Other options for operating systems include Linux distributions, macOS, and various mobile platforms.
Other options for operating systems include Linux distributions, macOS, and various mobile platforms.
It would need a full office transformation. To address compatibility issues, documents can be saved as PDFs using LibreOffice. Embedding the original LO file within the PDF simplifies future edits. Opening the PDF in LO allows for easy modifications. PDFs help connect different software and platforms. Currently, I convert all my LO documents to PDFs because they are straightforward to edit while keeping the original embedded. The exception is when external contributors need to edit or add content beyond simple form filling.
I had a second spare PC and was set up with a dual Linux installation... Right now I’m limited by the size of my hard drives, so I haven’t upgraded yet—games really take up a lot of space. But if I get a bigger SSD or similar, I might switch back. I enjoyed using Linux because it felt similar to running Windows 7; it didn’t cause any issues unless I damaged it!
I've put in a lot of effort to switch to Linux. Windows offers the best available applications. Linux can sometimes have strange driver problems and may need advanced knowledge about certain features. Connecting to WiFi on Ubuntu might be the most frustrating experience I've faced. Barnacules Nerdgasm is a YouTuber with some tips on reducing telemetry and other issues. Around 2-3 videos should help. Unless you prefer a Mac or don't need many programs, consider trying a Linux distribution, BSD version, Unix variant, or another lesser-known OS.
Windows 10 1607 LTSB – quick take: no extra apps in the start menu, generally. Longer note: I set up something using Xbox and the Windows Store to access the store and run scripts with a photo viewer. Why this version? It runs smoothly, only major updates needed. Pros 1607 is stable, minimal updates—often just a few per month or two. It boots quickly, uses less memory, and keeps the hard drive mostly free. Privacy-wise it seems solid on paper, though Chrome from Google may interfere. You might need to dig through licensing options or use the trial copy for scripts since I don’t have the current version anymore.
On Linux I’ve found it smooth and straightforward, like using Tumbleweed for quick updates. For the tools that need Windows, just spin up a VM—it’s easy. You can even set it up with your hardware, such as GPUs or drives, but for everyday office work that’s usually not necessary. Personally, I’m in a fully Microsoft environment and sometimes Excel is the only option; LibreOffice Calc isn’t quite there. Running my home office in a VM gives me a hassle-free experience all day long, with the only risk being the image file itself.
You have flexibility to delete metro applications using PowerShell or opt for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB. I previously set up several machines with Windows 10 and immediately used PowerShell commands like "Get-AppxPackage | Remove-AppxPackage" to clean up. Then I switched to MS Edge and installed Classic Shell to mimic the start button from my preferred OS, Windows 7. Once the icon appeared, I also added Spybot Anti-Beacon to prevent tracking and telemetry. Finally, I updated Windows to the latest release, reinstalled drivers to ensure everything functioned properly.
2) This approach feels more advantageous in my view since it allows running multiple operating systems on a single machine. I successfully launched Linux with recent updates and drivers. I installed KVM and Virt Manager, then routed certain PCI cards through VFIO driver inside KVM for specific tasks (such as an HBA card with four drives, Radeon RX 580, and ASUS Xonar DGX). After confirming the devices were connected, I set up my KVM switch to manage switching between virtual machines and the physical PC. I created a VM without any active devices initially to install Windows or Linux smoothly. Once done, I turned off the virtual machine and gradually reintroduced devices one by one for troubleshooting. Although there were a few hiccups along the way, the experience greatly simplified my learning process for Linux and highlighted its strengths.
In my view, Linux offers more robust versions of most tools. Comparing Windows Command Shell with Linux terminal apps like Thunar or Dolphin, file sharing options such as NFS versus Google Chrome, media players including iTunes and Chromium, system updates via Snapshot or Corebird, and the variety of software available all point to Linux excelling in overall usability. While some backup solutions exist, the integration of features like calendar sync and KDE Wallet with GPG remains strong. Windows may lack comprehensive software, and discovering good alternatives often requires exploration. This is just an observation—not a personal stance. I’m not trying to favor one platform over another. Linux generally supports users better across the board.
Most folks stick with Windows since it’s the main platform for most games, especially those released primarily there. While Valve has made efforts with Linux versions like SteamOS and OSX, many titles still debut on Windows first. I suspect someone more experienced might suggest WINE as a workaround, though I’m not sure how well it works with the newest games and their APIs. Would anyone have thoughts on that? A friend of mine highly recommends LTSB if you manage to get one, appreciating its privacy focus and avoiding apps with extensive tracking—like Google Chrome, which seems problematic. He also uses VPNs for online browsing.
You can start with Ubuntu Gnome, the latest update is recommended. You'll definitely need some practice to get comfortable, but there are solid alternatives available. I personally use WPS for writing or OpenOffice, install Antidote, Steam, Firefox and Chrome, Clever, Lutris for gaming (you can play League of Legends without issues). It's not perfect, but it offers many great features like the Tweak Tool. The most interesting part is the shortcut keyboard with a touch SUPER to swipe your screen. Your desktop stays tidy with few icons and this reliable distribution. I wish you the best, good luck!