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Over the last couple of years I have been installing Linux (Mint mainly) on client systems that are just not going to run Windows 11.
Most of these systems are quite old laptops (only a few desktops) which can't upgrade or the owner has insufficient funds to upgrade.
They can be up to 12 years old, so quite old 'n slow, but functional.
So, depending on the state of the system and what the owner uses the system for etc, I sometimes try and convince then to try Linux.
I usually back-up any User Data and then remove the original HDD and install a suitable SSD. Mind you these are getting expensive!
I'll install Linux Mint, Cinnamon if the hardware is OK to run that or Xfce if the hardware is really low spec!
After some tinkering, I usually end up with a system that boots and runs fine and nearly always meets the client's needs, which are usually quite basic web browsing, emailing etc, all done via the GUI when possible, these are new Linux users who will probably glaze over if I try and get them to use a Terminal!!
Not had any clients that have used Linux before, so I give them a basic lesson so they can get the hang of it.
I also put some 'Help with Linux' type documents on the installation for them to read, if they want to.
Below is one of the documents, which I’ve tried to condense into a couple of A4 pages. Difficult, I know, when you're trying to describe a Linux system's main areas!
I was just wondering what people think of this document, which is really aimed at new (possibly 'oldish' as most of my clients seem to be).
Is there any glaring errors or anything else I should include or leave out?
Thanks!
Quick Start Linux Mint (Cinnamon Desktop)June 2026
What Is Linux?
Linux is a free, open-source, Unix-like operating system (OS) based on the Linux kernel, originally created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is widely used for computers, servers, mainframes, and mobile devices, known for its security, stability, and flexibility. It is typically distributed as a "distribution" (distro) containing the kernel, system utilities, and a GUI.
Turn On Linux Mint:
Just press the PC / Laptop power button and Linux will boot up in to the Logon Screen, where you can enter your User Account password.
Password:
Account passwords in Linux are essential for security, acting as the primary barrier against unauthorized system access and protecting sensitive files.
NB: it is possible to remove the need to enter your account password so the system will log straight into the Desktop Environment. However, there will still be other times when the system will ask you for the password, such as most system Updates.
The Desktop:
What you see after logging into Linux. The Linux Desktop Environment (DE) provides you with user friendly environment for interacting with your PC. There are several different DEs available, the one I use in Linux Mint is called the Cinnamon Desktop.
The Mint Start Menu:
The Linux Mint (Cinnamon) start menu is a highly customizable, categorized application launcher located in the bottom-left corner. It features a left-hand "Favourites" bar, a central application search/list, and category filtering. Key features include drag-and-drop pinning, search functionality, and easy access to system settings, file manager, and power options.
Applications:
There are many useful built-in applications (apps) included in Linux Mint. Should you need them, there are many more available for download and installation from the ‘Software Manager’ utility.
The ‘Linux Mint Web App Manager’ is a tool that allows you to turn any website into a stand-alone desktop application.
AppImage apps – a universal packaging format for Linux that allows developers to distribute applications as a single, portable executable file. Download the .AppImage file from a trusted software developer or browse directories like AppImageHub.com
File Management System:
The default file manager in Linux Mint (Cinnamon edition) is ‘Nemo’, a fast, stable, and feature-rich application based on GNOME Files (Nautilus). It provides a traditional desktop interface with tabbed browsing, split views, a sidebar for bookmarks, and powerful search capabilities, allowing for efficient file management.
User Data:
Linux Mint stores all user data—documents, downloads, desktop settings, and application configurations—within the /home/[username] directory. This folder is separate from system files, ensuring user data is safe during updates and allowing easy backup or migration. It includes hidden files (e.g. local) for personalized application settings.
Links:
To Apps, Folders & Files On The Desktop Linux Mint allows creating desktop links for files, folders, and websites for quick access. You can create symbolic links (symlinks) to folders via the File Manager (Nemo) by selecting "Make Link", or create web app links via the Menu. Web apps automatically add "HTTP," while desktop links can be customized with icons and renamed.
Connecting to a Network:
Connecting to a network in Linux Mint is primarily managed via the network applet in the bottom-right system tray. Left-click the network icon (arrows for Wi-Fi, computer screen for wired) to select a Wi-Fi network, enter credentials, or manage wired connections. Network Manager automatically handles DHCP and saves credentials.
Security:
Linux Mint is considered highly secure out-of-the-box, leveraging robust Linux architecture, built-in firewalling (UFW), and secure software repositories. Security is strengthened through system snapshots (Timeshift), mandatory user password permissions (sudo), encryption options during installation, and infrequent exposure to malware, making it ideal for standard desktop, laptop, or professional use.
