I'm Glad I Switched from Windows 10 to Linux, Not Windows 11
I have been using and programming computers for a long time (TI-99/4a, C64, Amiga, DOS and 27 years of Windows).
I actually really enjoyed using & developing on Windows. I even liked Vista 64-bit and couldn't understand why so many people griped about it.
Before Vista I always had desktop computers. I switched to laptops and each new laptop I got from that point on had Windows Vista, Windows 8 and finally Windows 10.
One thing I noticed, and did not like, is that each new Windows version seemed to be "standardizing" things (i.e. removing features most notably customizability and increasingly shoving things on my computer that I did not want).
Ultimately, I simply became tired of Windows (and Microsoft) for a few main reasons:
Malware, ransomware and other viruses primarily target Windows due to its massive market share.
The ridiculously blatant privacy invasion being pushed into Windows 11.
The requirement to create a Microsoft Online account to access my own laptop instead of creating a local account as I had always done. Yes, there have been many community created solutions to this but that is not the point - the point is the INTENT of Microsoft including them continually patching out each solution as it becomes known to them.
These things were just the final straw.
In my pragmatic way, I looked at it (and still do) as "it is Microsoft's product so they can set the rules. My choice is: use it or not" so I simply chose to no longer use Windows.
I had already stopped all personal development using Microsoft products over the years leading up to this point. I only continued to develop in Visual Studio because of my job.
I actually considered switching from Windows 10 to an Amiga or even C64 and seeing how that would work for me. :D
However, I decided to give Linux a try instead so in October 2024 I started testing different Linux distros.
I tested around 15 different distros and ultimately settled on two that I actively use.
Linux Mint (22.2) Xfce is my main laptop - my so called "daily driver". It is the laptop I am using right now to write this blog post.
Zorin OS (18) is on my other old laptop and is used only to access a few specific accounts including certain emails.
This is because based on my research and experience Zorin OS is actually a little more secure than Linux Mint. I consider both to be more secure than Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Anyway, I am very glad I am free from Windows and Microsoft (at least much more than I was).
Linux has worked exceptionally well for me and for the first time in a long time it feels like I am actually in control of my laptops again.
Also, the ease and degree of customization available on Linux compared to Windows is really just no comparison. Linux excels in many ways.
It honestly used to seem like Windows (Microsoft) was using my computer as much, or more, than I was!
Eventually, Google and Android will be the focus. One thing at a time.