Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysLinux offers more security, privacy, and freedom from vendors.Modern Linux distros are user-friendly — even for non-techies.Linux Mint, Zorin OS, MX Linux top beginner distro list.Why would you want to switch to the Linux desktop? There are many reasons, but the short version is that the operating system is more secure, provides far more privacy, and frees you from vendor lock-in. For current Windows users, it also provides a way to continue using your Windows 10 PC even if your machine cannot be upgraded to Windows 11.Besides, contrary to popular opinion, anyone can use and enjoy Linux as a desktop operating system. I taught my then-mother-in-law, who was 79 years old, how to use Ubuntu Linux, and we didn’t even speak the same language! If she could do it, you can do it. Also: 8 ways I quickly leveled up my Linux skills – and you can tooYes, Linux was once difficult to learn, but those days are long gone. Don’t believe me? Ever use an Android phone? A Chromebook? Congratulations, you’re already a Linux user, but maybe you didn’t know it. If you want to, you can dive deep into Linux shell scripts and do all your work from the Bash shell, but nobody must do that anymore. There are old-school desktop distributions, such as Gentoo and Linux From Scratch, where you need to be a Linux maven to make the most of them. But those distros aren’t for you. Also: The best Linux laptops you can buy: Expert tested for students, hobbyists, and prosYou need a Linux distribution that looks like Windows with a gentle learning curve. I get that. While I’ve used Linux for over three decades and Unix desktops before that, I know what it’s like to be a new user. It also doesn’t help your situation that there are hundreds of desktop Linux distributions to choose from. Some are hard, but most are simple. I’m here to help you select the version of Linux that will get you started on the right foot. I’ve tested all these myself. 1. Linux Mint Best Linux distribution for beginners overall Price: Free | Core code: Ubuntu 24.04 | Open source: Yes More