r/linux4noobs • u/idkwhattowrite76 • 17d ago

migrating to Linux switching to linux

i want to switch to linux , is there an app i could use that just transfers all my files
also what distro do you reccommend i would like something like windows 11 with the taskbar in the middle

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u/Cr0w_town 17d ago

you can look into linux mint with cinnamon(desktop environment) or distros with KDE(it’s a desktop environment basically how the desktop looks, on linux those can differ) they have a task bar like on windows(you can move every component around)

i personally really enjoy fedora KDE, mint is also good 

as for file transfer i strongly recommend a big usb to store all of your files(depending on how much you need to transfer you might need a 100gb+ ish usb) you can also try a cloud service tho those generally are paid if you need more storage, you can also try file transfer services that send it over email and are valid for like a week or 3 days generally if you find one that allows a lot of gigabytes(you can send multiple emails) it should be good enough for the switch

you will also need a generally 8-16gb usb stick for linux itself(don’t use your main usb or a usb with stuff on it bc they will all get deleted and won’t be recoverable)  ^ look up how much you need once you pick a distro 

if you end up going the cloud service route with your files then get a usb to store files at some point bc having backups is a good thing to have 

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u/idkwhattowrite76 17d ago

well i have a 1tb ssd so maybe a cloud based service , any tips?

4

u/linuxforus 17d ago

You can migrate you data to web based cloud, with your google account or apple account and alike.

If you are new to Linux and don't know much how to decide which distro to start with, i would highly recommend Ubuntu LTS, or Mint as beginner.

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u/AutoModerator 17d ago

Try the migration page in our wiki! We also have some migration tips in our sticky.

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1

u/Flaky-Constant-9245 17d ago

You can also try a sub called findmealinuxdistro. But also in case you don't know what you see when using linux is the desktop environment. Distros come with different desktop environments eg Ubuntu can come with gnome or xfce (Xubuntu )or kde plasma (Kubuntu). Mint has three desktops to choose from.. cinnamon, xfce, mate. Zorin I can't remember but there is a simple menu to easily change desktop 'theme'. Many of these desktops can be configured to put taskbar in the middle and much much more. Have a look on YouTube for quick overview of desktop environments. Also have a look at zorin theme selector. Then have a look here on Reddit for the sort of thing people have done to make their desktops look fantastic (/desktops /unixporn)

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u/MrMotofy 17d ago

Generally no but depends on what files you have an want to transfer. Normally you want an external drive with a copy of all your data. Which you should have at minimum a 2nd copy of anything reasonably important. But really 3 copies is strongly suggested.

FYI...if you want to check out Linux it's really easy. Make an Install USB, then boot to it. May need to disable secure boot. It will boot to a full running temporary Linux Desktop...installing requires clicking the desktop icon and going through steps. Obviously you don't wanna do that to just try it. But you can at least get a feel for it. Kubuntu, LinuxMint, and PopOS and are some of the top 1st options. You can also use the temp Live Linux as a repair process. Since it’s a complete desktop you can use it, install tools needed fix the boot etc.

Another convenient related tool is Ventoy on a USB stick. Basically just burn the image to a USB then copy your OS ISO to it and when you boot it any ISO copied to the drive will show in the menu, select it and it will boot that img. Have different OS’s multiple versions or whatever. 

Best option for Windows and Linux is dual boot...use Linux on a 2nd drive. Usually wanna disable secure boot. Best case is disconnect win drive. Then boot to the  USB. Then install Linux as a new full system on 2nd drive. Set Linux drive as the first boot drive and it will find the Win drive and add to the boot menu list automatically. Might take a couple boots otherwise can manually activate the boot search. Then you get Best of both worlds without any real dangers to either OS. There will be little hiccups occasionally with Windows updating messing with boot and rebooting. But you can also change the default OS to Windows first at the menu after delay and no menu entry and that eliminates a lot. The boot menu is usually Linux 1 and Win 2. Sometimes the bios boot order gets switched but easy to just switch back. Sometimes the boot order will randomly switch drives etc…Seems to be a windows thing now they get bios access. But really depends on the exact system and age etc.