Well there is less than a year left before Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system becomes obsolete. Yes, on October 14, 2025 support for this system will no longer be safe to use for the general public. As you are aware by now, I am not an admirer of the whole Windows approach to computing, and you should read many of my previous articles in past UCRMN newsletters. Thus, I admit that I like the open source approach to computing of Linux operating systems, especially Linux Mint.
During a recent trip to Newfoundland my wife and i visited a friend who is faced with the problem, namely they cannot update their computers to Windows 11 because Microsoft has determined that your equipment is obsolete. Therefore the recycling depot, or worse yet, the landfill is the destiny of your machine, and you are forced to buy a newer model that can operate Windows 11. Of course that means you are going to incur a big expense. However, this is where Linux Mint can come to the rescue to save the planet and your budget, as Linux Mint is free! Still, it will require some labour on your part to make it work. I have been working with converting computers to Linux since 2011, and if you follow the step by step process, you should succeed.
In this month’s article I will give you some steps, as well, as a link to YouTube videos to help you. After all, what have you got to lose, except your online security if you don’t try it out. Most of the instructions can be found on the Linux Mint website if you “Google” it. This month I am merely going to direct you through STEP 1, making a bootable USB thumb drive that is necessary to begin the process. Next month we will cover how to load that USB’s material onto your present computer.
So here is a copy of the instructions:
The easiest way to install Linux Mint is with a USB stick. (although burning it to a DVD is still possible)
You can download Linux Mint from the Linux Mint website at https://linuxmint.com/
Detailed instructions are there too. In the “Mirror” section, I use “Canada, University of
Waterloo”)
(use Linux Mint 22 Cinnamon 64 bit, you will see that it will be supported for years!)
Then in Windows,
Download Etcher (or Rufus from Microsoft web store), install it and run it.
Click Select image and select your ISO file. (in your downloads file)
Click Select drive and select your USB stick.
Click instructions to Flash it to your USB. (it will erase anything that was previously already on that USB)
Here are some links to help you, as I also like to see instructions as well as read them.
Part 2 will be in next month’s newsletter. Good luck and may God bless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4z58Z4HYXUw
Rev. Martin Dawson (retired) living in Cornwall, PEI