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Valnet Articles on Moving From Windows to GNU/Linux
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HowTo Geek ☛ Switching to Linux: How to Replace Everyday Apps With Open-Source Alternatives
Switching to Linux is exciting, but let’s be honest. One of the first things that hits you is the question: “What about my apps?” For years you’ve probably relied on Microsoft Office, Photoshop, OneDrive, or similar tools. The good news is that Linux has a thriving ecosystem of open source applications that can step in for your everyday needs. Even better, most of them can be installed and used within minutes, no complicated setup required.
I’ve put together a list of open source alternatives that I’ve personally found to be both powerful and approachable. These aren’t niche tools buried in obscure forums—they’re widely used, actively developed, and friendly enough for new or intermediate Linux users.
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XDA ☛ I used Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and more on Linux with WinApps — here's how it went
If you've been following my work as of late, you'll know that I've been an increasingly big fan of Linux as my primary operating system in favor of Windows 11. I love the customization, speed, and the knowledge that I can make the experience my own without constant interruptions from Microsoft.
However, Linux has a big problem: the apps you're familiar with on Windows and macOS may not be available there. A few big apps are missing from Linux, which makes a full transition complicated. Thankfully, solutions like WinApps try to bridge the gap by bringing Windows apps to the Linux desktop through a clever use of virtualization. I've talked about WinApps before, but I wanted to go back in and try some specific apps you might want to run on your Linux PC that only exist for Windows. This is still one of the better solutions to bring Windows apps to Linux, with some caveats. Let's take a look at some of the things I tried.
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Make Use Of ☛ This “Windows-friendly” distro isn't what you think, and you should avoid it
Winux is a Linux distribution designed to ease the transition for users accustomed to Windows. Its interface closely resembles that of Windows 11, featuring a taskbar, Start menu, and system tray that are nearly indistinguishable from their Windows counterparts. This design choice aims to provide a familiar environment for those making the switch to Linux.
It even comes with built-in apps that mimic what you’d expect on Windows. The file manager resembles Explorer, the settings app is essentially a clone of Windows Settings, and the system monitor is essentially a disguised version of Task Manager. At first glance, I couldn’t tell whether it was a Linux or Windows installation.
For anyone accustomed to Windows, such as my parents, this is perfect. There’s almost no learning curve, and you can get straight to work without feeling lost. It also comes with Wine pre-installed, which allows you to run some Windows applications directly. Not everything works perfectly, but it’s convenient for basic apps. At first, I actually thought it could be my go-to Linux recommendation for most people, since there’s almost no learning curve.