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Switching from Windows to Linux Mint (Cinnamon): Complete Setup Guide

A Windows-to-Linux Mint setup guide with migration tips, core apps, and familiar UI tweaks.

Switching from Windows to Linux Mint (Cinnamon): Complete Setup Guide
January 30, 2026
linuxwindowstutorial

Switching from Windows to Linux Mint (Cinnamon): Complete Setup Guide

Linux Today

Linux isn’t a “terminal-only” OS anymore. Modern distros ship polished desktops, app stores, and daily‑use apps. You get control, speed, and a clean desktop without subscriptions or constant upsells.

Why People Switch to Linux

Linux runs fast, feels calmer, and gives you control without subscriptions or constant upsells.

  • Control + calm. No OS subscriptions, fewer nags, less background noise.
  • Performance. Runs well on older PCs without feeling sluggish.
  • Familiar options. Many distros feel Windows-like without the baggage.
  • Modern software. Browsers, office suites, media, chat, productivity.
  • Pro + dev + gaming. Compatibility and native support keep getting better.
  • Stable by default. Fewer surprises, fewer regressions.
  • No lock‑in. Your files stay yours, and you can move later.

Why Windows Feels Worse Now

Windows feels louder, more restrictive, and less predictable than it used to.

  • Ads + upsells everywhere. Promotions, “recommended” apps, constant service nudges.
  • Forced sign‑in + less control. Local account paths keep shrinking.
  • AI pushed too fast. Recall‑style features sparked privacy/security backlash.
  • Update whiplash. Regressions + UI inconsistency erode confidence.
  • Hardware gatekeeping. TPM/CPU requirements label good PCs “unsupported.”
  • Reliability + security doubts. “Ship fast, fix later” vibe persists.
  • Leadership frustration. Strategic whiplash and trust debt.

A Windows-Like Linux Setup Guide

This setup path is written for Linux Mint (Cinnamon) and organized for Windows users.

Before you begin:

Install Linux Mint (Cinnamon)

  1. Boot from the USB installer
    • You should land on the live desktop first.
    • At this stage, Linux Mint is not installed yet.
  2. Start the installer
    • Double-click Install Linux Mint on the desktop.
  3. Go through the installer (mostly self-explanatory)
    • On the multimedia step, enable Install multimedia codecs.
    • Continue with localization, keyboard, timezone, user account, and computer name.
    • Full-disk encryption (optional, but recommended)
      • When you reach Installation type, choose Erase disk and install Linux Mint.
      • Before continuing, click Advanced features…
        • Enable Use LVM with the new Linux Mint installation
        • Enable Encrypt the new Linux Mint installation for security
      • You’ll be asked to set a security key / passphrase. You’ll enter this at every boot.
        • You can enable a recovery key, but it isn’t required.
      • During the encryption flow you’ll be asked to select a disk.
        • MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THE RIGHT DISK.
      • Later (after disk encryption) you may see Encrypt my home folder
        • Single-user PC: use full-disk encryption + log in automatically
          • (optional) Do not encrypt the home folder, to avoid stacked encryption.
        • Multi-user PC: use full-disk encryption + do not log in automatically
          • (optional) Encrypt my home folder for per-user protection.

1) Snapshots and Backups

  • System Snapshots (Timeshift)
    • Open Timeshift (Menu search: Timeshift).
    • Where to store snapshots
      • Store on a separate drive from the OS if possible.
      • A dedicated partition/drive is recommended (not required).
      • Timeshift creates a top-level timeshift folder on the selected drive/partition.
    • Schedule / settings
      • RSYNC mode
      • Keep a practical schedule
    • Exclude user home data
      • Excluding home data keeps snapshots system-focused.
      • You will use Backup Tool (below) for home and user files.
      • Timeshift can include your home folder, but it isn’t ideal for personal files
        • Anything created after the snapshot won’t be in it.
      • For most users, keep Timeshift system-only and use Backup Tool for personal data.
        • (Exception: if your personal data isn’t critical and you want to skip the extra manual step.)
    • Recommendation
      • Create a manual system snapshot to verify it’s working.
  • User Data (Backup Tool)
    • Open Backup Tool
    • Where to store backups
      • Create a userbackup folder next to timeshift (recommended).
    • About Documents/Backup (default exclusion)
      • Documents/Backup is usually excluded from personal data backups.
      • Use it as an export location for manual exports if needed.
    • Backups to create
      • Create a Personal data backup
        • Use the userbackup folder (recommended).
      • Create a Software selection backup (list)
        • This exports your installed package list.

2) Updates, Drivers, and Security

  • First thing after install (update + cleanup)

    sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt autoremove -y

  • Update Manager

    • Open Update Manager
      • Click Edit -> Software Sources.
        • Select fast Main and Base mirrors.
      • Back in Update Manager: Refresh -> Install Updates.

  • Driver Manager

    • Open Driver Manager.
    • NVIDIA and sometimes other components may need proprietary drivers.
    • If Secure Boot is enabled in BIOS, drivers may not load.
    • Select the recommended driver and apply changes, then reboot if prompted.

  • Multimedia Codecs

    • Check the Welcome Screen for multimedia codecs.
    • If none are missing, this option may not show.
    • Install any remaining multimedia codecs.

  • Firewall

    • Open Firewall Configuration.
    • Enable firewall with default policy: Incoming Deny / Outgoing Allow.

