I've always been tempted to move at least in some part over to a version of Linux but don't know how to go about it safely because I still love my win10 for casual use, so advise for moving to Linux??

JFDI... I would be tempted to go with Linux Mint at first. Remember that WINE is there if there is the occasional Windows application that you simply cannot do without.

Unless you need Windows because some games still don't have a linux version, just do it.

/Fulltime Linux (lubuntu) user for more than five years, never looked back.

Start with Ubuntu. I personally find its UI bloated and annoying, as well as all its included software, but it's the plug and play of Linux distros. I like Ubuntu Mate more since is a good low power consumption alternative with a simpler UI, though it can get quite unstable.

And if you want to keep Windows, make a 'data' shared partition. It really improves quality of live.

If you don't really need to move to Linux, then stay on Win10. For me, there is no limitation when developing on Windows.

Try it on a vm. Just give it enough cpu/ram/hdd. Try something real, like code something. Try setting up a local website. Mount you windows files in your vm

@Spy653 you should look up "Bash on Ubuntu on Windows" for win 10.
It's a beta feature in Windows 10 that provides native support for Ubuntu.

@bakablah that's the worst linux experience you can give someone. I would advise to people that are already experienced with linux somehow

Setup a dual boot.

@DarkMukke this will avoid having to do dual boot and repartition, potentially screwing up with windows. Ubuntu on Windows implements the Linux kernel in the windows environment. No mess there.
Or they could try with cygwin.

@bakablah ok but you only get cli. Thats not enough. Eg the first 3 years my ide didn't have font anti aliasing on linux. There was a hack in the config. But those can be turn off's. just saying. Better get a full experience then just a glimpse of a cli that doesn't even fully work.