What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
I can’t honestly tell this as a first-person account: no author experience was provided, so inventing the reason for the switch or claiming not to regret it would mislead readers. What can be said clearly is that switching to Pop!_OS now means choosing a system whose 24.04 LTS release includes the COSMIC desktop—and that a live USB lets you try it before committing to an installation.
What switching to Pop!_OS means in 2026
Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS uses COSMIC as its default desktop environment. System76 announced the upgrade from 22.04 in March 2026; COSMIC replaces GNOME and brings new system applications. That makes the experience different depending on whether you are installing Pop!_OS for the first time or upgrading an existing installation. System76’s 24.04 LTS upgrade announcement describes the changes.
Coming from another operating system
A new installation gives you a clean start with Pop!_OS and COSMIC. Before installing, you can boot into a live environment to explore the desktop and check whether it suits your workflow. System76’s installation guide describes the available installation paths, including demo mode and custom partitioning for advanced setups such as dual boot.
Upgrading from Pop!_OS 22.04
This is a release upgrade, not a fresh installation, but it still changes the desktop and apps. System76 says users may need to pin dock applications again, and applications installed from PPAs or local DEB files may need reinstalling. Expect to adjust to COSMIC’s workflow and keyboard shortcuts rather than assuming the old desktop setup will carry over unchanged.
#1 Best Overall
- Sticks Well on Multiple Surfaces – Our premium vinyl meme stickers are designed for water bottles, laptops, phone cases, journals, skateboards, luggage, and car windows. The convenient sheet format makes them easy to use, store, and reuse by placing them back on the original sheet.
- No Residue Left Behind – These sarcastic stickers are made from high-quality, professional-grade vinyl and peel off easily without leaving sticky residue or damaging surfaces. They stick securely to smooth and lightly textured materials for long-lasting decoration.
- Easy to Remove – Although they hold securely, each meme sticker pack can be gently lifted and repositioned during application for smooth, accurate placement. Great for decorating notebooks, planners, scrapbooks, and other personal items without worrying about bubbles or misalignment.
- Long-Lasting & Waterproof – Made from outdoor-rated vinyl, these pop culture stickers are waterproof, scratch-resistant, and UV-resistant to keep colors bright and crisp through rain, sunlight, and everyday use.
- Great Gift Idea – Our funny stickers are packed with sarcastic humor and relatable internet jokes. Perfect for meme lovers and ideal as sarcasm gifts or gag gifts for friends, coworkers, and anyone who enjoys witty humor and viral meme culture.
Try the desktop before deciding
A live USB is a practical way to see COSMIC on your own hardware before installing. System76 lists 4 GB RAM as the minimum, 8 GB as recommended, and 20 GB of storage for installation. These are installation requirements, not guarantees of performance. Its documentation lists supported 64-bit x86 and Raspberry Pi 4 ARM architectures, and says Secure Boot must be disabled to install. Check the current installation requirements before downloading.
Create the USB installer
- Choose the appropriate Pop!_OS image: Intel/AMD, NVIDIA, or Raspberry Pi. The NVIDIA image includes proprietary NVIDIA drivers.
- Use a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space. Creating the installation media erases the data on that drive, so copy anything important elsewhere first.
- Write the image to the USB drive. The documentation names balenaEtcher for Windows, macOS, and Linux; Popsicle for Linux; and Rufus for Windows. Follow the tool’s prompts and verify that you have selected the USB drive, not another disk.
- Boot from the USB and use the live environment or demo mode to explore. If you proceed with a clean install, confirm the selected target disk: the clean-install process erases it.
See the Pop!_OS installation-media instructions for the image options and media-creation details.
