Linux

For me, Microsoft's original sin was removing the Start menu and the Classic and Aero themes in Windows 8. I wanted something better than questionable UxTheme patches that broke with every major update, and it was during that search that I learned there is more to the world than macOS and Windows.

But it was the invasive telemetry and bloatware that finally made me take action. I'm sure the spike in blood pressure and heart rate whenever I had to undo the asinine default settings on every new install and major update was not good for my health. All of the debloat utilities felt like I was just putting lipstick on a pig.

The ability to customize the interface to my heart's content also got me to learn about and appreciate the inner workings of Linux. I now have a couple setups on Chicago95 XFCE and a couple on AeroThemePlasma KDE. Despite how much I like the familiar UI of Windows, I wouldn't ever look back to using Windows itself.

My old desktop couldnt update to 11. But for my newer computer, Windows recall was a deciding factor. Fuck that shit. Also fuck their "ai" nonsense.

It's nice that it's free and doing little to nothing contrary to my interests.

I am a developer and data scientist. I adopted Linux for work around 2017. Also switched all my PCs over around the same time

I've dual booted Linux on and off, mostly Ubuntu every few years over the last 20 years but it never stuck. Windows was acceptable enough for what I wanted, gaming, programming and audio production. Didn't even mind windows 11 that much however one of their last big updates broke Bluetooth audio for me and apparently that was the last straw so installed endeavour os and haven't turned back. Only issue is I haven't quite replaced everything I could do on windows yet, can't ignore it forever

I can't remember why, most likely because i got tired of MS and wanted to finally daily drive Linux. I was already working doing windows support so it was a personal challenge. That was about 7 years ago and thanks to that I've also setup my own server

Fed up of Microsoft's BS and it's inconsistent UI/UX design. Made my very first PC build around last Christmas and have dual-boot of both Linux Mint and Windows 11 and I been mostly fine with Linux.

Because OS/2 was about to be discontinued.

I like learning and the thrill of tinkering, my computer's HD had died, remembered a system a teacher had commented about and also a friend suggested to recover some needed files, tested and was positively surprised.

Fix your title

I had a laptop with a borked Windows installation. Unfortunately, it didn't come with any kind of recovery partition or DVD. So, I took a chance on Linux and I liked it better.

I initially installed Linux on my old Chromebook in highschool when they upgraded and let us pay to keep the old ones. I installed GalliumOS so that I could sneak in the old Chromebook to play Undertale during class, but eventually after getting tired of Windows BS I've installed Linux on all my computers

Probably the same reason many people use it:

Heard about it from someone/online --> tried it in a VM --> Tried it on real hardware --> Liked it enough to keep it/ditch windows partition if they dual-booted.

In my case, I started with Mint in 2023 and eventually distro-hopped to ArcoLinux (RIP) then Arch (BTW). Trying out Endeavour now as my Arch-Arco install is a mess and I'd like something similar to Arco.

Oh as for the reason why: Sick of Microsoft's shit and didn't want to downgrade from Windows 10 to 11.

Sometimes I want to read the sources of the programs I use and learn how they work.

I was bored. Nowadays I would like to store sensible data (i.e. any personal data) on my laptop, so I use Linux

Well, "why" is just curiosity and wanting to explore new things. I had been learning some programming on Windows, but had heard rumblings about linux. I explored Red Hat, wasn't wowed. It was fine, but not enough to lure me away. That was 26 yrs ago.

14 yrs ago, I created a dual boot on my laptop, with Ubuntu/Gnome. After about 2 yrs, I made Ubuntu my daily. A windows auto update tried to wipe linux off my drive, so I put Windows in jail, shrunk the partition as small as I could, and removed it from the boot sequence. I don't distro hop, I used Ubuntu until earlier this year. It was always good enough, never awesome, but i learned things and felt a whole lote more secure than on windows.

About 6 months ago, I switched to Fedora/KDE. I'm sure I could find lots of benefits to other distros, but I never felt much need to shop around. BTW, I absolutely love Fedora /KDE in a way I never felt about Ubuntu. Maybe it's just KDE vs Gnome. It just feels so much more comfortable.

I have been tinkering with Linux before, but some software needed Windows.

I tried switching those apps.

