Switching from Windows to Linux Mint
The friendliest way to leave Windows behind. This guide walks you through everything, start to finish.
So you're thinking about leaving Windows. Maybe you're tired of forced updates, bloatware, or ads in your Start menu. Maybe your PC is getting older and Windows keeps getting heavier. Maybe you just want to try something different.
Whatever the reason, Linux Mint is the distro most often recommended for Windows refugees -- and for good reason. It has a taskbar at the bottom, a Start menu, a file manager, a system tray. It just feels right if you're used to Windows.
This guide assumes you know nothing about Linux. That's fine. Let's go.
What you'll gain and what you'll miss
Let's be honest up front. Linux Mint is great, but it's not Windows, and pretending everything is perfect helps nobody.
What you'll gain
- No more forced updates -- you update when you want, and updates rarely require a reboot
- No ads or telemetry -- Mint doesn't track you or shove recommendations in your face
- Speed -- especially on older hardware. Mint runs beautifully on machines Windows has left behind
- Free software -- the OS is free, the office suite is free, the photo editor is free, the video editor is free
- A real package manager -- installing software is like an app store that actually works. No hunting for .exe files on sketchy websites
- Privacy -- your computer is yours. No Cortana, no cloud accounts required, no "personalized experiences"
- Customization -- change literally everything about how your desktop looks and behaves
What you might miss
- Microsoft Office -- LibreOffice is solid but not identical. Complex Excel macros or PowerPoint animations may not translate perfectly
- Adobe Creative Suite -- Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere don't run natively on Linux. There are alternatives (see below), but they're different tools
- Some games -- most Steam games work great through Proton, but some multiplayer games with anti-cheat (Valorant, Fortnite) won't run
- Specific hardware peripherals -- most things work, but some specialized devices (certain printers, drawing tablets) may need extra setup
- The familiar -- even though Mint looks similar, things are in slightly different places. There's a learning curve, even if it's a gentle one
Software you use now → what you'll use on Linux
You probably don't need to give up as much as you think. Here's what replaces what:
| Windows Software | Linux Alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | LibreOffice Writer | Handles .docx files. Free and pre-installed on Mint. |
| Microsoft Excel | LibreOffice Calc | Great for everyday spreadsheets. Very complex macros may not convert. |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | LibreOffice Impress | Works well. Some fancy animations may render differently. |
| Google Chrome | Google Chrome / Firefox | Chrome is available for Linux. Firefox comes pre-installed. |
| Adobe Photoshop | GIMP / Krita | GIMP for photo editing, Krita for digital painting. Different UI, powerful tools. |
| Adobe Illustrator | Inkscape | Full-featured vector editor. Handles SVG natively. |
| Adobe Premiere | Kdenlive / DaVinci Resolve | DaVinci Resolve (free version) is professional-grade. Kdenlive is simpler. |
| Notepad / Notepad++ | Xed / VS Code | Xed is Mint's built-in text editor. VS Code runs natively on Linux. |
| Windows Media Player | Celluloid / VLC | VLC plays literally everything. Celluloid is Mint's default. |
| File Explorer | Nemo | Mint's file manager. Very similar to Windows Explorer. |
| Task Manager | System Monitor | Same idea, different name. Or use htop in the terminal for a power-user view. |
| Microsoft Store | Software Manager | Mint's app store. Curated, no ads, actually useful. |
| Steam | Steam | Same app, native Linux version. Most games work via Proton. |
| Discord | Discord | Native Linux app available. Works the same way. |
| Spotify | Spotify | Native Linux app or Flatpak. Identical experience. |
| OneDrive | Syncthing / rclone | OneDrive doesn't have a native Linux client, but you can access it via browser or use rclone for sync. |
| 7-Zip / WinRAR | File Roller | Built into Nemo. Right-click any archive to extract. Supports zip, tar, gz, 7z, and more. |
What about Microsoft 365 (online versions)?
The web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook work perfectly fine in a browser on Linux. If your workflow is mostly cloud-based Microsoft 365, you won't notice much difference at all. Just bookmark office.com and you're set.
