The 3 most Windows-like Linux distros to try because change is hard

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: Why I no longer recommend this Windows-like Linux distro

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; I’ll show you what I consider your three best options.

1. KDE Neon

KDE Neon is the flagship distribution for highlighting the KDE Plasma desktop environment. What is so wonderful about KDE Plasma is that it can be configured to look and feel just about any way you like it. 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 11 if you like.

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KDE Neon benefits from a 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

Linux Mint might not be themed like Windows 10 or 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: How to replace Windows with Linux Mint on your PC

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 would 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

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: Ready to ditch Windows? 5 factors to help you decide between Linux or MacOS

Here’s one of the primary reasons why 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, you can switch it up to have 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). One of those options is sure to satisfy the Windows user in you.

ZorinOS Core can be downloaded and installed for free and the Pro license can be purchased from the official ZorinOS site.