Microsoft Windows has long been the crowned king of the operating system market. Most business networks utilize Microsoft Windows systems for their workstation deployments. This is unlikely to change anytime soon, as most of the business software is built with the assumption that it will be deployed on Linux systems.
In the last few years, there has been small but growing discontent with the direction Microsoft Windows is going. The accumulation of unnecessary programs, the integration of AI features, and privacy concerns have made some users unhappy with the operating system.
Large enterprises are unlikely to make a change away from Windows networks. However small businesses, especially those with just a handful of employees, can switch to a different, and arguably better operating system.
Linux is a free and open-source kernel with a wide range of different operating systems called “distros” based on it. Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, Manjaro, and Fedora are all some of the most popular distros. Because Linux is free and open source, the privacy concerns of Windows are negated. Linux also lacks many of the intrusive programs and features of Linux. As a result, many users will find that Linux installations run much faster and smoother than Windows workstations. Since Linux is free, your business can cut the cost of having to purchase Windows licenses.
Linux is known for being less resource intensive than Windows. As a result, it can run smoothly on older hardware. Windows 10 reached its end of support on October 14, 2025, meaning all users must upgrade to Windows 11 to receive key security patches. Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements including UEFI Secure Boot, a TPM, and 4GB of RAM. Users with hardware that does not meet these requirements are faced with the need to buy a new machine. If you want to cut funds or find yourself unable to afford new devices for your business, you can keep the old hardware and deploy a Linux distro.
Some sources attempt to fearmonger about Linux. They may say that it is difficult to install or that you need to have command line knowledge. Linux does delegate more control to the user, which can be confusing for some. However, many mainstream Linux distros are just as easy to install and use as Windows. They also include a regular App Store for installing applications without using the command line.
Ubuntu and Linux Mint are the two distros that I would recommend for business use. They are regularly updated and have large community support. They also have very simple interfaces, with Linux Mint resembling the typical Windows interface. Applications can be a hit or miss. Many popular software programs have published Linux versions, but much specialized software still lacks a Linux version. Make sure to document the software required for your business operations and see if Linux versions exist before you go about switching. Linux is a great choice for those who only need word processing and a web browser to connect to websites and cloud applications.
If you are interested in taking on the switch to Linux, consult my Linux Mint installation guide for a first time walkthrough.
