Linux that runs like windows

7 Linux Distributions to Replace Windows 11 & 10

Windows experience is changing. 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. Suggested Read 📖

Best Linux Distributions To Replace Windows

Windows 10 users may not have the latest and greatest hardware to upgrade to 11 — so it is essential to suggest a Linux distribution that is lightweight and easy to use. Linux Lite targets Windows users with a similar UI offering a taskbar, Windows-inspired wallpaper, and a lot more to go on with that, including the Libre Office suite. You do not need to upgrade your system to run this distribution. Linux Lite should work perfectly fine with an old configuration as well.

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2. Zorin OS

Zorin OS is a beautiful Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. The user interface should make Windows and macOS users feel at home after installing it. I also find it an excellent modern alternative to Windows 10 or 11. They also offer a lite edition if you have a slightly underpowered hardware configuration. You can also take a quick look at our impressions on one of Zorin’s recent releases to get an idea. If you’re new to Linux — it is worth noting that there are different desktop environments. If you want to try something that resembles the look and feel of Windows, you can try any distro with KDE’s Plasma on board. And Kubuntu is an official KDE flavor of Ubuntu. You may not find this to be the prettiest Windows-like distro – however, if you want something that does the work reliably, Kubuntu should do the trick.

4. Linux Mint

Linux Mint targets Windows 7/10/11 users trying to make the switch to Linux. Many users also use it as a replacement for Windows because of its familiar user interface and useful features. Among all the others mentioned in this list, Linux Mint would be my personal recommendation. Linux Mint is reliable, performs great, and offers several desktop environment editions (including the MATE desktop). If you’re curious, you can also take a detailed look at how it looks and works for one of its recent releases Linux Mint 21.

5. Ubuntu MATE

Ubuntu MATE is another Windows alternative Linux distribution that provides a snappy experience across various hardware configurations. This may not directly resemble the UI of Windows in general – however, you will find it quite easy to get comfortable with. It is also interesting to note that Ubuntu MATE works well with NVIDIA’s Jetson Nano, which is one of the Raspberry Pi alternatives. You can try this if you want a unique experience with a similar layout!

6. Solus

Solus is one of the most beautiful Windows replacements. You may like it more than Windows 11. It is not based on Ubuntu, so unless you are not comfortable taking up a slight learning curve, you should stick to the options mentioned above. This is an independently developed Linux distribution aimed at making the home computing experience elegant and easier. You will get several essential tools pre-installed to get started quickly. It offers a “Budgie” desktop and other desktop editions if you want.

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7. MX Linux (KDE)

MX Linux is one of the popular distributions based on the Debian stable branch. MX Linux offers many built-in GUI utilities to manage your computer out-of-the-box, which will be very helpful for starters. Its flagship edition offers an XFCE desktop, and KDE Plasma and Fluxbox options are also available.

Wrapping Up

Potentially, you can install any beginner-friendly Linux distribution. Unless you want to try multiple options before deciding, you may want to stick to some of the recommendations above. 💬 I recommend trying the distributions mentioned in this article if switching from Windows to Linux. If you’ve tried something else and like it a lot – feel free to let me know in the comments below.

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7 Linux Distributions to Replace Windows 11

Whenever Microsoft announces a new version of its operating system, Windows users worldwide become anxious because they know that the software giant misses the mark roughly 50% of the time.

Unfortunately, it’s already becoming apparent that Windows 11, which Microsoft officially released on October 4, 2021, will go down the history as one of the less popular versions of Windows, along with Windows 8.

Microsoft has not only dumbed down the user interface and removed features Windows users have been relying on for years, such as the ability to drag items onto applications in the Taskbar, but also removed support for many commonly used processors.

After using the PC Health Check app to see if their PCs can run Windows 11, many users have discovered that they can’t even though their computers are not that old and are still perfectly capable of running the latest software. If you’ve decided to switch to Linux because you’re among them, then keep on reading because what follows are the best Linux distributions to replace Windows 11.

1. Ubuntu (Kubuntu Flavor)

Top Reasons to Use Ubuntu:

• Works flawlessly right-out-of-the-box on most computers
• Multiple flavors to choose from
• Great support for older hardware
• Large, friendly community

To a large extent, Ubuntu has become synonymous with desktop Linux, popularizing it as a viable alternative to Windows. It’s also the distribution you’re most likely to find on Linux laptops, and there are many good reasons why that is so.

Ubuntu works flawlessly right-out-of-the-box on most computers capable of running recent versions of Windows, and its support for older hardware is impressive. When you download Ubuntu, you can choose between several flavors.

The flavor, we recommend the most to Windows users looking for the best Linux distribution to replace Windows 11, is called Kubuntu. This flavor features the KDE Plasma desktop environment, which is simple by default and powerful when needed.

Regardless of which Ubuntu flavor you choose, you can always enjoy compatibility with a huge number of third-party applications, most of which can be installed with a few simple clicks. Ubuntu’s large userbase is welcoming to beginners, so there’s no reason to be afraid to ask questions on the official forums.

