7 Best Linux Distros To Switch From Windows 10 It S Foss

Leo Migdal

-Dec 6, 2025, 4:27 AM

7 best linux distros to switch from windows 10 it s foss

With the official support for Windows 10 now at its close, a growing number of users are actively seeking reliable and user-friendly alternatives. This pivotal moment presents an opportune time to explore the world of Linux distributions, offering a powerful, secure, and often more performant computing experience. For those accustomed to the familiarity of Windows, the prospect of transitioning to a new operating system can seem daunting. However, our extensive research and hands-on experience at Its Foss have revealed a selection of Linux distributions that are not only exceptionally fast and efficient but also remarkably similar in their user interface and... Crucially, these distributions are also completely free, eliminating any additional cost for a robust operating system. We’ve meticulously curated this list to ensure a smooth, intuitive, and ultimately rewarding migration for anyone looking to step away from the soon-to-be unsupported Windows 10.

The end of official support for Windows 10 marks a significant turning point for millions of users. This means that Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance for the operating system. While Windows 10 may continue to function, running an unsupported operating system leaves your computer vulnerable to new security threats, malware, and potential performance issues. This makes the decision to switch to a more actively maintained and secure platform not just a matter of preference, but an increasingly important security imperative. Linux, as an open-source operating system, offers a compelling alternative. It is renowned for its stability, security, and flexibility.

Unlike proprietary operating systems, Linux benefits from a global community of developers who constantly work to improve its performance and patch vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the open-source nature means you are not locked into a specific vendor, and the vast majority of Linux distributions are free to download, install, and use. This financial benefit, coupled with enhanced security and often superior performance, makes Linux an increasingly attractive option, especially now. For users transitioning from Windows, the perceived complexity of Linux is often the primary hurdle. However, many modern Linux distributions have made incredible strides in user-friendliness, offering graphical interfaces that are intuitive and even mimic the familiar layout and functionality of Windows. This article aims to demystify the transition by highlighting distributions that provide a comfortable and productive experience for former Windows users, ensuring you can continue your digital life without missing a beat.

When embarking on your journey to switch from Windows 10 to Linux, several factors should guide your decision. Understanding these will help you select a distribution that best aligns with your needs and expectations, ensuring a positive and productive experience from the outset. Some people hate Windows 11, and some people hate the updates on Windows 10. So, it is not entirely a good desktop experience for many.Do you hate the Windows experience too? Is your computer not eligible for an upgrade with slightly dated hardware? Fret not; Linux distributions that look like Windows can be of use.

You will get a similar user interface layout and more benefits for using Linux. Here, I have picked some of the best Linux distributions for Windows users that you’d find comfortable using. While you may not find the same applications or tools on Linux — the user interface is what will make you feel comfortable using the OS. Of course, if you don’t have a specific requirement but want a Linux distro, you should look at the best Linux distributions. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Have you found yourself itching to walk away from Windows and make your way to a more reliable, secure, and flexible environment?

However, if you're one who doesn't exactly enjoy change, you might be concerned about learning something completely different. That's understandable, given how many desktop environments are available for Linux, and how many of them are so radically different than what most are accustomed to. Also: Ready to ditch Windows? 'End of 10' makes converting your PC to Linux easier than ever That's OK, because there are some Linux desktop environments that actually do follow the same design scheme as Windows. So, if you like the way the age-old metaphor of panel, start menu, system tray, and clickable icons works, then one of these Linux desktop environments will suit you well.

There are plenty of reasons to quit using Windows 10 and switch over to Linux, but it's easy to become overwhelmed with the many different Linux distributions out there. To help you transition, I put together a short list of Linux distros that are similar to Windows 10. In case you haven't heard, Windows 10's support cycle is ending soon and you will have to switch to Windows 11. However, with Windows 11 regularly breaking computers (and that’s not the only story out there, sadly) and impacting performance on even relatively modern laptops, switching to the less resource-intensive Linux may be a good... Moreover, you may find your PC isn't supported by Windows 11 at all. My personal favorite Linux distro for people coming from Windows 10 is Linux Mint.

As I explain in my overview of what Linux Mint is and why I like it, this is mainly because, as a former Windows user, I could more or less intuit where all the... At first glance, the desktop even looks a bit like the Windows of yesteryear. It’s not just on the surface, either: once you start working more and more with Mint, you’ll quickly realize all of it is pretty easy to use, and it’s rare that you’ll have to... You can even install software via the software manager, using a massive repository of suitable programs, and it’s all free. My next pick is Linux Lite, which is perfect for anybody who is running an older PC or laptop and wants to make sure they can keep doing so without performance issues. As the name suggests, it’s a lightweight distro that’s geared toward less powerful devices, making the most out of what it’s offered rather than demand systems live up to its requirements.

Well, here we are. We all knew it was coming. We had clear warnings. And now, it's finally here. Microsoft's beloved operating system, Windows 10, has reached its end-of-life date. It's weird writing that in a sombre way, because I still remember the early days of Windows 10, where Microsoft fought to get stubborn people off of Windows 8.1 and the legendary Windows 7,...