3) Office and Email Alternatives

  • LibreOffice (Microsoft 365 alternative)
    • Full desktop office suite: Writer (Word), Calc (Excel), Impress (PowerPoint), Draw (Visio).
    • Opens/saves DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, VSDX and works well for most everyday documents.
    • Runs fully offline with no account required.
    • Watch-out: complex formatting, advanced macros, and enterprise templates may not be 1:1 with Microsoft 365.
  • Thunderbird (Outlook-style alternative)
    • Desktop email client with an Outlook-like workflow.
    • Supports multiple accounts via IMAP/POP, plus folders, filters, search, and spam controls.
    • Includes calendar and tasks in the same app.
    • Best for users who want one local app for email + scheduling without browser tab sprawl.

4) Windows-like Look and Feel

  • Desktop Colors / Theme
    • Open Themes
      • Simplified settings
        • Style -> Mint-Y
        • Appearance -> Dark
        • Color -> Aqua or Sand
      • Click Advanced settings
        • Mouse Pointer -> DMZ-White
        • Applications -> Mint-Y-Dark-Aqua
        • Icons -> Mint-Y-Sand
        • Desktop -> Mint-Y-Dark-Aqua
  • Desktop icon behavior
    • Right-click the desktop -> Customize
    • Turn off Auto-arrange (applied per monitor)
    • If you use multiple displays, repeat this on each monitor.
    • Open Desktop Settings (from this window)
      • Desktop Layout
        • Enable Show desktop icons on all monitors (if you use multiple displays)
      • Enable Trash
      • Optional: adjust desktop icon spacing / grid spacing to your preference
  • File Manager preferences
    • Open Files -> View
    • Enable Show Hidden Files (if desired)
    • In Linux Mint (Cinnamon), file extensions are shown by default.
  • Print Screen (Snip & Sketch style)
    • Open Keyboard -> Shortcuts
    • Expand System -> Screenshots and Recording
    • Swap these shortcuts:
      • Take a screenshot of an area
        • Set to Print
      • Take a screenshot
        • Set to Shift + Print
  • Date & Time (Windows-like)
    • Panel clock format
      • Click the date/time in the bottom-right of the panel
      • Click Configure
        • Enable Use a custom date format
        • Set both of these:
          • Date format: %x, %I:%M %p
          • Date format for tooltip: %A, %I:%M %p
    • Clock format (24h)
      • Open Date & Time
        • Under Format, disable Use 24h clock

5) Applets and UI Tweaks

  • Grouped window list
    • Open Applets
      • Find Grouped window list -> click Configure
        • Thumbnails
          • Enable Animate thumbnails
  • Corner bar
    • Open Applets
      • Find Corner bar -> click Configure
        • Enable Peek at the desktop on hover
        • Enable Blur effect
  • Menu
    • Open Applets
      • Find Menu -> click Configure
        • Content
          • Adjust menu items as desired
        • Appearance
          • Adjust menu appearance as desired
        • Behavior
          • Enable Use menu animations

6) System Settings and Preferences

  • Network
    • Open Network
      • Click Wi-Fi
      • Select your connected network -> Configure
        • Open the Security tab
        • Confirm security type (e.g., WPA/WPA2 Personal)
        • Choose whether credentials are stored for user or system
  • Keyring (password prompts)
    • Mint may ask for your keyring password to unlock saved Wi‑Fi, VPN, or app credentials.
    • This is normal; it’s how Mint securely stores secrets for your user session.
    • It protects this data at rest, you can just set it to the same as user account.
  • Power Management
    • Open Power Management
      • Set:
        • Turn off the screen when inactive for
        • Suspend when inactive for
        • When the power button is pressed
        • Power mode
  • Other places you might tweak settings:
    • Preferred Applications
    • Startup Applications
    • Screensaver
    • Sound

7) Starter Apps to Consider

  • Everyday essentials
    • Brave (web browser)
    • VLC (media player)
    • Okular (PDF viewer)
    • Bitwarden (password manager)
  • Work / create
    • Obsidian (notes/knowledge base)
    • VS Code (code editor)
    • VirtualBox (virtual machines)
    • GIMP (image editor)
    • Kdenlive (video editor)
    • Blender (3D modeling)
    • OBS Studio (screen recording/streaming)
  • Connectivity
    • Discord (chat/voice)
    • Telegram (messaging)
    • FileZilla (FTP/SFTP client)
    • NordVPN (VPN client)

Windows to Linux Mint (Cinnamon) FAQ

What’s the “Taskbar” called?
It’s called a Panel. It’s the bar with your menu, app buttons, and tray, and you can move it to any edge or even add more than one.

Where’s the “Start Menu”?
It’s called the Menu. Same idea: apps, search, power options.

What’s the “System Tray” called?
The right-side icons are the Notification Area. Network, sound, updates, etc.

What’s “Task Manager” called?
It’s System Monitor. It shows running processes, CPU and RAM usage, and lets you end tasks.

What’s “File Explorer” called?
It’s Files (Nemo). You’ll use right-click menus a lot.

Where are “Settings” and “Control Panel”?
Most settings are in System Settings. Mint keeps the main system toggles there.

Where should I download software from?
Default order: Software Manager → Developer Website (confirm distro) → Flatpak → Snap.

VLC audio/video is skipping or feels janky—what can I try?
In VLC: Tools -> Preferences -> Audio -> Output module -> set to ALSA.

Bluetooth audio sounds weird, or doesn’t work?
When given the choice, select Headphones instead of Headset.

  • Set Audio profiles to better quality options:
    • High Fidelity Playback / (SBC-XQ)
  • If experiencing issues with profiles or selection:

    • Install the Bluetooth module + restart:

      sudo apt update
sudo apt install pulseaudio-module-bluetooth pavucontrol
pulseaudio -k
sudo systemctl restart bluetooth