• Corel to InkScape went well, I instantly liked it better.
• MS Office to LibreOffice: I just don't need Excel that much, so it's OK.
• Corel laser engraving to K40Whisperer: a breath of fresh air, simple and efficient.

Then, free from all those chains I installed EndeavourOS, and it's been great.

I had to use a library that only works in a UNIX like OS. So I switched to linux and never looked back.

I remember the announcement of Windows Recall being the final nail in the coffin for me. I’ve been using both for years, but windows was my daily forever. With Win10 support ending, and my “old” machine still chugging along, I’d planned on using Win11 with a modified ISO to get around the TPM requirement. I’d been toying with the idea of going Linux as my daily, but once Recall was announced, that decision was basically made for me.

Customization and no bloatware. I also love tinkering and finding problems to solve, so Arch was the distro I went with.

I had heard it was ready for gaming, and I wanted to see for myself. It wasn't, at the time, but I used it for a few months before I switched back to Windows for a bit. Then, after another year on Windows, I gave Pop!_OS a chance. That sent me on a full spiral into distro hopping, and I'm on CachyOS now - not switching from Linux again.

I switched because Windows increasingly feels like it is not mine to use control and configure as I see fit. Functions and "features" are intrusive things that Microsoft wants, not me. They make it harder and harder to strip their bullshit out. Apparently I'm not the customer anymore but they still want me to pay for it.

Linux only ever does exactly what I want with total control, for free. It's damn near perfect.

Back in the day I wanted to be a 1337 hAx0R so I installed Linux to get my wifi adapter into monitor mode so I could pwn wifi. Eventually I just didn't leave Linux, probably in part because a few friends of mine ran it and refused to run Windows, we used to have LAN parties fairly regularly so yeah just convenient.

Tired of the constant pop ups in windows 10. The constant upselling of their product.

An OS shouldn't get in the way of what you are doing and Windows was always popping up some bullshit.

When I first tried it out in a VM, it was just a pinch of curiosity. Some people argue for Linux, so, maybe there's some merit to that? And, unlike MacOS, you can install it anywhere without all the hackery.

When I actually tried it (my first one was Manjaro KDE, and that's what I stuck with for my first 1,5 years later when I decided to go for a real install), I was amazed at how smooth and frictionless everything is.

The system is blazing fast, even on a limited VM, there's no bloat anywhere, no ads, no design choices to trick you into doing something you don't want to. The interface is way more ergonomic and out of the way at the same time. Seriously, Microsoft, do learn from KDE, pretty please.

So, when I moved to a new home, I decided that my virtual home needs an upgrade as well. I installed Linux alongside Windows (on two different physical drives), and ran it as dual-boot ever since. Not that I address Windows that much (normally about once in two to three months), but it's handy to keep around.

Later, I went into some distro-hopping and also got a laptop, which has become my testing grounds. After trying various options, namely Mint, Arch/EndeavourOS, Debian, Fedora, and OpenSUSE, I gravitated towards the latter, and I use it as my regular daily driver on both my desktop (Tumbleweed) and laptop (Slowroll). I love how it manages to keep the system both up-to-date and extremely stable, and has everything set up just right (except KDE defaults, what the hell is wrong with SUSE folks on that end? Luckily, it takes 5 minutes to change). So, there it is!

I literally just wanted a login with a password experience with no ads or sketchy telemetry from my OS. Like how Windows 7 worked or at least how I thought it worked.

During early high school years I heard about this thing called linux and there's something that's ubuntu, and said, why not? downloaded the ISO, installed on my USB with rufus, had panic attacks installing the dual boot myself for the first time, and done. After 2 months I switched to Arch (best thing I did) and ever since I'm deep diving in this Programming-Linux-Cybersecurity rabbit hole that I'm quite enjoying.

Fast forward to now, I'm using LFS and compiling my own kernel. My main desktop is a T440p with 4 OSes installed (maybe adding Plan9 to the mix if it supports my system)

I'm planing to mess more with "my own" distro thing maybe installing a Linux system without GNU: Linux + sinit + sbase + ubase + musl

I'd dabbled with Linux and multiple distros in the past and while I liked what I saw I had my frustrations. Various distros had their pros and cons and I wasn't as technically capable back then.

