Distro hopping is the habit of regularly trying out new Linux distributions to explore for fun or to find the perfect distro for you.
After all, there is Hundreds of Linux distributions New versions are released regularly. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) sets in and you continue to experience the latest buzz in Linux town.
No matter why you do it, whether you hate it or love it, people make some mistakes, which can make the experience of switching between distros a hell of a lot.
What could those be? Let me take you through:
1. Not taking backups

Well, I thought of changing the distro, and out of excitement, I did.
But, if you don’t have a backup of important/frequently accessed stuff, you may have to configure things and organize the data you need on your system.
So, if you have a backup, no matter what you do, the data you need is always available and helps you move quickly from one distro to another.
2. Not checking graphics driver support

Users often forget how compatible a distro is with the GPU on their system and end up complaining about the distro.
You should make sure that your distro has out of the box support for your graphics card.
If you have an Nvidia graphics card like me, you should only prefer distributions that offer ISOs with Nvidia support or have support built in and available in the boot menu.
For example, you need to Install Nvidia drivers on Linux Mint. While it is an easy and hassle-free process for the most part, not everyone is willing to put in the effort. You can go with pop! _OS or Ubuntuwhich works fine with Nvidia graphics cards by default.
3. Hoping things will be better

No one else can choose what you need and what you might like perfectly.
So, don’t go with anyone’s suggestion. Do your research, and choose which distro you want to try next.
Even though you know what you want, don’t expect the experience to be better than your current distro. Distributions differ in many aspects.
The following distribution can solve a problem you have and add problems you didn’t. It is best to assume that you may encounter problems that you did not expect.
So, buckle up if distributions jump.
Do not install the distro And Replace your current distribution.
If you change the distro directly on your workstation, things may break, and you may spend time fixing them first, before even learning or trying the best parts of a Linux distribution.
Instead, you should try the distro with an extension live environment or virtual machine.
Usually, you get an environment right from the boot menu or a “try” option to test things out before installing a Linux distro.
Also, you can try Linux distributions using a virtual machine. With a VM, you can get to know the distro and test things out without a hassle.
With this option, you don’t need to change your host. You can test all the basics like Network connection and availability of pre-installed applications and utilitiesand more without having to throw out your existing distributions.
Suggest reading 📖
10 reasons to run Linux in virtual machines
You can run any operating system as a virtual machine to test things out or for a specific use case. When it comes to Linux, it usually performs better as a virtual machine when compared to other operating systems. Even if you’re hesitant to install Linux barefoot

5. Ignore your use case
The choices of available distributions can make things confusing.
A part or feature of the distro could have caught your eye, leading you to believe that the rest is for you.
Any distro you want to try next should perfectly fit your requirements. If it offers something more or different, it may not necessarily be a reward for you.
For example, a distribution can provide more customization, which is always a good thing. But if you don’t need that control, the built-in options might be confusing or seem like bloatware to you soon enough.
You can explore The best Linux distributions And analyze them based on their majors mentioned in the article.
One example is a specific use case for searching for a file Lightweight distro Works well on older computers:
16 Best Lightweight Linux Distros for Old PCs
Don’t throw away your old computer yet. Use a lightweight Linux distro and revive this decades-old system.

Or are you looking for something safe, reliable and future-proof?
Fixed Linux distributions Should serve you well.
11 Immutable and Future-Proof Linux Distributions
Persistence is an in-trend concept. Take a look at your options for an immutable Linux distribution.

or…
Do you want to play games? There are options for that too!
The best distributions for gaming on Linux
If you are a computer gamer, Linux may not be your first choice. This is fair because Linux is not treated like a first class citizen when it comes to gaming. You won’t find the most anticipated games of the year available on Linux in the first place. do not forget it

In short, don’t choose a distro that doesn’t fit your use cases.

Along with the distro, some users change the tools they use to get their work done on a daily basis.
Given that tools affect your user experience greatly, eventually they will change your workflow. Maybe you did it to try new things. But you should always stick to the tools that work best for you.
You may already be using a file Best basic apps Available, why change?
If the tool does not work as intended with the new distro, only then should you look for alternatives.
7. Unselectable desktop environment
There are a few things that can help you narrow down the options you have for installing Linux distributions on your system.
and the desktop environment is a big one.
Of course, you should explore The best desktop environments Available Pre-Make Favorites. Once you select one, you won’t have to jump too far compared to when you want to try a distro with any desktop environment.
8 best desktop environments for Linux
List of the best Linux desktop environments with their advantages and disadvantages. Take a look and see which desktop environment you should use.

Should you stop distributing?
It’s not bad that you want to explore the options and see what works for you.
However, the way you jump from one distro to another can make the process annoying, and you may end up complaining.
He should Follow the indications above mentioned in this article, and try the distributions using the virtual machine before you want to switch.
By now, you should have a smooth experience with the journey of navigating through the distributions.
💬 Share your surfing adventures in the comments below. Do you do that or not?