I'm a Windows user who installed Linux for the first time - here's how the experience changed me

Tech I'm a Windows user who installed Linux for the first time - here's how the experience changed me Written , Staff WriterStaff Writer July 9, 2026 at p. m. PT Jack Wallen and Elyse Betters Picaro/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways I installed Ubuntu on an old Dell laptop to see if Linux could really replace Windows.   I had difficulty installing the OS, so I had to troubleshoot. Once fixed, I enjoyed an OS that was cleaner and simplier than Windows 11. Back in 2023, Microsoft announced it would formally end support for Windows 10, seemingly to push more users onto Windows 11. The tech giant has softened that stance a bit by offering purchasable updates through October 12, 2027. But the fact remains that Windows 10 will soon be a thing of the past. Some users have made the jump to Windows 11 while others opted to extend the life of the OS through third-party services like 0patch. A growing number of people, however, chose a different path entirely: leaving Windows behind in favor of Linux. Also: I've tested many portable Linux distros, but PorteuX is the one I keep on my USB drive To me, Linux has always felt like an operating system reserved for programmers, IT administrators, and hobbyists -- something niche. But as Microsoft steers users toward Windows 11, Linux has started to look less gimmicky and more like a legitimate escape route. In 2025, Linux broke the 5% threshold of the desktop market. That's huge because it means an ever-increasing number of people are adopting the system, and the number continues to grow. I've always been curious about Linux. So after years of procrastination, I finally decided to install Ubuntu on my old Dell Latitude 5400 laptop and see for myself what the experience was actually like. Why I chose Ubuntu With the dozens, if not hundreds, of Linux distributions available for free download, which one should you get? I settled on Ubuntu, primarily because of its reputation as a very beginner-friendly distro. People have praised the system for its approachable interface and supportive community. Also: Inside Canonical's plan to make Ubuntu 26.04 the Linux desktop that finally goes mainstream Given my luck and history with technology, I expected to run into problems (spoiler: I did), so I wanted a distro that came with plenty of helpful advice. Ubuntu also has a reputation for running well on older hardware, making it a good fit for my aging Latitude 5400.