As the end of support for Windows 10 approaches on October 14, 2025, you might be considering alternative operating systems to maintain security and functionality. One compelling option that you may be hearing more often is Linux Mint, a free, open-source operating system renowned for its user-friendly interface and stability.
Although switching from Windows 10 to Linux Mint (in this case) may sound daunting, time has changed, and so has Linux, which has improved greatly over the years. Linux Mint offers a familiar environment for most users accustomed to Windows. It features a straightforward installation process and a comprehensive suite of pre-installed open-source apps. Its active community provides robust support, making it an accessible choice for beginners and experienced users. Additionally, Linux Mint is less resource-intensive than Windows 10, potentially improving the performance of older hardware.
What is Linux Linux?
At its core, Linux Mint is a complete operating system similar to Windows or macOS. It manages your computer’s hardware and software and provides a graphical environment for your activities. This distribution of Linux is based on the Ubuntu platform, and it inherits its stability and security while adding its unique touches.
Why choose Linux Mint to replace Windows 10?
There are several reasons to choose Linux Mint as your Windows 10 replacement. However, it all comes down to stability, ease of use, lightweight, and robust compatibility.
Linux Mint is available in different desktop environments, but the Cinnamon desktop provides a familiar layout similar to Windows 10, minimizing the learning curve for new users.
In addition to its reliability, this distribution ensures a seamless user experience without frequent crashes or slowdowns. As an open-source operating system, Linux Mint is free to use, eliminating licensing fees associated with proprietary software. Perhaps more importantly, it supports a wide range of hardware, often requiring minimal driver installations, including those processors that Windows 11 no longer supports.
If you are not interested in AI features, this is another reason to consider switching to Linux. Unlike Windows 11 and macOS, Linux Mint and other variants don’t include AI features. However, you can always access AI services on the web, such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and others.
Also, this Linux distribution includes support for many different types of apps. Since most applications today are web apps, you will likely have access to the tools and services you need for work and school.
Is Linux Mint the same as Windows 10?
Although Linux Mint is a suitable replacement for Windows 10, it’s important to understand that Linux is not Windows. What I mean is that Linux works differently. For example, while Windows uses the NTFS file system, Linux uses file systems like ext4, btrfs, and xfs. However, the open-source operating system has no problems reading NTFS.
Also, you have to consider that software installs differently on Linux, usually done through a package using one of the different command-line package managers. However, many distros like Mint include a graphical tool to discover and install applications, similar to the Microsoft Store.
Another aspect to consider before switching is the applications you use because Linux has some software limitations. For example, Microsoft doesn’t offer its suite of Office apps (or Microsoft 365 apps) for the open-source operating system. However, the software giant will stop supporting the Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 after October 14, 2025.
Also, you won’t be able to install apps like Adobe Photoshop, but you can still access the web version of Office, Photoshop, and others. In addition, you can also install similar applications, such as LibreOffice and Gimp.
Linux offers other solutions for installing Windows apps with Wine and virtual machines, but you are likely to run into issues.
If you really have to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and other apps natively, instead of switching to Linux Mint, you should consider bypassing the requirements and installing Windows 11 in an unsupported state.
Finally, it’s important to note that while Linux works well with most hardware configurations, especially older components, when getting a new piece of hardware (such as a network adapter or printer), you have to research and confirm its compatibility with Linux.
In this guide, I will outline the steps to upgrade your computer from Windows 10 to Linux Mint. If you’re not convinced about Linux, you can explore different upgrade paths to leave Windows 10 behind before the support ends.
Replace Windows 10 with Linux Mint on your computer
If your computer doesn’t meet the requirements for Windows 11, or you want to switch to a different operating system, you can switch to Linux Mint in a four-step process that involves creating a Linux USB bootable media, creating a full backup of your current setup, and performing a clean installation of the Mint distribution deleting the previous of Windows 10, and the restoring your files from backup and installing the application you need.
Create Linux Mint USB bootable media
To create a Linux Mint USB installer, follow these steps:
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Click the Download button for the Cinnamon Edition.
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Click the download link closer to your location under the “Download mirrors” section.
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Save the ISO file on your computer.
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Click the link to download the latest version under the “Download” section.
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Choose the USB flash drive from the “Device” setting.
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Double-click the executable to launch the tool.
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Click the Select button.
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Select the Linux Mint ISO file.
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Click the Open button.
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Continue with the default settings after the download.
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(Optional) Specify a name for the drive under the “Volume label” setting.
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Click the Start button.
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Click the OK button with the default option.
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Click the Yes button.
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Click the OK button.
Once you complete the steps, you can proceed with the backup process of the current setup, and then you can install the Linux distribution on your computer.
Create a full backup of Windows 10
The next step is to create a full backup of your current Windows 10 setup in case something goes wrong and you have a rollback. If you want to have access to your files in Linux Mint, you will have to transfer them to an external hard drive and then restore them manually in the new environment.
To create a system image backup on Windows 10, use these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Update & Security.
