I think the SUSE 9.2 version I mentioned back then wound up was probably the one I used to move away from Windows as the main OS here. I've chosen Suse/OpenSuse for quite a few years now and it's on all the PCs/laptops here except my new Dell laptop. I had trouble with graphic card switching (it's an Intel/nVidia model) and, as Dell seem to work with Ubuntu, decided to try one the Ubuntu family. I'm probably in a minority as I don't like Ubuntu itself and prefer a Plasma 5 desktop and generally prefer kde apps to gnome ones so I chose Kubuntu. I've been happy with this.

SRS, just download an ISO that can be run live, burn it to a flash drive and run it from that. Or try a couple. With the desktops, you will find different looks and feels as well as default app selections. Coming back to Ubuntu, you would probably find the Kubuntu variant closer to your Win 10 experience than you would Ubuntu if that was what you wanted. It may sound a touch confusing but it's a world of choice and people will find their own favourites which suit them best.

Must try to remember where I put my (2.5 and 3.5) USB to Sata cable. I think I've only used it when I fitted a ssd in dad's laptop but it's a handy device to have.