Based on the personal story of TravellinBob on the Vivaldi Blog · 27 February 2026
The Foundation of Your Digital Life
You've switched your browser to Vivaldi. Your email runs on Proton Mail. Your files live in Nextcloud. Step by step, you've been walking away from Big Tech — but there's one thing you haven't tackled yet: your operating system.
As long as you're running Windows or macOS, Microsoft and Apple remain the gatekeepers of your digital life. They decide which software you're allowed to install, when your hardware becomes "obsolete," and how much of your data they're entitled to collect. Linux breaks that dependency. It's the last — and most fundamental — step toward true digital independence.
European software on a European foundation: Every tool we recommend in our directory — from Vivaldi to Proton, from LibreOffice to Nextcloud — runs natively on Linux. You can build a fully European software stack, from the OS up to the browser.
The Windows 10 Wake-Up Call
On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 reached end-of-life. No more security updates, no more support. Millions of users faced a choice: buy new hardware for Windows 11 — because the minimum requirements lock out many perfectly functional laptops — or take the leap toward something entirely new.
TravellinBob, a retired non-technical user, faced exactly this dilemma. His 2012 Lenovo ThinkPad W530 was working perfectly — but Windows 11 refused to run on it. Spending hundreds of euros on new hardware for an operating system he had grown to resent didn't feel right. So he did something else.
He switched to Linux. And it took less than twenty minutes.
"I have no hesitation in recommending ZorinOS to anyone still thinking about using it to replace Windows. It does exactly what I want it to do, easily and quickly — certainly a LOT faster than my Windows 10 environment had been for years."
— TravellinBob, Vivaldi Blog
European Linux Distributions: Built for Regular People
Linux isn't a single operating system — it's a family. There are hundreds of so-called "distributions" (distros), each with their own philosophy and audience. The good news: most modern distros require zero terminal knowledge. You install them like you'd set up a new laptop, with a graphical wizard that guides you step by step.
For people switching from Windows, two European distributions stand out:
ZorinOS — Ireland
Founded in Ireland and specifically designed as a soft landing for Windows users. The interface closely mirrors Windows — familiar taskbar, start menu, and file manager. ZorinOS 18 launched on the very day Windows 10 went end-of-life — exceptional timing. TravellinBob chose ZorinOS and described it as "simply gorgeous." The installation is fully graphical, no terminal knowledge required.
Linux Mint — French-Belgian
One of the most loved distros in the world, with a conservative but familiar interface that Windows users recognise immediately. Linux Mint is extremely stable, has excellent hardware support, and boasts a large, welcoming community. It ships with LibreOffice, Thunderbird, and Firefox pre-installed — ready to use out of the box.
Ubuntu — Canonical (UK)
The most well-known Linux distro, developed by UK-based Canonical. Ubuntu is the foundation for many other distros (including Mint and Zorin) and has the largest community and documentation base. A solid choice if you want plenty of online help and tutorials.
The Switch Is Easier Than You Think
The core installation process is surprisingly straightforward: download the ISO file from the distro website, write it to a USB stick using a free tool like Rufus (Windows) or Balena Etcher, boot your laptop from the stick, and follow the graphical setup wizard. That's it.
TravellinBob did this on a 13-year-old laptop. From booting the USB stick to a fully working ZorinOS 18 system: less than twenty minutes. "Just long enough to make a cup of coffee," he wrote. He then installed Vivaldi directly from the Software Store — two minutes of work.
A little preparation goes a long way: back up your documents, photos, and music to an external drive before you start. And write down your important passwords — browser settings don't transfer automatically. Once on Linux, you can import them easily.
The process in brief:
- Choose your distro (ZorinOS or Linux Mint are ideal for beginners)
- Download the free ISO file from the official website
- Write it to a USB stick using Rufus or Balena Etcher
- Boot your laptop from the USB stick (press F12 or Esc at startup)
- Follow the graphical installation wizard — done in ~20 minutes
- Install your favourite European software from the Software Store
Your European Software Stack on Linux
The beauty of Linux is that all the major European alternatives we recommend in our directory run natively on it. You don't have to compromise. Here's what's available right away:
Browser & Email
Replace Chrome and Outlook with European alternatives that run fully on Linux.
The most powerful Chromium browser, built by the co-founder of Opera. TravellinBob's first install on his new ZorinOS system. Available via the Software Store as a Flatpak.
Open-source email client from the Mozilla Foundation. Ships by default with Linux Mint. Supports multiple accounts, including Proton Mail via the Bridge.
Privacy & Security
Protect your data with European privacy-first services.
End-to-end encrypted email and VPN from Switzerland. The Proton Mail Bridge runs natively on Linux for desktop email clients.
Productivity & Office
Replace Microsoft Office and Google Docs with open European alternatives.
A fully free office suite that supports .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files. TravellinBob has been using it for over ten years. Ships pre-installed with virtually every Linux distro.
European cloud storage that you self-host or use via a European provider. The desktop app syncs seamlessly on Linux.
What About Mac Users?
macOS gives you a polished system, but Apple sets the rules. You can only install software Apple approves through the App Store (unless you actively work around it), your hardware is tied to Apple's product cycles, and your data flows automatically toward iCloud — an American platform. With every macOS update, you lose a little more control over what runs on your own machine.
Linux runs on virtually any hardware — including old Macs that Apple abandoned years ago. Projects like OpenCore Legacy Patcher can keep Macs from 2011 running for years longer. And with a Linux distro, you give your own hardware a new life — without depending on Apple's decisions.
The European software stack works identically on Linux, whether you're switching from Windows or macOS.
Ready to take the final step? 🐧
Start exploring European software in our directory — all your favourites run natively on Linux.
Free. Open source. European.
