While I wholeheartedly agree with the notion of “switch to Linux if you can”, sometimes people can’t do this due to obscure work software, specific hardware they can’t afford to change, or something else.

I know that being on Linux all those Windows enshittification news appear very distant, but some people literally can’t escape Windows for now - it’s not only those who are reluctant - and those news are bad news.

For those who consider Linux, though - by all means go for it. You can install Linux alongside Windows (preferably on another physical drive, but same drive will do), and just tinker with it and see how it feels. Don’t just toy with it, actually try to use it. As with any system, it might seem a bit weird for your first few hours, but when (if) you’ll be ready to make a switch, you really won’t look back.

Linux is not just an “ideological” choice. It is faster (you may not notice this on Windows, but even on greatest of computers Windows is lagging a bit, and you’ll feel the difference); it doesn’t bombard you with anything, it doesn’t shill you anything, it doesn’t do what you didn’t ask, it just gets the job done exactly the way you want it to.

And it’s insanely satisfying. Silence and control. For once, you actually are a master of your system.

Choose some distribution that supports KDE Plasma desktop - be it Fedora KDE, Manjaro KDE, KDE Neon or anything else - they will all do. KDE will make your experience way more Windows-like, and it will be easier to switch. In fact, KDE is what Windows desktop wish it could be.

Or, if you feel nostalgic for Windows 7 era, choose Cinnamon-based distros, especially Linux Mint.

And just run it. The time is now.