For those looking to theme their XFCE desktops like the famous MAC OS desktop, there are many options available. Below are my results using the Mojave-Light Theme and Mojave-CT-Eos Icon set. Wallpaper is MAC OS Sierra. The dock used is Plank with the cratos-lion theme. All of these can be found on XFCElook.org. I have posted links below. Enjoy.
MAC os Mohave Theme: https://www.pling.com/s/XFCE/p/1275087/
MAC os Icon Theme: https://github.com/zayronxio/Mojave-CT https://www.opendesktop.org/p/1305429/ (round)
MAC os Sierra Mountains Wallpaper: https://wallpaperaccess.com/mac-4k
Based on the prior article I gave Besgnulinux Linux a try. It reminds me of MXLinux with its number of tools and utilities. Although it uses the JWM window manager, it looks very similar to XFCE. Besgnulinux includes Libreoffice office suite, Deluge BitTorrent client, the Brave Browser, a Brave TOR browser, a couple of music players (SMPlayer and MPV media player), and a Conky Viewer with a few themes. Appearance is black on gray. It runs very fast. It also offers some recommend Third Party applications. Overall, a nice Linux distro with lots of built in applications. Just the thing an older Windows PC user might need. Below are comments from ZDNET and my own screen shots. Enjoy.
From ZDNET: What in the world is that name? Every time I say it, I think, "Best GNU Linux."
Besgnulinux is the brainchild of a single developer who seems to be on a mission to keep old computers out of landfills, and I find that to be a very noble pursuit. The developer has taken Debian stable and created a user-friendly desktop with the help of the JWM window manager. What this does is create a very fast operating system that's also highly stable and works brilliantly on older hardware.
I tested Besgnulinux as a virtual machine with only 2GB of RAM and a single CPU core. Guess what? The OS ran like it was on a powerful, modern desktop computer.
This distribution will appeal to anyone with an aging Windows 10 computer who doesn't care about having the most modern, eye-candy-laden UI and wants an OS they can trust will run reliably and well.
Besgnulinux uses the Calamares system installer, defaults to the Brave web browser, and includes over 40 custom-built tools to control the system's settings as well as the look and feel of the desktop.
Desktop wallpaper viewer below:
Deluge BitTorrent client below:
Brave web browser below:
Third Party Software recommendations below:
There is an App Image Manager to download other software below:
Which Linux distributions will rise above the competition in 2026 to dethrone the old guard? Here are my picks.
ZDNET key takeaways
Linux is set for a big year in 2026.
There will be a few distributions that will surprise people.
These six distros will be on everyone's list by year's end.
It seems I went to bed, and it was just turning 2025. Then, I wake up, and it's 2026. Where did time go?
I can tell you one thing: time went to helping Linux rise in popularity. Okay, the death of Windows 10 also
had something to do with that, but everyone in the business of covering
Linux knew this would one day happen: the masses would finally realize
that there is an alternative OS that's more reliable, safer, and easier
to use.
We
may not be declaring 2026 the year of Linux just yet, but several Linux
distros are likely to have a very good year. These are my picks for
that list.
1. AerynOS
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Once you get past the installer (which will be a bit of a challenge for those new to Linux), you'll find AerynOS
to be an outstanding, rock-solid operating system that is fully atomic
and offers a beautiful KDE Plasma desktop. It is those two last bits
that will elevate AerynOS's status among the Linux distributions.
You see, atomic and immutable
(those are not the same things, by the way) are the future of operating
systems because they provide an experience that will always work.
Atomic distributions basically ensure that no upgrade will result in
system failure, a broken desktop, or unusable applications. That is
important because people depend heavily on a dependable operating
system.
AerynOS
does atomicity but not immutability. That's important because
immutability requires a read-only core file system, and that can confuse
users when they attempt to configure something outside of their home
directory.
AerynOS does all of this beautifully and even has a
very vanilla take on KDE Plasma, which I think is the right way to go.
KDE Plasma is beautiful out of the box, and it's incredibly
user-friendly.
As
well, AerynOS automatically manages boot entries, kernel
synchronization, and rollbacks. This eliminates the need for the manual
writing of configuration files. Even if the EFI system partition is
wiped, it can be automatically rebuilt.
All of this comes together to make something pretty special.
2. AnduinOS
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
AnduinOS is a Linux distribution that, on the surface, appears very much like Windows 10.