Browser(s):
Linux Mint comes with Firefox pre-installed as the default web browser, offering a secure, open-source browsing experience out of the box. Users can easily install alternatives via the Software Manager, including Chromium (supported by Mint), Brave, Vivaldi, Opera, and Google Chrome. These options allow balancing privacy, performance, and compatibility.
Email:
Linux Mint primarily uses ‘Mozilla Thunderbird’ as its default, pre-installed email client, providing a robust, open-source desktop application for managing multiple accounts (Gmail, Outlook, etc.), calendars, and tasks. It offers extensive customization, local storage for privacy, and native desktop notifications.
Office:
LibreOffice is a free, open-source, and private office productivity suite. It provides a powerful, offline alternative to Microsoft Office, featuring applications for word processing (Writer), spreadsheets (Calc), presentations (Impress), and more.
Printing:
Linux Mint offers excellent, often driverless, support for scanners and printers, typically detecting them automatically via IPP or SANE protocols. Printer management is handled via CUPS, accessible in system settings, while scanning is best managed through "Document Scanner" (Simple Scan).
Updating Linux Mint:
The Linux Mint Update Manager (mintUpdate) is a secure, user-friendly tool that centralizes system updates, including software packages, security patches, Flatpaks, and kernel updates. Located in the system tray, it categorizes updates for safety, allows configuration of automatic updates.
File System Structure:
Linux Mint uses a hierarchical, tree-like file system, starting at the root directory (/), designed for security and organization. Unlike Windows, it treats all hardware and files as files within this single tree, with home folders in /home, configuration in /etc, and binary files in /bin. The standard, recommended file format is ext4.
The Kernel:
The core interface between a computer's hardware and its software processes. It acts as a mediator, managing system resources like the CPU, memory, and storage to ensure applications can function efficiently and safely.
The Shell:
The Linux Mint shell, typically Bash (Bourne Again Shell). It is used for system administration, software installation, file management, and automation, often serving as a faster alternative to the graphical interface.
Users:
Finally, we need to distinguish between two major user types. There's the system administrator user, called root, with the identified number 0 (ID=0). Then, there are regular users, with generic names.
It is a little confusing that the word root is used for three different things: the root of the filesystem tree, marked by slash (/), the root user, the system administrator user, and the root user home directory, found under /root.
Turn Off Linux Mint:
Open the Start Menu and use the red ‘Power Off’ icon.
Most of these systems are quite old laptops (only a few desktops) which can't upgrade or the owner has insufficient funds to upgrade.
They can be up to 12 years old, so quite old 'n slow, but functional.
So, depending on the state of the system and what the owner uses the system for etc, I sometimes try and convince then to try Linux.
I usually back-up any User Data and then remove the original HDD and install a suitable SSD. Mind you these are getting expensive!
I'll install Linux Mint, Cinnamon if the hardware is OK to run that or Xfce if the hardware is really low spec!
After some tinkering, I usually end up with a system that boots and runs fine and nearly always meets the client's needs, which are usually quite basic web browsing, emailing etc, all done via the GUI when possible, these are new Linux users who will probably glaze over if I try and get them to use a Terminal!!
Not had any clients that have used Linux before, so I give them a basic lesson so they can get the hang of it.
I also put some 'Help with Linux' type documents on the installation for them to read, if they want to.
Below is one of the documents, which I’ve tried to condense into a couple of A4 pages. Difficult, I know, when you're trying to describe a Linux system's main areas!
I was just wondering what people think of this document, which is really aimed at new (possibly 'oldish' as most of my clients seem to be).
Is there any glaring errors or anything else I should include or leave out?
Thanks!
Quick Start Linux Mint (Cinnamon Desktop)June 2026
What Is Linux?
Linux is a free, open-source, Unix-like operating system (OS) based on the Linux kernel, originally created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is widely used for computers, servers, mainframes, and mobile devices, known for its security, stability, and flexibility. It is typically distributed as a "distribution" (distro) containing the kernel, system utilities, and a GUI.
Turn On Linux Mint:
Just press the PC / Laptop power button and Linux will boot up in to the Logon Screen, where you can enter your User Account password.
Password:
Account passwords in Linux are essential for security, acting as the primary barrier against unauthorized system access and protecting sensitive files.
NB: it is possible to remove the need to enter your account password so the system will log straight into the Desktop Environment. However, there will still be other times when the system will ask you for the password, such as most system Updates.
The Desktop:
What you see after logging into Linux. The Linux Desktop Environment (DE) provides you with user friendly environment for interacting with your PC. There are several different DEs available, the one I use in Linux Mint is called the Cinnamon Desktop.
