8 most Windows-like Linux distros – if you're ready to ditch Microsoft

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• If you’re migrating from Windows, try one of these distributions.
• Each of these is user-friendly and free.
• Most of these are either Ubuntu-based or independent.

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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: Want to save your old computer? Try one of these 9 Linux distros – for free

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 seven best options.

1. KDE Neon

Slight resemblance to Windows 7 and fully configurable

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: The most beautiful Linux distributions for 2025

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.

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.

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. 

Also: How to switch your Windows 10 PC to Linux Mint – for free

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

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.

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). 

Also: Linux Mint vs. Zorin OS: I’ve tested both Windows alternatives, and here’s my choice

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

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 the core of the OS is mounted read-only for heightened security), and includes several options for installing apps. You will find pacman, apt, Flatpak, Podman (for containers), 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: Immutable Linux delivers serious security – here are your 5 best options

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.

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. 

Also: Want to ditch Windows? This Linux distro makes that transition easy

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.

Also: This Debian-based Linux distro is an overlooked and user-friendly gem

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.

7. Bazzite

Good for games and so much more

Bazzite is a SteamOS clone, which should immediately tell you the primary focus of this Linux distribution. If you’re still not sure what I’m talking about… games. Bazzite is specifically designed for Linux newcomers, as well as enthusiasts and gamers.

You get Steam pre-installed, HDR and VRR support, improved CPU schedulers for more responsive gameplay, and plenty of other tweaks to make this Linux distribution powerful enough for whatever game you want to play. But don’t be fooled: Bazzite isn’t just for gaming. This distribution works perfectly well as a productivity tool.

Also: The 7 Linux distros I recommend most for gaming in 2025 – including my favorite

According to the official website, Bazzite ships with “Steam pre-installed, HDR and VRR support, improved CPU schedulers for responsive gameplay, and numerous community-developed tools and tweaks to streamline your gaming and streaming experience.”

Bazzite uses the KDE Plasma desktop, so right out of the box, it looks like it could be related to the Windows family of OSes. Bazzite is equally as beautiful as it is powerful, so you won’t feel as if you’re using an OS from the late 90s or early 2000s. Bazzite uses Fedora as a base, so it inherits the same speed, reliability, and security.

If you’re looking at the end of Windows 10, Bazzite would be a great option, especially if you’re a gamer.

8. Q4OS

Debian-level reliability

Q4OS is lean and fast, while also looking a bit like Windows. It achieves this look via either the KDE Plasma or Trinity desktops (KDE Plasma being the default).

One thing that sets Q4OS apart is that you can install it within Windows like you would an app. Of course, you can also install it as you would a standard Linux distribution.

Q4OS is a good option for those who’ve either never tried Linux or are new to the open-source OS. Of course, if you’re really afraid of working with a user interface that is different than Windows, you can always use the FreeXP spin of Q4OS (shown above), which looks remarkably like Windows 10.

Also: Want to try Linux but prefer the Windows UI? This distro is for you

There’s also the Q4OS software center, which is all about helping users find Linux alternatives for Windows apps. 

If you open the Q4OS Software Center and think, “There’s not a lot of apps to install,” make sure to open the desktop environment’s default app store (such as KDE Plasma’s Discover), where you’ll find tons of apps to install. Q4OS ships with plenty of preinstalled apps, so chances are pretty good that you won’t have to install much out of the box.