Linux has become extremely popular. More and more people are switching to it than ever before. You will be surprised to know just how many people use it. If you are tired of using Windows or have an older system that does not support Windows 10, it is a good idea to switch to Linux.

The reason why it is a good idea to move to Linux is that it can run on Windows 7 and older desktops. Machines that are unable to run Windows 10 will have no trouble bringing Linux to life. Besides, Linux distributions are super easy to use. There is no need for you to worry about running Windows as you no longer have to. If you want to run PowerPoint, Excel, or Word, you can use the free Office Online. Teams also run on Linux and so do Skype and Edge. It is only a matter of time until Office 365 suite comes to Linux.

Which Linux

The main question that would come to your mind is which Linux you should use. With hundreds of Linux desktop distributions, you might feel confused. However, there is no need to worry as Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, and Debian are the perfect options. But, to keep things simple, we take a close look at Linux Mint installation. The reason why we are sticking to Linux Mint is that it works and looks just like Windows 7. The fact is that you will not experience any issues as a Windows user.

Although there is a learning curve, you can easily pick it up. A great thing about Linux Mint is that it runs well even on low-power hardware. An x86 processor, 15GB of disk space, 1GB of RAM, a USB port, a CD/DVD drive, and a graphics card that offer 1024 x 768 resolution should suffice. In fact, you can even use a Windows XP PC to run Linux Mint. Moreover, you will be delighted to know that it does not cost a single penny as it is absolutely free. Therefore, you can try it out. If you do not like it, you can always reboot back to Windows.

The best Linux distribution for old computers will depend on the specific hardware and software requirements of the computer. Some popular Linux distributions that are known for their low system requirements and good performance on older computers include:

  • Lubuntu: Lubuntu is a lightweight and user-friendly Linux distribution that is based on Ubuntu and uses the LXDE desktop environment. Lubuntu is designed to be fast and efficient, and it is suitable for use on older computers with limited resources.
  • Xubuntu: Xubuntu is another lightweight and user-friendly Linux distribution that is based on Ubuntu and uses the Xfce desktop environment. Xubuntu is optimized for performance and usability, and it is suitable for use on older computers with low-end hardware.
  • Linux Mint: Linux Mint is a popular and user-friendly Linux distribution that is based on Ubuntu and uses the Cinnamon desktop environment. Linux Mint is designed to be easy to use and to provide a comfortable and familiar user experience, and it is suitable for use on older computers with limited resources.
  • Puppy Linux: Puppy Linux is a small and lightweight Linux distribution that is designed to be fast and efficient, and it is suitable for use on older computers with limited resources. Puppy Linux includes a range of applications and tools, and it allows you to easily customize and extend the system to suit your needs.

The best Linux distribution for old computers will depend on the specific hardware and software requirements of the computer, as well as your personal preferences and needs. You may want to try out different Linux distributions to find the one that works best for your situation.

Download Mint

The first thing that you need to do is download the Linux Mint ISO file. It has a size of 1.8 GB. It should take some time to download. You will have to choose from different desktops. Generally, the popular Cinnamon desktop is the way to go. As you learn more about Linux and are interested in exploring more, you can try another version.

Burn the Linux Mint ISO File

Next, you will require an ISO burner program. You can use the freeware programs Linux Live USB Creator for a USB drive or IMG Burn for a DVD. After you have installed the burner program to your Windows system and the Linux Mint ISO file, you can use it to burn it to the USB drive. Even though you have the option to install Mint using a DVD on an older system, it would be very slow. Hence, you should stick to a USB drive. If you are on a machine that does not allow you to install native software, you can use Chromebook Recovery Utility extension. To use this service, append .bin to the ISO filename, then select the gear icon and press the Use local image to locale the renamed ISO file. Now select the USB drive as the destination and wait for the extension to write the binary to the disk.

Set Up the PC for Alternative Boot-Up

As you reboot the system, you will need to stop during the boot-up process to get the UEFI or BIOS settings of your PC. You can perform a Google search for your specific laptop to find out how to access the information.

When you get to BIOS or UEFI settings, you should look for Boot > Boot Options / Boot Order. If you cannot find Boot, you should search Advanced Options, Other Options, or Advanced BIOS Features. After you have found the right option, you can set the boot order to ensure that the desktop boots from either the USB drive or optical drive.

Boot Linux Mint

Once your desktop is set to boot, all you have to do is insert the USB drive or DVD and reboot. Choose “Start Linux Mint” from the menu. It should take a minute or more for it to run Linux Mint.

Use Linux Mint

Once Linux Mint is booted, it is time that you give it a try. You should give it a few days. Windows would still be there. It would switch back to Windows when you reboot without the drive.