The Mint Start Menu:
The Linux Mint (Cinnamon) start menu is a highly customizable, categorized application launcher located in the bottom-left corner. It features a left-hand "Favourites" bar, a central application search/list, and category filtering. Key features include drag-and-drop pinning, search functionality, and easy access to system settings, file manager, and power options.
Applications:
There are many useful built-in applications (apps) included in Linux Mint. Should you need them, there are many more available for download and installation from the ‘Software Manager’ utility.
The ‘Linux Mint Web App Manager’ is a tool that allows you to turn any website into a stand-alone desktop application.
AppImage apps – a universal packaging format for Linux that allows developers to distribute applications as a single, portable executable file. Download the .AppImage file from a trusted software developer or browse directories like AppImageHub.com
File Management System:
The default file manager in Linux Mint (Cinnamon edition) is ‘Nemo’, a fast, stable, and feature-rich application based on GNOME Files (Nautilus). It provides a traditional desktop interface with tabbed browsing, split views, a sidebar for bookmarks, and powerful search capabilities, allowing for efficient file management.
User Data:
Linux Mint stores all user data—documents, downloads, desktop settings, and application configurations—within the /home/[username] directory. This folder is separate from system files, ensuring user data is safe during updates and allowing easy backup or migration. It includes hidden files (e.g. local) for personalized application settings.
Links:
To Apps, Folders & Files On The Desktop Linux Mint allows creating desktop links for files, folders, and websites for quick access. You can create symbolic links (symlinks) to folders via the File Manager (Nemo) by selecting "Make Link", or create web app links via the Menu. Web apps automatically add "HTTP," while desktop links can be customized with icons and renamed.
Connecting to a Network:
Connecting to a network in Linux Mint is primarily managed via the network applet in the bottom-right system tray. Left-click the network icon (arrows for Wi-Fi, computer screen for wired) to select a Wi-Fi network, enter credentials, or manage wired connections. Network Manager automatically handles DHCP and saves credentials.
Security:
Linux Mint is considered highly secure out-of-the-box, leveraging robust Linux architecture, built-in firewalling (UFW), and secure software repositories. Security is strengthened through system snapshots (Timeshift), mandatory user password permissions (sudo), encryption options during installation, and infrequent exposure to malware, making it ideal for standard desktop, laptop, or professional use.
Browser(s):
Linux Mint comes with Firefox pre-installed as the default web browser, offering a secure, open-source browsing experience out of the box. Users can easily install alternatives via the Software Manager, including Chromium (supported by Mint), Brave, Vivaldi, Opera, and Google Chrome. These options allow balancing privacy, performance, and compatibility.
Email:
Linux Mint primarily uses ‘Mozilla Thunderbird’ as its default, pre-installed email client, providing a robust, open-source desktop application for managing multiple accounts (Gmail, Outlook, etc.), calendars, and tasks. It offers extensive customization, local storage for privacy, and native desktop notifications.
Office:
LibreOffice is a free, open-source, and private office productivity suite. It provides a powerful, offline alternative to Microsoft Office, featuring applications for word processing (Writer), spreadsheets (Calc), presentations (Impress), and more.
Printing:
Linux Mint offers excellent, often driverless, support for scanners and printers, typically detecting them automatically via IPP or SANE protocols. Printer management is handled via CUPS, accessible in system settings, while scanning is best managed through "Document Scanner" (Simple Scan).
Updating Linux Mint:
The Linux Mint Update Manager (mintUpdate) is a secure, user-friendly tool that centralizes system updates, including software packages, security patches, Flatpaks, and kernel updates. Located in the system tray, it categorizes updates for safety, allows configuration of automatic updates.
File System Structure:
Linux Mint uses a hierarchical, tree-like file system, starting at the root directory (/), designed for security and organization. Unlike Windows, it treats all hardware and files as files within this single tree, with home folders in /home, configuration in /etc, and binary files in /bin. The standard, recommended file format is ext4.
The Kernel:
The core interface between a computer's hardware and its software processes. It acts as a mediator, managing system resources like the CPU, memory, and storage to ensure applications can function efficiently and safely.
The Shell:
The Linux Mint shell, typically Bash (Bourne Again Shell). It is used for system administration, software installation, file management, and automation, often serving as a faster alternative to the graphical interface.
Users:
Finally, we need to distinguish between two major user types. There's the system administrator user, called root, with the identified number 0 (ID=0). Then, there are regular users, with generic names.
It is a little confusing that the word root is used for three different things: the root of the filesystem tree, marked by slash (/), the root user, the system administrator user, and the root user home directory, found under /root.
Turn Off Linux Mint:
Open the Start Menu and use the red ‘Power Off’ icon.
