10. Troubleshoot Other Computers
You don’t even need to install Linux on a box to make it useful — all you need is a solid live CD. Just boot from the CD and you can grab any files from the hard drive, even if the computer won’t boot or you’ve forgotten your password. Linux can even help if you accidentally formatted your entire drive. Of course, not all system rescue discs are Linux — and there are a lot of good ones out there — but a bit of basic Linux knowledge can turn you into a troubleshooting expert. Top 10 Uses for Linux (Even If Your Main PC Runs Windows)
9. Make a Chromebook More Useful
You’d be surprised how much you can get done in Chrome OS. There are a lot of great Chrome apps out there for editing audio, video, images, coding, and more — but sometimes you just need a more powerful desktop app you’re familiar with. Luckily, you can install Linux alongside Chrome OS really easily, and get access to a traditional desktop with a bunch of apps. It won’t get you Photoshop or something of that calibre, but if all you need is a bit of a safety net, it’s perfect.