A Year on Linux: Why I Don’t Miss Windows
▼ Summary
– The author permanently switched from Windows 10 to Linux in 2025, finding the decision worthwhile and even reviving an old laptop with it.
– Initial challenges included a steep learning curve with the command line and system configuration, but these problems were solvable with research and community support.
– Linux offers extensive customization for the desktop interface and user experience, which the author finds enjoyable despite offering no practical performance benefit.
– The platform provides complete control over software, allowing the use of open-source alternatives and, via tools like Proton, strong support for gaming and many Windows applications.
– While Linux is praised for its freedom and stability, the author notes it isn’t for everyone due to issues like anti-cheat incompatibility in some games and the need for self-troubleshooting.
On a cloudy morning last January, I made a decision that felt both radical and necessary: I erased my entire Windows 10 installation to install Ubuntu. The installer’s warning about permanent data loss gave me a moment’s pause, but I committed fully, choosing not to dual-boot. Twelve months later, that choice stands as one of the best computing decisions I’ve ever made. The journey wasn’t without its initial hurdles, but the rewards of a Linux-based system have fundamentally changed how I interact with my computer.
My initial motivation was a growing frustration with modern Windows, but Linux quickly became more than just an escape. It became a platform I genuinely enjoy. Contrary to its daunting reputation, I found Linux to be approachable, rewarding, and packed with features I’ve come to love, challenges included.
The early hours were the toughest. As a complete novice to the command line, the text-based interface where much of Linux’s system management happens, setting up my applications felt exhausting. Even with modern app stores like Snap and Flathub, the terminal is an integral part of the experience. That first night, I couldn’t get a second SSD to work. Frustrated, I shut down, convinced I’d be reinstalling Windows by morning.
A fresh perspective the next day led to a breakthrough. The issue was my ‘fstab’ file, a configuration that tells the system how to mount storage drives. Once I added the correct entry, the drive appeared. Solving that problem myself was a turning point. It taught me the central lesson of my Linux year: the system isn’t inherently complicated, but it does require a willingness to solve your own problems.
Since then, daily use has been remarkably smooth. The occasional issues, a Flatpak needing permission adjustments or an AppImage missing a library, are minor and fixable with some research. I’ve spent hours on forums like Reddit and Stack Overflow, and even consulted AI chatbots to decipher error messages. The supportive Linux community is always there if you’re willing to ask. This process has dramatically boosted my troubleshooting confidence. Problems that would have stumped me a year ago, like that fstab issue or recovering from a rare system crash, are now quick fixes.
After several months on Ubuntu, I switched to Fedora, which has been my primary system ever since. It handles everything: work, gaming, photo editing with RawTherapee, video production, and even coding for Arduino projects. I’ve experimented with different desktop environments, currently settling on KDE Plasma for its incredible flexibility and visual customization.
Every morning, I’m greeted by a serene, Nordic-themed desktop I pieced together from various themes and icon packs. If I tire of it, I can spend an afternoon transforming it into a retro Windows XP clone, a sleek macOS mimic, or a neon-drenched Tron homage. This level of personalization, while offering no performance gain, is pure fun. I’ve even customized my terminal with Kitty, Zsh, and Powerlevel10k to make it more visually appealing. A vibrant online community exists solely for sharing these stunning desktop setups.
I deeply value the complete control Linux offers over my machine. Unlike Windows, which has historically resisted the removal of features like Copilot, Linux gives you the freedom, and the responsibility, to run any command, for better or worse. I haven’t had to sacrifice much for this control. While some professional apps like Adobe’s suite aren’t natively supported, excellent open-source alternatives like LibreOffice fill the gaps. For the occasional Windows-only application, tools like Wine can often bridge the gap, as they did when I needed iTunes to restore an old iPod.
Gaming performance has been a seamless surprise. Valve’s Proton compatibility layer allows nearly every game in my Steam library to run flawlessly. All my peripherals, mice, keyboards, controllers, work without issue. Occasionally, a game requires a quick Proton version tweak in its launch settings, but that’s the extent of the hassle. I even got World of Warcraft running by adding its launcher as a non-Steam game, a convenience that unfortunately removed my excuse to cancel the subscription.
So, is this your year to try Linux? I can’t recommend it universally. There are real trade-offs. Many competitive multiplayer games with kernel-level anti-cheat, like Fortnite or Valorant, simply won’t run. If the thought of using a terminal to install software is unappealing, it might not be for you. But if you crave more control, enjoy troubleshooting, aren’t afraid of something new, or have older hardware incompatible with Windows 11, then Linux is absolutely worth considering.
My own setup has evolved; I now use a MacBook for work and have retired my old Linux-revived laptop. Yet, my primary gaming and personal desktop remains powered by Linux. macOS is excellent for many tasks, but for gaming and sheer personalization, Linux is my preferred platform. I have no plans to return to Windows, and my year on Linux has proven to be an immensely satisfying and empowering computing experience.
(Source: The Verge)
