Linux Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: If I replace Windows with Linux will I need to replace the hard drive too?

Posted on July 27, 2026

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Question from Marla: I have an older HP desktop PC that got really slow over the years so I bought a new laptop and put the old desktop in a closet. Well, the laptop’s screen just went bad and I don’t have the money to buy a new computer right now.

I took the old desktop out of the closet and hooked it up, and to my great surprise it still works. The problem is it has Windows 7 on it and I know it’s unsafe to use now. [Read more…]

Give an older PC new life by replacing Windows with Linux

Posted on July 14, 2026

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In this post I’m going to explain what Linux is, and more importantly, what it can do for you as the owner of an older PC that’s running a version of Windows that has been abandoned by Microsoft (i.e. they have stopped supplying security updates for it).

As you probably know by now, Microsoft is no longer releasing security updates for many versions of Windows, which means computers that are still running them are wide open to hackers and malware.

But an awesome free operating system called Linux can make using that unsafe computer safe again.

[Read more…]

Q&A: Can I create Linux installation discs and flash drives and sell them on Ebay?

Posted on June 25, 2026

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Question from Larry: Hi, Rick. I love your blog and subscribe to your newsletter. I respect your opinions very much.

I’d like to ask a question if you don’t mind.

I’ve been buying yard sale items in bulk locally and selling them on Ebay for a couple of years now, and I’m looking to branch out.

I’ve been thinking lately about creating Linux installation media (DVDs and USB flash drives) on my home computer and selling them on Ebay.

My question is can I legally do that without getting into any kind of legal trouble? [Read more…]

Linux replacements for popular Windows programs

Posted on December 10, 2025

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A while back I wrote a post explaining how to give an old PC new life by replacing Windows with Linux as a means of extending the useful life of older PCs.

After that post was published I received a number of emails asking for a list of Linux programs that can replace the Windows programs they’d leaving behind if they made the switch.

I decided that it might be a good idea to publish that list in its own blog post, and here it is: [Read more…]

Q&A: Is it really dangerous to keep using Windows 7?

Posted on April 28, 2024

Question from Luisa: I’m hoping you can clear something up for me.

I’ve heard some people say we need to stop using Windows 7 now that Microsoft has stopped updating it because it’s no longer safe.

Others are saying it’s perfectly fine to keep using it as long as the computer has an antivirus on it.

This is really confusing to me.

My HP laptop is old but it still works fine even though it has Windows 7 on it. I really hate the thought of having to replace it, but I will if it’s really unsafe to use.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]