For over two decades, I’ve been a committed Linux user. From the magic of my first installation back in 1999 to diving deep into systemd, bash scripting, and the quirks of hardware compatibility, Linux was a world I happily explored. I evangelized it, contributed bug reports, helped others on forums, and shaped my workflow entirely around it.
But today, I’m doing something I never thought I would: I’m moving (partially) back to Windows. And eventually, Linux will be gone from my desktop setup altogether.
Let me explain why — not from the perspective of someone new to Linux or someone burned by a single issue — but as a veteran user who simply got tired of babysitting an OS.
Windows Just Works. Linux Maybe Works.
The turning point came when I realized something both obvious and frustrating: Windows just works. Not perfectly, not magically, but reliably.
Linux? Maybe works. And when it does, there’s always the question: for how long?
Over the past couple of years, updates started to break previously rock-solid behavior. My Dell PCs, which always loved Linux, suddenly rejected Fedora — emitting hissing sounds from the speakers under every distro but Ubuntu and OpenSUSE. NVIDIA support? A mess. Suspend and resume? Unreliable. Blender GPU acceleration? Hit or miss. Every fix required a workaround, a config edit, or another deep dive into the forums.
And here’s the key: I stopped wanting to tinker. I wanted to work.
As someone in the creative field — programming, 3D design, game development, web development — I need tools that disappear when I’m in the flow. Linux kept making itself known at the worst times. Updates that change behavior. Drivers that regress. “The next kernel will fix it!” I’ve heard that one since 2001.
Chris Titus and the Missing Link in Windows 11
Ironically, what brought me back to Windows wasn’t Microsoft. It was Chris Titus and his brilliant Windows Utility — a tool that strips away the fluff, optimizes performance, and turns Windows 11 into the OS it should be out of the box.
After running it, Windows became fast, unobtrusive, and surprisingly elegant. It didn’t nag. It didn’t push ads. And most importantly, it let me work.
I installed Unreal Engine 5, opened a massive project, walked away for hours — and when I returned, I simply moved the mouse. My project was waiting, right where I left it. No flickers, no crash. Just… flow. The same went for Blender. On Linux, Blender would often fail to recognize the NVIDIA GPU. On Windows? It always does. Instantly.
Linux, the Enthusiast’s Forum Darling
Now, I know what some Linux fans will say:
“But if you just install the right drivers…”
“You need to edit this config file…”
“Try the beta PPA and use kernel XYZ…”
I’ve done all of that. For 25 years. I know the dance. And I don’t want to do it anymore.
Linux is often praised loudly on forums — by users who spend more time tweaking their setups than actually using them to create. If your OS is a hobby, Linux is still a great playground. But if your OS is a tool, reliability matters more than philosophy.
The Reality for Creative Professionals
If you’re a developer, 3D artist, web designer, or creative professional, the truth is this:
- NVIDIA drivers on Windows are far superior.
- Power management (especially suspend/resume) is lightyears ahead.
- Pro-grade tools like Unreal Engine and Blender “just work.”
- Time lost troubleshooting Linux adds up — fast.
I’m not saying Windows is perfect. It’s not. But with the right tweaks (thank you again, Chris Titus), it fades into the background and lets me work.
The Mac Mini in My Future
Later this year, I’ll be replacing the last Linux machines I own with a Mac Mini. Why? Because like Windows 11, macOS is built for creative flow — and in my tests, battery life and GPU performance outclass what Linux offers on the same hardware.
I still love open-source software. I use and support GIMP, Blender, FreeCAD, Shotcut, Godot, VSCodium, and many others. But I want to run them on platforms where they perform best, without compromise.
I Owe Linux a Thank You
Despite this shift, I don’t regret the years I spent with Linux. It taught me how computers work — really work. Thanks to Linux, I understand how to format drives, manage system services, build software from source, and secure my system.
But knowledge doesn’t erase reality: Linux, as a desktop OS, has failed me. It demands constant attention. And in 2025, I no longer have the time — or patience — to keep fixing what shouldn’t be broken.
Looking Ahead
Six months into using Windows 11 again, my productivity has doubled. With AI-enhanced tools and macOS joining my lineup soon, I expect that momentum to keep building.
Linux will always have a place in servers and on hobby machines. But on my desktop, its time is up.
I look forward to the future.
And no — I won’t miss Linux.