New: 2nd Edition - Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Ditch Windows - Embrace Linux

Your PC isn't too old. It just needs the right system. This book walks you step by step from Windows to Ubuntu 26.04, even if you've never opened a terminal.

Book cover: Ditch Windows, Embrace Linux
300 pages PDF
+ Bonus Command Poster
+ Bonus Hardware-Guide
$9.99

Instant download · No subscription · One-time payment

★★★★★“My biggest fear was the terminal. To my surprise, the book took exactly that fear away.” Reader of the German 1st edition, 60+, switched after 30 years on Windows (Amazon.de review, translated)

PDF eBook Current 2nd Edition Ubuntu 26.04 LTS For Beginners
Sound familiar?

Windows is frustrating – but switching seems impossible

Many people have wanted to leave Windows for a long time. But then the doubts creep in. That's exactly what this book was written for.

So the switch often stays a plan for “someday”. But the clock is running: Windows 10 gets security updates only until October 12, 2027. After that, the choice is a new PC, an unprotected system, or switching. Switch calmly now and you decide for yourself, not under time pressure.

Does that sound familiar?

Everything in one place—instead of twenty open browser tabs

Every single piece of information about Linux can be found somewhere for free. The real problem isn’t a lack of information, but the lack of a sequence.

Without structure, the transition often looks like this in practice:

This book replaces the piecemeal search with a clear sequence: from the first decision to productive day-to-day use, chapter by chapter, in the order in which the transition actually takes place.

The value lies not in the knowledge itself—but in no longer having to piece it together.

Contents

What's inside the book

Step by step through the complete switch - from the first decision to productive daily use.

Chapter 1

Why Linux?

A sober assessment, Windows vs. Linux comparison, why Ubuntu 26.04 LTS is the ideal starting point

Chapter 2

Preparation Is Everything

Software inventory, data backup, hardware compatibility check, dual-boot vs. full switch

Chapter 3

Installing Ubuntu

ISO & USB stick, installation wizard step by step, partitioning, full encryption

Chapter 4

Setting Up the GNOME Desktop

Language, display, printer, Wayland, desktop customizations – all graphical, no terminal

Chapter 5

Browser, Email & Communication

Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Thunderbird as Outlook alternative, Teams, Zoom, Slack

Chapter 6

Office Work & Productivity

LibreOffice, Microsoft 365 in the browser, PDF tools, cloud storage alternatives

Chapter 7

Media Playback & Graphics

GIMP, Inkscape, Darktable, VLC, Kdenlive, Audacity, streaming services

Chapter 8

Understanding the Terminal

Why the terminal isn't a step backwards – basic commands, Bash basics, nano & vim

Chapter 9

Installing & Managing Software

APT, Snap, Flatpak, AppImage – find, install, and clean up software

Chapter 10

Setting Up a Development Environment

Git, Python, Node.js, Java, Rust, VS Code, IntelliJ, Docker – the complete dev stack

Chapter 11

System Administration & Networking

Users & permissions, systemd, firewall, backup with rsync, Timeshift & BorgBackup

Chapter 12

When Things Don't Work

Reading log files, solving driver problems, effectively using community resources

Chapter 13

Running Ubuntu Long-Term

LTS strategy, monitoring performance, security, encryption, Windows for edge cases

Chapter 14

AI Tools on Linux

Local language models with Ollama, code assistants, Python ML stack, privacy with AI

Appendices A-E

Reference & Cheat Sheets

Windows-to-Linux command reference, software equivalents, glossary, power one-liners - for quick lookup

Why this book

What awaits you after reading

Target audience

Who is this book for?

No prior knowledge needed. If you can operate a Windows PC, that's enough.

🖥️

Home Users

You use your PC for browsing, email, and office work - and finally want peace from Windows updates.

🧭

Long-time Windows users

You've worked with Windows for decades, want to keep using your PC, and need a guide that assumes nothing.

💸

Budget-Conscious Users

No new Windows licenses, no antivirus subscriptions, no new PC just because of Windows 11.

🔒

Privacy-Aware Users

You don't want Microsoft collecting every keystroke and website visit.

The Author

Written by someone who lives it every day

ML

Manfred Lorenz

SAP Integration Architect with over 30 years of IT experience. Published author of technical and practical books in German and English.

In this book I share the path I walked myself - without academic jargon, but with concrete step-by-step instructions.