Rank #2
- Cardioid Pick-up: Cardioid pickup pattern that captures clear and crisp voice in front of the mic and suppresses unwanted background noise. Design for chatting, teleconferencing, recording, podcast
- For Podcast: Equipped with a non-slip stand that adds stability while occupying a small desktop area. One-click mute and volume control for easy operation during the recording. The shock mount and pop filter can prevent recordings from being disturbed by vibration
- Strong Compatibility: TC-777 is multi-device and program compatible, you can use it on Windows, MAC, PS4 and 5. It can also be quickly recognized by Zoom, Skype, Discord, allowing you to start creating or communicating immediately. (Not compatible with Xbox）
- Plug & Play: With a USB 2.0 data port, the TC-777 is plug and play, with no additional drivers or assembly process required. The angle of both microhone and pop filter can be adjusted as needed to achieve the best audio effect
- What's In the Box: 1 x Microphone with Power Cord(1.9m), 1 x Foldable Mic Tripod, 1 x Mini Shock Mount, 1 x Pop Filter and 1 x Manual
Choose the right path: clean install or release upgrade
| Situation | What to expect | Key precaution |
|---|---|---|
| Installing Pop!_OS on a new or repurposed computer | Try the live environment first, then choose a clean install or advanced custom partitioning. | A clean install erases the selected target disk. Back up files and verify the disk before proceeding. |
| Upgrading an existing Pop!_OS 22.04 installation | The upgrade moves from GNOME to COSMIC and may require repinning dock apps or reinstalling PPA and local DEB applications. | Update the existing system and recovery, then back up before starting the release upgrade. |
| Using a release earlier than 22.04 | System76 recommends a fresh installation rather than upgrading across multiple releases. | Plan for a clean install and back up files before erasing the target disk. |
System76’s upgrade guide says an upgrade can take up to an hour depending on download and hardware speed; that is an estimate, not a guarantee. It also identifies upgrades across multiple releases, end-of-life releases, and installations with many third-party repositories as situations more likely to encounter complications.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesCheck graphics support before installing
Pop!_OS offers Intel/AMD, NVIDIA, and Raspberry Pi images. System76 documents integrated, NVIDIA, and hybrid graphics modes, and says COSMIC is designed to run in hybrid mode. This matters especially on laptops with switchable graphics, where the right mode depends on the hardware and how you intend to use it. Consult the graphics switching guide for the available modes.
Rank #3
- Start With a POP: Proudly express yourself and add style to your space with the Logitech POP Mouse, a compact and portable wireless Bluetooth mouse with a fresh, modern design that stands out
- Never Made Ordinary: This slim wireless mouse features a lightweight, contoured design that fits snugly in your palm or bag so you can take it wherever you go
- Compatible with MacBook Neo laptops: instant Bluetooth connection, seamless & color-matched
- Life Is Easier With Shortcuts: Quickly switch between work, social and break (Netflix, Spotify) modes, or access your AI tools with the customizable Action Buttons and Logi Options+ App (1)
- Let Your Work Speak Louder Than Your Clicks: The Logitech POP Mouse is a quiet mouse with Silent Touch Technology that removes 90% of click noise (2)
If a computer has discrete NVIDIA graphics but was installed using the Intel/AMD image, System76 documents installing the proprietary driver separately with system76-driver-nvidia. Its media guide explains the image distinction; the graphics guide covers switching modes.
What you need to judge whether the switch is worth it
A “superficial” reason—such as liking a desktop’s appearance—can be a perfectly valid reason to try an operating system. It is not enough, by itself, to establish that switching is a good fit. Use the live session to assess the things that will affect your own day-to-day use:
Rank #4
- 🌈 216Pcs value pack (72 unique designs x3): Includes 72 different korean music and korean drama themed designs, each repeated 3 times for easy sharing and matching.
- 🌈 Cute korean fan aesthetic stickers: colorful pastel style with music icons, hearts, and fun quotes—perfect for korean pop music fans and korean drama lovers.
- 🌈 Perfect size for decorating (1.3–2.5 inches): small and easy to layer on laptops, tablets, journals, phone cases, and water bottles without taking too much space.
- 🌈 High quality waterproof vinyl material: made from premium vinyl for indoor and outdoor use, sticks smoothly to most clean flat surfaces and helps protect from minor scratches.
- 🌈 UV protected and long lasting – no fading: printed with high-resolution uv-resistant ink for bright colors that stay sharp, weatherproof and 100% waterproof for daily use.
- Desktop workflow: Try window management, the dock, and the keyboard shortcuts you rely on.
- Applications: Identify software you need, including any installed through PPAs or local DEB files if you are upgrading.
- Hardware: Check that the live session and graphics mode work as you expect, particularly on a laptop with switchable graphics.
- Effort: Decide whether you are comfortable with a clean installation that erases a disk, or with the adjustments and possible app reinstalls involved in an upgrade.
- Your original reason: Ask whether the aesthetic or other initial attraction still matters once you have used the desktop for ordinary tasks.
Documentation can explain installation and upgrade behavior, but it does not show that Pop!_OS is faster, more stable, safer, or better for battery life than a particular alternative. Those outcomes depend on the machine, workload, and comparison; assess them on the hardware and software you actually use.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Start With a POP: Proudly express yourself and add style to your space with the Logitech POP Mouse, a compact and portable wireless Bluetooth mouse with a fresh, modern design that stands out
- Never Made Ordinary: This slim wireless mouse features a lightweight, contoured design that fits snugly in your palm or bag so you can take it wherever you go
- Compatible with MacBook Neo laptops: instant Bluetooth connection, seamless & color-matched
- Life Is Easier With Shortcuts: Quickly switch between work, social and break (Netflix, Spotify) modes, or access your AI tools with the customizable Action Buttons and Logi Options+ App (1)
- Let Your Work Speak Louder Than Your Clicks: The Logitech POP Mouse is a quiet mouse with Silent Touch Technology that removes 90% of click noise (2)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
