10 Things Every Windows User Must Do After Installing Linux

Hey, I know you're probably frustrated with Windows. Maybe you're tired of unnecessary updates, background processes, or perhaps your old PC can't handle Windows 11. Well, switching to Linux might be a great choice. Linux is fast, lightweight, supports a wide range of hardware, and can even bring older computers back to life. And the best part? It's completely free, with plenty But switching from Windows to Linux isn't always easy. of distributions to choose from. You might not know which applications to install, what settings to change, or how to fix common problems. So in this video, I'll show you 10 essential things to do after installing Linux to make your transition much easier. Let's get started! Before Installing Linux Before installing Linux, you'll need a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage and a Linux ISO file. To create a bootable USB, I recommend Rufus. You can also use BalenaEtcher. Now, choosing a Linux distribution can be confusing because there are so many options. If you're coming from Windows, you can check out Zorin OS, Ubuntu, or Pop! OS. But today we're going with Linux Mint. And one very important thing. Back up your important files before installing. You don't want to lose your photos, documents, or other personal data. I've already installed Linux Mint, so let's skip the installation process and move directly to the setup. 10 things to do after installing Linux. First, update your system. Open Update Manager, click Refresh, and install all available updates. Restart your computer if required. Next, enable your firewall using Firewall Configuration, also known as GUFW. And here's another application you shouldn't ignore, TimeShift. Think of it as Windows System Restore. It lets you create system snapshots so you can roll back if an update or configuration change causes problems. Open TimeShift, follow the setup wizard, and create your first snapshot. Just remember, TimeShift isn't a replacement for backing up your personal files. Next, let's make sure your hardware is working properly. Linux already supports a huge range of hardware, but some devices may need additional drivers. Open the Start menu, search for Driver Manager, and check whether any recommended drivers are available. This is particularly useful if you're using an NVIDIA graphics card or certain Wi-Fi adapters. Install the recommended driver and restart your computer. Also, make sure multimedia codecs are installed. They help your system play different audio and video formats without compatibility issues. Now let's talk about applications. Unlike Windows, you don't always need to visit random websites to download software. Linux Mint comes with Software Manager, which works like an app store. You can find applications, install them, and manage updates from one place. Linux Mint also supports Flatpak, which gives you access to even more applications. One of the biggest concerns when switching from Windows is application compatibility. What happens to all those Windows programs you already use? Well, you can try Wine or Bottles. Wine is a compatibility layer that allows many Windows applications to run on Linux. Bottles makes managing these applications easier with a graphical interface. You can install it through Flatpak, create a bottle, and try installing compatible Windows software. However, not every Windows application will work perfectly. So check compatibility before making the complete switch. Now let's make Linux look the way you want. One of the best things about Linux is customization. Open system settings and explore the themes, icons, and desktop options. You can enable dark mode, change icons, customize the panel, and rearrange your desktop. If you're coming from Windows 10 or 11, you can even create a familiar desktop layout. Don't settle for the default appearance. Make it your own. If you're a gamer, you might think switching to Linux means giving up your Windows games. Not necessarily. Steam has a compatibility technology called Proton that allows many Windows games to run on Linux. Install Steam, open Settings, navigate to Compatibility, and enable Steam Play for supported titles and other titles. You should also bookmark ProtonDB. It lets you check how well individual games work on Linux based on community reports. Just remember, some games with certain anti-cheat systems may not work. Here's a small change that can make documents and websites look more familiar. Some Windows fonts, such as Arial and Times New Roman, might not be available by default. To install Microsoft's Core Fonts package, open Terminal and run sudo apt install ttf mscorefonts.installer. Follow the instructions and accept the license agreement when prompted. Now your system can use these fonts in supported applications. If you're using 144 Hz or 165 Hz monitor, make sure Linux is actually using its full refresh rate. Open System Settings, go to Display, and check the Refresh Rate option. Select the highest supported refresh rate available for your monitor. If the option isn't available, check your graphics drivers, cable, and display connection. Another thing you might notice after switching from Windows is that your mouse scrolling feels different. First, check your mouse settings. If you're using an X11 desktop session and want more control, you can install a utility called imwheel. Open Terminal and run Sudo apt install imwheel. It allows you to customize mouse wheel behavior using a configuration file. Improve your audio experience. Finally, let's improve your audio experience. Linux Mint already provides basic sound settings where you can select your microphone, speakers, and adjust volume. But if you want more control, check out Easy Effects. It offers additional audio processing features, including equalizers and microphone effects. This can be especially useful for music lovers, streamers, and content creators. Just don't overdo the effects. You don't want your microphone sounding like you're broadcasting from inside a washing machine. And that's it! These are 10 things every Windows user should consider after installing Linux. Remember, switching to Linux takes a little time. Don't expect everything to work exactly like Windows from day one. Explore, experiment, and make Linux your own. And let me know in the comments, which Linux distribution are you using or planning to install? If this video helped you, subscribe to Chaffin Tech for more Linux tutorials. Thanks for watching.