While you examine Linux, you most likely see a variety of discuss instructions to make use of within the terminal. The command line can appear intimidating in the event you aren’t used to it, which is comprehensible. However what if we informed you you do not have to fret about that?

Can You Use Linux With out the Terminal?

The quick reply is sure—you may use Linux without ever touching the terminal, assuming you may have an excellent desktop surroundings put in. For instance, you may simply handle your information by means of a file supervisor, set up software program by way of a software program heart, and configure settings by means of the settings menu, amongst different duties.

Whereas utilizing the terminal can assist you accomplish tasks more efficiently and rapidly, it is under no circumstances the one option to work together together with your system.

Selecting the Proper Linux Distribution

An example of Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora Linux distributions running on the same device using VirtualBox.

Need to get pleasure from Linux with out the terminal? Select a distribution that’s user-friendly and designed with learners in thoughts. For instance, in the event you’re switching from Home windows, a number of distros mimic the Windows interface to ease your transition. The identical applies in the event you’re coming from macOS.

I started my Linux journey with Ubuntu, however many different user-friendly distros supply a glossy and intuitive interface. As an illustration, Linux Mint, which options the Cinnamon desktop environment, is famend for its easy design and ease of use. You may simply navigate by means of menus, set up software program, and handle information with out ever opening a terminal window.

Different glorious choices embody Pop!_OS, Q4OS, Zorin OS, and elementary OS. Every of those distributions comes preloaded with graphical instruments, permitting you to put in apps, handle settings, and customise your desktop—all with only a few clicks.

Customise Your Linux Expertise

Split screen with standard Ubuntu on the left and Ubuntu similar to Linux on the right, with Tux next to it.
Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek

You may tweak practically each facet of your system to fit your preferences, and the most effective half is, you are able to do all of it with out opening the terminal. For instance, you may change wallpapers, icons, and fonts, and even set up custom keyboard shortcuts—all by means of the graphical interface.

Most distributions include a desktop surroundings, like GNOME, KDE, or Cinnamon. You may select between desktop environments like Cinnamon to personalize your expertise. These environments are like your system’s management heart, the place you may change themes, add widgets, and tweak settings as a lot as you need.

For instance, I am utilizing Ubuntu with the GNOME desktop environment, so I would like to put in GNOME Tweaks and GNOME Extension Supervisor to customize themes, the taskbar, window tiling, and extra.

Moreover, many fashionable distributions include a wide range of pre-installed themes, and you’ll even obtain extra from neighborhood repositories or third-party websites like Gnome-Look.

Handle Software program Utilizing Graphical Software program Facilities

Most Linux distributions supply graphical software centers, which let you seek for, set up, and replace software program simply. These software program facilities additionally allow you to browse classes, learn opinions, and think about screenshots earlier than deciding to put in an software.

For instance, to put in an online browser like Firefox on Ubuntu, open the Ubuntu App Heart, seek for “Firefox,” and click on the “Set up” button to start out the method.

Searching and installing 'Firefox' browser in Ubuntu App Center.

File Administration Made Easy With File Managers

You may handle information on Linux the identical method you’d on Home windows or macOS. Most Linux distributions embody GUI-based file managers that allow you to repeat, rename, browse, transfer, and take away information simply.

As an illustration, in Nautilus (the Ubuntu file manager), you may right-click on a file to compress, rename, or transfer it. Additionally, the search operate helps you rapidly find information, very similar to on Home windows or macOS.

Nautilus file manager in Ubuntu Linux.

Different file managers, akin to Dolphin (KDE) or Thunar (XFCE), supply superior options like bulk renaming, customizable layouts, and plugin help.

It is value noting that Linux makes use of a different file system structure. As an alternative of drive letters, Linux employs a unified file system ranging from the basis listing (/). Nevertheless, most file managers deal with this transparently, so it will not disrupt your every day workflow.

Alter System Settings and Configuration

You additionally need not depend on the terminal to regulate system settings. Complete GUI-based settings managers make this course of easy. Whether or not you are tweaking the show decision, establishing a printer, or managing your Wi-Fi connection, it may well all be achieved by means of a graphical interface.

For instance, on Ubuntu, you may entry the Settings app from the Purposes menu. From there, you may handle community connections, person accounts, show settings, and even printer configurations.

Opening 'Settings' menu from Applications menu.

Different distributions, akin to Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, and openSUSE, supply comparable user-friendly settings menus. openSUSE’s YaST management heart, as an illustration, is a robust software for managing system settings, software program, and community configurations—all by means of a GUI.

Run Home windows Apps With Wrappers

The Linux penguin and behind him, the Windows logo disintegrating
Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | MohammadKam/Lars Poyansky/Shutterstock

Working Home windows purposes on Linux is now simpler than ever. Because of graphical wrappers for Wine like Heroic Launcher, Bottles, and others, it has turn out to be rather more easy to run Home windows apps on Linux. For instance, utilizing Heroic Launcher, you may simply add an EXE file of your Home windows purposes and run it with out coping with complicated settings.

It’s also possible to use virtualization software program like VirtualBox or VMware to run a full Home windows set up inside Linux. It is an effective way to get the most effective of each worlds—you may simply change between Linux and Home windows everytime you want. I’ve tried each choices, VirtualBox and Wine, and actually, operating a digital machine works a lot better for me.

Creating New Virtual Machine.

For players, Proton—developed by Valve—permits you to run Windows games on Linux through Steam. Constructed on Wine, Proton has turn out to be fashionable amongst Linux players.

Though not all Home windows apps will work flawlessly, compatibility has considerably improved. Additionally, with the rising Linux gaming neighborhood, many titles now offer native Linux support, offering players with an enormous library without having Home windows.


Whereas Linux might sound intimidating initially, it is truly the identical as Home windows or every other working system and likewise straightforward to study. Why not contemplate giving it a strive? With so many beginner-friendly distributions out there, there’s little to lose.

When you’re comfy, you may even end up exploring the terminal to unlock much more potentialities. You may start your terminal journey by customizing it based mostly in your wants.


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