AnduinOS is based on Ubuntu, which gives it a head start on
user-friendliness. Couple that with a UI that is immediately familiar to
the average user, and you can see why AnduinOS could become a darling
for the coming year.
As
for the UI, it's based on GNOME, so it's fast. And with the help of
GNOME Extensions, you can extend the features of the desktop. Who
doesn't want that? Speaking of which, the developers have included such
extensions as ArcMenu, Blur My Shell, Dash to Panel, Light/Dark Theme
Switcher, OpenWeather Refined, Removable Drive menu, and more. With the
help of a handy extension manager, you can enable/disable and configure
those extensions to meet your needs.
AnduinOS
also does not collect any information from users, which will be a
breath of fresh air in a world where user information is gold to so many
organizations and companies.
I think the big reason why AnduinOS
will become a darling in 2026 is that more and more users will finally
walk away from Windows and will want an operating system that doesn't
challenge them to learn a new interface. AnduinOS does that better than
most.
3. Besgnulinux
Besgnulinux will make waves in 2026.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
What in the world is that name? Every time I say it, I think, "Best GNU Linux."
Besgnulinux
is the brainchild of a single developer who seems to be on a mission to
keep old computers out of landfills, and I find that to be a very noble
pursuit. The developer has taken Debian stable and created a
user-friendly desktop with the help of the JWM window manager. What this
does is create a very fast operating system that's also highly stable
and works brilliantly on older hardware.
I
tested Besgnulinux as a virtual machine with only 2GB of RAM and a
single CPU core. Guess what? The OS ran like it was on a powerful,
modern desktop computer.
This distribution will appeal to anyone
with an aging Windows 10 computer who doesn't care about having the most
modern, eye-candy-laden UI and wants an OS they can trust will run
reliably and well.
Besgnulinux uses the Calamares system installer, defaults to the Brave web browser, and includes over 40 custom-built tools to control the system's settings as well as the look and feel of the desktop.
Okay,
Manjaro is based on Arch Linux, which I wouldn't recommend to a new
user. Manjaro Linux is a different story because it makes good on the
promise of transforming Arch Linux into something that is
user-friendly.
BigLinux
takes this one step further by including things like web applications
for services/platforms like Amazon Music, Deezer Music, Discord,
Facebook, Instagram, Jitsi Meet, Messenger, Netflix, Outlook, all of the
Google apps, and more. In fact, BigLinux includes dozens of
applications that take up very little space on your drive and help make
the distribution as user-friendly as possible.
As
well, you get to choose which web browser you want during the OS
install. You can pick from Brave, Firefox, Google Chrome, Chromium,
Vivaldi, LibreWolf, Opera, or Falkon. Another very handy addition is the
Big Driver Manager, which vastly simplifies the installation of
drivers.
I believe there are big things to come for BigLinux.
5. Pop!_OS
This is what the default COSMIC desktop looks like.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
It almost seems unfair to include Pop!_OS
on this list because it's been around for so long. The thing is,
System76 took a big chance on creating its own desktop environment,
COSMIC.
I've been using COSMIC desktop since the early alpha stages,
and even then, it seriously impressed me. I would go so far as to say
that COSMIC is going to become the most popular Linux DE by the end of
2026. That alone helps to make Pop!_OS a shoo-in for Linux darling of
the year.
COSMIC is blazingly fast and highly configurable. That doesn't mean you have to bother with desktop configurations, because the out-of-the-box experience is amazing.
Given
how stable and fast COSMIC 1.0 is, I can only imagine what version 2.0
will be like. I would guess that, by the time the next iteration
arrives, COSMIC will have elevated Pop!_OS beyond anything it could have
otherwise become with GNOME.
6. ZorinOS
The Zorin OS desktop resembles Windows with a bit more panache.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Zorin OS has already proven itself to be a favorite contender for OS of the year.
This came about when support for Windows 10 ended and Zorin OS had been
downloaded over a million times in two months (with 78% of those
downloads coming from Windows machines).
Zorin
OS is based on Ubuntu and gives the user a choice of desktop layouts.
If you want a Windows-like layout, Zorin OS has your back. MacOS? Sure,
no problem. When a user discovers Zorin OS, they finally understand that
an operating system doesn't have to be complicated or overbearing.
