Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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How easy is it to switch back to windows? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I'm considering switching to linux but I'm not a computer savvy person, so I wanted to have the option to switch back to windows if unforeseen complications (I only have 1 pc). Is it just a download on usb and install? And what ways can I get the product key or "cleaner" debloated versions.

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Install Linux in a VirtualBox virtual machine to try it out. No change to your existing Windows system is needed.

Better: install it in a virtual machine on a second hard drive: if you like it and you're ready to switch, switch to booting the real Linux hard-drive and turn the Windows hard drive into the virtual machine, to use within Linux when you need it.

If you switch to Linux, this will happen:

It's gonna be tough: it's a different system, you're not used to it. Like everything else, it's hard to change and get used to new things. So realistically expect some learning curve and some pain. It's normal.
If you give it an honest shot but you decide Linux is not for you, you'll switch back to Windows. You'll be back to your old normal, but you'll start to notice how infuriating and spirit-crushing it is a lot more, having been exposed to a non-insane, user-centric OS for a while. And then you'll be that much sadder in Windows and you'll wish you had the best of both OSes - which you can't.

Just be aware than exposure to a non-Windows OS will probably make you hate Windows more and make your life in Windows ever slightly more miserable, even if you don't stick to the non-Windows OS.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

If you have windows pro, education, or enterprise I recommend Hyper V instead. It's much faster because it's a type 1 hypervisor instead of a type 2 like virtual box

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

I haven’t used Linux in a decade and half (I know myself and I wouldn’t reboot once done gaming and I have one game that is not just wine or whatever and done and it’s my main one) and I still miss things from it. The first few PCs I used were Linux. It just sticks with you.