Going from Windows to Linux.

[Susan Calvin]

I want to get a Linux Mint computer, but I'm concerned about being able to read the files created with Windows on my external hd, or reading the external hd at all. Should this be an issue? Thanks.

[lapfog_1]

1. nope

will not be an issue for you... Linux Mint can mount read and write ntfs file systems.

[at140]

2. Reading files created in standard formats should not be a problem

such as txt files, jpg files etc. But files created by special windows based software could be a problem,
such as my dbf files.

[kurtcagle]

3. Generally, no

Most Linux implementations are very mature nowadays, and can fully handle the vast majority of file formats in popular use today.

[CentralMass]

4. As mentioned in the earlier reply, it depends on what type of file.

If you are using libreoffice on your Linux Machine it can open Microsoft Word, Excel, abd PowerPoint files.

[PoliticAverse]

5. You should have no problem reading disks written under Windows from Linux. n/t

[Susan Calvin]

6. Thanks all.

I don't have anything special. Just music, photos, videos, files created with OpenOffice, emails in Thunderbird, and a few Java programs.

I do have a set of calendars that I'm fond of that were made in PrintMaster, a program I update from time to time for that single purpose. I'll have to see if that comes in a Linux version, or if there's something for Linux that will read the files.

I really hate Windows 10.

[Susan Calvin]

7. So there are ways to run the occasional Windows program.

Like my PrintMaster.