Zorin
OS strikes a perfect balance of user-friendliness, power, flexibility,
and reliability. If there were a single OS I would recommend to those
migrating from Windows 10, it would be Zorin OS.
This Linux distribution can compete with any lightweight OS on the market.
ZDNET key takeaways
Tromjaro is a Manjaro-based Linux distribution.
This distro uses Xfce desktop and includes well-curated apps.
You can download and install Tromjaro for free.
A trade-free operating system, that's what Tromjaro means. But what does a trade-free operating system have to offer?
Well,
it means a lot, especially if you're tired of the imbalance between
those who have versus those who want. From the developers' perspective,
this "trade-free" OS wants nothing from its users, such as no data
collection and no demands for attention: "This is the purest form of
free and the most honest one."
Essentially, you have an operating system (based on Manjaro) that collects no data and wants no fee. Sounds pretty much like Linux, right?
When I walked through the process of installing Tromjaro,
it struck me that these developers are pretty serious about their
approach. Even during the post-install setup, I was prompted to set up
the Internet Content Blocker. Unfortunately, that feature didn't open. I
even went through the Settings app, and couldn't get it to work.
I decided to continue with my testing anyway.
Select from one of six different custom Xfce layouts.Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Once the setup was complete, I had an Xfce desktop on a Manjaro-based distribution that was laid out in a MacOS-like style.
I'm
not gonna lie, I was impressed. The installation was smooth, the
desktop clean, and the app menu filled with all the tools you might
need. You get LibreOffice (with the database component added for good
measure), the Pamac GUI for the pacman package manager, a clipboard
manager, a color profile manager, a kernel manager, a cron job GUI, the
Czkawka cleanup tool, Firefox, a resources monitor, a multimedia player,
web apps, and much more.
The list of preinstalled apps is an impressive collection of tools curated for the average user to hit the ground running.
But why should you try Tromjaro over any other distribution that uses Xfce?
First, Tromjaro boots very fast. On top of that, Tromjaro performs like a champ. This Linux distribution can compete with any lightweight OS on the market.
There's
also the addition of the Videoneat app, which curates science materials
(in the form of documentaries, movies, courses, tips, and more). I'd
never known about this service and found it fascinating. Each video must
be downloaded (via torrent) before viewing, which can take some time,
depending on the clip size. However, the quality of the videos is good,
and some are worth watching.
I've never heard of Videoneat, but it certainly is intriguing. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
To
further consider why someone would use Tromjaro, I turned to the
(lengthy) list of things the developers changed from the Manjaro base,
including:
Layout Switcher for XFCE.
Theme Switcher for XFCE.
Applied the same fixes for the entire XFCE desktop for themes and icons.
Integration and enabling of the Chaotic-AUR repository.
Hand-picked wallpapers that are more or less unique to the distro.
Co-created the default TROMjaro icon pack.
Enabled Global Menus and HUD.
Added more options to Settings Manager, such as RGB lights setup, system and files backup, webcam, a system cleaner, and more.
Gestures for mouse, touchpad, and touchscreen.
Support and optimizations for touchscreen devices.
Flatpaks and AUR support, as well as a Tromjaro-specific repository.
Support for AppImages.
Automatic system backup.
All common files (video, audio, documents, images) are opened with properly tested apps.
A heavily tweaked Firefox with removed annoyances and trackers, a handful of addons for even more protection, and more.
Trade-free apps for VPN, file sharing, messenger, and more.
Custom internet searches that are accessed from the system's menu.
A custom web app library.
That's
a pretty impressive list that would benefit most users. Clearly, the
Tromjaro developers are taking their mission seriously.
There's also a handy series of videos you can watch that help explain what Tromjaro is all about.
Performance
As
I said earlier, Tromjaro performs as well as any lightweight
distribution I've tested. Part of the reason for this success is the
Xfce desktop, but you cannot discount the optimizations the developers
have considered.
I ran my usual Ollama test on Tromjaro, and it verified what I'd assumed about the distribution. It's fast. Really fast.
After
my initial query, "What is Linux?", I followed up by asking Ollama to
write a Python GUI program that allows users to input specific bits of
information and append this to a file.
Ollama went to work and immediately crafted the application. The speed at which the app was created was impressive.
Conclusion
I
was surprised to run across a Linux distribution that I'd never heard
of, and with Tromjaro having the lofty trade-free mindset, I was glad to
have stumbled upon it.
