- am 81 years old. Windows 10 is killin me. Every time it updates, without my request, I loose files, phots and my .dox and Libre Office files are renamed to Windows. Is here some OS that is USER FREINDLY for non- hackers ?*
For Windows the best plan is to close everything at night and close down Windows (turn off Fast Start). If you get a request to schedule a restart, close everything and do it then and there otherwise wierd stuff can happen. As for losing file associations (and language), you just have to go with the flow and reinstsate everything manually.
Every year, I say that one more thing and I will switch everything over to Linux. After twenty years, I still run two different OS with the main one Windows, the other currently Mint Linux. My files are all stored on a networked computer server running SMEserver and that is stable year in and year out outliving everything (I replace the mirrored hard drives from time to time).
You’re on a site dedicated to LibreOffice, not a general computer site. This question should be waved away as “off-topic”.
However, considering your age, I’ll give you an answer.
Yes, you can install any OS on your computer. Linux has gained a very good reputation. But, the OS itself is not the full story. Linux is very flexible and the utilities around it can give it many different “personalities”. This aspect is embodied in a so-called distribution. There are hundreds of them, if not thousands, in the wild.
You can choose from a very basic environment with simplistic features (this does not mean you can’t run heavy applications such as LO) like Puppy Linux to a sophisticated one with very elaborate capabilities like KDE Fedora. Well-known Ubuntu is somewhere in between but personally I find its user interface a bit too Windows-like.
You face two difficulties:
- installing without losing your previous files => a backup step is needed to secure them
- choosing the right level of complexity of the user interface => you probably need help from someone who knows the differences between UI’s (mainly the differences between the desktop managers LxQt, Xfce, Gnome, Mate, KDE Plasma, …)
This installation can be made without erasing your W10, but this is tricky and requires a “hacker”'s help.
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Thanks very much !
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a very basic environment with simplistic features … like Puppy Linux
I’d advise against simplistic distros (applies to beginners). They usually require some experience with Linux.
My choice is openSUSE Linux / KDE.
However, the best way is not to follow my recommendations, but to try a couple of distros from live CDs/DVDs/USB sticks to see which one appeals to you. Look for a Linux user group in your location. Perhaps, you’ll find a volunteer to help you (in such a case, use the distro that he suggests). Remember that hackers often seem, eh, not so very friendly in common sense, but they are always very helpful. Just ask them good questions.
try a couple of distros from live CDs/DVDs/USB sticks to see which one appeals to you
That’s the best and most sound advice ever given. +1
this forum is dedicated to libreoffice and questions related to it , so yes you can use libreOffice in other OS instead of windows
yes of course you can use other OS instead of windows , i use libreoffice on my Linux desktop everyday