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Click on Backup.
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Click the “Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” option under the “Looking for an older backup” section.
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Click the “Create a system image” option from the left pane.
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Select the external USB drive for the full backup under the “On a hard disk” setting.
Quick tip: You can use an external USB hard drive with data already on it. The tool will not format or erase any files in the drive. Instead, it will create a folder called “WindowsImageBackup” to save the system image.
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Click the Next button.
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Select any other drive to include in the Windows 10 full backup (if applicable).
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Click the Next button.
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Click the Start backup button.
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Click the No button.
Once you complete the steps, the Windows 10 backup will be created on the external USB drive. You can also skip the creation of the image repair disc since you can use the bootable media to access the recovery environment. You can use these instructions if you must restore your computer from backup.
Install Linux Mint from USB on a Windows 10 PC
To install Linux Mint on a Windows 10 computer, follow these steps:
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Start the PC with the Linux Mint USB flash drive.
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Select the “Start Linux Mint” option and press Enter.
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Double-click the “Install Linux Mint” icon on the desktop.
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Select the installation language.
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Click the Continue button.
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Select the keyboard layout.
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Click the Continue button.
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(Optional) Check the “Install multimedia codecs” option.
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Click the Continue button.
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Select the “Erase disk and install Linux Mint” option.
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Click the Install Now button.
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Click the Continue button.
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Select your region.
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Click the Continue button.
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Create a local account for the Linux Mint installation.
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Click the Continue button.
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Click the Restart now button.
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Disconnect the USB flash drive from the computer and press Enter.
Once you complete the steps, the system will restart, and you will have access to the new desktop.
Of course, Linux isn’t Windows, but the environment will feel familiar. For instance, you find a similar desktop experience with a background and taskbar with a menu to launch apps and similar controls. Also, you can change the position of the bar to either side or top of the screen.
You won’t find Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome on Linux Mint, as the operating system uses Mozilla Firefox as the default browser. However, you can install virtually any modern browser, including those supported on Windows 10.
Also, instead of the Microsoft Store, in this distribution of Linux, you can use the “Software Manager” to find and download apps. Alternatively, you can download and install “.deb” packages, which are equivalent to those “.exe” or “.msi” installers. If you’re comfortable using commands, you can also use the apt-get install command.
Finally, if you have to change any of the settings, you can always access the “System Settings” app from the app launcher (Start menu). This control panel allows you to change anything related to appearance, preferences, hardware, and security.
Check for Linux Mint updates and drivers manually
After the clean installation process, it’s important to check and download any available updates for Linux Mint.
To download and install Linux Mint updates and drivers, use the steps:
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Open the app launcher (Start menu).
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Search for Update Manager and click the top result to open the app.
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Click the Refresh button.
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Click the Select All button (if applicable).
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Click the Install Updates button.
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Sign in with your account credentials.
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Click the Authenticate button.
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Open the app launcher (Start menu).
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Search for Driver Manager and click the top result to open the app.
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Choose the available drivers (if applicable).
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Click the Apply Changes button.
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Restart the computer.
After you complete the steps, the available updates will download and install on your computer.
Restore files from backup on Linux Mint
If you have previously transferred your personal files to an external USB hard drive, it’s now the time to connect the storage to restore them in the new setup.
To restore files on Linux Mint, use these steps:
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Connect the USB storage to the computer.
Quick note: The system should detect and launch the device automatically. Otherwise, open the storage with the icon that appears on the desktop, or open the Files app and click on the USB drive from the left pane under the “Devices” section.
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Select the files and folders you want to transfer using the mouse or the “Ctrl + A” keyboard shortcut.
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Click on Edit and choose the Copy option.
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Open the destination folder to copy the files, such as “Documents.”
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Click on Edit and choose the Paste option.
Once you complete the steps, your documents and other files will be restored on your Linux Mint computer.
If this distribution of Linux isn’t for you, another alternative is to upgrade from Windows 10 to ChromeOS Flex.
Linux Mint app alternatives for Windows 10 users
Since Linux Mint can’t run many of the Windows 10 (or 11) apps, you will have to resource different alternatives.
If you want to use the Microsoft 365 apps, you will have to use the web version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and others. You can also install the LibreOffice suite of apps that are compatible with Microsoft 365 formats.
In the case of Adobe Photoshop, you can use the GIMP app. However, you can always use the only version of Photoshop. You may also try the Inkscape app for vector graphics editor if you use Illustrator.
If you use an audio editor and recorder, a great alternative is the Audacity app.
Although many AAA games are developed primarily for Windows and lack native Linux support, you can install the Steam app, which allows many Windows games to run on Linux with varying degrees of compatibility.
You can also install these and other apps from the Software Manager without having to download and install packages manually. You only need to open the app launcher, search for “Software Manager,” and open the app. Then, simply search for the app and click the “Install” button.
Are you planning to switch to Linux Mint? Are you having any issues switching? Let me know in the comments.
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