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All Linux Mint needs to run is an x86 processor, 1GB of RAM (albeit, you'll be happier with 2GB), 15GB of disk space, a graphics card that can handle 1024x768 resolution, and a CD/DVD drive or USB port. Mint can run on any of your Windows 7 PCs. Yes, there's a learning curve, but it's nothing like the one you'll face if you move to Windows 10 or MacOS.Īnother advantage, which Mint share with other Linux distros, is it rests lightly on your system. I have one big reason to think Mint is a good fit for Windows 7 users: Mint's default Cinnamon interface looks and works a lot like Windows 7's Aero interface. I recommend Mint, but there are numerous others you can consider, such as openSUSE, Manjaro, Debian, and Fedora. There are many good Linux desktops, and I've used many of them. With Mint's Software Manager, installing software is as easy as click and run.
#Windows xp skin linux mint mate install#
You may have heard it's a royal pain in the rump to install applications on Linux. Oh, you can run into trouble, but it's not like Windows, where every day is an opportunity to get zapped by the latest malware. LibreOffice is a full-featured office suite.Īnother plus for desktop Linux is it's far more secure than Windows. For this purpose, I recommend Oracle's excellent and free VirtualBox.įor all your other desktop software needs, there's usually a free, open-source program that can do just as good a job. If that doesn't work for your Windows-only application, you can always keep running Windows 7, without any dangerous network connections, in a virtual machine on Linux. This can be difficult to set up, so I recommend using its commercial implementation, CodeWeaver's Crossover Linux. You can run many other native Windows programs on Linux using Wine. Rumor is Microsoft's exploring bringing its popular cloud-based desktop office suite to Linux. Welcome to 2020, when you don't have to be running Windows to run "Windows" programs.Īt this point, you can't easily run Office 365 on Linux.
Need Teams? It's now available on Microsoft's first Linux Office app. Run the free Office Online, which comes with limited versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The only real reason to stay on Windows is its applications.
#Windows xp skin linux mint mate for free#
And, yes, for now, you can still update to Windows 10 for free from Windows 7. I might also add that, if you're a small-to-medium business owner, you're going to have a lot of trouble finding a VAR or MSP who's willing to sell you ESU. Windows 7 Home? So sorry, you're not supported at all. For Pro users, ESU pricing goes from $50 per device in year one and jumps to $200 per device in year three. How much is a lot? ESUs for Windows Enterprise users start at $25 per device in year one to $100 per device for year three. Here are your other choices: If you want to stick with Windows, you can either keep running Windows 7 without vital security patches, which would be stupid, or you can pay a lot for Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESUs) on a per-device basis. Linux Mint, an exceptional open-source desktop, might be right for you. According to the Federal Digital Analytics Program (DAP), 20% of you are still running Windows 7. 14, 2020, Windows 7's free support ride ends.
#Windows xp skin linux mint mate how to#
#Windows xp skin linux mint mate upgrade#
This free Windows 10 upgrade offer still works.So you want to keep running Windows 7? Good luck with that.What is your company's exit strategy? You have four options.