Set Your Calendars and Contacts Free
Mint à la carte (with cinnamon flavour)
Just have a taste of Linux
Illustration by Florian Biege
Windows is working hard to collect user data: which apps you use and when, and in some cases even details from documents. These can't be used without a Windows account – and once you’re caught up in the Big Tech ecosystem, it’s hard to get out.
This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to ban Microsoft from their kitchen but is still suffering from FOMO. The secret: We prepare Linux, the fancy Open Source system, in such a way that you can taste the difference before you get rid of Windows completely.
Different ways to cook
Our digital switch recipes provide an easy, simple way to give Big Tech the push, but there are other options available. We have tried to make it easy by focusing on a single approach and a small number of options, but there are other alternatives that are just as good. After all, what we mean by ‘good’, ‘not so good’ and ‘bad’ is open to debate: DI.DAY is about easy ways to give Big Tech the push (without getting into purism or being preachy). Our decisions are based on advice from our advisory panel.
An overview of the alternatives is available on the next page:
Ingredients
1 USB stick
8 GB, at least
1 serving of Linux Mint
We recommend the flavour “Cinnamon” because it looks very familiar to Windows users.
1 etcher
The program ‘BalenaEtcher’ (‘Rufus’ works too) to prepare the stick (to make it bootable).
1 existing Windows system (10 or 11) to prepare the ingredient
Or you could start by using an older PC that’s really happy to run the new Linux Mint since it’s supposedly “too slow” for Windows 11 – according to Microsoft.
No fear, only curiosity
Nothing bad can happen because we are working in trial mode. We still recommend backing up your data – this will never hurt!
Preparation
1 Prepare the USB stick
Instead of installing Linux directly, we create a ‘live system’ for testing. It’s like tasting something in the grocery store: you can see and use everything, but nothing will be permanently changed on your computer.
- Download Linux Mint from the official site – a so-called ISO image.
- Flash a USB stick with ‘Rufus’ or ‘BalenaEtcher’. To do this, start one of the two programs, select the downloaded ISO image, and click “Start”. The program then simply copies the downloaded ISO image to the USB stick as it would to a regular hard drive. You can even put several Linux variants on the stick at the same time and ‘taste’ them one at a time.
2 Start sample tasting
Now the moment of truth has arrived. It might be a bit more complicated but it’s totally risk-free:
- Tell your computer to boot from the USB drive (instead of from the hard drive): Restart your computer and select the USB stick as the boot device. To do this, you have to access the BIOS, your basic hardware menu (usually by pressing the F12, F11 or Del key during startup, possibly several times). In the Boot menu, select the USB stick or move it up to first place (detailed instructions are also available in this blog).
- Enjoy the live system: Linux Mint now starts completely from the USB stick. Your Windows data will remain untouched on the hard drive while you're trying out Linux Mint.
- The hardware check: Check if Wi-Fi, sound, and Bluetooth are working properly. Since Linux now comes with most drivers pre-installed, it usually works right away.
3 Have a look around your new kitchen
Take your time to do some “test cooking” in “live mode”:
- Menu navigation: Click the Start menu at the bottom left (with the LM symbol for Linux Mint): It feels almost like Windows, except without the data disclosure and other annoying Microsoft quirks.
- Software shelf: open application management. Here, you’ll find all your programs from LibreOffice to Firefox to Steam (for Gaming) – as easy to navigate as an app store.
4 Season to taste (When will it get serious?)
Then you can decide whether to completely say goodbye to Windows or macOS once you feel absolutely confident with the live system and have tested everything.
- The backup is now a must-have ingredient: Before you start the “actual” installation, back up your data to an external hard drive.
- Installation: click the desktop in the live system (from the USB stick) on the “Install Linux Mint” icon. The assistant will guide you through the steps – from now on your computer will always start with Linux Mint!
Dessert
1 Risk-free testing
With the USB stick option, you can try out Linux for a few days or weeks without having to delete Windows right away.
2 Digital sovereignty
You decide which data you want to share. No annoying pop-ups for ad tracking or account requirements.
3 Sustainability
Linux Mint often runs on hardware that is supposedly “too old” for Windows 11. That means it could save your trusted laptop or desktop computer from ending up as e-scrap.
Enjoy your meal! You have just taken a big step towards a more independent digital existence.
Once you #DIDit – share our post about the digital switch and inspire others to take control of their own digital lives!
Topping
For the cautious: You can also test Linux Mint in a browser first. Or buy a device that already comes with Linux pre-installed: here is a good overview of retailers.
For the brave: There are many different Linux distributions – designed specifically for gaming or other purposes. You can find out which one suits you best at Distrochooser.
For everyone: Gather a couple of friends around your kitchen table for a “Linux tasting session”. And if you need help with seasoning: Join one of the Linux switching meetups at termine.di.day. There, you’ll meet very friendly kitchen helpers.
For Apple users: For macOS devices, the switch can be easy, but it can also get a bit more complicated – it all depends on the device. We’ll save those details for another recipe.