30+ Years IT Linux Practitioner Book Author
Reader Reviews

What readers of the first edition say

Readers of the German 1st edition on Amazon.de (translated):

★★★★★

“Linux instead of Windows - why not sooner?”

30+ years on Windows, switched at 60+: “The author assumes no prior knowledge. My biggest fear was the terminal – the book took exactly that fear away. Today I work on Ubuntu, and above all: stress-free.”

★★★★★

“A genuinely good book for the switch”

10 years in Unix systems administration: “Well researched and quite complete. Even for me it's a great reference work. My absolute recommendation for anyone who wants to make the switch.”

★★★★★

“Excellent book for getting to know and working with Linux”

“The commands are explained in detail with practical examples. This hands-on approach to a broad topic really appealed to me. In my view, a clear recommendation to buy!”

★★★★★

“Great book for switching to Ubuntu”

“Everything you fundamentally need to know for the switch is in here. A clear recommendation from me.”

★★★★★

“Well-explained guide for getting started with Linux”

“A well-explained guide for getting started with Linux.”

Free by email

The Migration Checklist: Windows → Ubuntu

The step-by-step roadmap from preparation (backup!) to confident daily use - so you don't forget anything during the switch. Plus a few short, practical emails that make the move easier.

You'll get a confirmation email - I'll only send the checklist after you click the link in it (double opt-in). No spam, no sharing of your data. Details in the privacy policy. Sent via Brevo: when you submit this form, the data you enter is transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's privacy policy.

Free preview

Three free PDFs to get you started

Created from the book “Ditch Windows, Embrace Linux” - download them for free and dive right in. No purchase, no sign-up required.

🖥️

Terminal Basics

Your first steps in the terminal - explained clearly, with zero prior knowledge needed.

Download PDF →
⌨️

Command Reference

The most common Linux commands at a glance - print it out and keep it handy.

Download PDF →
📦

Software List

The right Linux alternatives to the Windows programs you already use.

Download PDF →

All three PDFs are excerpts based on the book “Ditch Windows, Embrace Linux”. You'll find the complete hands-on content in the book.

Price

Buy once. Use forever.

$9.99 once, no subscription. For comparison: a new computer, just because Windows 11 won't run on your old one, costs many times more.

PDF Download
$9.99
  • Complete eBook as PDF
  • + Bonus Command Poster PDF
  • + Bonus Hardware-Guide PDF
  • Instant download after purchase
  • Current 2nd Edition (Ubuntu 26.04 LTS)
  • Readable on all devices
  • No subscription, one-time payment
  • Incl. applicable VAT
Buy now & download instantly

14-day money-back guarantee via Digistore24. If the book doesn't help you, you get your money back.

Payment via PayPal, credit card, SEPA · Secure checkout via digistore24

Prefer print? Paperback on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions?

Do I need technical prior knowledge?

No. The book is deliberately written for beginners. Anyone who can operate a Windows PC can also make the switch to Linux - if the guide is clear enough. That's exactly the goal of this book.

Will this work with my old PC?

In most cases, yes. Ubuntu 26.04 runs on PCs where Windows 11 is too sluggish or no longer available. The book explains how to check your hardware's compatibility.

On which devices can I read the PDF?

The PDF can be opened on PC, laptop, tablet, and smartphone - with any standard PDF program. No account or special app is required.

Can I go back to Windows if it doesn't work out?

Yes. Chapter 2 shows how to back up everything first and whether dual-boot suits you. Then Windows stays installed, and you choose at startup which system boots. Chapter 13 explains how to keep Windows for the odd exception.

Isn't all of this free online?

Piece by piece, yes. What's missing is the order. The book walks through the switch in the sequence it actually happens, for one Ubuntu version and without contradictory forum advice.

More books

More hands-on guides

🤖

Es liegt nicht an ChatGPT (German)

Prompt engineering for beginners: the P-R-A-K-T framework, 7 techniques and 50 ready-made prompt templates.
🇩🇪

Linux statt Windows (German)

The German edition of this migration guide - der praktische Umstieg auf Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. PDF €12.99
📰

Better-Computing.com

The blog behind the book: new articles on Ubuntu and Linux Mint - support windows, drivers, ageing hardware, updates.

Ready to switch?

Picture the moment your computer starts and nothing asks you for a Microsoft account. The way there is in the book, chapter by chapter. Today, the first step is enough: get the book and read Chapter 2.

Linux Instead of Windows - $9.99 →