You can create a bootable USB stick (so-called “Live USB”, which is the same thing you can later use to install the OS). Then you can test file compatibility and whatever else you want, while booted into that, without committing to the install.
File compatibility wouldn’t really be a problem, just make sure not to nuke any partition. If you’re using ntfs you might need to install the drivers, but it’s pretty straightforward
I’m in the middle of switching to Linux. I’m dual booting so I can still use Windows when I need to or run into issues. If you install something like Mint you’d be surprised how easy it is. Not only that, in a lot of circumstances it runs better than Windows because of all of the bloatware that comes with Windows. If you’re afraid to switch but have enough hard drive space I highly recommend dual booting to test the waters. These days I end up using Linux more than Windows.
Once I installed Linux Mint on my home desktop, I’m pretty sure I never booted into windows again. It was only a few weeks before I made a copy of everything on that windows SSD then formatted it to ext4 to have some additional fast storage for editing stuff.
I find Linux Mint so much nicer to use than windows. It is one of the most full-featured distros yet it moves like lightning in comparison. You can feel the difference you get when decades of development are driven by the desire to make good software rather than 37 different battling priorities within one of the world’s largest corporations.
And being full-featured does not mean it is dumbed down. It is good for experienced users too. I’m a software engineer that works on embedded Linux systems. On my work laptop I’ve been running Mint for over a year and it works beautifully. It’s still Linux, the command line is still there, and you can customize whatever you want to.
I wish I had the gall to switch off windows 😞
Get some gall then!
Yesterday was the best day to switch but today is fine too!
You’re right! End of this month then!
The only thing stopping me is losing all my photos and music saved to hard drives, I worry about file compatibility.
You can create a bootable USB stick (so-called “Live USB”, which is the same thing you can later use to install the OS). Then you can test file compatibility and whatever else you want, while booted into that, without committing to the install.
Photo and music file types should be fully compatible.
I’d recommend though snagging an extra hard-drive to back up your files even if you don’t switch.
If you’ve got your files in only one location you have them in no locations.
File compatibility wouldn’t really be a problem, just make sure not to nuke any partition. If you’re using ntfs you might need to install the drivers, but it’s pretty straightforward
If you move them off your boot drive, you should be fine. Linux has support for windows file systems.
Good to know, been eyeing up mint for a little while
I’m in the middle of switching to Linux. I’m dual booting so I can still use Windows when I need to or run into issues. If you install something like Mint you’d be surprised how easy it is. Not only that, in a lot of circumstances it runs better than Windows because of all of the bloatware that comes with Windows. If you’re afraid to switch but have enough hard drive space I highly recommend dual booting to test the waters. These days I end up using Linux more than Windows.
Once I installed Linux Mint on my home desktop, I’m pretty sure I never booted into windows again. It was only a few weeks before I made a copy of everything on that windows SSD then formatted it to ext4 to have some additional fast storage for editing stuff.
I find Linux Mint so much nicer to use than windows. It is one of the most full-featured distros yet it moves like lightning in comparison. You can feel the difference you get when decades of development are driven by the desire to make good software rather than 37 different battling priorities within one of the world’s largest corporations.
And being full-featured does not mean it is dumbed down. It is good for experienced users too. I’m a software engineer that works on embedded Linux systems. On my work laptop I’ve been running Mint for over a year and it works beautifully. It’s still Linux, the command line is still there, and you can customize whatever you want to.
Same spot here, switched two weeks ago, dual boot with windows but only use windows for one game that needs an external mod manager to work.
Its easy, it’s fun and it’s customisable. Loving it so far.