After Windows 11's unnecessary launch I gave Windows 10 LTSC a try. I don't think it was LTSC specific but my experience was buggy as hell and would BSOD every other day. So I thought I'd force myself to use Linux and have used Arch or other flavors of Arch ever since. No sink or swim, I was just going to live with it and not deal with Microsoft's bullshit anymore.

SSD died that had windows 10 on it. During the re-installation process I got fed up with onedrive and skype popping up every reboot despite being told not to start with windows multiple times. Attempt to disable, the next round of windows update brings them back. I didn't even have the absolute basics up and running before I lost all patience for it. Downloaded several distros, setup like 10 different USB sticks to boot them all. Cycled through them for a bit poking around and testing out. Landed on Garuda Linux kinda by chance, but it has been great. It was so refreshing to have a computer feel like it's mine again.

I heard that the Playstation 3 would be able to run something called Linux and I wanted to become some kind of Neo😅

Then I went on and off between Windows and Ubuntu until fully switching to Linux around 2020.

Running Fedora with Gnome these last few years.

I tried many times before, mostly pushed by friends nerdier than me. Always failed.

Now I am on Mint since a few months pushed just by myself not accepting AI slop force fed to me by my computer and having become very protective of my privacy since GDPR (I am the DPO at my company).

I must say it has become incredibly user-friendly (at least on Mint CE) and as a gamer, I am very satisfied with both performance and variety (I would have said GabeN be praised one month ago, but I am slowly moving my library to GOG/Heroic, for similar reasons, so the praise has to be shared).

Because Windows XP was a hot pile of garbage.

One day, my network driver broke. None of the discs worked. None of those incoherent "wizards" Windows loves to use worked. Reinstalling Windows broke more things. I couldn't get online for about 2 months.

One day I was at the bookstore and saw a Fedora Core book with an OS disc. I thought it was cool so I convinced mom to get it. Went home, blundered my way through the install and everything just worked.

I cannot for the life of me understand how XP is routinely loved by everyone. It looked like a muddy fisher-price toybox.

I switched because freeBSD didn't have drivers for my voodoo3 gfx card. I switched to FreeBSD from windows because I messed up my litestep config that was setup to pretend that it was an X desktop and I thought I might as well use the real thing. Dualbooted for a while for games though.

My dad was a software developer so growing up, there were Linux textbooks in the bookcases. Sorry if was inspired by my dad to try Linux in and off in my teens. Was fun a kid failing and then succeeding to install Linux and distrohop through the various flavors of Ubuntu and what not.

Then in university my cheap laptop was running poorly on Windows 10 say I started experimenting again with Arch, Mankato since I didn't really need any fancy proprietary software.

Finally, now in 2025, just pissed off with Windows and decided I'd go all in with Linux on my desktop gaming PC. It worked well enough or my laptop and my home server, and really considered that it was not games that required anti cheat that I really loved, so I just dove in with Bazzite.

In high school in like 2007/8ish my friend told me you could get a free disc with an operating system called Ubuntu on it sent to you in the mail, so I requested one out of curiosity and put it on the iMac in my room, and fell in love with it. I still have the disc, even though I'm more of a Fedora person now.

I had been thinking about it for a while. I had played with linux before on an old laptop, but not seriously, though I had been getting more frustrated with windows every time it updated it seemed. I then got the urged to play an old game of mine that i had picked up on a steam sale recently that i hadn't played in years. It took hours of tinkering and web sleuthing to get it to run, then i played 20 min had to run to town, so I shut down my PC and bam. Windows update. Game no longer worked again. The next weekend I installed Linux mint, then Fedora, then the weekend Bazzite the weekend after that. The game I wanted to play on windows worked right out of the box on Proton. I've had less problems overall with Linux than Windows too. Most of the problems I did have early on were also self inflicted. Pro-tip don't try to remove then re-install the lastest python manually in mint. It breaks everything apparently, luckily (unlike Windows) its very easy to re-install. It's been about 7 months now.

My old laptop was struggling with windows and it was losing support, so i consigned myself to finally unlocking the fourth greg within my soul: Open Source Greg.

I've used Windows since version 95. I even learned how to use version 3.1 back in the day (people actually used to take classes for using the PC!). Every new version after 98 was a pain in the ass, they'd get rid of a lot of functionality, change menus, and add crap no one asked for. XP might be a nostalgic memory now, but I thought the UI was horrible at first. Same with 7 and 10.