2. Linux Mint (Cinnamon Edition)

Top Reasons to Use Linux Mint:

• Makes it easy to install proprietary drivers
• Comes bundled with proprietary codecs
• Has a polished Windows-like desktop environment

Linux Mint is an Ubuntu derivative, which is similar when different car models use the same chassis or the same engine. The biggest difference between the two distributions is that Linux Mint strives to be even more beginner-friendly by making it easy to install proprietary drivers, and it comes bundled with several important codecs.

Just like Ubuntu, the users of Linux Mint can choose between several desktop environments. The flagship desktop environment is called Cinnamon, and it’s primarily developed for and by Linux Mint. Cinnamon is inspired by Windows, and that’s a great thing if you’re new to Linux.

3. Zorin OS

Top Reasons to Use Zorin OS:

• Aimed at people who are switching from Windows
• Can run Windows executables
• Comes with NVIDIA and AMD graphics drivers
• Built-in Android synchronization

Zorin OS is aimed at people who are switching to Linux from Windows or macOS. It tries to make their lives easier by featuring several familiar desktop layouts that can be activated with a single click from the Zorin Appearance app.

One unique feature that you will certainly appreciate if you rely on one or more software applications that are only available for Windows is the built-in ability to run Windows executables using the Wine compatibility layer. While Wine can be used on other distributions, not having to manually install and configure it is a huge plus.

Zorin OS is streamlined to work on computers. It comes with NVIDIA and AMD graphics drivers and game optimizations to ensure high frame rates regardless of whether you’re playing a simple indie game or some AAA megahit with cutting-edge graphics.

4. elementary OS

Top Reasons to Use Elementary OS:

• macOS-inspired user interface
• Cohesive user experience
• Secure and privacy-respecting

Windows 11 introduces a redesigned user interface that borrows many elements from Apple’s macOS, such as round application corners and centered icons on the Taskbar. If you like the new design and wish you could just install macOS on your PC, then elementary OS might just be the right Linux distribution for you.

Just one look at the screenshot above should tell you where the people behind it draw their inspiration from and their priorities. Indeed, elementary OS is a macOS-inspired distribution that focuses heavily on the overall user experience and usability.

Instead of just bundling together existing software, elementary OS developers have created several new applications to ensure the operating system feels as cohesive as possible. The results speak for themselves.

5. Solus

Top Reasons to Use Solus:

• Offers the Budgie desktop environment
• Provides a polished user experience
• The eopkg package manager is fast and reliable

Solus is an easy-to-use Linux distribution whose biggest selling point is the Budgie desktop environment. Budgie was developed by the Solus project, and its main characteristics include simplicity, minimalism, and elegance.

Because of its ease of use, Budgie is available in several other Linux distributions, including Debian, Manjaro, and openSUSE. However, no distribution integrates it as well as Solus for reasons that are obvious considering who its developers are.

Besides the Budgie desktop environment, Solus can also offer its package manager, called eopkg. This package manager uses the .eopkg format for package files, and it’s widely praised for its performance, with packages often taking only a fraction of time to download than on other distributions.

6. Manjaro (KDE Plasma Edition)

Top Reasons to Use Manjaro:

• Based on Arch Linux
• Comes with cutting-edge software
• A great compromise between user-friendliness and control

Manjaro is a great first Linux distribution for Windows power users who want as much control over their operating system as possible. It’s based on Arch Linux, a highly regarded Linux distribution that adheres to the KISS principle (“Keep It Simple, Stupid”). Unlike Arch, it comes with an intuitive installer and several desktop environments from which you can choose.

We recommend the KDE Plasma edition of Manjaro because its layout is very similar to Windows 10. But unlike Windows 10, KDE Plasma can be easily customized to reflect your needs and preferences.

As a rolling-release distribution, Manjaro receives software updates on an ongoing basis. Often, as soon as they become available. The only negative side-effect of being on the bleeding edge is that things do break from time to time, so it’s a good idea to monitor the official forum, where users discuss major updates and warn others of potential issues with them.

7. Pop!_OS

Top Reasons to Use Pop!_OS:

• Preinstalled on System76 computers
• Useful auto-tiling feature for enhanced productivity
• NVIDIA drivers working out of the box

Pop!_OS is an increasingly popular Linux distribution developed by System76, an American computer manufacturer that sells a range of laptops for Linux enthusiasts. A good example is the Oryx Pro, a powerful 15-inch or 17-inch laptop with a dedicated NVIDIA graphics card and up to 64 GB memory.

Experienced Linux users know that getting NVIDIA graphics cards to work properly can be a huge challenge because NVIDIA Linux drivers are not open-source. But with Pop!_OS running on a System76 computer and to a lesser extent any other computer, everything just works.

Is there anything Pop!_OS can offer to people who are not struggling with NVIDIA drivers? Yes, a lot! Pop!_OS is aimed at working professionals. Its GNOME desktop environment has many extra features that make it easy to stay organized and productive, such as auto-tilling, keyboard navigation, and window stacking.

Conclusion

This article provided seven Linux Distribution programs suitable to replace Window 11. We hope that you found the information that included the strengths and weaknesses of each Linux Distribution program helpful in determining the best suitable program for your needs. For more helpful tips, please check out our articles at Linux Hint.

About the author

David Morelo

David Morelo is a professional content writer in the technology niche, covering everything from consumer products to emerging technologies and their cross-industry application

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