Linux Mint for the Casual Computer User

Name: Linux Mint for the Casual Computer User
Rating: 4.5 (1 reviews)

Using Linux Mint for everyday activities

Created byEdouard Piché

Last updated 2/2026

English

What you'll learn

Evaluate Linux Mint using a Live USB; "try before you buy"
Install Linux Mint on a permanent basis, either as a second operating system or standalone
Install additional applications, using different methods
Learn about additional useful features in Cinnamon Spices: Desklets, Applets and Actions
Network a mix of Linux and Windows PC's to share files on a home network

Course content

9 sections • 42 lectures • 4h 36m total length

Introduction8:12
Overall description of the reasons for this course, and the target audience
What Can I Do With Linux?9:10
Similarities with Windows are described, and examples of compatible software that can be loaded.

Create a Live USB Drive9:08
Download a Linux Mint ISO, the Balena Etcher installer program, and install Linux Mint on a USB Drive.
Booting From the USB Flash Drive6:52
Two ways to boot from the flash drive are shown: using the Windows 10 Recovery option, and changing the BIOS Boot order to boot from the flash drive. Limitations of the Live Session are discussed.
In Case of Difficulty Booting from the USB Drive2:25
Changing the Boot Mode and Fast Boot options in the event of difficulty booting from the flash drive.
Explore Linux Mint on the Live USB12:50
Changing settings and trying out options in a non-destructive environment. An installation of Google Drive is shown as an example of using the Software Manager. A sample desktop shortcut is demonstrated. Creating a file using LibreOffice, and saving it onto the hard drive using the File Manager Extra Pane is shown.
Printing & Scanning5:00
Set up a printer, and try out the Document Scanner.

Considerations on Installing Linux Mint3:58
Factors impacting the decision whether to install Linux Mint in dual-boot mode, or doing a full installation.
Installing Linux Mint as Dual Boot6:41
A dual boot installation is shown, since it is the more complex installation. Full installation is similar.
Fixing Time Differences in Dual Boot1:45
The system time in Windows and Linux may be different on a dual-boot system, since Linux uses Universal Coordinated Time, and Windows uses the local time. A one-line Terminal command is shown to display the correct local time.

Data Storage Part 1 - Partitions and Formatting10:45
Data partitions and formatting of these partitions are shown.
Data Storage Part 2 - Drive Designations3:43
Addressing the Linux partitions by UUID designation is shown, and compared to the Windows drive letters.
System Updates and Upgrades6:22
Covers periodic and on-demand system updates, and upgrading to the next version of the operating system.
Setting Up TimeShift for Operating System Snapshots6:45
Creating a sample On-Damand TimeShift snapshot, and restoring from the snapshot is demonstrated. System Monitor is demonstrated, to stop ("kill") an unresponsive app.
TimeShift Demo and System Monitor7:29
Creating a sample On-Demand TimeShift snapshot, and using it to restore the operating system is demonstrated. System Monitor is demonstrated, to stop ("kill") an unresponsive app.
Back Up Personal Documents10:46
Back up files using the FreeFileSync app. Additional backup and sync options are presented.

Install Microsoft fonts6:22
Linux does not install proprietary Microsoft fonts, such as Arial, Courier New and Times New Roman. This video shows how to install free Microsoft-licensed Core fonts, and license-free Google fonts equivalent to Calibri and Cambria.
Installing Apps - Overview5:16
A description of snap, Flatpak, AppImage, System packages and repositories is presented.
Installing Flatpak apps and AppImage files6:36
Demonstration of installing Flatpak and AppImage apps. Google Chrome is installed as an example, and creating a desktop shortcut is shown. An AppImage of Balena Etcher is downloaded and permissions are changed to allow running it as a program.
Basic Terminal commands - Overview7:46
Installation of some apps requires elevated privileges in the Terminal. Some basic terminal commands and navigating the directory tree are shown.
Basic Terminal commands - Live Demo4:56
Live demo showing use of basic navigation commands using the Terminal.
Install System Apps and the Shell Installer6:55
Live demonstration of installing a System app, and comparison to a Flatpak installation. Installing a downloaded .sh app using the Terminal shell command.
Install a downloaded .deb package2:42
Live demo showing how to install .deb format app packages.
The Advanced Package Tool9:09
Description and live demo of installing apps using apt, the Advanced Package Tool. The ncdu app is installed; using ncdu to determine folder and file size is demonstrated.
Installing an app from a TapeARchive ("tarball") file9:58
Description and live demo of installing a sample app downloaded in .tar.gz format, and uninstalling it. Restoring the Operating System using TimeShift is also demonstrated.
Recap - Install and Uninstall Apps8:45
A review and summary of installing and uninstalling using various methods.
Additional Terminal Commands - Part 17:12
Description of additional commands that may be found when installing apps. Live demo of creating and removing (deleting) directories.
Additional Terminal Commands - Part 26:59
Demonstration of bulk file rename in the File Manager, and copying, renaming and moving files to another folder using the Command Line Interface. Redirection of the terminal output to a text file, and viewing with the less command is demonstrated.

