Windows to Linux

Ready to switch between Windows and Linux? Discover easy ways to master both operating systems and make your transition smooth!

Here’s a comparison table that highlights how to accomplish certain tasks in Windows vs. Linux:

Common Tasks

Install software

Execute.exe or .msi installers
Stores: Microsoft Store

Package managers like apt, dnf, yum, or install via .deb/.rpm packages
Stores: Snap Store, Flathub, Discover (GNOME Software), KDE Discover

File Management

File Explorer

File managers like Nautilus, Dolphin, Thunar, or Caja, or terminal commands (e.g., ls, cp, mv)

View system information

Sytem Information app
Settings > System > About

uname -a, top, htop, lscpu, free, df
HardInfo, Lshw-gtk

Update system

Windows Update in Settings

Debian/Ubuntu-based: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Arch-based (e.g., Arch Linux, Manjaro): sudo pacman -Syu
Fedora: sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
CentOS/RHEL (8+ using dnf): sudo dnf upgrade
CentOS/RHEL (7 and below, using yum): sudo yum update
openSUSE: sudo zypper refresh && sudo zypper update
Alpine Linux: sudo apk update && sudo apk upgrade
Gentoo: sudo emerge --sync && sudo emerge --update --deep @world

Task management

Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc)

top, htop
System Monitor (GNOME, KDE), glances, Netdata, Mission Control

Change file permissions

Right-click file > Properties > Security

chmod and chown commands

Create a new file

Right-click on Desktop > New > File

touch filename
Text editor (nano, vim, gedit)

View hidden files

Enable “Hidden items” in File Explorer

Press Ctrl+H in file manager or use terminal with ls -a

Install drivers

Use manufacturer’s driver installers

Often built-in kernel drivers
Install manually with package managers (e.g., sudo apt install)

Edit system configuration

Edit files like system.ini, use GUI tools

Edit config files in /etc/ (e.g., /etc/fstab, /etc/hosts) using text editors in terminal

Compress/Uncompress files

Right-click file > Send to > Compressed folder

tar, gzip, zip, unzip
Graphical archivers like Archive Manager

Change network settings

Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center

Use network management tools (e.g., nmcli, ifconfig)
GUI tools like NetworkManager

Disk management

Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc)

fdisk, parted, gparted

Run a program as administrator

Right-click > Run as administrator

Use sudo before a command in terminal
Right-click > Open as Root

Find a file

Use Windows Search
File Explorer search

Execute find command
GUI search tools

Check disk space

This PC > Properties

Use df -h in terminal
Disk Usage Analyzer (GUI)

Remote desktop

Remote Desktop Connection

ssh, VNC

Remmina

Create a new user

Control Panel > User Accounts

adduser or useradd in terminal

Network status

Run ipconfig in cmd

ifconfig or ip addr commands

Schedule a task

Task Scheduler

crontab

Take screenshot

Press Win Key + PrtSc keys then paste to Paint app or Win Key + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool then draw the region to save as a screenshot

Press PrtSc key

Batch rename files

Select files > Right-click > Rename > Enter name (names will auto-increment)

rename 's/oldname/newname/' *

mv oldname newname in a loop

Software Alternatives

Category	Windows Software	Linux Alternatives
Command-line Interface	Command Prompt, PowerShell	Bash shell (`bash`, `zsh`, `fish`), Terminal app
Office & Productivity	Microsoft Office	Google Docs, FreeOffice, LibreOffice, OpenOffice, OnlyOffice
	Outlook	Thunderbird, Evolution
	OneNote	Joplin, Obsidian
	QuickBooks	Wave
Graphics & Design	Adobe Photoshop	GIMP
	Adobe Illustrator	Inkscape
	Adobe Premiere	Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve
	Adobe After Effects	Blender
	Maya, 3DS Max	Blender
	Paint.NET	Pinta, Krita
	AutoCAD	FreeCAD, LibreCAD
Development	Notepad++	Kate, Gedit, VSCodium
	Visual Studio	Eclipse, Code::Blocks
	WinSCP	FileZilla
	PuTTY	Terminal (built-in)
Media	Windows Media Player	VLC, SMPlayer
	Winamp	Audacious
	iTunes	Rhythmbox, Clementine
System Tools	Recuva	TestDisk
	Task Manager	htop, System Monitor
	WinZip/WinRAR	7-Zip, File Roller

Common Terms

Windows Term	Linux Term	Description
Folder	Directory	A container for files and other directories.
File	File	A single unit of data storage, same in both OS.
Drive (C:, D:)	Root directory `/`	Linux uses a single root directory, no drive letters.
Explorer	File Manager (varies, e.g., Nautilus, Dolphin)	The graphical tool to navigate files and directories.
Command Prompt	Terminal / Shell	Interface for command-line input (Bash, Zsh, etc.).
DIR command	ls command	Lists files and directories within a directory.
Path separator ()	Path separator (/)	Character used between directories in a path.
Programs	Packages	Applications are managed as packages in Linux.
Task Manager	System Monitor (varies, e.g., htop, GNOME System Monitor)	Monitors processes and system performance.
Registry	Configuration Files (e.g., `/etc`)	Linux uses config files instead of a registry database.
Shortcut (.lnk)	Symbolic Link / symlink	Link pointing to another file or directory.
Control Panel	Settings / Config Files	Linux system settings are managed via various config files or GUIs.
Recycle Bin	Trash	Temporary storage for deleted files before permanent deletion.
User Account Control (UAC)	Sudo	Provides privilege escalation for administrative tasks.
System Drive (C:)	Root Partition (`/`)	The primary storage location for system files.
Network Drive Mapping	Mounting	Linux mounts drives and network shares to directories.