Kai I have only ever used windows, after windows nagging me for the last week to update to windows 11 I decided to look into other operating systems (also because I am aware and not ok with the data collection windows does...) After doing a bunch of reading I finally decided on Solus Budgie.
Linux is a rewarding operating environment, and Solus Budgie is a good choice both to migrate from Windows and to use for the long term. I've been using Solus Budgie since 2017, and it is similar enough to Windows in design that it reduces the learning curve somewhat. However, as someone who has used Windows and Linux side-by-side on two computers, in parallel, for 16 years, I want to point out that Windows 11 is also a solid operating environment, and the migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is a much smaller step to take. So, while I welcome you to the Linux in general and Solus Budgie in particular, I encourage you to think hard before you leap. Linux, as you have already learned, has a learning curve to it, and at times it is a steep learning curve. I would not let that deter you, but I want you to be aware that there is a learning curve, and it can, at times, be frustrating.
Kai However, I am a complete beginner to linux and don't really have any idea what I'm doing! I don't even understand half the language used in the forums...
You are not alone in that. Every one of us on this forum, no matter how experienced we are now, had no idea of what we were doing when we moved into Linux. Like you, we read forums and listened to advice, and half the time didn't understand what we are reading. Understanding comes with experience, and in a year you will be helping people on this forum.
Kai I want to install to my internal drive however most of the things I am reading are about installing to a usb! Not sure the point of this and if it would be better for me to do this?
Installing a new (or "clean", as I call it) copy of Linux is very similar to installing a clean copy of Windows. In both cases, the operating system is installed onto an internal hard drive from a USB stick.
To install a new copy of Windows, you download a file called the Windows "Media Creation Tool" onto your hard drive, and then run the tool. The tool downloads the Windows ISO, installs it onto a USB stick, and makes the USB stick "bootable" (that is, sets up the stick so that the computer can start from the stick rather than the hard drive). You then boot from the USB drive rather than the internal hard drive. Once booted, the USB stick installs a clean copy of Windows onto an internal hard drive.
Linux installation follows the same pattern, but is a little different. You download an ISO file (in your case, Solus Budgie) to our hard drive. You then run a program (Etcher, Rufus or other) to install the ISO onto the USB stick and make the USB stick "bootable". After the USB stick is created, you boot from the USB drive rather than the internal hard drive. Once booted, the USB stick runs an installer, initially opening what is called a "Live" session of Solus Budgie. The "Live" session runs Solus Budgie in the computer's memory, allowing you to (a) make sure that your computer will run Solus Budgie, and (b) allow you to take a hard look at Solus Budgie before you install it (a "look before you leap" step). If you want to install Solus Budgie after taking a look, you can then run"Install Solus Budgie" and the USB stick installs a clean copy of Windows onto an internal hard drive.
The reason that there is so much discussion about USB in the installation instructions is that creating a "bootable" USB stick is the first, and for newcomers the most unfamiliar, step in the process.
I am going to finish this comment, and then (about an hour from now) I will be working all day at a railroad museum where I volunteer, and I won't have time to help until I get back. But once I am back, I will try to promptly respond to any questions you have as you go along. Others will, too.
At this point, I would suggest that you do three things:
(1) Go to Microsoft's "Download Windows 10" page, download the "Media Creation Tool" for Windows 10, run the Media Creation Tool (following the instructions on that page) and create a Windows 10 installation USB. The reason I am suggesting that is because you might find out that you don't want to use Linux long term at some point, and you will be able to reinstall Windows if you make that decision. It is always good to have a way to back out.
(2) Go to the Solus Help Center's "Preparing to install" page, and follow the instructions to create a "bootable" USB stick for Solus Budgie.
(3) When you have the Solus Budgie USB stick prepared, boot** from it (again following the instructions) and open a "Live" session (I think that it is called "Try Solus Budgie") when you boot. Don't try to install at this point. Play with the Live session for the day, making sure that Solus Budgie works on your computer, build some confidence that you understand Solus Budgie (at least a bit) and will be able to use it if you install, and coming up with next set of questions. We (that is, all of us who are commenting on this thread and are willing to help) can go from there after you are satisfied that Solus Budgie is the right choice for you.
The installation steps require that you make some choices, and those choices will have consequences, so it is important to decide whether or not Solus Budgie is right for you before you actually install.
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** IMPORTANT: In order to boot into Solus (even from the USB stick), you will need to go into your UEFI/BIOS settings and disable "Secure Boot". If you are not sure how to get to your UEFI/BIOS settings, this guide will tell you what keys to press during boot. Typically, you press the appropriate key about once per second during the boot process and the settings menu will open. Disable "Secure Boot", save the settings, and then you will be good to go.