Windows 10’s end of life is coming in 2025, and that means you have to hope your machine can run Windows 11, buy a new computer, or try something different — like Linux.
Linux shouldn’t be considered a last-choice alternative, either, because it’s every bit equal to Windows or MacOS. It’s reliable, secure, user-friendly, and free. What more do you want?
Also: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first – here’s how
I know: You want an operating system that looks and feels like Windows 10. That makes perfect sense because you’ve been using Microsoft’s OS for a long time, and change is often hard.
Which distribution is right for those seeking a seamless transition from Windows to Linux? There are quite a few choices out there, and I’ll show you what I consider your six best options.
1. KDE Neon
Slight resemblance to Windows 7 and fully configurable
It’s classy, it’s easy to use, it’s KDE Neon.
Jack WallenZDNET
KDE Neon is the flagship distribution for highlighting the KDE Plasma desktop environment. The great thing about KDE Plasma is that it can be configured to look and feel just about any way you like. Out of the box, KDE Plasma does bear a slight resemblance to Windows 7, but you can tweak it to look more like Windows 10 or Windows 11 if you like.
Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distro
KDE Neon benefits from an Ubuntu base, so it’s very user-friendly and handles hardware recognition like a champ. And anyone coming from just about any version of Windows will feel right at home on the KDE Plasma desktop environment. For those who’d like to eventually work with a desktop that looks nothing like Windows, KDE Plasma can easily make that happen. Turn the bottom panel into a dock and add a top bar, and you have a desktop similar to MacOS. KDE Plasma is that flexible.
Like nearly all Linux distributions, KDE Neon can be downloaded and installed for free.
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2. Linux Mint
A very user-friendly operating system
Linux Mint might not be themed like Windows 10 or Windows 11, but it is certainly within the realm of Windows-ish desktops. For example, you’ll find a panel, a Start menu, a system tray, and clickable icons, all on top of a very user-friendly operating system.
Also: Want to save your old computer? Try one of these 8 Linux distros for free
Another reason to go the Linux Mint route is that it benefits from the same level of hardware recognition as Ubuntu. That makes perfect sense, given that Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu. Linux Mint uses the Cinnamon desktop environment by default, but you can download editions that use MATE or Xfce. For those migrating from Windows, I recommend sticking with the default Cinnamon desktop, as it will be the most familiar and reliable.
Linux Mint is a free distribution and has a very robust community. The developers listen, and the release schedule is very reliable.
You can download Linux Mint for free on as many machines as you need.
3. Zorin OS
Pro edition looks and feels like Windows 11
This is just one of the many desktop layouts available in Zorin OS.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Although the goal of Zorin OS isn’t to replicate Windows 10, it does offer several desktop layouts, including a very Windows-like UI. If you pay for the Pro edition ($47.99), you get additional layouts, such as one that looks and feels like Windows 11.
Also: I put Linux on this 8-inch mini laptop, and it’s filled a niche role for me
Here is one of the primary reasons I am including Zorin OS: You can start out using the Windows 11-like layout and, as you grow accustomed to the open-source OS, switch to a desktop that resembles MacOS or one of the straight-up Linux environments (such as GNOME or KDE Plasma). The Zorin OS desktop is based on GNOME, but the developers have made it far more flexible than your average GNOME desktop.
The free version of Zorin OS comes with four desktop layouts, and the Pro version adds six more. Of those 19 layouts, four are Windows-like (Windows Classic, Windows, Windows List, and Windows 11).
Zorin OS Core can be downloaded and installed for free, and the Pro license can be purchased<!–> from the official Zorin OS site.
4. blendOS
Slightly Windows 11-like but also immutable
The Deepin desktop environment makes blendOS a thing of beauty.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
blendOS might not be on your radar, but it should be. Not only does this Linux distribution bear a slight resemblance to Windows 11, but it’s also immutable (meaning it’s very secure), and includes several options for installing apps. You will find pacman, apt, Flatpak, Podman, and even blendOS’s own unique “blend” tool.
Because of this, you will find tons of applications to install. You can also enable Android app support as well as dnf (the Fedora package manager) support from within the System app. Because blendOS is immutable, the chances of you wrecking the OS are slim. Additionally, you can select a version with GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce, Cinnamon, Deepin, MATE, or 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 recommend either KDE Plasma or the Deepin desktop. The one caveat to using blendOS is that I wouldn’t recommend it for users with very little computer skills. If you know your way around Windows well enough (as in you’ve used it for a long time and are comfortable with most aspects of the OS), you shouldn’t have much trouble with blendOS. The only thing you won’t find out of the box is Wine (for Windows apps) or Steam (for games), but you can install both with ease.
5. AnduinOS
New kid on the block
AnduinOS is the new kid on the block, but it also happens to be one of my favorites on the list. This Windows-like desktop is based on Ubuntu and uses the latest version of GNOME to create a rather Windows 11-like desktop.
Also: 8 ways every Linux distro could make things a lot easier for newbies
One thing to keep in mind with this distribution is that it’s not filled with tricks, bells, and whistles to fool you into believing you’re using Windows. AnduinOS is more about creating a desktop and workflow that Windows users can easily adapt to. By using the combination of Ubuntu (currently version 25.04) and GNOME (currently version 48), AnduinOS creates a desktop that performs brilliantly and reliably. If you want to use Windows apps on AnduinOS, you’ll need to install Wine, but other than that, it’s ready to go out of the box and is a treat to use.
Although AnduinOS is marketed as a desktop Linux distribution aimed at developers, it really can be used by average users as well. I find the desktop to be similar enough to Windows 11 that anyone who’s used that OS will feel right at home here.
6. RefreshOS
Outstanding option
RefreshOS came out of nowhere recently and surprised me with how well it could serve anyone migrating from Windows. This distribution uses a minimal KDE Plasma desktop, configured in the same way as the traditional Windows desktop. It has a panel, a Start menu, and a system tray with a simple and elegant theme that is sure to please anyone. RefreshOS offers the rock-solid stability of Debian and the user-friendliness of Ubuntu, which makes it the perfect combination for users coming over from the world of Microsoft operating systems.
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As far as preinstalled apps, you get LibreOffice, GIMP, a calendar, a contact manager, KMail, VLC media player, and much more. RefreshOS is a Linux distribution that allows you to hit the ground running immediately after installation, so there’s no tweaking or post-install work required. Just log in and do your thing. The only gotcha with RefreshOS is that the developers opted not to include either the Snap or Flatpak universal package managers, which means that if you want proprietary apps like Slack or Spotify, you’ll have to install either Snap or Flatpak first.
Other than that, RefreshOS is an outstanding option for Windows users making the switch to Linux or for anyone who’s curious about the open-source operating system.
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Source: Robotics - zdnet.com
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