Moving back to Windows after using Linux for 5 months.

I'm running Kubuntu 23.04

Since I gained some knowledge of Linux when I was messing around with my Rock Pi 4C+ SBC and Proton/Wine allows most games work on Linux(Thanks to Valve and their Steam deck) and ALSO better security I decided to move over to Linux. I have zero regrets. Everything is fast and snappy and I'm not bound to proprietary garbage.

Except for Gotham Knights and Battlefield 2042 every game I've tested so far has worked. Prey, Star Trek Online and Chernobylite to name a few. The linux version of Metro Exodus is broken(It refuses to start) so I tried the Windows version with proton 8.0 and it works flawlessly. The older Metro games have artifacting but I'm pretty sure using the Windows version with Proton they will work without a hitch.

I tried Pop_OS and didn't like the UI so I went with Kubuntu since KDE/plasma is a UI similar to Windows and it has and gets everything Ubuntu(Ubuntu flavor OS) and I think I have enough Linux knowledge to use Kubuntu. Kubuntu also comes with nice software like Ktorrent. Also it has firewall settings in system settings so no need for a 3rd party app. As for the anti virus I needed to install a third-party app to control it but I don't consider it much of a downside since it was an easy two-step process getting it off the Discover app. The only real cons imo is that I can't control the RGB on my mouse and keyboard and the front panel microphone doesn't work.

*EDIT 9/9/23*

After trying about 8 different distro's I'm back on Windows 11. Ran into too many issues.

 

What mouse and keyboard do you use?

 

At the next main (gaming/work) computer upgrade, I'll most likely do the same.

My laptop came with licensed W10 on it, and I've let it "upgrade" to W11 ... big mistake, what a dumpster fire of an OS.
The laptop got Linux Mint on it now, erased that cesspool of a W11, and slowly getting used to it.

 

Mouse: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011HMDZ0Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Keyboard: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZV2CKH4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I'm currently trying arch linux (installed from scratch).
Results are interesting for sure.
I didn't tried much games yet, but from what I've tried, games use less VRAM and less RAM and sometimes are even faster than on Win11!
Would be nice if some distro had included corectrl (for AMD cards) with advanced settings for undervolt/VRAM/core enabled in boot file, so that you don't have to deal with it.

 

Farwell from world of Windows... And good journey.

 

Gurus, if there is an easy guide to set this up, let us know... OR maybe I should install a VM of it to get used to it while still on W7Pro?

 

I offer myself to help and provide answers for any guru wanting to try Linux.
@Reclusive781 I like your attitude. Later on will write a list of useful stuff and tricks .

 

i did the same for my (new) work pc 'cept clean install from build.
idk why (actually i do.. fear) i didn't do it earlier
kubuntu is very user friendly

 

Love this question What mouse and keyboard do YOU use?

 

The option to run Linux alongside windows is always there. Never considered it an either/or thing.

 

Usually, that the best route.

However, when it gets to gaming, the hypervisor and the GPU pass through is where a bit of knowledge is required.
It depends on the type of hypervisor and how the hardware is presented to it.

 

To all interested into switching the OS, remember that Gabe Newell knew exactly why he wanted Steam to become a platform based on its own OS, without dealing with all those pesky problems that plagued Windows.

Not to say Linux is free from issues. Far, far from that. But a open source software has the advantage of solving problems faster by the community, while Windows solves some problems and create some more.

Nowadays, Steam Deck shows clearly that is gaming on Linux is possible and a success, without any signs of stopping.

So, in 2023, apart for some specialized software for work/production, what exactly keeps one chained to Window OS? Really, what?

 

nvidia drivers

 

Human nature? I mean not everyone has his curiosity in trying new OS, especially if everything works OK in his current OS.

 

I had driver issues when I had my GTX 1080. Pop_OS was the only Linux OS that worked properly with the 1080.

and now that it's being mentioned I probably have less problems than most people running games on Linux because I have an all AMD system.

 

Which distro would be as close to LTSB/LTSC as possible with the best game support?

I just dumped a 100 GBs of junk so will try the VM route.

Also, can I image the VM to a SSD and let it detect native drivers later if I get it to where I want?

Ideally there would be something like a "Linux Upgrade" from Windows where it detects all the apps, games and setting (shortcuts) and ports those settings over such as linking to My Documents and etc...

 

Well, for stability one would choose a LTS version, although that term is somehow misleading. The user solely is in control, so in short, it depend on the user how the OS is managed and maintained.

As for gaming support, well any distro shipped with a recent kernel and the libraries needed for Steam and Vulkan.
Even that there are gaming distros already shipped, it better to stick to mist common ones, like versions of Ubuntu.
Just until the user learns the ropes of the new OS. Then, freedom to choose whatever.

 

Drivers and some programs that don`t work natively on Linux, like DivX


I`ve already tried Linux Manjaro and i really like it, it`s fast, lightwheigth and non intrusive.

There`s an adaptation period, because it`s not as easy to use as Windows, at least for me.


The problem for me are the stuff that don`t work or have reduced functionality.

Regarding gaming, i couldn`t get some games to run. Maybe there are workarounds but my very limited knowledge of Linux stopped me from making them work.

Some programs also don`t work and others work but have small issues that don`t exist in Windows.

But the worst part was fiding out that Nvidia`s drivers don`t have the features that we can use easily on Windows. I love using Nvidia`s DSR and that option is simply not available on Linux!...


One of these days i`m going to give ti another try, maybe this time it will work out better.

 

One has to understand that switching to Linux will not be something like having the same things at 100%.

There are trade offs. One can't simply expect to have the came and eat it, too.
As mentioned, there is an accommodation period, but that's trivial.

To all considering taking the plunge, I advise to get familiarized first with free, open source software alternativea to their tool set, then the OS will be just an agnostic layer.