Ask HN: Windows 11 Update Fail – Linux Distro Suggestions?

Re:Ask HN: Windows 11 Update Fail – Linux Distro Suggestions? by roscas on Thursday August 28, 2025 @02:03PM (#45055114)

Windows worked for a full year? Oh wow.

My two cents: 1. Manjaro with Plasma, 2. Most distros can access ntfs.

You say "easy" so you probably never used anything Linux related.

If possible, try to get help from someone you know who uses Linux.

If not, spend a few days learning the Linux filesystem and commands. Get the software you need, use AI to get help and ask what software you use on Windows if there is the same or close on Linux, and how to install that on Manjaro for example.

So, what do you want to do on the pc?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Windows 11 Update Fail – Linux Distro Suggestions? by giardini on Thursday August 28, 2025 @02:42PM (#45055529)

Thank you for the suggestions.

She (my friend) uses:

- a browser (Edge or Chrome),

- Google Sheets,

- MS NotePad, and

- MS Paintbrush.

The only other idiosyncrasy is that she backs up to a variety of flash drives: old stuff on old drive, newer stuff on newer drives, etc.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Windows 11 Update Fail – Linux Distro Suggestions? by roscas on Thursday August 28, 2025 @03:56PM (#45056355)

Perfect. Google Sheets works on Chrome browsers so you can install Chrome.

MS Notepad and PaintBrush do not exist on Linux. Alternatives are GIMP, Krita or Paintbrush.

Since Notepad is very simple, you have Mousepad, Gedit and many more. I would install also LibreOffice and use Writer. Also take a look at Calc that is like Sheets.

Linux has everything you need.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Windows 11 Update Fail – Linux Distro Suggestions? by roscas on Thursday August 28, 2025 @03:58PM (#45056378)

Oh, you should access the Windows hard disk with the file explorer you have on LinuxMint or Manjaro. They both include ntfs-3g that is the program that can read ntfs filesystems.

[ Parent | on HN ]