What to Gain Moving From Windows 10 to Linux?

[The Old Myron Siren]

Let me preface this post with the fact that I am not a server admin by any means! I have grown up on Windows 7 and Windows 10 and most definitely feel at home there. I have some experience with Linux, but not a whole lot.

 

I currently have a server rig running on just a Windows 10 Pro install. I use it for various game servers, a NextCloud VM, and an Emby server. I installed Windows 10 on the machine because I had a USB of it lying around and its what I am most comfortable with. However, I've noticed that for things like NextCloud and Collabora and various other things, I need to be in a Linux environment. Additionally, I've wanted to put the the six 4TB drives that I have into a RAID so everything is done properly. The biggest reason I am considering switching to a Linux distro is to eliminate the use of Virtual Machines through VirtualBox, but, am I really losing anything by going this route now? I haven't experience any issues so far, but I know there's also a lot that I am blind to when it comes to servers and virtualization. Is it worth all the hassle or should I just be happy with what I have now?

[emosun]

Well whats worse? 

 

Running on your current problem free (as youve mentioned) windows environment. Or gaining more options on linux with the possibility of having problems.

 

Your choice simplified is windows for familiarity and reliability issue wise. Or linux for a wider range of options with less familiarity and the possibility of issues

[2FA]

You can get a lot lower OS memory usage on Linux provided you stick to CLI or a lightweight desktop environment (read GUI). Ubuntu Server (which is CLI) uses a little more than 100MB of memory without any additional services installed if I remember correctly.

[The Old Myron Siren]

14 hours ago, emosun said:

Well whats worse? 

 

Running on your current problem free (as youve mentioned) windows environment. Or gaining more options on linux with the possibility of having problems.

 

Your choice simplified is windows for familiarity and reliability issue wise. Or linux for a wider range of options with less familiarity and the possibility of issues

I guess I might as well just stick with Windows then. Am I bringing in any added risk sticking NextCloud into a VM?

[Dudedawg.net]

you could create a new machine using Hyper-V and install something like Ubuntu-Server or Centos, both are easy to install a bootable thumb drive using Rufus from an ISO image and install on your virtual machine,, then you can try before you buy, lol  the bonus thing about these is that they are free, windows licensing is way too expensive.