Welcome to the latest episode in my blog series Breaking Up with Big Tech. This is a big one. I have been looking forward to this moment for a very long time. I can finally say, with immense satisfaction, that I have officially adopted Linux as my operating system. Hurrah!

Microsoft Windows has been my OS for over three decades. I was a dedicated user with lots of daily dependencies. My entire publishing career was contained in Windows, from Office needs to graphic design. But ever since the calamitous release of Windows 11 (a bug-laden mess with AI crammed into every crevice), I have been yearning for the freedom of Linux.

Today, I have achieved that freedom, and I am loving every second. In fact, I am writing these very words on a Linux Mint distro (more on that in a second). And now, it is with a great sense of accomplishment that I offer the following declaration.

(clears throat, checks pitch, lifts two middle fingers) … F#&K Microsoft!

Why a victorious penguin? Because it’s the official mascot of the Linux operating system. His name is Tux, and he’s my new best friend.

I honestly thought that this transition was going to be the tech-equivalent of climbing Everest. But in reality, it was a leisurely stroll up a hill with a few rocks to hop over. I downloaded the distro package and my machine was running Linux in less than an hour.

It just … worked.

I need to harp on this fact because I am so conditioned to dread installing Windows. Every time I get a new PC or reset an old one, I know that I am going to lose an entire day (at least) setting up the damn thing. I have to disable a host of invasive settings, which Microsoft makes painful to manage. I have to uninstall most of the software because it’s all bloatware nonsense. I have to configure the Microsoft Store to make sure it doesn’t re-install said bloatware. I have to use Edge for a few seconds to download Firefox, but then I can’t uninstall Edge because Windows won’t allow it. (Gee, it’s like they know it’s hot garbage.) Then I have to disable Copilot a billion times because Microsoft crams it into everything.

After a needed break to reclaim my sanity, the final step is unlinking my Microsoft account because Windows doesn’t allow an install without one. Local accounts were the way of the world for decades, but Microsoft decided that tracking users and harvesting data was more important than autonomy. This really pisses me off because we pay for the OS and Microsoft still uses us like slot machines. I hate every painful second of a Windows install. And over the years, those seconds contributed to a deep disdain for Microsoft.

Then I installed Linux. And it just … worked.

No bloatware, no tracking, no mandatory accounts, just a clean kernel with zero hassle. Right out of the box, Linux gave me a convenient software manager to download any app I wanted. I installed LibreOffice, Calibre, and GIMP with no issues. I didn’t need a crappy baked-in browser to download the stuff I wanted. Linux just handled the installs and gave me a thumbs up. From there, it was just playing around with intuitive settings to get the experience I wanted.

It was then when I realized what the primary difference was between the systems. Windows starts with the company in mind. You have to reduce and disable to get what you want. Linux starts with the user in mind. You have to expand and enable to get what you want.

And again, it just … worked.

When I completed the initial setup, I just sat there in slack-jawed amazement. It made me realize how much irritation I swallowed in order to use Windows. In that moment, my disdain for Microsoft morphed into a white-hot rage. I knew then and there that I would never return to that garbage heap of a company. I was a Linux guy now, and couldn’t be happier.

Are you ready to join me in the lands of digital freedom? Here’s what I did …

(Before we begin, it really helps to understand that Linux is a highly customizable OS. There are countless ways to get from A to Z, and the online forums are filled with helpful tips. The key to breaking away from Microsoft is knowing how restrictive it is. Windows locks you down. Linux sets you free.)

Installing Linux

The first step is to figure out what version of Linux you want. There’s a ton of them, and they all cater to different tastes. Want a gaming setup? There’s a distro for that. Want a developer setup? There’s a distro for that. Want a user-friendly experience to kick the tires with minimal fuss? There’s a distro for that, and it’s called Mint. That’s the one I installed.

Distros are the Linux-equivalent of releases. In the Windows world, we say XP, 10, 11, etc. In the Linux world, we say Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora, etc. The difference is, Windows is proprietary software with sequential releases that force compliance. Linux is open-source software that anyone can use for any purpose. You can literally go full-pirate and create your own personal distro. In contrast, there are many “tried and true” distros with a ton of community support. Mint is one such distro, and that’s why I chose it.

Installing Linux is where most users falter. You’re telling a computer to run an entirely different operating system, which isn’t as simple as installing an app. But no need to worry because it’s a lot easier than you think. Basically, you need to format a flash drive with Linux, then boot it up for a proper install. (If you’re old like me, you may remember when software was installed with physical disks. That’s what you’re emulating.)

First things first, let’s get the Mint install package. Visit the website and download the ISO file. This is what we will use to format the flash drive. If you don’t have one, they are super cheap and readily available. Anything over 4GB will work. Now we need to prep the drive for Linux. I used Rufus to format, a simple Windows app that does the job. Install it, open it, and use the settings below. (Note: this is for Windows 10/11 machines. If you’re installing Linux on an older machine, you may need to tweak these settings.)

Device: Select your flash drive (a.k.a. USB/thumb drive)
Boot selection: ISO image (the file you download)
Partition scheme: GPT
Target system: UEFI (non CSM)
Volume label: default
File system: FAT32 (default)
Cluster size: default
Image option (if shown): Standard Linux installation

Click “Start” and let Rufus do its thing. Now you have a fully bootable copy of Linux Mint.