Can I use Google Docs / Sheets / Slides instead?
Absolutely. Google's productivity suite runs in a browser and works identically on Linux. For many people, Google Docs + Linux is the simplest migration path. No compatibility worries at all.
Try before you commit
You don't have to erase Windows to try Linux Mint. There are two risk-free ways to take it for a spin:
Option 1: Live USB (recommended)
This lets you boot Linux Mint directly from a USB drive. Nothing is installed, nothing on your hard drive changes. When you're done, pull out the USB and reboot -- you're right back to Windows.
- Download the Linux Mint ISO from linuxmint.com (pick the "Cinnamon" edition)
- Download Rufus (or Ventoy) to create a bootable USB
- Plug in a USB drive (8GB or larger) and flash the ISO to it
- Restart your computer and press F12 (or F2, Esc, Del -- depends on your PC) during startup to open the boot menu
- Select your USB drive from the list
- Linux Mint will boot up. Poke around, open apps, connect to Wi-Fi. It's all live.
Option 2: Virtual machine
Run Linux Mint in a window inside Windows. This is great for exploring without rebooting.
- Download and install VirtualBox (free)
- Create a new VM: pick "Linux" as the type, "Ubuntu (64-bit)" as the version
- Give it at least 4GB RAM and 25GB of virtual disk space
- Mount the Linux Mint ISO as a virtual disc and boot the VM
- Install Mint inside the VM as if it were a real computer
Which method should I pick?
Live USB is better for seeing how Mint runs on your actual hardware -- you'll know if your Wi-Fi, trackpad, and graphics card work. It's the closest to a "real" experience.
Virtual machine is better for casual exploration since you don't have to reboot. But the performance won't represent what Mint actually feels like because it's sharing resources with Windows.
Backing up your stuff
Before you install anything, back up your files. This is non-negotiable -- not because Linux will destroy them, but because any time you're repartitioning a disk, you want a safety net.
What to back up
- Your Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Downloads folders
- Browser bookmarks (sign into Chrome/Firefox sync, or export bookmarks to a file)
- Any files on your Desktop
- Game saves (check each game -- some are in Documents, some are in AppData)
- Application settings you care about (VS Code extensions list, etc.)
- Your Wi-Fi passwords (they'll be saved on your router, but write them down just in case)
Where to back up
- External hard drive -- the most reliable option. Copy your files over and unplug it
- Cloud storage -- Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive. Upload your important files
- Another computer -- if you have one, transfer files over your network
The installation
Alright, you've tried the live USB, backed up your stuff, and you're ready to go. Here's the actual installation process. It's easier than installing Windows, honestly.
- Boot from your Linux Mint USB drive (same as the live USB steps above)
- Once you're in the live desktop, double-click the "Install Linux Mint" icon
- Pick your language and keyboard layout
- Check the box to install multimedia codecs (so you can play MP3s, watch videos, etc.)
- Choose your installation type:
- "Erase disk and install Linux Mint" -- the simplest option. This wipes the drive and gives it all to Mint.
- "Install alongside Windows" -- dual boot. You'll pick which OS to use each time you start up.
- "Something else" -- manual partitioning. Only if you know what you're doing.
- Pick your timezone
- Create your username and password (this password is what you'll use to install software and make system changes -- remember it)
- Wait for the installation to finish (usually 10-20 minutes)
- Click "Restart Now" and remove the USB drive when prompted
That's it. When your computer restarts, you'll be greeted by your brand-new Linux Mint desktop.
I want to dual-boot with Windows. Any tips?
Dual-booting works well, but there are a few things to do first:
- Disable Fast Startup in Windows -- go to Control Panel → Power Options → "Choose what the power buttons do" → uncheck "Turn on fast startup." Fast Startup can cause filesystem corruption when Linux tries to read your Windows drive.
- Disable BitLocker if it's enabled, or write down your recovery key. Changing the boot configuration can trigger BitLocker lockout.
- Shrink your Windows partition first -- do this from within Windows using Disk Management. Give Mint at least 50GB of free space.
- The Mint installer will detect Windows and offer to install alongside it. GRUB (the boot menu) will let you choose which OS to boot.
