TL;DR
A journalist replaced Windows with Linux in January 2025, spent a year using multiple distributions and desktop environments, and says the switch was worth the effort. Gaming, creative work, and heavy customization proved possible, though some trade-offs and troubleshooting were required.
What happened
In January 2025 the author wiped a Windows 10 installation and installed Ubuntu, later switching to Fedora as a daily driver. The transition began with a difficult first night—struggles with the command line, disk mounting (fstab) and initial app setup—but settled into a productive routine after learning basic troubleshooting. Over the year the writer experimented with several desktop environments including Hyprland, Cinnamon and KDE Plasma, and heavily customized the look and terminal using tools such as Kitty, Zsh, Oh My Zsh and Powerlevel10k. Linux covered work, gaming, photo and video editing, and hobby Arduino coding. The author replaced some proprietary apps with open-source alternatives, used Wine for specific Windows apps, and relied on Valve’s Proton for most games (including running World of Warcraft as a non‑Steam title). Community resources, forums, and AI chatbots helped solve problems. The writer still uses a Linux gaming PC and does not plan to return to Windows.
Why it matters
- Linux can serve as a complete daily driver for many users, covering work, creative tasks, and gaming.
- The platform offers deep customization and user control that many find liberating compared with modern Windows.
- Users should expect hands-on troubleshooting: community resources and basic command‑line skills are often required.
- Compatibility remains mixed: many games run via Proton, but anti‑cheat systems block some competitive titles.
Key facts
- The switch began in January 2025 when the author installed Ubuntu over Windows 10.
- After several months on Ubuntu the author moved to Fedora as their primary distro.
- Desktop environments used included Hyprland, Cinnamon, and KDE Plasma.
- Terminal tooling mentioned: Kitty, Z Shell (Zsh), Oh My Zsh, and Powerlevel10k.
- Common issues encountered included fstab disk mounting, Flatpak permissions, and missing libraries for AppImage.
- The author replaced some Adobe/Microsoft tools with open-source alternatives like LibreOffice and RawTherapee.
- Wine was used to run iTunes for reviving an old iPod; an old Windows 10 laptop was resurrected with Linux.
- Most games in the author’s Steam library ran via Valve’s Proton; World of Warcraft was launched as a non‑Steam game to run through Proton.
- The author used AI chatbots (Mistral’s Le Chat and Anthropic’s Claude) alongside forums like Reddit and Stack Overflow for troubleshooting.
What to watch next
- Whether anti‑cheat systems expand Linux support and reduce barriers for competitive multiplayer titles — not confirmed in the source
- Potential arrival of widely used proprietary creative apps natively on Linux — not confirmed in the source
- The author’s longer‑term platform choices and whether their use of macOS for work changes their Linux usage — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Distro (distribution): A packaged version of the Linux operating system that includes the kernel plus assorted software and configuration; examples include Ubuntu and Fedora.
- Desktop environment: The graphical interface on top of the OS that handles windows, panels, and visual theming, such as KDE Plasma or Cinnamon.
- Proton: A compatibility layer developed by Valve that helps run Windows games on Linux through Steam.
- Wine: A compatibility tool that allows some Windows applications to run on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux.
- fstab: A system file on Unix-like systems that lists how and where storage devices should be mounted into the filesystem.
Reader FAQ
Did the author regret deleting Windows?
No—the author says they do not regret switching to Linux after a year.
Can the author play their games on Linux?
Most Steam titles ran via Proton, and World of Warcraft worked as a non‑Steam game; some anti‑cheat‑protected competitive games remain incompatible.
Was the transition technical and difficult?
Yes—there was an initial learning curve involving the command line and manual fixes, but community resources and persistence solved most problems.
Did they keep using Linux after one year?
Yes—the author still uses a Linux gaming PC and does not plan to return to Windows soon.
Will Linux fit everyone’s needs?
Not confirmed in the source.
FEATURES TECH LINUX I spent a year on Linux and forgot to miss Windows One year on Linux, two distros, a few tears, four desktop environments, and zero regrets about…
Sources
- I spent a year on Linux and forgot to miss Windows
- Switched Back to Windows After over 10 Years on Linux
- I updated from Windows 10 to Linux, and I'm not going back
- I'm sorry to say this but the year of desktop Linux will never …
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