7 Linux Distributions To Replace Windows 11 10 It S Foss

Leo Migdal

-Dec 6, 2025, 3:38 AM

7 linux distributions to replace windows 11 10 it s foss

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. If you’re looking for a Linux distribution to replace Windows 11, the goal is to find one that is highly user-friendly and suitable for beginners. Here are ten excellent choices that can offer a smooth transition from Windows to Linux. These distros have been chosen for their ease of use, stability, and community support. Make sure not to miss our bonus mention at the end!

Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu and Debian and offers a choice of three desktop environments: Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce. The Cinnamon desktop, in particular, is designed to be familiar to Windows users, providing a comfortable and easy transition. Linux Mint provides a seamless transition for Windows users with its familiar interface and user-friendly design. Zorin OS is designed to ease the transition from Windows to Linux. It offers a highly polished and visually appealing desktop environment that mimics the look and feel of Windows. 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. 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions.

This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and... Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards.

If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. 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. Microsoft‘s latest operating system, Windows 11, has received a mixed response from users. The new UI changes, hardware restrictions, removal of features, and various bugs have left many Windows users considering alternatives. For those looking to switch to Linux, you‘re in luck – there are several excellent Linux distributions that can completely replace Windows.

In this guide, we‘ll explore 7 top options, including: Each distribution has its own strengths and is suitable for particular types of users. By the end, you‘ll have all the information you need to pick the right Linux distro to meet your needs. Let‘s get started! Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions and with good reason. It‘s easy to use, has great hardware support, a massive community, and comes in different flavors to suit different desktop tastes.

The default Ubuntu ships with the GNOME desktop environment. But for those after a more Windows-like experience, I recommend checking out Kubuntu. This uses the highly customizable KDE Plasma desktop whose layout and functionality resembles older versions of Windows. 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. 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. Your laptop or PC isn't obsolete, no matter how many times Microsoft says otherwise

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. In news unlikely to surprise anybody, Windows 10 is rapidly approaching its October 14 expiration date. That doesn't mean you'll be waking up on October 15 to a computer that no longer functions, but it does mean you'll miss out on Microsoft's technical support, feature updates, and security patches. You can probably make do with the former, but the latter will leave you, your data, your hardware, and your system integrity completely exposed to every ne'er-do-well netizen with a willingness to exploit legacy... The official solution?

7 Linux Distributions To Replace Windows 11 10 It S Foss

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