December 2025
After posting about why I’m avoiding Microsoft Recall, I decided to go all the way and switch my work PC to Linux. I landed on Ubuntu LTS, wiped Windows completely (after a paranoid full backup to an external HDD, even though we run dual-location synced NAS systems), and jumped in.
And honestly? The experience surprised me — in all the right ways.
A smoothness I did NOT expect
My workstation is a power house with dual RTX GeForce GPUs for AI workloads and one integrated GPU for display.
We have multiple printers, including a large-format photo printer.
Ubuntu detected everything. Automatically. It grabbed the correct NVIDIA drivers, set up the displays, and didn’t throw a single error.
Even better: the installation was smoother than installing Windows — and I’m saying that as someone who regrettably installed Windows on a laptop just recently.
Printing: The shocker
We’ve always had to manually configure printers on Windows with fixed IPs to get stable connectivity.
On Ubuntu? It found all of them. Instantly. Including the large-format photo printer — and without installing any drivers, it produced a flawless test print.
I sat there thinking: “Wait… when did Linux become easier than Windows?”
A return to an old friend
I used to work a lot with Linux, mostly on servers. But Windows pulled me back because of Excel’s advanced features. I don’t need those anymore.
So rediscovering LibreOffice feels like meeting an old friend again — and honestly, it probably covers 95% of what most office users need anyway. Maybe more.
A fun moment: My son’s reaction
As I was finishing the setup, my ten-year-old wandered in — he’s a little technical nerd himself — and he started firing questions:
- “What desktop is that?”
- “Can it run my games?”
- “What software do you get?”
- “Is it fast?”
And then he hit me with the million-dollar question: “How much does it cost… and can I have it on my laptop?” When I told him, “It’s free… and yes,” the look on his face was priceless. He couldn’t understand how something this polished could be free. So we had a great talk about open source, security, privacy – and I promised to help him switch too.
A new penguin is joining the flock.
Why I left Windows in the first place
Here’s the quick recap from my earlier post about Microsoft Recall:
Microsoft Recall takes screenshots of your activity every few seconds, storing them locally so you can “search your history.” The idea sounds futuristic, but:
Why I disabled it immediately:
- Privacy risk — it can capture banking details, passwords, personal chats, work documents.
- No practical benefit — I can organize my files just fine.
- Security vulnerability — if your device is compromised, your digital life is exposed frame by frame.
- Unreliable filters — tests show it still captures sensitive info.
I disabled everything related to Recall at setup and confirmed no snapshots were running.
And that’s what started me thinking: Is Linux the safer, saner choice? – Turns out… yes.
Linux today: This is not 1998 Red Hat Linux (where my journey started)
This switch made me realize something: Linux in 2025 is shockingly user-friendly. More polished, more predictable, and frankly more respectful of the user than Windows.
For anyone considering alternatives:
Distros worth checking:
- Ubuntu or Linux Mint – everyday use & work
- Pop!_OS or Nobara – gaming
- Tails or Qubes – maximum privacy
- Fedora or Debian – professional dev or server work
Gaming is better than ever, too — thanks to Proton, Lutris, and the Steam Deck ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
I came to Linux for privacy. I stayed because the experience was… simply better:
- No hidden processes.
- No invasive “features.”
- No forced cloud tie-ins.
- Just a fast, stable, transparent system that lets me work — and now even print — without a fight.
If you’re thinking about stepping away from Windows, especially because of features like Recall, I have to say: Linux has never been more ready.