Make a Complete Backup

When it comes to a serious upgrade, you have to make a complete backup of the Windows system. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Although you are likely to prefer Linux, it is always best to avoid taking any risks. Keep in mind that you cannot install Linux Mint if you have Secure Boot on your PC. You would need to turn it off. Head over to the UEFI control panel to turn it off.

Keep Your PC Plugged In

Even though it is obvious that your PC should be plugged in, you need to remember that installing an operating system gives the computer a workout. The last thing you want is to run out of battery while Linux Mint is installing. You also require a stable internet connection and a minimum of 8GB disk space.

Set Up a Partition

Next, you will need to set up a partition for Linux Mint. It is important that you check to see if you have enough space. You can use a disk manager to shrink the space used. It will allow you to partition the space to make room for Linux. Despite the fact that 15GB would be sufficient, it is best to have at least 100GB. Then, you can proceed with the reboot.

Boot Linux

As the Mint display would appear, you will need to click “Install Mint” and the installation will start. During the setup journey, you will be required to select a keyboard layout, pick a name for the system, a username, and a password. The decisions will be rather simple. Finally, you will just need to set up the system. The menu will guide you through it all. Do update Linux Mint to the latest version and reset your computer from the main drive. You will either fall in love with it instantly or it will take some getting used to.

BusyBox for Limited Devices

You can install BusyBox on a computer. BusyBox is a popular and lightweight utility that provides a set of commonly used Unix utilities and commands in a single, small-sized executable file. It is commonly used on embedded systems and other devices with limited resources, and it can also be installed and used on a computer.

To install BusyBox on a computer, you will need to download the BusyBox binary and install it on your system. The exact steps for installing BusyBox will depend on the operating system and the version of BusyBox that you are using.

Here are some general steps for installing BusyBox on a computer:

  • Download the latest version of BusyBox from the official BusyBox website (https://www.busybox.net/downloads/binaries/) or from another source.
  • Extract the downloaded archive file to a directory on your computer. This will create a directory containing the BusyBox binary and other files.
  • Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you extracted the BusyBox files.
  • Make the BusyBox binary executable by running the following command: “chmod +x busybox”
  • Run the BusyBox binary with the “–install” option to install it on your system. For example, you can run the following command: “./busybox –install”
  • After BusyBox is installed, you can run the individual BusyBox utilities by using the “busybox” command followed by the name of the utility. For example, you can run the “ls” utility by using the following command: “busybox ls”

Installing BusyBox on a computer is a simple process, and it can provide you with a set of useful utilities and commands that are commonly used on Unix-like systems. This can be useful for advanced users who want to have more control over their system and its utilities.

Access your Windows Partition on Linux

To access a Windows partition on Linux, you can follow these steps:

  • Open the “Disks” utility on your Linux system. This utility allows you to manage and access the disk drives and partitions on your computer.
  • In the “Disks” utility, select the disk that contains the Windows partition that you want to access. This will open the details of the disk and its partitions.
  • In the partition list, select the Windows partition that you want to access. This will open the details of the partition, including its filesystem, size, and mount point.
  • If the Windows partition is not already mounted, you will need to mount it before you can access it. To mount the partition, click on the “Mount” button in the “Disks” utility. This will mount the partition and make it available for access on your Linux system.
  • After the Windows partition is mounted, you can access it by opening the file manager on your Linux system and navigating to the mount point of the partition. The mount point is typically located in the “/media” directory, and it will have the name of the disk and the partition number (e.g., “/media/disk1/part1”).
  • In the file manager, you can browse the files and folders on the Windows partition, and you can open and access the files as you would on a Windows system. You can also copy, move, or delete files and folders on the Windows partition, as needed.

Differences between a Linux and Windows Operating Systems

Windows and Linux are both operating systems, which means that they provide the underlying software and services that allow users to interact with the computer and run applications. However, there are several key differences between Windows and Linux, which include:

  • Development and ownership: Windows is a proprietary operating system developed and owned by Microsoft, whereas Linux is a free and open-source operating system developed and maintained by a global community of volunteers and contributors.
  • User interface and design: Windows and Linux have different user interfaces and design philosophies. Windows has a graphical user interface (GUI) that is based on windows, icons, and a mouse, whereas Linux has a command-line interface (CLI) that is based on text commands and a keyboard.
  • Compatibility and hardware support: Windows and Linux are compatible with different types of hardware and software. Windows is designed to work with a wide range of hardware and software, including proprietary and proprietary applications, whereas Linux is designed to work with open standards and open-source software.
  • Security and privacy: Windows and Linux have different approaches to security and privacy. Windows has a centralized security model that relies on updates and security patches from Microsoft, whereas Linux has a decentralized security model that allows users and administrators to control and customize their security settings.

Overall, the main difference between Windows and Linux is their development and ownership, user interface and design, compatibility and hardware support, and security and privacy. These differences can affect the user experience and the capabilities of the operating system, and they can influence the choice of operating system for a specific computer or application.