From higher system requirements to privacy concerns, there are plenty of reasons why you might be considering a switch from Windows to Linux. Luckily, there are many great distros for all kinds of workflows to help you make the transition easily.
1Linux Mint
If you’re new to Linux and do most of your work on a browser,Linux Mint is a great place to start for Windows users. Its user interface closely resembles Windows, so you’ll feel comfortable right from the start. Plus, if you’re running it on an older system, you’ll likely notice a significant boost in speed, as Linux Mint performs well even on outdated or low-spec hardware.
It also comes pre-installed with essential tools like Firefox, LibreOffice, and an app store, so you’re ready to go right away. Overall, it’s an excellent choice if you’re just starting with Linux and want something familiar that runs smoothly on older devices. If I had to recommend Linux to someone who isn’t very tech-savvy, Linux Mint would definitely be my first choice.
Download:Linux Mint(Free)
If you’re new to Linux but eager to learn its ins and outs while enjoying a highly customizable experience, Manjaro is a great choice. One of its key advantages is getting updates and new features much earlier than most other distros, making it perfect for those who love staying on the cutting edge of software.
When you visit Manjaro’s download page, you’ll see three options: KDE Plasma, Xfce, and GNOME. If you’re coming from Windows, I recommend choosing the KDE version, as it has a similar UI and offers the most customization.
Since Manjaro is based on Arch Linux, it’s a great starting point for tinkerers. However, once you’re more familiar with a Linux system, I’d suggestinstalling vanilla Arch Linuxfor an even more customizable system without extra bloat.
Download:Manjaro(Free)
Ubuntu is easily the most popular Linux distribution, known for its stability and user-friendly experience right out of the box. Each major release receives security updates for five years, but just like all the other distributions mentioned in this list, Ubuntu performs much better than Windows on older hardware and has pretty lax system requirements, so even future versions should run smoothly on most machines without any issues.
You canset up a dual boot with Ubuntuif you’re not ready to fully switch from Windows, allowing you to choose between the two operating systems each time you start your PC. TheUbuntu Desktop Guideis also a great resource if you ever run into any issues, and the Ubuntu Software Center has almost every app you might need, ready for download and installation.
Download:Ubuntu(Free)
If you’re a Windows user, chances are you’re also into gaming, and there’s a Linux distro made just for that. Pop!_OS is a gaming centric distribution that’s specifically tuned for better gaming performance.
If you have an Nvidia GPU, there’s even a separate version of Pop!_OS available for download that includes Nvidia’s proprietary drivers right from the start. This saves you the trouble of manually installing the drivers, as is often required with some other distros.
Although Pop!_OS is built on Ubuntu, it follows a rolling release cycle, meaning you’ll receive updates much sooner while still retaining most of Ubuntu’s stability. However, keep in mind that the default interface resembles macOS more than Windows. So, if you’re not looking for a major UI change, you might need to customize it a bit to suit your preferences.
Additionally, if you’re not familiar with disk partitioning, you could face challenges setting up a dual boot with Windows, as the process is more complex than using the Ubuntu installer.
Download:Pop!_OS(Free)
Just like Pop!_OS, Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu but with some additional tweaks on top of it. It provides multiple desktop layouts, allowing you to switch between different styles quickly. For example, you can change from a Windows-like interface to one that resembles macOS with just a single click.
It also allows you to run Windows apps by double-clicking on .exe files, though compatibility might be limited. While you may use Wine to run Windows apps on other Linux distros as well, having this feature built-in is a nice touch.
What I don’t like about Zorin OS is that it offers a paid version, which unlocks additional desktop layouts and comes with extra apps, which goes against the Linux philosophy of being free and open-source.
While the free version of Zorin OS is quite good for most users, I’d prefer if the extra desktop layouts were available without a paywall. Instead, a pro version could focus on bundling licenses for even more professional apps.
Download:Zorin OS(Free, paid version available)
All these distros are great for getting a feel for Linux, but once you’re more comfortable with one, I strongly recommend experimenting with multiple distributions as the real beauty of Linux is its customizability.
While some features in a particular distro might seem appealing, chances are you can get similar functionality working on another distro. No single distro is the best; instead, each one shows you different possibilities and how you can tailor your system to your needs.
