Before switching to Linux, if you come from Windows, you will have to think very carefully about the applications you will need for your daily life, since many are not available.
In recent years, it is true that in practically all Linux distros can access Microsoft operating system toolsalthough in all cases there are alternatives that you should know.
All of them are from open source and totally freeand they work as excellent alternatives for some services, such as those from Adobe or Microsoft, that are not available on Linux.
These are the essential applications that I would take into account if you are going from Windows to Linux:
GIMP
GIMP is the acronym for Image Manipulation Programan open source program dedicated to professional image editing. In short, a totally free and essential Adobe Photoshop for Linux if you need this.
Although this list is about Linux applicationsmany of them are also available on proprietary systems, such as Windows and macOS, something that happens precisely with GIMP.
With this programa open sourceyou can design anything you can think of, such as logos, graphic elements and different artistic styles, without having to check out first.
LibreOffice
Like many tools on this list, many Linux distributions They already arrive with LibreOffice as the default application to make up for the absence of other well-known applications such as Microsoft Office for Windows.
It is free and open source software, and it has one of the largest communities in this field behind it, so it usually maintains updates and patches very frequently.
Beyond this, it is one of the best alternatives if you arrive from Windowssince it will remind you a lot of Microsoft Office, with very similar menus and options, as well as add-ons to get the most out of the tool.
CoreCtrl
For users who are more demanding with a computer’s performance options, for example, those who spend a lot of time gaming, CoreCtrl is practically mandatory.
Thanks to the tool, also open source, you will be able to establish different profiles, with options to manually configure the performance, the fan and other aspects to control these values.
Again, It is also available on Windowsalthough for this system each manufacturer usually always complements the software with its own tool with the same functionalities as CoreCtrl.
WineHQ
And, of course, another of the Essential apps for nostalgic Windows users is WineHQ, a tool that allows you to directly run this operating system within Linux, without the need to emulate anything.
It also comes by default in some distros and allows, for example, to run video games optimally to play without problems on Linux, for example, with available stores such as the popular Steam and Epic Games.
In addition to this, you can run practically all the applications you can find in Windows.
VLC Media Player
It is Multiplatform player is one of the best known for being the most famous open source, totally free and without advertising or tracking.
It has compatibility with all the formats you can imagine, both video and audio, as well as subtitles, and you can easily add these to any track.
For those who use IPTV services to watch television, series and moviesVLC Media Player allows you to add IPTV lists, so it can be one of the best safe options on the market for this.
KDE Connect
Other essential to be able to connect the mobile phone with the computer in Linux It is KDE Connect, also open source and completely free, an alternative to the Mobile Link that Windows allows.
Like this one, you will need to download the desktop version on your computer and the one from official iOS and Android stores for your mobile, with the possibility of quickly sharing files and controlling your terminal.
As great advantage, allows its use in public WiFi networksif you need it, with the use of VPNs, in addition to integration in the browser you use, both Firefox and Google Chrome, with Plasma Browser Integration.