You try can Linux out without installing it(via live USB)? Check this guide but use Kubuntu instead of Ubuntu. You can also try it out via virtual machine.
Also try to switch to cross platform open source programs like these so you'll be able to use the same programs when you switch to Linux
windows 8 was so garbage, it didn't come with drivers that officially supported the hardware on my craptop, so i had to use buggy 3rd party blobs that just so happen to freezelock the bugger every few days
i was supposed to use it to install all the crapware i needed for uni work, but ended up installing linux anyway, thanks microsoft