8 Most Windows-like Linux Distros - If You're Ready To Ditch Microsoft

3 days ago

7 astir Windows-like Linux distros -- if you're fresh to make nan leap

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

If you're migrating from Windows, effort 1 of these distributions.
Each of these is user-friendly and free.
Most of these are either Ubuntu-based aliases independent.

Windows 10's extremity of life is coming successful 2025, and that intends you person to dream your instrumentality tin tally Windows 11, buy a caller computer, aliases effort thing different -- like Linux.

Linux shouldn't beryllium considered a last-choice replacement either, because it's each spot adjacent to Windows aliases MacOS. It's reliable, secure, user-friendly, and free. What much do you want?

Also: Want to prevention your aged computer? Try 1 of these 9 Linux distros - for free

I know: You want an operating strategy that looks and feels for illustration Windows 10. That makes cleanable consciousness because you've been utilizing Microsoft's OS for a agelong time, and alteration is often hard.

Which distribution is correct for those seeking a seamless modulation from Windows to Linux? There are rather a fewer choices retired there, and I'll show you what I see your 7 champion options.

1. KDE Neon

Slight resemblance to Windows 7 and afloat configurable

KDE Neon is nan flagship distribution for highlighting nan KDE Plasma desktop environment. The awesome point astir KDE Plasma is that it tin beryllium configured to look and consciousness conscionable astir immoderate measurement you like. Out of nan box, KDE Plasma does carnivore a flimsy resemblance to Windows 7, but you tin tweak it to look much for illustration Windows 10 aliases Windows 11 if you like.

Also: The astir beautiful Linux distributions for 2025

KDE Neon benefits from an Ubuntu base, truthful it's very user-friendly and handles hardware nickname for illustration a champ. And anyone coming from conscionable astir immoderate type of Windows will consciousness correct astatine location connected nan KDE Plasma desktop environment.

For those who'd for illustration to yet activity pinch a desktop that looks thing for illustration Windows, KDE Plasma tin easy make that happen. Turn nan bottommost sheet into a dock and adhd a apical bar, and you person a desktop akin to MacOS. KDE Plasma is that flexible.

Like astir each Linux distributions, KDE Neon tin beryllium downloaded and installed for free.

2. Linux Mint

A very user-friendly operating strategy

Linux Mint mightiness not beryllium themed for illustration Windows 10 aliases Windows 11, but it is surely wrong nan realm of Windows-ish desktops. For example, you'll find a panel, a Start menu, a strategy tray, and clickable icons, each connected apical of a very user-friendly operating system.

Another logic to spell nan Linux Mint way is that it benefits from nan aforesaid level of hardware nickname arsenic Ubuntu. That makes cleanable sense, fixed that Linux Mint is based connected Ubuntu.

Also: How to move your Windows 10 PC to Linux Mint - for free

Linux Mint uses nan Cinnamon desktop situation by default, but you tin download editions that usage MATE aliases Xfce. For those migrating from Windows, I urge sticking pinch nan default Cinnamon desktop, arsenic it will beryllium nan astir acquainted and reliable.

Linux Mint is simply a free distribution and has a very robust community. The developers listen, and nan merchandise schedule is very reliable.

You tin download Linux Mint for free connected arsenic galore machines arsenic you need.

3. Zorin OS

Pro version looks and feels for illustration Windows 11

Although nan extremity of Zorin OS isn't to replicate Windows 10, it does connection respective desktop layouts, including a very Windows-like UI. If you salary for nan Pro version ($47.99), you get further layouts, specified arsenic 1 that looks and feels for illustration Windows 11.

Here is 1 of nan superior reasons I americium including Zorin OS: You tin commencement retired utilizing nan Windows 11-like layout and, arsenic you turn accustomed to nan open-source OS, move to a desktop that resembles MacOS aliases 1 of nan straight-up Linux environments (such arsenic GNOME aliases KDE Plasma).

Also: Linux Mint vs. Zorin OS: I've tested some Windows alternatives, and here's my choice

The Zorin OS desktop is based connected GNOME, but nan developers person made it acold much elastic than your mean GNOME desktop.

The free type of Zorin OS comes pinch 4 desktop layouts, and nan Pro type adds six more. Of those 19 layouts, 4 are Windows-like (Windows Classic, Windows, Windows List, and Windows 11).

Zorin OS Core tin beryllium downloaded and installed for free, and nan Pro licence tin beryllium purchased from nan charismatic Zorin OS site.

4. blendOS

Slightly Windows 11-like but besides immutable

blendOS mightiness not beryllium connected your radar, but it should be. Not only does this Linux distribution carnivore a flimsy resemblance to Windows 11, but it's besides immutable (meaning nan halfway of nan OS is mounted read-only for heightened security), and includes respective options for installing apps. You will find pacman, apt, Flatpak, Podman (for containers), and moreover blendOS's ain unsocial "blend" tool.

Because of this, you will find tons of applications to install. You tin besides alteration Android app support arsenic good arsenic dnf (the Fedora package manager) support from wrong nan System app. Because blendOS is immutable, nan chances of you wrecking nan OS are slim. Additionally, you tin prime a type pinch GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce, Cinnamon, Deepin, MATE, aliases LXQt.

Also: Immutable Linux delivers superior information - present are your 5 champion options

For those coming from Windows, I'd urge either KDE Plasma aliases nan Deepin desktop. The 1 caveat to utilizing blendOS is that I wouldn't urge it for users pinch very small machine skills. If you cognize your measurement astir Windows good capable (as successful you've utilized it for a agelong clip and are comfortable pinch astir aspects of nan OS), you shouldn't person overmuch problem pinch blendOS.

