Debian Stable is a solid choice as it has the best support and is a hassle-free experience. Maybe with KDE Desktop. Its the most userfriendly windows-like desktop i know of.
Optional: You can also install the MX-Tools from MX Linux to get some comfortable GUI system tools.

For me the reason I’ve switched is Windows just feels bloated and slow to use especially on less powerful hardware. When I open a program on Linux it just opens instantly, no spinning wheel, no waiting 5 seconds for the start menu to finally decide to open

That and package management, on NixOS I have a list of installed programs and system config all in one place, so no random applications I installed 3 years ago and forgot about, uninstallers that don’t work, dodgey .exes etc

I can see only a few scenarios where you couldn’t use the Linux full time.

1. The game you want to play doesn’t work. E.g. football 2023
2. The software you need to work professionally with doesn’t run on Linux and does not have alternative on Linux. E.g. Adobe suite
3. All your hardwares are too new that Linux doesn’t have enough driver yet e.g. Apple silicone M1,2

If you have none of them, the best reason to use is curiosity. I started my first Linux out of curiosity and now I am a full time Linx user though I still have windows dual boot and a Mac book pro.

Hey, if you’re comfortable and happy with Windows, and don’t feel the need to switch, then don’t feel pressured. If you want to try Linux for fun, try a distro like Arch, that gives you a lot of control and a lot to play with.

For home desktop use you really shouldn’t.

For a normal Desktop user nowadays I think Linux is just not worse than Windows. Don’t ask what Linux can do what Windows can’t, ask what Windows is doing what Linux isn’t: Spying on you, installing software you neither want nor need, forces you to use software you don’t want, forces you to connect your local account with an online account, forces recent hardware on you and in the future, forces you to move all your data into the cloud. And all that while charging you a few hundred moneys. Linux just doesn’t do that (well, depending on the distro of course).

For newcomers and non-techies I’d recommend Ubuntu or Ubuntu based distros. Plain Ubuntu is the distro which in most parts ‘just works’. If you’re looking for something which looks more like Windows have a look at Linux Mint Cinnamon. Linux Mint Mate (or XFCE) is a great choice if your computer is a bit older. I also mention Kubuntu because KDE is the a very popular desktop but rather demanding (but also feature rich), it may also feel more natural for people switching from Windows.

All of them will run Steam without trouble, but be aware that playing Windows games on Linux can in some cases be troublesome and require manual fixes. Maybe look beforehand which games are supported how well on https://www.protondb.com/ .

For me Linux is about customization, from windows7, Microsoft is removing a lot of things and trying to force a streamlined way of use it. I hate it.on Linux you have a much more control of your workflow, doing things in your wa, also there is a sense of community, wikies work, tutorials usually are better.

But, if you are super confortable with windows I will suggest you to not change. There is no reason for that, only if you are curious, but none system will be better that one you already like in every aspect and you need nothing.

For a beginners a distro is not even the most important thing, but the desktop environment, i can recommend endevourOS, manjaro, and mint, i the order i like most, and for the DE i highly recommend Cinnamon or KDE since you clearly don’t feel the need to change your desktop so much, Mate is also a greatDE but it is just a little bit uglier but has a good performance if you have a less potent machine

In the last 10 years I’ve used linux from time to time on my personal PC, mostly used for gaming and web browsing. Always switch back to Windows, because it was not ready for my use, mostly due to gaming.

3 months ago I got fed up by windows forcing on me the connected account and installing crap by default, so I tried a few distrib and stick to ArchLinux, this time I didn’t switch back to Windows, and for now, I don’t intend to. I don’t play online “competitive” FPS anymore, which tend to not work well on linux because of anti cheat. Linux compatibility improve every day for gaming, it has been mostly flaw less for the past 3 months. With the steam deck, compatibility greatly improved, and it’s getting better everyday.

I feel like Arch is more snappy than Windows, everything feels more responsive, and man update are so quick, Windows takes forever to update… And I like having more controls of what my PC is doing for better and worse.

