Ditch Windows, Embrace Linux
Most Linux tutorials online sound like they were written for people who already know how a package manager works. That’s the real reason Linux feels “complicated” to so many people — not because it is, but because the explanations start in the wrong place.
Here’s the version that actually starts with the question that matters: What do I use instead?
Browser & internet
| Windows | Ubuntu | Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Edge | Firefox | pre-installed |
| Google Chrome | Google Chrome | .deb from google.com |
The browser switch is usually the least dramatic part of the whole move: Firefox is already pre-installed, and Chrome downloads the same way it does on Windows.
Email & communication
| Windows | Ubuntu | Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Outlook | Thunderbird | apt install thunderbird |
| Microsoft Teams | Teams (Web App) | Browser |
| Zoom | Zoom | .deb from zoom.us |
| WhatsApp Web | Browser |
Thunderbird takes over Outlook’s mail and calendar duties, while Teams and Zoom carry on almost unchanged.
Office & productivity
| Windows | Ubuntu | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | LibreOffice Writer | pre-installed |
| Microsoft Excel | LibreOffice Calc | pre-installed (no VBA) |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | LibreOffice Impress | pre-installed |
| Microsoft 365 (all apps) | Microsoft 365 Web | Browser, if you want to stick with it |
For anyone sharing Excel files with coworkers: LibreOffice opens and saves .docx/.xlsx files without issue.
Graphics, media & creative work
| Windows | Ubuntu | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop | GIMP | ★★☆ functional replacement |
| Adobe Illustrator | Inkscape | ★★☆ functional replacement |
| Adobe Lightroom | Darktable | ★★☆ functional replacement |
| Windows Media Player | VLC | ★★★ full replacement |
| Spotify | Spotify | ★★★ runs natively |
Creative tools are where you’re most likely to need a short adjustment period — GIMP isn’t a 1:1 Photoshop clone, but it covers day-to-day work.
Security & passwords
| Windows | Ubuntu |
|---|---|
| Windows Defender | UFW + AppArmor (pre-installed) |
| BitLocker | LUKS (enable during installation) |
| Bitwarden / 1Password | Bitwarden / 1Password (identical availability) |
What this list doesn’t replace
Honestly: not every Windows program has a 1:1 equivalent. For highly specialized industry software (certain tax or CAD programs, for instance), it’s worth a quick check beforehand. For everyday use — office, browser, mail, media, communication — this list covers the vast majority of cases.
The full reference
This selection comes from Appendix B of “Ditch Windows, Embrace Linux,” sorted and rated by category — including development tools, system utilities, and gaming. Chapters 5 through 7 additionally walk through switching the most important programs step by step.
Ubuntu is a trademark of Canonical Ltd. Independent, unofficial guide – not authorized by Canonical or Microsoft. Named software trademarks belong to their respective owners.
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Ditch Windows – Embrace Linux
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