For more detail, see the dual-booting section in our setup guide.
What about Secure Boot?
Linux Mint supports Secure Boot, so in most cases you can leave it enabled. If you run into trouble booting the USB, you can disable Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI settings (press F2 or Del during startup to get there). You can re-enable it after installation if you like.
Your first 30 minutes after install
You're in. The desktop is up. Now what? Here's what to do first, in order. Click each task to expand the instructions.
1. Update your system
First things first: get all the latest software and security patches.
Look for the Update Manager icon in your system tray (bottom-right, looks like a shield). Click it, then click "Install Updates." It might ask for your password.
Or, if you want to use the terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T to open it):
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yThis downloads the latest package lists and installs all available updates. Reboot if prompted.
2. Install your favorite apps
Open the Software Manager from the menu (it's like an app store). You can search for and install things like:
- Google Chrome (search for it, or download the .deb from google.com/chrome)
- VLC media player
- VS Code (search "Visual Studio Code")
- Steam (for gaming)
- Discord
- Spotify
- GIMP (image editing)
Or install via the terminal:
# Install several apps at once
sudo apt install -y vlc gimp steam-installerFor apps not in the default repositories, check Flathub -- Mint supports Flatpak out of the box.
3. Set up cloud sync
Cloud storage on Linux depends on which service you use:
- Google Drive -- Mint's file manager (Nemo) can connect to Google accounts natively. Go to System Settings → Online Accounts → sign into Google.
- Dropbox -- install the native Linux client from the Software Manager or dropbox.com
- OneDrive -- no official client, but you can use
rcloneto sync files, or just use OneDrive in your browser - Syncthing -- a great open-source option for syncing files between your own devices without any cloud middleman
4. Install multimedia codecs
If you checked the "multimedia codecs" box during installation, you're already set. If not:
sudo apt install -y mint-meta-codecsThis lets you play MP3s, MP4 videos, DVDs, and other common media formats.
5. Set up your printer
Most USB and network printers work automatically. Go to System Settings → Printers and click "Add." Mint will usually detect your printer and install the right driver.
If your printer doesn't show up, check if your model has a Linux driver on the manufacturer's website. HP printers are especially well-supported thanks to the HPLIP project.
6. Set up Timeshift (system backups)
Timeshift is like System Restore on Windows, but better. It takes snapshots of your system that you can roll back to if something breaks.
It should already be installed. Open it from the menu, choose RSYNC as the snapshot type, select which drive to store snapshots on, and set a schedule (weekly is a good default).
Take your first snapshot now. If you ever mess something up, Timeshift can put everything back the way it was.
7. Install graphics drivers (if needed)
Open Driver Manager from the menu. If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, it will offer proprietary drivers. Select the recommended one and click "Apply Changes."
AMD and Intel users: your drivers are built into the Linux kernel. You're already good.
If you're a gamer, the proprietary NVIDIA drivers make a huge difference in performance. Don't skip this.
8. Enable the firewall
Mint comes with a firewall (ufw) but it's not enabled by default. Turn it on:
Open the Firewall app from the menu, flip the switch to "On," and set the profile to "Home." That's it.
Or in the terminal:
sudo ufw enableMaking it feel like home
Mint's Cinnamon desktop is already pretty close to the Windows layout, but you can tweak it to feel even more like yours.
Change the wallpaper and theme
Right-click the desktop → "Change Desktop Background." You can pick from built-in wallpapers or add your own.
For themes: go to System Settings → Themes. You can change:
- Window borders -- how the title bar looks
- Icons -- what your folder and app icons look like
- Controls -- buttons, checkboxes, scrollbars
- Mouse pointer
- Desktop -- the overall panel and menu theme
Click "Add/Remove" in any of these categories to download community themes. There are hundreds available.
Customize the taskbar (panel)
Right-click the taskbar (called the "panel" in Mint) and select "Panel settings." You can:
- Move it to the top, left, or right side of the screen
- Change its size
- Make it auto-hide
- Add "applets" -- little widgets like a weather display, CPU monitor, or workspace switcher
To add applets, right-click the panel → "Applets" → "Download" tab. Install any that catch your eye.
