7 Most Windows Like Linux Distros If You Re Ready To Ditch Microsoft

Leo Migdal

-Dec 6, 2025, 3:38 AM

7 most windows like linux distros if you re ready to ditch microsoft

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If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. 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. 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. 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. To evaluate or select a Linux distro similar to Windows, certain key parameters define how closely it mimics the Windows experience in usability, design, and compatibility. Here are the essential parameters to consider: The UI should resemble Windows—taskbar, start menu, and window behavior.

✅ Ideal DEs: KDE Plasma, Cinnamon, XFCE, LXDE, Budgie Start Menu Layout A traditional Windows-like start menu with search functionality and app categorization. ✅ Example: Zorin OS, Linux Mint Cinnamon, Linuxfx File Explorer Experience An intuitive file manager similar to Windows Explorer (sidebar, breadcrumbs, right-click actions). ✅ Nemo (Mint), Dolphin (KDE), Thunar (XFCE) 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. You're finally ready to leave Microsoft's ecosystem and try the dreaded Linux, but which distribution (distro) should you use?

Like many things in the open source community, you have an almost abundance of choice, with heavy hitters like Ubuntu and newcomers including Pop!_OS. Although there's no wrong answer for which distro you should use as your first Linux installation, I've rounded up some of my personal favorites that should make the switch easy for Windows users. If there's one distro you should pick for the best Linux gaming experience, it would have to be Pop!_OS from System76. This distro was built from the ground up for gaming, rocking the latest drivers from GPU vendors and the community, a custom desktop environment to replace GNOME and better control over how the OS... Pop!_OS may have a strange name, but it's among the most streamlined distros. The Pop!_OS team focuses on performance, ensuring the team gets as many in-game frames as possible from vast hardware configurations.

Advanced features such as automatic tiling and swap file management are included with the Linux-based OS to ensure your PC is running as fast as it can with the latest and most demanding PC... Gaming on Linux used to have undesired results, but it has come a long way with Valve and Proton. You'll have no trouble playing all your favorite games. Fedora is very similar to Ubuntu in that its primary version uses the GNOME desktop environment, so most of the OS looks almost identical, aside from the brown color scheme. Where things differ is how the Fedora team behind the distro develops new versions. Fedora has a quicker release schedule, so you won't have to wait six months for major upgrades.

It also has fairly lax system requirements and you could easily breathe new life into an old system with this OS. As the end of Windows 10 draws near, many users are rethinking their relationship with Microsoft. Whether it’s the relentless data collection, nagging upgrade prompts, or the looming need to replace otherwise functional hardware, the frustration is real. But here’s some good news: switching to Linux in 2025 isn’t just a rebellious move—it might be the smartest choice you make for your computer. October 14, 2025, marks the official end of support for Windows 10. After that, no more security updates, no more patches—just a ticking time bomb for anyone still using it.

Microsoft would love to see you leap to Windows 11, but with its tighter hardware requirements, more aggressive ad integrations, and persistent telemetry, it’s not exactly a welcoming upgrade. And let’s not even get started on Windows 11 Copilot+ and its controversial “Recall” feature. Many privacy advocates have flagged it as a nightmare scenario for user data. Little wonder the adoption rate for Windows 11 has been sluggish, hovering around just 30% globally despite being available since 2021. If you’re picturing a clunky black terminal window and endless code just to open a file, stop right there. Today’s Linux is sleek, user-friendly, and even fun.

I made the switch on my aging 2014 laptop last year, and it’s like the thing got a second wind—quiet fan, snappy performance, and zero pop-ups begging me to sign into a Microsoft account. You’re not alone if you’ve already used Linux without realizing it. Android, smart TVs, routers, cloud servers—many of them run on some version of Linux. Even macOS has Unix roots. And countries like Germany, India, and France are migrating their government infrastructure to Linux for cost, security, and sovereignty reasons.

7 Most Windows Like Linux Distros If You Re Ready To Ditch Microsoft

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