Back up everything: create a full disk image and a separate copy of personal files.
- Test with a Live USB: confirm Wi‑Fi, sound, display, touchpad, webcam, and printers work.
- Check games on ProtonDB or community reports if gaming matters.
- Decide install strategy: dual-boot (safer), replace Windows (clean), or run Linux inside a VM (lowest risk for testing).
Practical installation steps (high level)
- Create a verified bootable USB: download the distro ISO, verify the checksum, use Rufus, BalenaEtcher, or Ventoy to write the USB.
- Boot the Live environment and test hardware before installing.
- If installing alongside Windows, use the installer’s “Install alongside” option or manually shrink your Windows partition with Disk Management (remember to suspend BitLocker and disable Fast Startup first).
- Choose partition strategy: full replace (clean, simplest) or dual-boot (safe fallback). Always keep an external backup or system image.
- After installation, enable proprietary drivers if recommended (for NVIDIA GPUs), install codecs, enable Timeshift snapshots, and apply all updates.
Gaming on Linux — the current reality
Gaming is the area where Linux has made the most visible recent gains thanks to Valve’s Proton layer, DXVK/vkd3d, and broader community work. The upshot:- Many single-player and indie titles run well under Proton; performance is often comparable to Windows.
- Competitive and anti-cheat protected games remain the biggest barrier. Some anti-cheat vendors provide Linux modules, but publisher adoption is inconsistent.
- Test first: use ProtonDB, run a Live session, or install in a dual-boot/VM to confirm the games you care about work.
Migration strategies — recommended paths
- Curious but cautious: run Linux in a virtual machine (VirtualBox, GNOME Boxes) to test apps and workflows.
- Ready to try but keep fallback: dual-boot Windows and Linux, migrating non-essential tasks first.
- Committed and backed up: full clean install after a verified backup and ensuring essential apps run under Linux or via VM.
Things Which? said — and what to be cautious about
The Which? article (provided by the user) makes a concise, practical case: Linux is free, runs well on older hardware, offers several friendly distros (Ubuntu, Mint, Arch, Debian), and the biggest hurdles are driver and app compatibility. Those are sound, practical points and align with community findings. However:- Which? quoted member statistics (e.g., "93% would recommend it") that reflect the attitudes of its surveyed members; treat such internal poll numbers as indicative rather than universally representative. Those survey numbers are not independently verifiable here and should be cited with caution to avoid overstating popularity.
- Timing claims like "installing Mint onto a recent PC shouldn't take more than 20 minutes" can be true on fast systems but are optimistic for many users; network speed, USB write time, and driver downloads can add substantial time. Verify on your machine before promising a short install window.
Final verdict — who should switch and how fast
Switch to Linux if:- Your PC no longer meets Windows 11 hardware requirements and buying new hardware isn’t appealing.
- You value privacy, open-source transparency, or want to stretch older hardware’s useful life.
- Your essential apps have Linux equivalents, or you can run them in a VM or via Wine/Proton.
- You’re willing to test with Live USBs, learn basic system maintenance, and live with occasional command-line tasks.
- You rely on mission-critical, Windows-only enterprise or industry apps with no practical Linux path.
- Competitive multiplayer gaming with kernel-level anti-cheat is essential.
- The machine is company-managed under Windows-only policies and you lack IT support to migrate.
Quick practical checklist before you flip the switch
- Backup: full disk image + separate copy of your documents and media.
- Test: create a Live USB and verify hardware, display, audio, Wi‑Fi, and peripherals.
- Apps: verify crucial software (native, Wine/Proton, or VM).
- Gaming: check ProtonDB and community reports for the titles you play.
- Install strategy: dual‑boot for safety, or replace after confident testing.
- Post‑install: enable proprietary drivers if needed, set up Timeshift snapshots, and configure automatic updates as you prefer.
Linux is a powerful, cost-effective, and practical path out of the Windows 10 end-of-support problem for many users. The right choice depends on your specific apps, games, and tolerance for change — but with the right plan, testing, and backups, switching can restore performance to aging hardware, give you more control over updates and privacy, and keep your PC secure long after Windows 10’s support window closes.
Source: which.co.uk Should you switch your Windows 10 PC to Linux? - Which?