Dark mode
Go to System Settings → Themes and pick a dark variant. "Mint-Y-Dark" is the built-in dark theme. You can also choose accent colors (aqua, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, sand).
For a fully dark experience, also change your Firefox/Chrome theme to dark, and enable dark mode in individual apps like LibreOffice.
Pin apps to your taskbar
Open the app menu (bottom-left corner), find the app you want, right-click it, and choose "Add to panel." It works just like pinning apps to the taskbar in Windows.
You can also drag and drop apps from the menu onto the panel.
Set up keyboard shortcuts
Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Shortcuts. Some handy ones to set up:
Super(Windows key) -- already opens the menu by defaultCtrl+Alt+T-- opens the terminal (already set by default)Super+E-- you can map this to open the file manager, like on WindowsSuper+L-- lock screen (usually already set)
Install fonts from Windows
If you have documents that need to look right with specific fonts (Calibri, Cambria, etc.), you can install the Microsoft core fonts:
sudo apt install -y ttf-mscorefonts-installerThis gives you Arial, Times New Roman, Courier New, and other classics. For Calibri and other newer fonts, you'll need to copy them from a Windows installation (they're in C:\Windows\Fonts).
Common "where is...?" questions
Things are in different places. That's normal. Here's your cheat sheet.
Where's the Control Panel?
It's called System Settings. Click the menu button (bottom-left) and search for "System Settings," or find it under the "Preferences" category.
It has everything -- display settings, keyboard, mouse, network, power, sound, themes, users, and more. The layout is actually more organized than Windows Settings.
Where's Task Manager?
It's called System Monitor. You can open it from the menu, or press Ctrl+Alt+Delete -- Mint will ask if you want to open the system monitor (not reboot, like Windows).
It shows running processes, CPU/RAM/disk usage, and lets you kill unresponsive programs.
Power users: open a terminal and run htop for a much more detailed view.
Where's "Add or Remove Programs"?
The Software Manager handles both installing and removing applications. Open it from the menu.
To uninstall something: find it in the Software Manager and click "Remove," or right-click the app in the menu and choose "Uninstall."
Terminal method: sudo apt remove program-name
For a deeper dive, see our package managers guide.
Where's C: drive?
Linux doesn't use drive letters. Instead, everything starts from / (called "root"). Your personal files are in /home/yourusername/.
In the file manager (Nemo), your home folder is the default view. You'll see familiar folders: Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, Videos.
External drives and USB sticks appear under "Devices" in the sidebar, or in /media/yourusername/.
To understand how Linux organizes files, check out our file structure guide.
Where's the registry?
There is no registry. Breathe a sigh of relief.
Linux stores settings in plain text files, usually in your home folder (in hidden folders starting with a dot, like ~/.config/). App settings live in the app's config folder. System settings live in /etc/.
This means you can read, edit, and back up your settings with any text editor. No special tools needed.
Where's .exe? How do I install programs?
Linux doesn't use .exe files. Software is installed through:
- Software Manager -- the graphical app store. Search, click install. Done.
- apt -- the command-line package manager.
sudo apt install firefox - Flatpak -- sandboxed apps from Flathub. Great for apps not in the main repos.
- .deb files -- the closest thing to .exe. Some apps (Chrome, VS Code) offer .deb downloads. Double-click to install.
The Software Manager and apt are almost always the best way. No more hunting for download links.
Where's the Command Prompt?
It's called the Terminal. Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open it, or find it in the menu.
You don't have to use the terminal on Mint. Almost everything can be done graphically. But once you get comfortable, the terminal is genuinely faster for many tasks. It's not as scary as it looks.
How do I right-click the desktop?
Same as Windows -- just right-click. You'll get options to change the wallpaper, create folders, open the terminal here, and more.
How do I take a screenshot?
Press Print Screen (PrtSc) -- same as Windows. Mint has a built-in screenshot tool that lets you capture the full screen, a window, or a selected area.
PrtSc-- full screenAlt+PrtSc-- current window onlyShift+PrtSc-- select an area