Is your computer getting slower every day, Windows keeps nagging you about updates, or your machine no longer receives support? If so, Linux is probably the best decision you can make this year, and you do not need to be an expert to take the leap. This guide walks you through, step by step and without jargon, how to migrate from Windows without losing a single file: what you will need, in what order to do it, and how much it costs to have a professional handle it. And yes, I am one of the few technicians on the Costa del Sol who works with Linux daily, so what follows comes from hands-on workshop experience, not from copying manuals.
Step 1: back everything up first
The golden rule: before touching your system, your files must exist in at least two places.
A 1 TB external hard drive costs between 50 and 70 euros at any shop in Málaga and is the best investment you can make, even if you end up staying on Windows. Copy your Documents, Downloads and Desktop folders, your photos and your browser passwords. As a second copy, use the cloud: Google Drive or OneDrive give you between 5 and 15 GB free, and for about few euros a month you get 100 GB.
Check that the copies open properly before you start. A backup you cannot read is the same as no backup at all. If the machine is very old or you do not dare to touch it, take it to a technician: we will guide you step by step so you can make the backup yourself, without risk and without surprises.
Step 2: check that your hardware is compatible
The good news: in 2026 most hardware works with Linux out of the box. The typical problem spots are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips in some budget laptops (certain Realtek and MediaTek models) and very new printers with Windows-only drivers.
The safest way to check is to boot the system from a USB stick in live mode: you get the full Linux experience without touching your disk. Try the Wi-Fi, the sound, the brightness and the webcam; if everything responds, the installation will go smoothly. For a 2013-2015 laptop with 2 or 4 GB of RAM, choose a lightweight edition (Zorin OS Lite, for example); with 8 GB or more you can run any modern distribution without issues. You will also need at least 25 GB of free disk space.
Step 3: pick the right distribution
This is where most people get lost, because there are hundreds of Linux "flavours". Let me simplify: Zorin OS if you come from Windows and want everything to feel the same; Ubuntu if you want the most popular and best-documented option; Debian if you prioritise stability and free software. I will not leave the decision half-made: we have a full Zorin OS vs Ubuntu vs Debian comparison on our blog, with recommendations based on your profile.
And if you prefer not to decide at all, at Benalmática Informática we do custom Linux installations: we choose the distribution, configure it and leave it ready to work.
Step 4: dual boot or full install
You have two paths. Dual boot installs Linux alongside Windows: when you turn the machine on, you choose which system to enter. It is the cautious option when you still depend on a Windows program, but you need to free up between 30 and 50 GB on the disk. A full install wipes Windows and replaces it with Linux: simpler, faster, and the whole disk is yours.
My recommendation: if your backup is done and you do not use irreplaceable Windows programs, go straight for the full install. Dual boot works as a bridge for a couple of months, not as a permanent solution: remember that Windows 10 stopped receiving security updates in October 2025, and keeping it long-term is a risk.
What happens to your Windows programs?
Almost everything has a free alternative, sometimes a better one. Office is replaced by LibreOffice or OnlyOffice (they open your .docx and .xlsx files without issues), Photoshop by GIMP, and the everyday tools — browser, email, video calls, PDFs — work the same or better. Steam games work surprisingly well thanks to Proton. For specific Windows programs there is Wine, which runs many applications without Windows itself; not everything works, but the success rate is high.
Online banking: most Spanish banks work in the browser; in the rare cases that require proprietary programs, we look for an alternative or keep one machine on Windows. And an extra bonus: no paid antivirus needed, though you should keep updates current.
Step 5: move your data over
With the system installed, it is time to bring your life back: connect the external drive and copy documents, photos and music into their folders. If you used Outlook, you can import your mail and contacts into Thunderbird; bookmarks and passwords import from any browser in two clicks. Do not leave it for tomorrow: the first week is the best time to confirm that every important file opens correctly in its new home.
Your first week on Linux
A few new habits. Install software from the app store rather than downloading installers from random websites; accept updates when they are offered; and if a program is not available, there is almost always an equivalent alternative. It is normal to have questions in the first few days: the community is huge and very friendly. And if you get stuck, that is what we are here for: every installation we do includes basic usage guidance.
The reality in Málaga: few specialised technicians
Here is what few people know: if you look for an IT technician in Malaga who is comfortable with Linux, you can count them on one hand. Most workshops only work with Windows and Apple, and when you ask about Linux they usually reply "we do not touch that". At Benalmática Informática it is the other way around: Linux is our home turf, and we use it daily to bring machines back to life that others would have retired.
Typical service prices: basic Linux installation from 45-60 euros; dual boot, 60-90 euros; full installation with configuration, between 90 and 140 euros; and recovery of an old PC (internal cleaning, thermal paste and lightweight Linux) from 80 to 150 euros. In all cases, the backup of your data is something you make yourself following our guidance: it is the safest way to not lose anything. Reviving a 2012 machine with Zorin Lite costs less than half of buying a new one, and for many users the result is more than enough.
You can also request remote assistance if the machine cannot leave your home; we cover the whole Costa del Sol and Málaga city, Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 20:30 (phone +34 641 00 63 61). And if your machine's problem is the operating system itself rather than Linux, our formatting service will leave it like new, whatever system you use.
Ready to take the leap? Tell us what machine you have and what you want to do, and we will recommend the best option with no commitment: write to us from the contact page or call +34 641 00 63 61. Installing Linux in Málaga has never been this easy.