Now, Microsoft is doing the same thing, except it is trying to nudge the millions of loyal users still on Windows 10 to upgrade to Windows 11. And yes, Windows 10's market share is still quite high. But between the two Microsoft-sanctioned options of using Windows 10's extended support plan for another year of security updates and upgrading to Windows 11 is a third option: migrating to another operating system. Some XDA writers moved to macOS, while I went for Linux. Given how you can turn a fairly old Windows 10 PC into a Linux machine for free, I wanted to share what I believe is the best Linux distribution for Windows escapees. I feel like Linux Mint is often recommended for Windows users, so I tried to think of another distribution that might be a better fit.

However, it's tough to think of something else that's more suitable for people leaving Windows, especially given how it was my first distro when moving away from Windows 10. As such, I'd prefer to draw on my own personal experience of how Linux Mint was for me instead of plucking out any old distro. People recommend Linux Mint a lot because it uses Cinnamon, a desktop environment that's really easy for Windows fans to understand. All your basics are there: a Start menu look-alike, a taskbar with all the essentials arranged like Windows, and even a wallpaper that resembles Microsoft's style. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

We list the best Linux distros for Windows users, to make it simple and easy to make the leap from Windows machines to Linux. It can be an inundating experience, especially for people coming from proprietary operating systems like Windows. Linux distributions - aka, distros - are open source, which has the advantage of allowing for degrees of customization unheard of in Windows, but it also means there can seem to be a bewildering... This is where these specialized distros, designed for Windows users, come into the picture. It’s fascinating how Windows 10 took off shortly after its release on July 29, 2015, quickly becoming one of the most popular versions of Windows. Many considered it to be the best Windows ever, which is exactly what a sequel operating system should be — unlike its predecessors (looking at you, Windows 8/8.1).

As of now, Microsoft boasts over 1.3 billion devices running Windows 10, a massive milestone. However, despite this impressive growth, Windows 7 held a strong market share for several years after Windows 10’s launch, reflecting the continued loyalty of many users to the older OS. With the release of Windows 11 on October 5, 2021, Microsoft has once again pushed for users to upgrade. Windows 11 offers a fresh, modern design, improved performance, and new features such as enhanced multitasking and support for Android apps. Many of the improvements in Windows 11 build on what made Windows 10 successful, while also addressing areas like user interface consistency and security. Although Windows 11 has seen steady adoption, Windows 10 continues to hold a significant share of the market, particularly since not all older devices meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11.

That said, given Microsoft’s focus on promoting Windows 11, it’s expected that more users will transition to the new OS over the coming years. For years, Windows users frustrated with constant changes, aggressive updates, and growing system bloat have flirted with switching to Linux. But 2025 marks a noticeable shift: a new generation of Linux distributions built specifically for ex-Windows users is gaining real traction. One of the standout examples is Bazzite, a gaming-optimized Fedora-based distro that has quickly become a go-to choice for people abandoning Windows in favor of a cleaner, more customizable experience. Microsoft’s ecosystem has been slowly pushing some users toward the exit. Hardware requirements for Windows 11 left millions of perfectly functional PCs behind.

Ads on the Start menu and in system notifications have frustrated many. And for gamers, launcher problems, forced reboots and background processes that siphon resources have driven a search for alternatives. Linux distributions have benefited from that frustration, especially those that focus on simplicity, performance and gaming readiness. Historically, switching to Linux meant sacrificing game compatibility. But with Valve’s Proton layer and Vulkan-based translation technologies, thousands of Windows games now run flawlessly, sometimes better than on Windows. Distros targeting former Windows users are leaning into this new reality:

With Windows 10 support officially ending on October 14, 2025, many PC users are facing an important choice: upgrade to Windows 11—if their machine allows it—or look elsewhere. And for those with aging but still perfectly functional computers, Linux might just be the alternative you’ve been overlooking. As someone who’s refurbished a few “obsolete” laptops over the years, I can say this confidently: Linux has come a long way, and it’s more user-friendly than ever. Microsoft’s message is clear: if your hardware doesn’t meet the requirements for Windows 11—including TPM 2.0, 4GB RAM, and a compatible processor—your options are limited. You can pay for extended support or, as Microsoft suggests, buy a new PC. In an era of sustainability and digital sobriety, that’s a tough pill to swallow.

According to Canalys, nearly 240 million devices could be deemed incompatible, pushing countless users toward unnecessary upgrades. Thankfully, you don’t need to send your computer to the recycling bin just yet. Linux offers a wide array of distributions that work on virtually any machine, no matter how old. Plus, it’s open-source, secure, and free. There’s a myth floating around that Linux is only for developers or hobbyists glued to their terminals. That might’ve been true 15 years ago, but today, Linux distributions come with polished user interfaces, easy installation wizards, and even built-in app stores.

7 Best Linux Distros To Switch From Windows 10 It S Foss

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