Personally I switched to Linux. I started migrating to Linux before the end of XP updates.
Started with an old secondary machine using Ubuntu then made a Dual Boot using Linux Mint on a laptop given to me that was running Windows 8.1.
See my old page:
Got Mint? But note the Mint version now is up to 19 series - I actually use 18.3 on that same laptop now without Windows and have another laptop running 19.2. actually i should just get the automatic updates to 19.3 which is the latest in that series. I run these series because they are LTS series that is Long Term Support which means updates for 5 years @ an industry standard or now to 2023. Anyway with Mint its no problem to migrate or upgrade so it doesn't matter much but still I recommend LTS versions).
Personally I had np with 8.1 its a fine OS as far as actual performance etc. just the Metro interface is annoying and I had to go through hell to 'lock it down' because of the telemetry, internet connections it makes, etc. All the stuff that totally annoys me. Being a Techie and a security buff helped I actually got it somewhat locked down with a lot of reading and effort.. That was back in 2016. Now its easier there is a lot more programs to deal with that crap - just go to
ghacks.netOne day I got locked out of Win 8.1 and since I was already migrating I just stayed on it. Now I no longer run Windows at all.
Also as a matter of preference I use Mate desktop environment, although Cinnamon, an interface developed by Mint team itself is the most widely used and others may well prefer.. The reason I use Mate is its the lighter weight memory with the least amount of release glitches. Sometimes the Cinnamon and others have issues more often. Anyway That seems to have lessened over the years)
When running Linux you can have choices of the Desktop Environments (DE), interface and so forth. Its a large subject but basically all you need to know is KDE or Plasma as its called now - based DE are the heaviests and IMO tend to bog down a system unless you have a new machine lots of RAM and speed and tweak it.
Traditionally Linux systems (especially using a KDE or heav-ish GUIs) have a marked response delay compared to Windows - you have to tweak the DE compositor response time or get used to it. But its less so now in many cases.
Anyway, choosing what 'flavor' of Linux or Distribution (aka 'Distro') is a difficult thing for new people and even though I've experimented with Linux / Unix based systems since the 90's I did a lot of research to finally decide Mint is what I wanted and would make the least hassle overall for my usage, with wide array of available software from the Repositories.
You see on Linux due to variances software must be prepared to be compatible with various mainstream versions. Thus 'Distros' are created to use prepared packages by various entities, teams or Companies, etc. which are set up to be able to connect or include repositories of software that is prepared to be compatible with that version or DE, etc.
Its a long subject, but made easier now-a-days - just stick with Major mainstream versions.
The most widely used is Ubuntu-based. It has the most software and is easiest. Mint is an Ubuntu-based Distro.
Ubuntu is actually possible by being made by made by Canonical a commercial company. Ubuntu based systems also have probably the best security updates the fastest.
There is a huge team of professionals and security experts that 24 -7 are keeping on top of breaking security flaws. Typically a flaw is actually discovered either by an AV reseacher or an Ubuntu researcher.
Or the other places are Redhat / IBM or SUSE which are the big players in business but those are commercial systems used by corporations, military, servers, clusters etc.. They don't have the software really for end users and are paid systems. They also offer free user-supported community versions but they are not recommended by me as they are slow to update are more or less testing grounds for geeks, etc. or in the case os a few like OpenSuse tailor for small business use mostly in Europe, etc. and lack updates and software also.
Redhat + fedora, Suse and Opensuse are different eco-systems than Debian or Ubuntu. I don't recommend them even though I originally learned some Redhat back in the 90's for web server uses.
There is also Arch based Distros like Manjaro. I don't recommend. Arch is advanced Linux. The end systems most advanced users evenetually long for since you can build up an arch system to do whatever you want exactly piece by piece. But I don't use arch. Its its own eco-system.
Ok so I have to say that whether you use Linux or not there is a adjustment period. And the odd feeling and/or frustrations you will have to learn to deal with. Depending on your usage for the computer. Because its differs from Windows.
