Because Normal Is Overrated
Linux Mint isn’t the best Windows replacement anymore
Hmm. I’ve used Linux Mint off and on over the years. Might have to give ZorinOS a try. I like the idea of installing a Windows program by running the exe file and it setting it up automatically without having to get WINE up and running first. I wonder how well that actually works.
Curious.
I’ve been so annoyed with Windows 11 lately. The most recent update to Windows 11 has created a variety of problems for me. I use the search feature in Windows a lot to quickly bring up programs when I’m working on stuff, and it just pops up blank now. Occasionally I can get it to work, but more often than not it doesn’t, and that is really breaking my workflow.
The other problem that has started popping up is my graphics drivers having issues. I’ll install the latest AMD drivers for my card, and everything will run great for a few days then randomly my screens turn off, and I have to reboot. Once I am back in Windows, my resolution is all messed up, and I have an error stating the AMD software is not compatible with the driver now. This means Windows is replacing the driver automatically causing the conflict with the AMD software, so I had to go in an disable driver updates on my graphics card. I shouldn’t have to go out of my way to do that.
Because of all these issues, I decided to start dual booting my Windows PC with Linux Mint. I have two drives in my desktop tower. I put Mint on my secondary drive a few days ago, and I’ve been working on setting everything up to do most of what I need. I’m thinking at this point I will probably only hop into Windows if I want to play my games or need to run a program that is only found on Windows. I know gaming on Linux has improved a ton, but I’m not sure if I want to venture into that realm at the moment. Besides, my secondary drive is much smaller than my primary drive and games would eat up the storage pretty quick, so I’m good having the option to jump either into Mint or Windows depending on what I need to do.
I will say its nice to be on Mint again. I used to use it quite a bit a few years back on some of my secondary devices. When I got rid of them, I kind of fell out of using it and had just stuck with Windows. I’m surprised at how much I remember when it comes to using some of the terminal commands to run updates and install programs. I was up and running pretty quick.
We’ll see how this goes. At least for now, I can do a quick search in Mint and actually see the results!