BaldProphet

Why does Linux need to be more popular? This isn't some NRM with a proselytizing mandate. Use whichever OS you prefer and let others do the same.

This is an extremely sheltered view. Most people don't even know what an operating system is, and they assume that it is an unalterable component of the computer they purchased at Best Buy. They don't have a last straw because as far as they're concerned there isn't anything they can do about it other than perhaps switching to a Mac.

Yeah, Microsoft is always trying to monetize things that shouldn't be monetized. Linux won't necessarily be easier, but it definitely won't force you to watch ads in your application menu.

Thanks!

No problems that a person with "minimal computer expertise" has are likely to require editing the registry, and if they struggle with the Settings app in Windows, they will be completely befuddled by the vast array of configuration files they will have to search through for making changes on Linux.

I have minimal computer expertise.

This is the source of your problem. Unless you learn more about computers and how to use them, you're guaranteed to have more problems on Linux than you've had on Windows.

The majority of the Windows gripes this community complains about are unlikely to ever be encountered by people with minimal expertise. Windows is fantastic as a layperson's operating system (and many Linux distros are, as well), so your problems are probably user-caused.

This might be cliche, but the For Dummy's books by Wiley were how I started learning about both Windows and Linux when I was a teenager. In fact, they were how I learned that Linux existed and sparked a curiosity in IT that is culminating in my graduation with an IT degree in July.

Yeah, OP definitely played hard mode lol

Anyone who tells you that gaming on Linux isn't somewhat experimental is lying. I think it's getting there, though.

For some reason, referring to a computer or VM that runs Linux as a "Linux box" triggers me.

Your work hasn't upgraded to Windows 11 yet, I see.

Plenty of people like NAT.

ZeroTier is pretty easy to set up, but at the point where you're worrying about "barriers to sharing" you should probably using a cloud service anyway.