Although Tromjaro won't woo me away from Pop!_OS (that's a tall task for any distribution), it will remain on my list of distributions to consider for future needs.
I'd recommend installing Tromjaro on a spare computer (or a virtual machine) to get a feel for what it's all about. Who knows, this might wind up being your next distro hop.
For those looking for a bright clean theme to enhance their Linux desktop, download and try the Zorin OS GTK Theme [Unofficial]. So there is no need to install Zorin OS to get the same look. Enjoy.
You can download the theme here: https://www.gnome-look.org/p/1769479
There are a matching set of icon themes found here: https://github.com/ZorinOS/zorin-icon-themes
By Roland Taylor - We do not need a mythical “year of the Linux desktop” for Linux to keep growing. We just need good ideas, consistent execution, and projects that keep getting better with every release.
It seems like new Linux distros launch every week, but many struggle
to make it past the “hot new project” phase. The ones that do tend to
share a few traits: a clear audience (even if within their own niche), a
single, strong idea, and a user experience that shines in its own way,
even if at times experimental.
In this list, we'll look at nine
new and/or revamped distros from 2024 and later that have a real shot at
breaking out in 2026 if they keep up their momentum and keep smoothing
out their rough edges.
AnduinOS,
created by a former Microsoft engineer, is an Ubuntu-based distro that
mirrors the Windows 11 aesthetic while leaning hard into privacy and
simplicity. It is known for a small download, a polished desktop, and an
experience that works for everyday users and developers alike.
Why It Could Go Big in 2026
At
first, AnduinOS looked perfect for Windows switchers, but it lacked a
simple default method for installing apps without the terminal. That was
a real mismatch for its target audience.
With AnduinOS 1.3 and
native Flathub integration, that friction drops significantly. Paired
with its focus on polish, it could be the change that turns curiosity
into real adoption among Windows exiles.
blendOS
pairs an Arch base with Podman containers for other distros, so you can
run their apps natively, including Android, without a VM. It is an
atomic, declarative, immutable system that tries to give you multiple
distro worlds in one install.
Why It Could Go Big in 2026
It
makes “apps from anywhere” practical without destabilising the OS. The
atomic and declarative approach also makes the system easier to maintain
and recover. If it keeps smoothing out the experience, blendOS could
become a favourite among power users and a credible OEM base.
First
released in 2005, Damn Small Linux (DSL) is a mini distro built for
older PCs, offering a full graphical desktop with minimal requirements.
For many early Linux users, myself included, it was a first taste of
life outside Windows. It was also my first ever distro, running inside
my Windows 2000/XP desktop.
DSL 2024 is a fully modernised remake
based on antiX 23 i386. The original was famous for fitting into 50 MB,
but this version expands to around 700 MB, still small enough for a CD
while feeling far more modern. It trims things like translations and
some documentation, but keeps full apt support and even includes scripts
for pulling down anything missing.
Why It Could Go Big in 2026
Retro
PCs are having a moment, whether for nostalgia, reducing e-waste, or
making computing more accessible on old hardware. A tiny-but-capable
distro that also unlocks the wider Debian ecosystem is exactly what that
crowd needs. It will not be for everyone, but for its niche, it could
be a big deal.
IncusOS
is not like the others in this list. It is purpose-built for running
Incus, a container and virtual machine manager created after Canonical
made LXD an exclusively Canonical product in July 2023. Aimed at
homelabs and servers, IncusOS ships without a desktop and focuses
instead on an immutable base with atomic A/B updates and strong defaults
such as UEFI Secure Boot and TPM 2.0.
Why It Could Go Big in 2026
Homelabs
and self-hosting are no longer just hobbies. They are a practical way
to protect user freedom and reduce dependence on companies that monetise
access and data. IncusOS fits that shift well: it is predictable,
locked down, reproducible, and built to do one job properly.
As more people treat their homelabs like real infrastructure, appliance-style base systems like IncusOS could take off.
5. KDE Linux
KDE Linux provides a clean experience of the Plasma desktop
One
of the true outliers in this list, KDE Linux is not your average
distro. It is KDE’s official reference implementation for Plasma and KDE
apps. Like a few others here, it ships as an immutable base OS. Arch
packages are mostly an implementation detail, while apps are expected to
come from Flatpaks, Snaps, or AppImages. In other words, the base
system is meant to stay untouched, apart from updates and rollbacks.
