Around a year ago my grandparents asked me to update their computers to Windows 10. One from 7 and one from 8.1. I couldn’t update from 7 to 10 so I just reinstalled directly to 10. The license was lost but grandfather didn’t mind that “activate windows”. And for office I installed libreoffice (or onlyoffice, I dont remember). On 7 he was using Chrome so I installed him Brave, which is similar enough and has an adblocker. He never complained about anything… until now.
Both grantfather and grandmother on the same day they got some notification (probably fullscreen, otherwise they wouldn’t even told me) about end of 10 and that they should upgrade. So I told them Windows 10 support is ending in about a year. I gave them 3 options:
- Buy a new computer for windows 11
- Use windows 10 without updates - more likely to be hacked.
- Try linux. As soon as I said “Linux” my grandfatger said: “Linux, thats something… lightweight… right?”. I’m a gentoo user and I forced my brother and sister to install linux but I never mentiond a word to my grandparents. I have no idea where he heard that. But I’m happy he did!
So the main question: What distro? I’m thinking of Fedora with Gnome. Something stable, modern, secure, and simple. Gnome is different, I know, but I also think Gnome is the simplest. Should I go with Silverblue or normal version? I will also definitely install rustdesk and make backups of windows. And I will first try liveusb so they can decide if they like gnome.
Edit: I’m currently trying to liveboot linux. I rebooted the computer and windows started updating…
Edit: I livebooted Fedora and Mint DE, they said they like Mint more so I installed Mint. Grandfather’s scanner and printer were detected out of the box with preinstalled apps, ptinter sadlly doesn’t work but that was also with windows - probably hardware failed. Now I’m Installing Brave for grandfather and uBlock Origin for firefox for grandmother. Everything good so far!
I personally have a grandmother i got setup using Mint Cinnamon and she hasnt had a single issue in months. So id go Mint.
I have 3 elderly people for whom I installed Linux Mint, they have been using it for 5 years now. Without any problems.
For grandfathers nad mothers I personally install an inmutable distro. If they come from windows, KDE Plasma will probably be easier for them than gnome. So I would say Fedora Kinoite, but Silverblue Aurora is IMHO even best fitted for the case.
When mom tried Linux Mint she said: there is no wait time at shutdown, I am use to wait on Windows Update.
“A stop job is running for … (56s / 2min)”
Had basically the same exact scenario with my parents earlier this year.
Installed Linux Mint with the default Cinnamon desktop, installed a “Windows” theme. Put icons on the desktop exactly where there old ones were, and never looked back.
It’s been great for them, does everything they need and took minimal effort from me to set up.
Xfce. Keep it lightweight and simple.
I’d go Mint xfce.
Lots of great options here. Just wanted to add it may be worth using KDE if they’re transitioning from Windows. I try and get the look visually close to what they previously had so they’re not fighting against muscle memory.
I know KDE is the most similar to windows but I would never install it due to 2 reasons:
- too many options for them
- too many options for me (the support guy)
GNOME for sure. My wife really struggled with Windows 7/10 interface because options and settings are all over the place, and filemanager was inconsistent. Set her up with NixOS and GNOME. She no longer gets in a tizzy over the OS
For Windows users, Linux Mint is the best option.
I use Fedora with GNOME for my parents and other family members. Some have used Windows prior, some have not used computers at all really, only iPads. They all get along very well on GNOME!
I have started using Silverblue the last year, which simplify things even further. Combined with the excellent remote controll functionality, it has been a really pleasant experience both for me and them.
Fedora silverblue works great for family, it has the least issues and they (family) can’t fuck it up
If you think your grandparents would prefer the Windows 8 or macOS type UI, then GNOME is the way.
I think Xfce or MATE is vastly better tho.
For Windows user who don’t want to bother learning a new OS? Mint, no question. The latest releases are easy to install and configure, Cinnamon will feel familiar, and it work flawlessly on most hardware.
My grandparents (now 90+) didn’t care much when I would change their distro, they are currently on Tumbleweed (just bcs thats what I decided to run on everyones computer I’m asked to maintain).
I would keep their general experience about the same for their use case (same desktop/desktop dock shortcuts, same browser ofc).
But yeah, Fedora (def Silverblue) or wherever you are familiar with.
(Lol, I never actually tried Mint myself, but that too - like a modern Ubuntu alternative)I guess I’m gonna say Linux Mint here too, even better LMDE.
I have been using Universal Blue’s Bluefin variant and it has been rock solid. It is atomic desktop and all updates, both Flatpak and Image update, are handled automatically.
