The BEST Linux distributions for switching from Windows to Linux

Today, we're going to talk about which distributions someone currently using Windows could move to. They're not in any specific order or preference, they all answer to different needs!

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## THE COMPLETE CLONE

In that case, the option for you is WindowsFX. This distribution is based on Ubuntu LTS, virtually the most popular and used Linux version in the world, but you would be hard pressed to differentiate it, at first glance, from actual Windows 10. Everything here is made to be ultra familiar to Windows users, from the desktop layout to the start menu.

Now, it's not just a theme here, there are a LOT of things integrated out of the box to make Windows users comfortable: it's preinstalled with Microsoft Edge as a default browser, and the settings application has been completely tweaked to look like Windows 10's settings.

Now, WindowsFX uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment as a base, and some settings will reflect that, opening a dedicated window instead of being displayed in the settings app, but that's still pretty impressive. You even have a way to sync with OneDrive, right from the start.

You also have onlyoffice preinstalled, as well as shortcuts to Office Online. Basically, the goal here is to have as close a replica of Windows 10 as possible.

It also offers the ability to install Wine in one click, which gives you a compatibility layer to run Windows programs on Linux, just by downloading .exe files and running them as you'd expect on Windows.

## LOOK ALIKES

In that case, I'd recommend 2 options:

The first one is KDE Neon, using the KDE Plasma desktop environment. It's actually close to the windows layout by default, with a bottom bar that serves as your main way to interact with the applications and the system, and a nice start menu equivalent, with search capabilities, access to your files, applications and system controls.

The other advantage is that KDE Plasma is really very configurable: if a default behavior doesn't suit you, you will be able to change it, after spending a little time digging in the settings. That's probably what will be the biggest obstacle: learning where to find each setting that you want to change.

Neon has its own App Store, called Discover, which is nice enough, to let you install any other software you might want, as the preinstalled selection is pretty small. It also comes with KDE Connect, an equivalent to the 'My Phone" app on Windows.

The second option is Linux Mint, with the Cinnamon Desktop. Linux Mint also has a default layout very similar to WIndows, using a bottom bar, and a start menu, and it's also very configurable, so you'll be able to change whatever you want if you don't like how it works.

It's also based on Ubuntu LTS, so it's very stable. So, what's the difference with KDE Neon? Well, the Cinnamon Desktop is a bit easier to get to grips than KDE Plasma. The settings might not be as abundant, but they're easier to find, remember and generally, the desktop doesn't feel as intimidating out of the box.

Linux mint has various applications preinstalled, including LibreOffice, and it has a good app store to install anything else you might need. It's not updated as often as KDE Neon, waiting for major versions to release bigger feature updates, but it's a really stable and user friendly option.

## WELL DOCUMENTED

Ubuntu is one of, if not the most used distro out there, and serves as the base for a lot more distributions, including all the ones I mentioned up to this point. It comes in a lot of variants, so you can pick any desktop layout you want, and it's something that you won't have any trouble finding online help for.

If you want the most help available and a simple way to get the system onto your device, then it's Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, any "buntu will do.

## THE HARD WAY

In that case, use Arch. Honestly, it's not that tricky to install, it's just a matter of following the wiki, but it's going to teach you a lot about Linux along the way, how it works, what components it uses, and it will let you pick how it looks, and how it will work.

It's definitely not something I'd recommend to a newcomer, unless you're planning your move to Linux as a side project, that you're willing to sink time into, learning the ins and outs, and taking whatever time you need.

[alexandru]

Friend: what OS do you use ?
Me: it's complicated

[thehien]

The Clone is still missing one thing: Windows Activation

[Keyshooter]

TLE: "if you want the hardest of the hardest mode" me: gentoo? TLE: "Arch" me: "ah yeah, that too"

(i use arch btw)

[onesandzeroes]

"Every Linux distro is beautiful in its own way... Except maybe this one"
And except MX Linux, which is proudly ugly in its own way :)

[gregcampwriter]

I went with Mint Cinnamon. It reminds me of what was best in Windows 7, which was for me the best (not saying much) of Microsoft's OS. Mint works without arguing with me, and it lets me work--writing, Internet use, graphic arts--without having to spend hours fighting through the weeds to figure out how to do what I need to do.

[gaurdein]

I want Gentoo as my first distro, I need that extra day off my computer anyway

[sophietheopossum]

My boyfriend found Manjaro KDE to be pretty smooth to learn. I told him how to do some things but he worked out how to do a lot of things without even asking me (including his laptop really hating grub for no reason)

[nsa]

Personally, I think Linux Mint is the best distro for new Linux users. Also, great video as always!!

[perforongo]

I've distrohopped a lot and one thing I've learned about Linux is that what you settle on might have very little to do with what you want. Hardware compatibility with Linux is pretty bad sometimes. Sometimes one distro doesn't allow you to use your touchpad because the driver doesn't work with it. Sometimes the app you like the most doesn't work. You might think you want Cinnamon, but if the dang applets don't work at all, you'll have no choice but to go to KDE, or even Gnome. These types of videos focus on the most ideal circumstances, but with Linux- you go with what is most compatible with your system.

[RetosSpace]

Arch's mother called ...hahahaha, Got Manjaro XFCE on my old laptop and it just werks! Got Zorin Lite on Dinosaur laptop ..Banging Vid!!

[rohanleander]

If I had a second laptop I'd use zorin os or pop os.

[unpaintedcanvas]

Love your choice of file names there at 9:17 😂

[patthesoundguy]

I would try Zorin OS. I have tried quite a few different distros to give Windows users a Linux to start with and Zorin has won for me. It actually found and automatically added my network printer. Other distros are very easy to set up a printer but Zorin wins! Everything is easily to find and figure out for noob users.

[Lyunpaw]

Great information and the humor is very well done; that joke about "linux from scratch" was great. Keep up the good work friend. Never miss a moment to throw in some nextcloud for things like syncing data from phones (mostly eye-phone). Great Job!

[darkerm]

1. Manjaro kde
2. Feren OS
3. Elementary Os
4. LINUX fX
5. Zorin OS

[catomajorcensor]

It seems like Odysee videos are finally playing smoothly here, so I'll start watching this channel on Odysee now!

[mariozenarju]

I'd say Kubuntu heavily beats KDE Neon... In a sense that installing non-KDE packages won't break the system. Which is why Neon devs blocked access to non-KDE packages from Discover, and those same can be installed only as Snaps and Flatpaks. Which is a huge no-no to me personally

[sbhanqedirli]

I think so the best distro for windows users is zorin os

[cig_in_mouth]

I suggested my friend to pop os and now he is running with i3wm + lutris

[SaltyNotSweat]

Man after reading the names of those files. I want to be part of those business meetings that you have to just see what you got going on there :D