After years of working with Windows PCs, and using them myself, I’ve finally made the switch to Linux Mint Cinnamon as my daily operating system. And I can honestly say, I’m not going back.

Now before I go any further, let me be clear. I’ll continue to fully support customers running Windows. Whether you’re on Windows 10 or 11, I’ll keep your systems working reliably, just as I always have. But personally, I’ve had enough of what Microsoft has become, and I think it’s worth explaining why.

Microsoft lost the plot

When Windows 10 came out, it was pitched as “the last version of Windows”. We were told updates would be ongoing, improvements would be regular, and things would just keep getting better. But what actually happened?

We got forced updates at inconvenient times. Endless fiddling with the interface. Adverts creeping into the Start menu. Feature changes that nobody asked for. Then, with Windows 11, Microsoft pulled the rug from under millions of users by declaring their PCs “incompatible”, even though they were still perfectly capable machines.

Why? Because your CPU wasn’t on a list. Or your motherboard lacked a chip called TPM 2.0. Suddenly, your computer, which ran Windows 10 just fine, was “too old” for Windows 11. The message was clear. Buy a new PC or get left behind.

Good computers, thrown away

As someone who repairs and maintains older computers for a living, I find this deeply frustrating. I see machines every week that could easily last another 5 or even 10 years. Fast, quiet, reliable hardware. Now heading for the scrap heap because of Microsoft’s artificial limits.

It’s not just wasteful. It’s bad for the environment. We’re being nudged into creating mountains of unnecessary e-waste just to chase the next version of Windows. And for what? A few new icons and a Start menu in the middle of the screen?

That’s not progress. That’s planned obsolescence.

Linux Mint to the rescue

That’s when I decided to give Linux Mint Cinnamon a proper go, and I’ve never looked back.

Linux Mint is a free operating system that works beautifully on older hardware. It’s clean, fast, and reliable. The Cinnamon desktop looks and feels a lot like Windows 7 or 10, so there’s no huge learning curve. Most importantly, it doesn’t try to sell you anything, track your activity, or force you into an upgrade cycle.

I installed it on a few of my older laptops and was blown away. They felt brand new again. Fast boots, responsive performance, no unnecessary background activity. Just a straightforward, sensible operating system that respects you as the user.

Total control, finally

With Linux Mint, I’m in control. I choose when, or if, to update. I can configure the system exactly how I want it. There’s no pressure to sign into an online account. No ads. No Cortana. No Microsoft Edge hijacking your PDF files.

All the software I need is available for free in the Software Manager. Office tools, media players, photo editors, email clients. And yes, you can still use Chrome, Firefox, Zoom, and even install apps like Spotify or Skype if you need them.

For most day-to-day computing like browsing, email, word processing, file storage, and Zoom meetings, Linux Mint just works. And it works better on older hardware than Windows 10 or 11 ever did.

A better way forward

I’ve now started recommending Linux Mint to customers whose PCs can’t upgrade to Windows 11. It’s a brilliant way to keep good machines going and avoid the pressure to buy something new.

That said, if you're happy with Windows, I’ll continue to support it fully. Not everyone wants to change, and that’s absolutely fine. But if you're curious about a better, quieter, more efficient way of computing, especially if your PC is a few years old, Linux Mint might just be the perfect fit.

Final thoughts

Microsoft has moved in a direction I no longer want to follow. More control. More telemetry. More bloat. More waste. Linux Mint offers a breath of fresh air. Fast, simple, reliable computing that gives you control and extends the life of your equipment.

For me, it’s been a joy to use. I only wish I’d switched sooner.

If you're interested in having Linux Mint installed on your current PC, or just want to explore the option, feel free to get in touch. I’d be happy to talk you through it.