Cinnamon Spices - Applets Part 18:56
Overview of Cinnamon Spices: Themes, Applets, Desklets,and Extensions. Cinnamon Applets are explained, using the Weather and Radio++ applets as examples. The Weather applet is installed by downloading to the default directory.
Cinnamon Spices - Applets Part 23:00
Installation of the Radio++ applet directly from the panel.
Cinnamon Spices - Desklets5:25
Description of Desklets, with a live demo of installing and configuring the Calendar app.
Cinnamon Spices - Actions11:04
Adding features to the File Manager. The action to convert PDF images to another format is shown as an example. Converted images are shown inserted into a LibreOffice Writer document.

Networking Introduction2:38
Networking is explained, and access to the second operating system of a dual boot installation is demonstrated.
Networking Windows 10 PC's5:08
A live demo showing how to network Windows 10 PC’s across a home network to share files.
Networking Windows 11 PC's2:20
A live demo showing how to network Windows 11 PC’s across a home network to share files.
Networking Linux computers10:38
Setting up and networking computers both running Linux Mint. Verify samba file sharing and ufw uncomplicated firewall are both installed, and settings for ufw.
Find IP Addresses with Angry IP Scanner7:24
Installing, setting up and running Angry IP Scanner to locate IP addresses of devices on the home network.
Network Linux Mint to Windows PC computer5:07
Live demonstration of networking from a computer running Linux Mint to a computer running Windows.
Network Windows PC to Linux Mint Computer2:44
Live demonstration of connecting from a Windows computer to a computer running Linux Mint.

Requirements

No programming experience needed, bust some familiarity with Windows operating system will be helpful

Description

Windows 10 has reached End of Life, and Microsoft no longer supports it with free security upgrades. If the user's current computer does not meet the system requirements to upgrade to Windows 11, they are faced with the possibility of purchasing a new computer. Linux is a free and open source operating system, with multiple distributions available. This course presents the option of using Linux Mint as an alternate operating system.

The course will lead the user through the process of downloading Linux Mint, and evaluating it on a trial basis. If the user decides to make the change permanent, instructions are provided for installation either as a second operating system ("dual boot"), or a full install as the only operating system.

Once installed, the course will cover:

- Tuning the appearance and convenience settings on the desktop.

- The file structure of the Linux operating system, compared with Windows.

- Backup and Restore functions of the Operating System, using TimeShift.

- Stopping an unresponsive app using System Monitor.

- Learning about app repositories, and installing apps using different methods.

- Additional features of the Cinnamon desktop, called Applets, Desklets and Actions.

- Accessing and sharing files over the network between a mix of Linux and Windows computers.

Linux Mint serves as an easy transition from Windows. The course learning applies to any other Linux distribution.

Who this course is for:

The casual computer user who just uses a computer for everyday functions, and does not seek to become a computer expert

Linux Mint for the Casual Computer User

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction2 lectures • 17min

Creating and Using a Live USB Drive5 lectures • 36min

Installing Linux Mint as a Permanent Installation3 lectures • 12min

Appearance Settings2 lectures • 11min

A Deeper Dive Into Linux Mint6 lectures • 46min

Installing Applications ("Apps")12 lectures • 1hr 23min

Additional Features - Cinnamon Spices4 lectures • 28min

Networking Linux and Windows PC's7 lectures • 36min

Additional Resources1 lecture • 7min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: