With the announced end of support for Windows 10, many users are considering switching to Linux. However, preconceived notions persist, hindering this transition to a free, powerful, and often lighter operating system. Linux, with its distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Linux Mint, is now a credible alternative to replace Windows on machines ranging from home PCs to advanced workstations. But what are the real obstacles perceived by users? From stability to ease of use, including the wide selection of distributions, this technical overview sheds light on the myths that need to be dispelled to confidently embark on the Linux adventure.
Linux is not a platform for gaming: outdated myth and current reality
For a long time, Linux suffered from a well-deserved reputation as an environment poorly suited to gamers. The passions generated around Windows stemmed from a catalog of games unavailable on Linux and technical difficulties related to drivers and GPU support. But the situation has radically changed in recent years thanks to major advances. Steam, the leading PC platform, has invested heavily in Proton, a compatibility layer that allows Windows games to run on Linux with virtually no performance loss. According to GamingOnLinux, Steam’s Linux market share has never been higher, with a steady increase since 2018. Furthermore, according to XDA, Linux usage on Steam has tripled in three years, a sign of growing adoption by the gaming community.
Specialized distributions like Pop!_OS and Garuda Linux offer gaming-optimized configurations, facilitating the use of proprietary NVIDIA and AMD drivers. Users also benefit from open-source tools like Lutris, which simplify the management of native and compatible games via Wine.
Proton and Steam Play:
- Seamless and easy to run Windows games Gaming-focused distributions:
- Pop!_OS, Garuda, Ubuntu Gaming Remix, and other variants enhance the experience Scalable hardware support:
- Well-integrated GPU drivers, especially on Ubuntu, Fedora, and Red Hat Active community:
- Forums and documentation dedicated to Linux gaming to troubleshoot and optimize the system It’s therefore false to say that gaming on Linux is an impossible technical chore, especially in 2025. Major software advances make gaming on Linux a modern, nuanced, and perfectly viable experience.
Discover why and how to ditch Windows 10 for Linux: benefits, migration steps, and tips for an easy transition to a free and secure operating system.
Fear of changing the graphical interface often hinders the transition to Linux. It’s true that some desktop environments, such as i3 (a tiling window manager) or Enlightenment, are radically different from common Windows usage. However, several options provide visual and ergonomic comfort comparable to, or even superior to, Windows 10.
Environments such as KDE Plasma, Cinnamon (Linux Mint), or MATE offer a classic interface familiar to Windows users. Their organization into accessible bars, menus, windows, and icons is designed to reduce the learning curve. The ergonomics of Fedora Workstation or even Mint are aimed at productivity and clarity, combining simplicity and advanced customization thanks to built-in settings.
Furthermore, distributions such as Zorin OS or Kubuntu seek to visually replicate Windows, making it easier to get started even for the most reluctant users.
KDE Plasma:
- Modern, customizable desktop with widgets to extend functionality Cinnamon: Windows-like interface, ideal for beginners
- MATE: Lightweight and intuitive environment, heir to GNOME 2 Zorin OS: Specifically designed to ease the transition for Windows users
- This diversity allows users to learn Linux while maintaining familiar landmarks, refuting the idea that Linux is always a visual leap into the unknown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8CcdZiMhKY
- Is interacting with Linux really more complex than Windows 10? The myth that Linux is fundamentally different in its visual and operational interactions clashes with several technical realities. Most common actions remain very similar between Windows and modern Linux distributions.
We use the mouse to select, and left/right click to open context menus. File managers, similar to Windows Explorer, allow drag-and-drop, multiple selection, and intuitive navigation. Each distribution includes a control center or settings manager that centralizes system configuration (network, users, automatic updates).
File manager:
Nautilus (Gnome), Dolphin (KDE), Nemo (Linux Mint)
Terminal (Shell):
Powerful for commands, but optional for common tasks
- Package management: apt (Ubuntu, Debian), dnf (Fedora, Red Hat), zypper (Mageia)
- Multi-sheet support: Virtual desktops, easy window organization
- A wide range of graphics software is directly accessible via app stores, using universal formats like Snap and Flatpak, making them easy to install and update. Moreover, with the rise of web applications, the majority of users perform their daily tasks directly in a browser, whether Firefox, Chromium, or Brave on Linux.
- It is therefore misleading to claim that Linux is “too complex” for the average user. Mainstream distributions are working precisely to offer a seamless user experience that is close to established standards. Discover why and how to switch from Windows 10 to Linux: advantages, simple steps, and tips for an easy transition to a free and secure operating system.
