@privacy @linux
According to most of the responses so far, Eeementary is not the best choice. So I think I will try #LinuxMint as the first option.

https://linuxmint.com #Linux

Distro doesn’t really mater that much, desktop environment (de) is a more important choice for a new user.

Comming from windows you might like cinnamon, mate, kde plasma or gnome with ArcPanel and Dash to Dock extensions. There’s also lxqt and xfce for low spec systems.

You can install any de on any distro but if you are new to linux you might want to stick with the default one.

If you want cinnamon or mate go with linux Mint.

For gnome ZorinOS looks decent. I think it comes with wine already set up to make running windows programs easier. If you have an nvidia gpu Pop!_OS comes with nvidia drivers but you’ll probably want some gnome extensions like ArcMenu and Dash to Panel.

Before installing any distro you should try them out in a live usb mode or a virtual machine.

Personally I started with Cinnamon Mint but it had issues with my multi monitor set up and poor gaming performance so now I’m on gnome Pop!_OS with ArcMenu and Dash to Panel on desktop and lxqt lubuntu on laptop.

I switched from windows about a year ago and now I’m absolutely certain I’m never comming back. The first 2 weeks or so are the most difficult because you feel like you have to learn a brand new skill every time you do something basic that would take you 30 seconds in windows but once you have everything set up and are more familiar with how things are done on linux it will feel completely natural.

Good luck on your linux journey, I hope you see it through. :)

I think to start, Mint or Ubuntu is a good choice, it has support for most hardware and will probably run on whatever you install it.

Also something that I think most new Linux users should focus on; instead of distro pick the desktop environment (DE). As a beginner it does not really matter if you use, lets say, a Debian- or Fedora-based distro. Pick a DE that looks pleasing to you maybe GNOME or KDE and take the installation with that DE. Maybe do not start with Arch or Gentoo as they are for more experienced users that already have some Linux experience.

Distros will be way more interesting and important when you got a hold of Linux and you want to explore the differences of them.

Last tip: Make a separated /home directory, so when you want to change to a new distro you do not have to delete all your files and start over with an empty machine.

I wish you a good start into Linux and do not hesitate to ask questions if they arise!

Linux mint

Mint is great, it runs on my refrigerator so it should run on most other Hardware as well, and its pretty Beginner-friendly, and the community is helpful.

Mint helped me a lot when I switched from Windows. I found it very straightforward, as much as that’s possible with Linux

Debian. If for some reason (software) you need a RPM based distribution then openSUSE. But the good thing is that in open-source world, you can try as many as you want almost for free (you invest your time, obviously).

Do you just care about privacy, or is it your primary focus?

There are Linux distros like Tails which will be very hard to use day to day, but if you are laser focused on privacy, it’s between that and CubesOS (not Linux).

Most Linux distros will give you reasonable privacy from an OS standpoint, from there it’s up to you to have good practices with your data.

I would recommend what looks most promising/fun to you.

personally I am staying with the “big ones”. on my gaming pc I have installed fedora with kde. on my notebook(with touchscreen) I am trying Debian with gnome and eventually arch when I am clear on how I want my system to be exactly

for work and network stuff I use debian with kde.

If you are unsure I’d recommend either debian or fedora with kde. Ubuntu isn’t really something for me because snap is really annoying (apt installs sometimes default to snap but don’t tell you outright)

Fedora, mint or open suse tumbleweed. Pick your favorite DE and just give It a try. If you want to make distro hopping easier make a /home partition

if you need fractional scaling like 125% (if you have 1080p or higher monitor) i guess Manjaro KDE or KDE Neon is your only choice (or any other distro with KDE Plasma)

@carloshr @privacy @linux
From Windows? Mint. After Mint? Manjaro. After Manjaro fucks again with the signing keys thing and their amnesia? Mint. Or MX Linux. Once you are past the learning curve, Debian. Want to get your hands dirty? *buntu based distro. Hype? EndeavourOS.

Please don’t. ElementaryOS is bad for new user this days. Try Fedora Workstation edition or Plasma spin, Linux Mint.

@carloshr

For privacy and “FOSS ideals” stay away from Ubuntu and RedHat.

For “easy for a Windows user”, I tried switching to Linux 6-7 times over 15 years, different distro every time.

The one that finally “stuck” for me was #Mint.

Although honestly, nowadays, most of the top distros are very good. I’m also a fan of #Pop_OS

@privacy @linux

@carloshr @privacy @linux i think you should.

It’s not made for customization, but I’ve not found a better install and run experience.