My 5 Favorite Linux Distros For Home Office Desktops - And I've Tried Them All

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

I've worked from location for complete a decade. Without Linux arsenic my superior operating system, I'm not judge really I would beryllium capable to do nan things I do pinch nan level of simplicity and reliability that I've achieved pinch nan open-source OS.

Linux makes a batch of things imaginable for maine that Windows and MacOS cannot handle.

Also: The champion Linux distributions for beginners successful 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

But which distributions would I urge for group who want an operating strategy that tin service arsenic their location agency desktop? I've considered this complete nan years (and utilized galore different flavors of Linux), and person travel up pinch a short database of distributions that would make outstanding location agency OSes. Although nan operating systems listed present are awesome for nan location office, not each of them are perfectly suited arsenic desktop operating systems for those caller to Linux.

 And remember, choosing nan correct Linux desktop distribution for you isn't astir arsenic challenging arsenic you mightiness think.

1. openSUSE

Before I get to why openSUSE, I want to connection this warning: this distribution tin beryllium user-friendly, but it includes a very powerful instrumentality that, successful nan incorrect hands, could wreck a system. That instrumentality is YaST (Yet Another Setup Tool), and it's why openSUSE is connected nan list. YaST makes configuring Linux for nan location agency overmuch easier than different distributions. For example, YaST includes a GUI for Samba configuration that makes sharing folders crossed your location web easy. openSUSE besides comes successful 2 flavors: Tumbleweed and Leap. 

Also: This Linux distro makes openSUSE accessible to each - moreover newbies should return a look

Tumbleweed is simply a rolling release type of nan distribution -- which intends you ever person nan latest package installed -- and Leap is simply a accepted (non-rolling) release, wherever stableness rules. Because of this, you tin take which type makes nan astir consciousness for your needs. And, of course, for illustration astir Linux operating systems, it's free.

2. Fedora Silverblue

Fedora Silverblue makes nan database because it is an atomic OS and makes it easy to take a moving authorities (from nan footwear menu), should thing spell awry. That's not to opportunity things will spell wrong, but thing is perfect. You've astir apt knowledgeable specified situations before: you're innocently moving connected thing and your PC goes wonky. Not only do you consequence losing your work, but nan operating strategy mightiness past neglect to boot. 

Also: These 6 Linux record managers are measurement amended than your default

With Fedora Silverblue, you tin fto that fearfulness go. Should you tally into specified a situation, simply reboot and prime nan moving "image" you want to use. And because Fedora Silverblue is atomic, nan upgrades hap successful "one go" -- should thing spell incorrect pinch a azygous package during nan upgrade, nan upgrade will not happen, which intends you will ever person a machine that useful for you. Fedora Silverblue mightiness not beryllium a Swiss Army Knife-like distribution, but for nan location office, it really shines.

3. Ubuntu LTS

There's a logic why truthful galore distributions are based connected Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support) releases: it's astir arsenic rock-solid, user-friendly, and reliable arsenic it gets. That unsocial should beryllium capable to person you jumping vessel from Windows 10 earlier support ends. If that's not enough, you besides get unthinkable hardware support, tons of disposable free software, a immense personification organization for support, and, if you request a server connected your LAN, you tin install Ubuntu Server LTS successful little than 30 minutes. 

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

Once you person Ubuntu installed, make judge to see these 10 things to do instantly to make nan acquisition moreover better. Ubuntu besides ships pinch Snap preinstalled, which intends you person entree to proprietary software, specified arsenic Slack, which astir business users dangle on.

4. Linux Mint

Linux Mint is not only a awesome distribution for caller users and regular use, but it's besides perfect for your location office. Linux Mint includes Timeshift (a strategy reconstruct and backup tool) retired of nan box. It's 1 of those "install and forget" distributions: incredibly user-friendly and rock-solid. Linux Mint besides offers an automatic update feature, truthful you don't person to interest astir forgetting to tally an upgrade that mightiness see a captious information patch. 
Also: 7 things each Linux beginner should cognize earlier downloading their first distro

If your computers are aging, see nan Xfce type of Linux Mint, because it runs connected lower-end (and older) hardware to perfection.

5. Zorin OS

No specified database would beryllium complete without Zorin OS. This desktop distribution is astir arsenic polished arsenic Linux tin get. It's not only beautiful, but it besides allows you to prime nan desktop layout you want. If you're utilized to moving pinch a desktop successful a definite configuration, chances are Zorin OS offers it. If nan modular type doesn't connection nan desktop you want, you tin upgrade to nan Pro type ($48) and get six much layouts. 

Also: How to easy tally Windows apps connected Linux pinch Wine

Zorin OS is besides very fast, which intends apps unfastened almost instantly and thing will slow it down. As I've said before, Zorin OS is exactly what a desktop operating strategy should be.

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