The only point you won't find retired of nan container is Wine (for Windows apps) aliases Steam (for games), but you tin instal some pinch ease.

5. AnduinOS

New kid connected nan artifact

AnduinOS is nan caller kid connected nan block, but it besides happens to beryllium 1 of my favorites connected nan list. This Windows-like desktop is based connected Ubuntu and uses nan latest type of GNOME to create a alternatively Windows 11-like desktop.

One point to support successful mind pinch this distribution is that it's not filled pinch tricks, bells, and whistles to fool you into believing you're utilizing Windows. AnduinOS is much astir creating a desktop and workflow that Windows users tin easy accommodate to. By utilizing nan operation of Ubuntu (currently type 25.04) and GNOME (currently type 48), AnduinOS creates a desktop that performs brilliantly and reliably.

Also: Want to ditch Windows? This Linux distro makes that modulation easy

If you want to usage Windows apps connected AnduinOS, you'll request to instal Wine, but different than that, it's fresh to spell retired of nan container and is simply a dainty to use.

Although AnduinOS is marketed arsenic a desktop Linux distribution aimed astatine developers, it really tin beryllium utilized by mean users arsenic well. I find nan desktop to beryllium akin capable to Windows 11 that anyone who's utilized that OS will consciousness correct astatine location here.

6. RefreshOS

Outstanding action

RefreshOS came retired of obscurity precocious and amazed maine pinch really good it could service anyone migrating from Windows. This distribution uses a minimal KDE Plasma desktop, configured successful nan aforesaid measurement arsenic nan accepted Windows desktop.

It has a panel, a Start menu, and a strategy tray pinch a elemental and elegant taxable that is judge to please anyone. RefreshOS offers nan rock-solid stableness of Debian and nan user-friendliness of Ubuntu, which makes it nan cleanable operation for users coming complete from nan world of Microsoft operating systems.

Also: This Debian-based Linux distro is an overlooked and user-friendly gem

As acold arsenic preinstalled apps, you get LibreOffice, GIMP, a calendar, a interaction manager, KMail, VLC media player, and overmuch more.

RefreshOS is simply a Linux distribution that allows you to deed nan crushed moving instantly aft installation, truthful there's nary tweaking aliases post-install activity required. Just log successful and do your thing. The only gotcha pinch RefreshOS is that nan developers opted not to see either nan Snap aliases Flatpak cosmopolitan package managers, which intends that if you want proprietary apps for illustration Slack aliases Spotify, you'll person to instal either Snap aliases Flatpak first.

Other than that, RefreshOS is an outstanding action for Windows users making nan move to Linux aliases for anyone who's funny astir nan open-source operating system.

7. Bazzite

Good for games and truthful overmuch much

Bazzite is simply a SteamOS clone, which should instantly show you nan superior attraction of this Linux distribution. If you're still not judge what I'm talking about... games. Bazzite is specifically designed for Linux newcomers, arsenic good arsenic enthusiasts and gamers.

You get Steam pre-installed, HDR and VRR support, improved CPU schedulers for much responsive gameplay, and plentifulness of different tweaks to make this Linux distribution powerful capable for immoderate crippled you want to play. But don't beryllium fooled: Bazzite isn't conscionable for gaming. This distribution useful perfectly good arsenic a productivity tool.

Also: The 7 Linux distros I urge astir for gaming successful 2025 - including my favorite

According to nan charismatic website, Bazzite ships pinch "Steam pre-installed, HDR and VRR support, improved CPU schedulers for responsive gameplay, and galore community-developed devices and tweaks to streamline your gaming and streaming experience."

Bazzite uses nan KDE Plasma desktop, truthful correct retired of nan box, it looks for illustration it could beryllium related to nan Windows family of OSes. Bazzite is arsenic as beautiful arsenic it is powerful, truthful you won't consciousness arsenic if you're utilizing an OS from nan precocious 90s aliases early 2000s. Bazzite uses Fedora arsenic a base, truthful it inherits nan aforesaid speed, reliability, and security.

If you're looking astatine nan extremity of Windows 10, Bazzite would beryllium a awesome option, particularly if you're a gamer.

8. Q4OS

Debian-level reliability

Q4OS is thin and fast, while besides looking a spot for illustration Windows. It achieves this look via either nan KDE Plasma aliases Trinity desktops (KDE Plasma being nan default).

One point that sets Q4OS isolated is that you tin instal it wrong Windows for illustration you would an app. Of course, you tin besides instal it arsenic you would a modular Linux distribution.

Q4OS is simply a bully action for those who've either ne'er tried Linux aliases are caller to nan open-source OS. Of course, if you're really acrophobic of moving pinch a personification interface that is different than Windows, you tin ever usage nan FreeXP rotation of Q4OS (shown above), which looks remarkably for illustration Windows 10.

Also: Want to effort Linux but for illustration nan Windows UI? This distro is for you

There's besides nan Q4OS package center, which is each astir helping users find Linux alternatives for Windows apps.

If you unfastened nan Q4OS Software Center and think, "There's not a batch of apps to install," make judge to unfastened nan desktop environment's default app shop (such arsenic KDE Plasma's Discover), wherever you'll find tons of apps to install. Q4OS ships pinch plentifulness of preinstalled apps, truthful chances are beautiful bully that you won't person to instal overmuch retired of nan box.