Do a list of what you want and don’t want for your usage, then try some distrib and check if it fit your needs or not.

I’ll preface this with: If you like Windows and don’t particularly care for Linux experiences, that’s ok. Not everyone needs to use Linux - the world is more interesting with variety.

For me, I hate when my computer does things that I don’t tell it to. I also hate ads. These, along with but really using it for a decade were deal breakers for me with windows.

Some things that Linux has that Windows does not:

• Native package managers: Realize that you need to use an image editor and don’t have one installed? You can just install it with your distro’s package manager. It will usually take care of any dependencies and make it easy to update or uninstall if you decide you want to. Some distros have particularly massive offerings in their package repos.
• Freely customizeable UI: Tired of how your system looks and want to try something else? Install a tiling window manager through the package manager. Or, maybe Gnome or KDE or XFCE. Huge amounts of customization in your GUI are possible.
• Programming: Interested in programming? Install some development tooling through the package manager.
• Embedded Programming: Interested in programming but want it to be more physically tangible or automate parts of your home? Setup the Arduino IDE, or Mu, or go old school and use vim/emacs. Then, compile and push it out to your microcontroller. Or, you can use something like Blinka on a Raspberry Pi or similar SBC and directly interact with sensors and devices across the built-in GPIO pins.
• Tinkering: Enjoy just poking about? The kernel being open-source means that its APIs are well documented and you can find lots of tools to tweak your system’s behavior or do so yourself.
• Job opportunities: The Internet runs primarily on Linux servers. If you’re interested in tech work, getting familiar with Linux can’t hurt.
• Tux: What is Windows’ mascot? A window? How about an awesome penguin? Distros and DEs often also have their own, like a chameleon, wildebeest, or dragons (2/3 of the examples can readily smash a window while the other one could at least get an E for Effort and scream at it in german).

For distros that work well with steam, I definitely suggest Linux Mint or Ubuntu for beginners. They’re just way more “batteries included”. However, if you could also give SteamOS, the distro developed by Valve (on top of Debian) a try and it will probably work quite well.

Most of all, have fun, whether you decide to take Linux for a spin or not.

I’m in a similar boat—would love a compelling reason to move to Linux but just don’t feel it yet. Many of the things other commenters dislike about windows I don’t experience. I’d consider myself fairly competent at tinkering with windows, so I have a completely local login, don’t see any ads, and it doesn’t install updates until I tell it too (I scripted manually installing the Defender definition updates every day though). I use Actualtools AWM for fine grained control over desktop and window features which I’d need to find the equivalent of in a Linux desktop—doable I’m sure, but it feels like a lot of effort to be exactly where I am right now.

So I’ll keep looking for the opportunity to move, install Kubuntu on an old laptop, and in the meantime just get on with work.

A few reasons other than privacy to use linux:

1. Drivers for majority of the software are already installed. This means for most devices, it is just plug and play, no need to scour the internet for device drivers.
2. Installing and updating packages through package manager is a much-much better solution than going to websites, downloading installer, than installing the software and then remembering to update each and every piece of software.
3. Customization, you make the UI look and behave like you please. It is my belief that the UI should be user-specific not how a certain company feels a UI should be like.
4. Much better OS updates, Updating the OS doesn’t all the time require restart (you should do that anyway), but OS updates don’t happen suddenly forcing themselves, when you maybe doing something important.
5. Printing is a much better experience. This may not be for all, but I print stuff regularly, but I had issues with printers on windows, that I don’t have on linux. Cups and Sane are amazing.
6. Its just faster and runs like a champ, even on old hardware.
7. No ads. This shouldn’t even be a thing, but microsoft in their infinite wisdom, show ads on a OS that the user has paid for.
8. You can uninstall any software you don’t want. Don’t like firefox as default browser? just uninstall and use whatever you want. Don’t like your file explorer? there are quite a few to choose from, or don’t want to have a file explorer? the choice is yours.
9. You should explore it, you should check out what all it has to offer, try different desktop environments, try tiling window managers, maybe you will find something you really like. Virtual desktops for example, in my personal opinion are done much better on linux than on windows/mac.