When it’s done, restart your computer with the flash drive attached, and enter the Boot Menu. This is typically done by tapping F12 during startup, but it may be different depending on your machine. If you can’t get into the Boot Menu, then you may have to enable it. This is done by tapping F2 during startup (again, depending on your machine). The setting should be under “Main” or similar. While you’re there, double check that the Boot Mode is set to UFEI.

If any of this sounds “too techie,” there are countless help videos you can reference. Search for things like “enable boot menu for [computer brand]” or “install Linux on [your hardware].” This is the most technical step you will face, so don’t be afraid to seek clarity.

Once you’re in the Boot Menu, select the flash drive instead of Windows. It should be clearly labeled, but if not, just select whatever the non-Windows option is. Linux will boot up in test mode. At this point you can connect to WiFi and start poking around before a proper install. I love that Linux does this because it doesn’t force you to commit until you’re ready.

The final step is to fully install Linux (test mode is just running off the flash drive). You should see a convenient install icon on the desktop. Clicking it will walk you through a standard setup (select a language, create a login password, etc.). These steps are highly documented, so again, don’t be afraid to seek clarity.

Once the proper install is done, you have officially joined the Linux community. Hurrah! You are now free to configure the system however you like. The entire point of Mint is to make the Windows transition super easy. You will still need to learn some basic quirks, but the overall experience should feel largely familiar.

At this point, you no longer need the flash drive. You can keep it as a Linux installer for other machines, or format it back to a basic drive.

Dual-Booting

If you are nervous about fully abandoning Windows, then you can opt for a dual-boot setup. This is where you retain Windows on the machine and hop back and forth as needed (via the Boot Menu). When you start a proper install, Linux will ask whether or not you want to do this. If you choose to dual-boot, Linux will also ask you how much space you wish to allocate. This is entirely up to you, as Linux doesn’t need near as much space as Windows to operate.

I opted for a dual-boot to start, just in case I hit an unseen snag. I have a 500GB SSD machine, which I allocated like so: 200GB for Linux (via Linux install), 200GB for Windows (via Windows volume shrink), and 100GB for shared files (via Windows partition). Wait a minute, shared files? That’s right! Linux can access and edit your Windows files.

A more common option is to split the hard drive down the middle without touching Windows. Linux will automatically allocate the space and mount the Windows partition, which allows you to access any file you need. Again, it just … works!

Dual-booting is not necessary at all. You can tell Linux to wipe the machine during setup, no problem. I opted to dual-boot in order to compare specs and programs. The goal is to fully recreate my daily needs in Linux, both for coding and publishing. I haven’t hit a snag yet, so I think my post-Microsoft days are fast approaching.

Installing Software

One of the biggest quirks with Linux is how it installs software. It’s done through a command terminal, not manual downloads. Essentially, you “tell” Linux to install a program instead of fetching it yourself. It’s very intuitive once you do it a few times, and websites will give you the necessary command (a simple copy/paste). This is one of the many reasons why Linux is so much more secure than Windows. You don’t have to worry about installing malicious apps. Linux thoroughly vets them before they touch your system.

These days, the majority of programs run perfectly fine on Linux. The obvious outliers will be things like Microsoft apps. If you still need them, you can always bounce back to Windows via dual-boot or just use the web versions.

Mint takes it one step further by offering a common software installer (similar to the Microsoft Store, but without the bullshit and bloatware). It’s all free and open-source. No more running Edge to download Firefox. Linux just does it for you.

Reviving Old Machines

One of the greatest benefits of Linux is its amazing ability to revive old machines. Microsoft loves to say, “Ooo, sorry, we no longer support Windows [version]. You have to buy the latest version to prevent security issues.” And it’s not like they are pulling support for a decades-old release. They literally did this from version 10 to 11!

This is what’s known as planned obsolescence. Your machine is perfectly fine, and Microsoft knows that you machine is perfectly fine. They are also perfectly capable of continuing basic support, but cease doing so in order to milk you for more money.

Linux, on the other hand, is lightweight and flexible. Remember that 20-year-old laptop in your closet? Just install Linux and enjoy your brand-new, fully functional laptop. I did this with an old Sony Vaio and it just … (drumroll) … worked.

Seriously, F#&K Microsoft. F#&K them into the sun.

Final Thoughts

Switching to Linux is a deep rabbit hole, but don’t let the process intimidate you. You will trip over roots, but you will also find hidden gems. You will hit walls, but you will also find exciting new doors. It’s not an overnight fix. As with all major transitions, it’s a slow and steady process that gets easier over time.

I will reiterate that Linux has a thriving online community. Every hurdle has been thoroughly documented by countless users. Actual users, not useless corporate chatbots. Gone are the days of the neckbeard stereotype. Linux is for everyone. It’s made by users, for users. Great care is taken to make sure that it’s the most reliable and secure operating system.

Microsoft and Apple have become slaves to the boardroom. They make greed-fueled decisions that actively harm their user bases. As one such user, I have decided to hit them where it hurts the most. My name is Zachry Wheeler, and I’m a Linux user.