6 Most Windows-like Linux Distros Because Old Habits Die Hard

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6 astir Windows-like Linux distros because aged habits dice hard

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 alternative, 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: You tin effort Linux without ditching Windows first - here's how

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 six 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: 7 things each Linux beginner should cognize earlier downloading their first distro

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 system

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.

Also: Want to prevention your aged computer? Try 1 of these 8 Linux distros for free

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. 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.

Also: I put Linux connected this 8-inch mini laptop, and it's filled a niche domiciled for me

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). 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 it's very secure), and includes respective options for installing apps. You will find pacman, apt, Flatpak, Podman, 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: Ready to ditch Windows? 'End of 10' makes converting your PC to Linux easier than ever

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 block

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.

Also: 8 ways each Linux distro could make things a batch easier for newbies

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. 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 option

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.

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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.

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