Linux, an unstable system? A look back at true robustness and performance
This misconception often stems from a confusion between Linux as a kernel and the entire operating system. Linux itself is the foundation, but distributions assemble multiple components, libraries, graphical interfaces, and so on around the kernel. This clarification is essential to understanding the stability and robustness of the system.
In fact, Linux is renowned for its exceptional stability. Many servers, including those running Red Hat or Debian, boast record uptimes, often lasting several years without reboots. This is a performance that few other operating systems, including Windows 10, can match.
Advanced resource management:
No slowdowns or unexpected crashesJournaled file system:ext4, Btrfs, XFS ensure data integrity even in the event of a power outage
Modularity:
The kernel and modules can be adjusted to optimize hardware usage
- Incremental updates: Via packages, without forced installation, minimizing the risk of errors
- Casual and advanced users benefit from distributions that prioritize stability—such as Ubuntu LTS, Debian Stable, or Fedora Workstation—while also benefiting from the latest versions of the Linux kernel. It’s not uncommon to see machines running for several months without rebooting, a test validated by numerous performance benchmarks such as those performed on AMD processors.
- In a concrete case, compared to Windows 10, Linux often allows for rapid service recovery and better resilience to attacks or bugs. Even in the event of a problem, Linux server troubleshooting is well documented and made accessible thanks to guides and communities, as can be seen in this complete directory of Linux server troubleshooting tools
- . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDHjRVYVqRU
The Multiplicity of Linux Distributions: An Advantage Rather Than an Obstacle There is significant diversity in the Linux universe. Whether it’s distributions like Mandriva, Mageia, Ubuntu, Fedora, or Elementary OS, this diversity can seem overwhelming, even confusing. However, it constitutes a remarkable factor in adaptability.For a new user, choosing a distribution can seem complex. However, several projects have grouped their user profiles and simplified the options:
Ubuntu: Entry-level, easy, suitable for traditional workstationsLinux Mint:
Fedora:
Innovation and recent software, more technical but very modern
Debian:
- Maximum stability, a solid foundation for both servers and client workstations Elementary OS:
- Sleek design, ergonomics inspired by macOS These major distributions manage system components and software choices by default to provide a seamless experience without the need for tinkering. Indeed, contrary to the common misconception that you should manually assemble your system, these preconfigured distributions more than compensate for this diversity.
- This variety also allows you to opt for lightweight versions on older machines (e.g., Xubuntu, Lubuntu, or Mageia), or for ultra-modern and powerful environments like KDE Neon or Kubuntu, equipped with Plasma desktops. This variety is a richness that gives everyone control and freedom. Advantages of diversity: Optimal adaptation to use and hardware
- Dedicated communities: Each distribution has comprehensive support and documentation
- Independent updates: Flexible release cycles based on specific needs
Interoperability:
Many distributions use the same base packages such as apt or rpm
- This richness allows users to benefit from a personalized Linux system perfectly adapted to their needs, far from a closed and rigid model. Discover why and how to switch from Windows 10 to Linux: advantages, migration steps, practical advice, and a comparison to help you make the right choice based on your needs.
- Linux isn’t just for professionals: general and advanced consumer use Many still believe that Linux remains a niche system reserved for developers or servers. This idea is largely outdated. Today, Linux is used on desktop PCs, laptops, and even some consumer models found in stores. Projects like Zorin OS or Kubuntu are specifically designed to replace Windows 10 from a consumer perspective.
- The numbers confirm it: more than half of the world’s developers use Linux daily. This demonstrates a mastery of the system on many professional fronts. But what is often overlooked is the growing number of non-technical users adopting Linux for their daily use. Modern features facilitate this adoption:
- Intuitive user interface: Often modeled on Windows or macOS standards
App stores:
Automatic updates:
Transparency and simplicity in maintenance
Broad compatibility:
Support for diverse hardware with open and proprietary drivers
- The Linux world also offers lightweight distributions dedicated to revitalizing older systems, as described in the Pentium 4-optimized solutions, adapted for basic modern needs. Linux servers, supported by distributions like Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Debian, are essential in the industry, but the user experience is no longer limited to this. The landscape has become more democratic, offering accessible, lightweight, and functional alternatives for both the average Internet user and enthusiasts ready to discover a different operating system.
- “Linux for everyone” is no longer a slogan but a reality, evident through interfaces and distributions that are as modern as they are intuitive.