Switching to linux

Ive been using windows 10 my entire life, but obviously after the longer i use it the more i start to dislike it for things like safety issues and the lack of freedom i have with my device.

Ive been looking into linux and obviously i have been considering making the switch to mint but i dont want to make such a big switch ill regret later. I would consider myself not a complete idiot on how to use a computer like for example i can very comfortably use my windows 10 terminal and basic developer tools (i have close to zero experience with programming languages tho). I think from what I've heard of people's experiences with Linux it's great and a heavenly switch but i only have a couple questions and concerns i couldn't find the answer to anywhere.

1. How much different is using linux to using windows? Will i be able to do the same things i do in my windows with my linux, im a big games guy and im aware some games dont run at all on linux, for me thats quite an issue in the long term.

2. I know how to use a pc but if im ever stuck on anything, i always prefer to use youtube tutorials to fix my issues, but everyone assumes im on windows, also why i want to know how much different the two systems are.

3. How much actual general computing knowledge will i have to know to use a distro like mint? I know its the most beginner friendly one but i plan to (if i make the switch) get comfortable with mint and later on move to another distro like debian and ubuntu hopefully but thats in a long time.

4. Linux mint has similar features to windows 10-11 like a task manager, files explorer, settings and basic navigation stuff like that right? If not i dont really have a problem with having to open a terminal to install stuff but im also just wondering, you can download stuff from a browser and then use it normally as you would in windows? Or is it all through a terminal?

5. Is it really worth it as a windows user that is familiar with the layout and how everything works? Be fully honest here

Thank you thank you

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