Need a Windows 10 alternative or still miss XP? This Linux distro is for you – and it’s free
If it looks like a duck… it might be a duck (or it might be Linux). Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETSince I started covering Linux and open-source technology in the late 1990s, my goal has been to help make the operating system easier to understand and use. One part of that gig is finding Linux distributions perfectly suited for those looking to jump from Windows but who don’t want to deal with an unfamiliar UI.That quest has led me down some less-than-trustworthy paths, resulting in Linux distributions that could steal data and other nefarious schemes. Fortunately, most Linux distributions are trustworthy, and the Q40S distribution is one you can rely on.Also: How to set up 2FA for Linux desktop logins for added securityThe distro is officially called XPQ4 and offers rethemed versions of Q40S that resemble either Windows 10 or XP. I don’t know if the developers intend to give this theme the Windows 11 treatment, but the Windows 10 option should please anyone looking to make the migration.If you’re a bit confused about the breakdown so far, here’s the hierarchy:Debian is the baseQ40S is the distributionXPQ4 is what gives Q40S the Windows lookFreeXP is the version that resembles Windows XP, and Free10 is the version that resembles Windows 10If you go with the FreeXP version, you’ll even find the Bliss Wallpaper made famous by Microsoft, and a very familiar Start button.Also: Bluestar Linux is a gorgeous MacOS-like take on KDE Plasma that’s easy to useI used Free10 for my tests because most people are probably more familiar with Windows 10 than XP. More