After 25 years of running Linux on multiple computers, my migration away from Linux is now complete. MacOS handles audio and graphics, GhostBSD is my main programming platform, and Windows 11 Pro, installed on my Zephyrus laptop, takes on AI, virtualization, and other GPU-intensive tasks.
This move wouldn’t have happened without Chris Titus’s Windows Utility, which strips away a lot of the bloat and unnecessary background services that typically weigh down a fresh Windows 11 Pro install. With Pro features and 8 GB of VRAM, the Zephyrus fills a powerful niche in my post-Linux toolkit.
My Zephyrus laptop runs Windows 11 Pro, displays no ads, and has Copilot and all bloatware removed. While some telemetry is still collected, Linux does the same. Don’t be mislead by YouTube videos claiming Linux is superior simply because “anyone” can modify the code. That claim, like many more, is misleading.
Installed Software
Affinity Suite
I initially purchased Affinity Photo for Windows and was pleasantly surprised when Serif offered me a smooth upgrade path to the full Affinity Suite when I bought a Mac earlier this year. It’s refreshing to see a company that values customers by providing flexible upgrades and subscription-free pricing. The Photo 2, Designer 2 and Publisher 2 apps are powerful, intuitive, and professional. All in all, Serif’s approach and software quality have earned my respect and loyalty.
Blender
Blender is a powerful, open-source 3D creation suite that covers the entire pipeline. Modeling, sculpting, texturing, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and even video editing. It’s built for artists, engineers, and creators who demand control without compromise.
Whether I’m building game assets, architectural visualizations, or cinematic animations, Blender on Linux gives me all the tools I need.
ComfyUI
As a Blender user for over 26 years, I never imagined I’d be this impressed by a node-based AI tool. In today’s fast-paced world, when time is precious, I often choose to generate rather than spend hours modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering a scene from scratch.
ComfyUI handles all of that in under a minute. It’s not just fast; it’s efficient, intuitive, and creatively liberating. This is more than a shortcut. It’s a glimpse into the future of 3D art.
I used the
.exeprovided on the official ComfyUI site, which offers a true one-click install. This version automatically sets up the required Python virtual environment and ensures that all future model downloads are placed in the correct directory.
- FLUX
- Developed by Black Forest Labs, FLUX is a family of text-to-image diffusion models that surpass the quality of many mainstream alternatives, including SDXL and Stable Diffusion 3. It excels at prompt adherence, generating accurate anatomy, realistic lighting, and even legible text.
Pinokio
Over the years, I’ve worked with many software applications, but only a select few truly stand out as brilliant. Pinokio is one of those rare gems, able to install complex AI applications flawlessly, every single time.
I installed Pinokio from the AUR, and I’m happy to say it has never failed me when adding new AI software.
VirtualBox
One of the final reasons I moved away from Linux on the Zephyrus was ongoing issues with VirtManager, particularly around VM networking. Getting virtual machines online required too much tweaking, an old and well-known issue still unresolved.
That’s when Windows 11 Pro entered the scene. After installing it, the very first application I added was VirtualBox. I used Chris Titus’s Windows Utility, which also installs the required .NET runtime as part of its streamlined setup process.
I’m happy to report that, unlike VirtManager, VirtualBox on Windows runs GhostBSD as a VM flawlessly. Fullscreen at 3440×1440 resolution? No problem. Bridged networking? Just a checkbox. I enjoy doing things the easy way because time is precious.