After you setup Linux to your requirements, there really isn’t a reason to use windows.

A few reasons not to use linux:

1. Your work/school require that you use windows/mac.
2. Some hardware that is necessary for you doesn’t have linux support/drivers.
3. Some software(this applies to games as well) you use is not available/work on linux and the alternative doesn’t exist, or the alternative isn’t good or you really require that specific software.
4. You are happy with your OS. This is a perfectly fine, use whatever you are comfortable with.

If you do decide to use linux a few recommendations:

1. If you plan on using linux for a long term, use something like debian (or debian based, ubuntu is fine, but I don’t like it)/redhat based distro like alma or rocky . These are stable and for the most part you can just install them and forget about them. Arch is good, but you have so many updates daily, it kind of takes a toll on you. fedora,opensuse are a good middle ground if you want regular software/os updates but not daily.

You may also be interested in something like NixOS. Check it out, it is a really interesting project but it isn’t I would say yet for majority of the users.

2. try out different Desktop environments, I would say this is much more important than your choice of distro. Experience them all and pick one you find the best for yourself. Do this in a VM, trust me on this.

Not having Microsoft install candy crush and reenable telemetry trackers with every update.

• Telemetry and Tracking, you need to sign in to legitimately use your Windows 11 Machine and it does collect data you would not want to if you would know which and what data it is.
• Psychology feels different. You could actively be creative and do everything you want because noone watches you and there are no absurd backdoors on Linux.
• Linux Desktop with KDE (?) or Gnome (Fedora) it is… or Cinamon (Which mainly Linux mint uses). You have a wide variety to choose your Team that develops all the features into your comfort zone and if you elaborate with your Linux Desktop you will notice that many useful features exist since many years that enhance productivity or comfort. Like Window Tiling, set your window Always On Top or Always Below your windows, use Widgets (depends on which Desktop), make your windows wiggle or break in a quantum pattern or Fire when closed and discover more things that would not be possible on the hardcoded private Windows 10 or 11 Desktop.
• never ever update your PC again with Linux! Just get the newest Security updates and have a system running that will never force you to reinstall the shit again because a new Windows 12 came out and the transfer tool does not exist or deletes all programs. (Depends on Distro, Ubuntu needs complete upgrades that may break system, but Arch and Linux mint were perfect)
• Interested in encryption? No problem, it was always secure and easy to install with most GUI installers at OS install.
• Nicest way to install programs? Just use the easy to use package manager and be 3 clicks away to install the official and legitimate way of Steam, Blender or other application instead of needing to search the internet.
• Its satisfying and has a nice file structure.
• Learn your OS to the roots. You can learn how the details work if you want or are interested in a specific thing.
• Nerdy community instead of casuals who downplay you for not knowing that its obviously Wednesday patchday or another irrelevant day for Microsoft. (You also can get bad communities that downplay you anyway in Linux communities, but are very rare in my opinion compared to Windows focused ones)

Btw, if you don’t feel like the current distro feels comfy, just try a different one with maybe a different Desktop or different Desktop design. The best part about Linux is, its perfect. But there is no perfect fit for every Human, thus why I hate Windows for trying this “fit for all” Philosohpy, but maybe its just that I have setup a perfect Arch Linux System with KDE after using Kubuntu, Pop OS, Manjaro for 3 years and gaining knowledge about Linux.

freedom of speech, actually owning your computer, more privacy. I recommend using mint or Pop!_OS

If you have to ask, don’t do it. People moving away from Windows usually have strong enough motivation to be able to tolerate the occasional tinkering Linux will require (any distro will, some more than others).

Personally, I switched a couple of years ago because I was fed up with Windows telemetry bullshit. But I admit that’s mostly ideological because you don’t “feel” it if you choose to ignore privacy rights violations.

I then discovered Linux to be much faster (booting, I/O, program start-up, basically everything) and not becoming shitty just by using it like every single Windows version does. Also, if you run into problems it’s much easier to find and understand the root cause. Windows is just a black box.