Editor’s be aware: This listing initially included Wubuntu and LinuxFX. We not advocate these distributions. For extra data on why, please learn: Why I not advocate this Home windows-like Linux distro.
Home windows 10’s finish of life is coming in 2025 and which means it’s a must to hope your machine can run Home windows 11, purchase a brand new pc, or strive one thing totally different — like Linux.
Linux should not be thought of a last-choice various, both, as a result of it is each bit equal to Home windows or MacOS. It is dependable, safe, user-friendly, and free. What extra would you like?
Additionally: This Linux distro I like to recommend to energy customers takes a novel strategy to OS design
I do know: You need an working system that appears and appears like Home windows 10. That makes excellent sense since you’ve been utilizing Microsoft’s OS for a very long time and alter is usually onerous.
Which distribution is correct for these in search of a seamless transition from Home windows to Linux? There are fairly a number of decisions on the market; I am going to present you what I take into account your three greatest choices.
1. KDE Neon
KDE Neon is the flagship distribution for highlighting the KDE Plasma desktop atmosphere. What’s so great about KDE Plasma is that it may be configured to feel and look nearly any approach you prefer it. Out of the field, KDE Plasma does bear a slight resemblance to Home windows 7, however you’ll be able to tweak it to look extra like Home windows 10 or 11 in case you like.
Additionally: One of the best Linux distribution of 2024 is MacOS-like however accessible to all
KDE Neon advantages from a Ubuntu base, so it’s extremely user-friendly and handles {hardware} recognition like a champ. And anybody coming from nearly any model of Home windows will really feel proper at residence on the KDE Plasma desktop atmosphere. For individuals who’d prefer to finally work with a desktop that appears nothing like Home windows, KDE Plasma can simply make that occur. Flip the underside panel right into a dock and add a high bar and you’ve got a desktop much like MacOS. KDE Plasma is that versatile.
Like practically all Linux distributions, KDE Neon will be downloaded and put in without cost.
It is elegant, it is simple to make use of, it is KDE Neon.
Jack WallenZDNET
2. Linux Mint
Linux Mint may not be themed like Home windows 10 or 11 however it’s definitely throughout the realm of Home windows-ish desktops. For instance, you may discover a panel, a begin menu, a system tray, and clickable icons, all on high of a really user-friendly working system.
Additionally: Find out how to exchange Home windows with Linux Mint in your PC
Another excuse to go the Linux Mint route is that it advantages from the identical stage of {hardware} recognition as Ubuntu. That makes excellent sense, on condition that Linux Mint is predicated on Ubuntu. Linux Mint makes use of the Cinnamon desktop atmosphere by default, however you’ll be able to obtain editions that use Mate or Xfce. For these migrating from Home windows, I might advocate sticking with the default Cinnamon desktop, as it is going to be probably the most acquainted and dependable.
Linux Mint is a free distribution and has a really strong neighborhood. The builders pay attention, and the discharge schedule could be very dependable.
You may obtain Linux Mint without cost on as many machines as you want.
3. Zorin OS
Though the objective of Zorin OS is not to duplicate Home windows 10, it does provide a number of desktop layouts, together with a really Home windows-like UI. If you happen to pay for the Professional version ($47.99), you get extra layouts, comparable to one that appears and appears like Home windows 11.
Additionally: Able to ditch Home windows? 5 components that will help you resolve between Linux or MacOS
Here is one of many major the explanation why I’m together with Zorin OS: You can begin out utilizing the Home windows 11-like structure and, as you develop accustomed to the open-source OS, you’ll be able to swap it as much as have a desktop that resembles MacOS or one of many straight-up Linux environments (comparable to GNOME or KDE Plasma). The Zorin OS desktop is predicated on GNOME however the builders have made it way more versatile than your common GNOME desktop. The free model of Zorin OS comes with 4 desktop layouts and the Professional model provides six extra. Of these 19 layouts, 4 are Home windows-like (Home windows Basic, Home windows, Home windows Record, and Home windows 11). A type of choices is certain to fulfill the Home windows person in you.
ZorinOS Core will be downloaded and put in without cost and the Professional license will be bought from the official ZorinOS web site.
That is simply one of many many desktop layouts obtainable in Zorin OS.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