I first learned about Linux through forums, and then I found out about Canonical sending CDs with Ubuntu for free. So I gave it a try and I liked it. There was a lot of tinkering to do unfortunately. Stuff like the cheap ADSL modem I was given by my ISP weren't recognized, so I had to dual boot. Eventually I found some file from one dude who had the exact same modem and knew what to do, and so I was able to go online in Ubuntu. (All of that ended up being very useful knowledge, though. If something happens on my computer, I don't panic anymore, I roll up my sleeves and try to figure out how to fix it.)

I've been alternating between Windows and Ubuntu ever since. I switched permanently to Windows 10 a few years ago for some reason I don't remember. And last year I switched to Pop! OS after finding out about Recall. I was pleasantly surprised by how far gaming has come in Linux, so the switch is permanent this time. I will switch distros, however, once I switch my hardware to AMD.

Originally it was because a class of mine had a program that only worked on Linux.

Im going to do the opposite and exclaim why I did not sooner. So my career has been in IT and most users machines were windows. It makes it easier to run the same thing and deal with issues yourself that you will have to do for others. Add in I also found it best to utilize the oldest hand me downs for myself. This is mainly to handle the person who wants an upgrade. If their machine is older or less powerful than yours then that is their argument. In addition I did tech support for my wife who I could not convince to go to linux if I was not on it myself and I at one point was buying multiple machines to handle longevity. IE I would buy three of the same laptop ultimately (was good to have a bit of delay so that the last one would be in warranty longest). Anyway my wife just wanted to powerful of hardware as she is, well, spoiled and it was to expensive to double or triple that up. So I started just using whatever old laptops I could find including hers. Also my roles got to the point were I never dealt with users laptops at work although generally I had to use a windows one. So when windows 11 came I suddenly realized all the reasons I had for not moving to linux were pretty much gone. And well the whole screenshot everything and feed it to ai was beyond the pale. I have to say before that too I was getting pretty frustrated playing wack a mole with shutting down telemetry. So I already had used and like zorin in playing around in vms and such and finally just threw it on my actually sorta new/old laptop. So I encourage people who are new or hesitant to put it on their old machine (which is likely way newer than my new/old) but in my case I kept the old one for the few use cases I needed with and do most of the low hanging fruit on linux. Its a bit frustrating as I have been out of work so I won't buy anything that is not strictly necessary but alls I need is a drive to move over the higher fruit.

Had to reinstall Windows XP one time too many

My computer was getting older and slower and I couldn't afford a new one and wanted to squeeze as much performance out of it as I could. That and, I heard it was all the rage with hackers and I fancied myself a bit of a hacker.

Because open source, like the right to privacy and the diversity it can offer, always has something for everyone.

In the end, W*'s recent choices, such as ReCall, and the intrusions into our privacy, finally convinced me to begin my transition.

Until now, I had been observing opinions for the past five years.

The fact is that I am not a programmer or a specialist in these subjects, just a very small amateur, and Linux has long been off-putting.

Having the time and a computer to experiment is not that easy. But with an old computer, I finally have the opportunity to test Linux Mint... Others will undoubtedly follow.

I always say that to change operating systems, you first have to figure out how to replace proprietary software or applications with open source ones, because most of them are also available on Linux.

That's what I did on my mobile, and now the next step is to choose a custom ROM such as Lineage or /e/OS, etc.

The final straw for me was when windows 11 removed the windows 10 start bar ability to move the start bar to the top of the screen.

Always tinkered with Linux, since eeeearly Red Hat days, but took the first full move when I set up my home lab and needed to host some docker containers with hardware pass-through.

Turned out my hardware was a bit too new for the kernel I had to install so ended up teaching myself a lot in terms trying to get everything to work.

Because of that I got quite comfortable on the terminal and from then, the UI suddenly made sense, because I understood better the concepts underneath.

Run three boxes with various versions of Linux now, a couple more if you count dual booting, a couple more if you count Mac as some kind of Frankenstein UNIX.

My laptop has been discontinued by the manufacture for a couple years now and with support for Windows 10 ending, I wanted to increase the lifespan of my device so I looked into Linux. The lack of ads, bloat, and spyware are also major selling point to me.