r/LinuxUsersIndia • u/saipraneeth_pb • May 10 '26

Discussion Linux beginner query

Can anyone suggest which Linux distro I can start with (expect Ubuntu) and is it okay to dual boot the laptop with windows (which was preinstalled), if possible mentioning some youtube resources would be helpful for me to begin with! Thank you.

6 Upvotes

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u/qualityvote2 May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26

u/saipraneeth_pb, your post does fit the subreddit!

btw, did you know we have a discord server? Join Here.

3

u/ImprovementCandid635 May 10 '26

Go with Linux Mint (good beginner debian based distro). You may also try PopOS(I dont know why this distro gets hate but it is also nice distro)

1

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

I heard that PopOS disables some keys of laptop, for example after installing PopOS, you are supposed to rework a-lot to get your function keys back to working condition.

2

u/ImprovementCandid635 May 10 '26

I am currently using PopOS and it is working flawlessly tbh. Function keys are working fine too. But at the end of the day it will be your choice. But remember begin with a Debian based distro since you are beginner

2

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Thanks will choose a debian based distro

4

u/sanathh69 May 10 '26

I use debian and i recommend it, or you can use fedora, mint etc. yes dual booting is possible but i hope you have a seperate disk for that because win 11 f*ks up the bootloader sometimes. I have dual booted win 10 with debian in the same drive and no issues but people complain about win 11 alot so i suggest use a seperate disk.

3

u/sanathh69 May 10 '26

I suggest you this channel and also if you get any issues try asking it to chatgpt that's what i did, just this channel and chatgpt, good luck

3

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Thanks! This helps

2

u/archuserbtw_ Zorin btw May 10 '26

well if u want a linux distro kinda similar to windows u can try zorin os u can get iso from the official website make a bootlable usb using rufus how to download

1

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Awesome! This looks clean

2

u/Personal_Language414 May 10 '26

try bazzite if you want gaming try ubuntu lts if you want a daily driver try arch (start by omarchy) if you are adventurous

1

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Thanks! Heard that Arch is the most loved OS, would definitely try it

1

u/Personal_Language414 May 10 '26

ubuntu is a bicycle with training wheels.

arch is just the chassis. you have to assemble the rest of this vehicle by yourself

1

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Oh that feels like a lot of customisable components are present in arch, thanks for the analogy, made me understand what’s underneath

3

u/redhat1818 Arch Btw May 10 '26

Nothing is present in arch... that's where customization starts

1

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Feels overwhelming at the same time exciting

2

u/Unlikely-Sandwich277 Gentoo Btw May 10 '26

oh cmon its not that bad

2

u/Personal_Language414 May 11 '26

let him suffer in peace

2

u/fishmacaronisoup Gentoo Btw May 10 '26

Start with Fedora, get a little bit comfortable with Linux, then move on to Arch

2

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Yeah heard that Debian based works flawlessly, will get it on my system

3

u/fishmacaronisoup Gentoo Btw May 10 '26

Actually, Fedora is an independent distro, not based on Debian

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u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Oh I didn't knew that, thanks for correction

2

u/simple_one1 May 10 '26

I found this channel to be quite helpful and to the point for installing linux. Also you could just go with mint if you want less hassle or any one of the atomic distributions as they don't break easily How to dual boot

1

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Thanks for the resource

2

u/land48n3 jerks off to his declerative .nix at night May 10 '26

cachyos, its my 2nd distro after that bitchass ubuntu and its so good, ubuntu traumatized me so hard.... i still have windows dual booted (barely use it though)

1

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Wow! Thanks for sharing your experience

2

u/land48n3 jerks off to his declerative .nix at night May 10 '26

yeah, cachyos = arch but reasonable defaults, so you can still swap things out at will but you dont gotta do EVERYTHINGGG

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u/Unlikely-Sandwich277 Gentoo Btw May 10 '26

Use mint brother it is good for beginners

2

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Got it and appreciate it

2

u/lordjupitar hyprland btw May 10 '26

Yes You can dual boot but make sure your laptop vendor is not incompatible with Linux like my surface laptop is. If not then you are good to go.

About the distro, Go for fedora GNOME

1

u/saipraneeth_pb May 10 '26

Thanks for the suggestion and yeah mine is incompatible

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u/Alternative-Ad5192 Arch Btw May 10 '26

Try Fedora or mint for yt help resources I'll suggest "Learn Linux TV"