This throws most people off. Although its no different really than if you are for instance driving a foreign auto or driving in the UK where they drive on the left side of the road.
Now if you just only use browser its no problem to adjust. In fact if say your wife uses browser or kids and you opened Firefox on Linux system for them they would never even know they were not on Windows. Because its the same browser.
Now some people only swear by Google Chrome. Well it doesn't come standard on most on Linux. They have Chromium. Although AFAIK you can get it. You have to download it. Chromium uses the same engine, features may vary. I don't use so I can't comment more, other than to say Most people if they swear by only Chrome they are also put off and often won't try Linux.
If you use email well on Linux they don't have MS office etc. But they have free Libre Office or mny other suites. They have thunderbird or many others less used.
The only real issues with Linux is people have is MS office documents in some cases the formatting can be off.
Well actually that is because M$ fault. M$ actually does not adhere to industry standards. That said there is np for me with so many documents I use Libre Office.
If stupid M$ would have used the open documents formats or so many others there never would be a problem
No wonder they always do thaat -- otherwise they would not exist long! Becuase basically when its all said and done Linux is overall a better OS than M$.
Personaly I only use web-based email though my browser so its np for me. I hated Outlook etc. Besides that was always one of the #1 security weakness anyway.
Now there are a slew of softwares now a days to remote connect various emails. Apps / clients basically. Also if you twitter,etc. or so many other things
Now this is another thing about Linux I should say that relates to what I said above:
Software
can work on Linux version - even if it doesn't come in the default repositories that your version is set up for -
If someone has prepared it correctly. Usually you have to go to the website and download it. Many softwares have version for Ubuntu , Mint , Debian (which is actually want Ubuntu is based on) etc.
Easier on Ubunt or Mint there is what is called PPA's - Personal Archives peope make you can download or add as a repo. They get updates if done correctly.
You see really anything you can do on Windows you can do on LInux.
With LInux there is hardly ever a need to buy software again in your lifetime, unless you want to. And many softwares are superior and more industry compliance actually.
There is not the same software in most cases so again you have to get used to it.
So its like if you moved to say Italia or the UK. The shops are a bit different, the money, etc. You have to adjust. You might. like me like it better. Or you might not.
Now on the gaming front; That stops a lot of gamers. There is Steam on Linux now, but not all games are available. There is Wine and it works for some games, for instance EAW can be flown on Linux easily with better framerate than Windows - See my website in my signature.
For gamers is most important does your game work on Linux? Look it up. Google a lot or at your game site, etc.
And then also there's Dual Boot you might go with.
or
EAW from a Live USB ( I used SparkyLinux because it has Wine pre-installed from the get-go)
VonS is really the Goto man for WOFF in Wine on Linux - in fact he's quoted in the manual
http://www.overflandersfields.com/index_html_files/FAQ%20WOFF%20UE.pdfAnyway here's a bunch of links.
https://www.linuxmint.com/download_all.phphttps://distrowatch.com/https://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=majorhttps://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=faqhttps://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=faq#newtolinuxhttps://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=glossaryhttps://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Arch_compared_to_other_distributionshttps://help.ubuntu.com/my site:
https://eawonlinux.neocities.org/linux.htmlGot Mint? https://eawonlinux.neocities.org/eollinks.htmlhttps://eawonlinux.neocities.org/eoleaw.htmlhttps://eawonlinux.neocities.org/eoleaw128ewine.htmlor
EAW from a Live USB ( I used SparkyLinux because it has Wine pre-installed from the get-go)
Goodluck!
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Oh btw for Win 7 here's the link for extended support;
https://www.ghacks.net/2020/01/14/windows-7-support-ends-today-here-are-your-options/https://www.ghacks.net/2019/12/07/s...dows-7-extended-security-updates-checks/btw: I don't have WOFF, etc. but I am thinking about trying it.