In one year I have had exactly zero issues with Linux. In the same time, my brother had OS-breaking bugs happen twice from driver updates with Windows… Once from the GPU, and the other from a CPU firmware update.

You don’t have to switch to Linux. That’s OK. Just realize that you are simultaneously ok with making yourself a harvestable resource that Microsoft and others are milking dry.

I’ve tried setting up a BSD VM a few times but never managed to get a desktop environment working. I’m sure it was due to user error.

It sounds like you’re more familiar with Linux than the average person, so I’ll forgo advising Ubuntu or Mint. I personally prefer Pop!_OS, but that’s also because I was a MacOS user for a while and like the feel of that.

I am also more comfy on distros that use the apt package manager, but learning a new one is pretty minor.

As you said you like Win7, which feels fairly straight forward, there are a couple that strike me as something you might like. They are less flashy, lower on resource requirements, and generally stay out of the way.

1. Xubuntu - it’s based off Ubuntu, and is downstream from Debian, so there is quite a bit of support in forums that is applicable. It’s pretty lightweight, and gets the job done. Everything generally seems to “just work”. The bad: resizing windows with the mouse cursor is sensitive and difficult.

2. MX Linux, or a distro with a KDE environment (there are several (Ubuntu, neon, or pop_OS(?)). KDE feels a lot like “windows”, but also incorporates some sensible enhancements. The enhancements aren’t flashy (not like Mint)… they just make sense and feel right. The Bad: you need to go into settings and change single-clicking a file/program from opening the item to selecting it. One thing to note is that MXLinux does add a few things to the right click contextual menu, which might also drive you nuts–it does me. MX is good, but didn’t feel right for me. The other KDE options don’t do this IIRC.

3. EndeavorOS - A pretty lightweight option that also feels very traditional with few frills like Win7. I don’t have as much experience with this distro as I would like. It uses Pakman and AUR, which I am least familiar with, and is also a rolling distro from what I understand, which might eliminate this option if you’re looking for stability. Although, I’ve read many comments from people who have had zero issues for years with it. But, there are things you have to be proactive about like snapshotting before updating that can make it a hassle.

Distrowatch.com is a great tool to check the pros and cons out if you haven’t seen it already.

EDIT: I don’t know why I didn’t think of this earlier, but you can also simply install KDE on Debian as well. This might be a really good option since you’re already familiar with it.

Any idea what distro you’re leaning toward?

I’ve considered it, but between my career, school, and other obligations I’m not sure I have the bandwidth to keep it focused and do it justice.

Same, although there are a couple communities there with no equivalent here, like r/AirForce. I browse Reddit way, way less–and as far as the ads go, I’m glad someone is making money off it, because they won’t be making any money off of me.