I'm considering switching to linux but I'm not a computer savvy person, so I wanted to have the option to switch back to windows if unforeseen complications (I only have 1 pc). Is it just a download on usb and install? And what ways can I get the product key or "cleaner" debloated versions.
Objection. I ran Ubuntu for 6 years but returned to Windows because too many things were just a little bit too odd, too off, too hands-on-config-files.
To be fair, the newer versions of Windows suck hard. 10 was really bad, 11 is horrific. I dream of going to Debian some day.
It’s blasphemy in some circles, but I never recommend Ubuntu. Mint seems much more straightforward and easier to make it feel like Windows for new users. There’s a Debian-based version if you prefer it.
I run Mint (Ubuntu version) on a couple of old laptops. But I use Debian on a Linode (Akamai) cloud server for a little hobby project. It’s a good distro.
Ifnyou have the money and the mono slots, buy another hard drive and install Linux there. Then, boot that drive without touching anything from the other ones. You can even load them up and use those files no problem.