Why It Could Go Big in 2026
KDE
has long delivered a polished, customisable desktop, but it has rarely
controlled the full out-of-the-box experience, from the OS stack to
defaults and app selection. KDE Linux fills that gap and gives KDE a
chance to define “the KDE experience” end to end.
If it matures
quickly, it could become the go-to way to run Plasma as intended, and
even interest OEMs. KDE’s Slimbook line could plausibly ship with it
down the road. Even if it never goes fully mainstream, it can still
raise the baseline for what a KDE-first OS should feel like.
Kazeta
is a gaming-focused distro that aims to recreate the 90s console vibe
on modern PCs, even turning DRM-free games into “cartridges” stored on
SD cards or other removable media. It is built for offline gaming, and
that is the point. It targets DRM-free libraries like Itch.io, GOG, and
retro titles, with a console-style approach rather than a
storefront-first one.
Why It Could Go Big in 2026
Linux
gaming is well past basic viability now, which leaves room for a more
exotic take. Kazeta’s pitch is simple: no stores, no launchers, just
that old-school “insert and play” feel. It is a niche, but a real one,
with obvious appeal for retro collectors, parents setting up
child-friendly machines, and anyone who wants the console experience
without subscriptions and logins.
ObsidianOS
is a new, UEFI-only distro built around A/B partitioning. Updates apply
to the inactive slot, so if something goes wrong you can roll back with
a reboot. It aims to deliver stability for everyday users, and offers
multiple flavours, including a text-based installer and desktops like
KDE and COSMIC.
Why It Could Go Big in 2026
Reliability
is now a selling point, and A/B updates make “bad updates” far less
scary. ObsidianOS is still opinionated and not fully beginner-friendly,
but the idea is compelling. If installation and day-to-day polish
improve, it could become a serious option for people who want a tougher,
more resilient desktop without going full enterprise.
pearOS,
a Linux distribution designed to look and feel a lot like macOS, is
back again in the form of pearOS NiceC0re 25.12. This release is a full
rebuild on an Arch base with KDE Plasma and a heavily customised
experience, including the Sweet Mars UI theme. It does not run macOS
apps, but it gets surprisingly close in look and workflow.
Why It Could Go Big in 2026
A
revival needs more than nostalgia, and pearOS has clearly put in the
work. This is not just a name returning, it is a modern Arch-based
Plasma distro with a strong visual identity and a level of polish that
stands out.
With more people ditching macOS and Windows alike,
pearOS could become an easy “install and enjoy” recommendation for
anyone who wants something slick without spending days tweaking.
Vanilla
OS 2.0 is a major rewrite, doubling down on immutability and atomic
updates with its ABRoot system, making updates and rollbacks both safer
and more predictable. Like blendOS, Vanilla OS delivers a containerised
system, namely its own "APX". It encourages the use of this system for
all app installations, but it gives you the freedom to pull from several
distros and even experimental Android app support without entering
dependency hell.
Why It Could Go Big in 2026
Atomic,
immutable desktops are clearly taking over, and Vanilla OS is one of
the clearest attempts to make the immutable desktop feel "normal", with
cross-distro tooling not just as a bonus, but the expected experience.
If the team keeps improving the UX around this bold and unconventional
setup, and makes it effortless for average users, Vanilla OS could
become a mainstream-friendly entry point to the immutable future of the
Linux desktop.
Christmas is the time for gifting. If you think It's FOSS is doing a great work, please support us by opting for a Plus membership. You also get 5 eBooks on Linux, Docker and Bash scripting.
Final Thoughts
We do not need a mythical
“year of the Linux desktop” for Linux to keep growing. We just need good
ideas, consistent execution, and projects that keep getting better with
every release. These nine distros are not the whole story, but they are
strong signals of where the desktop is heading in 2026. A year from
now, a few of these may no longer be “interesting,” but genuinely
mainstream.
The discussion around open-source productivity suites is usually
dominated by one name — LibreOffice. I even got around to using it when I tried going fully open-source for a week.
However, for someone like me, who isn’t a power user, there were
aspects of LibreOffice that just didn’t click. Specifically, the need
for modern conveniences, such as collaboration and mobility, made me
switch to something else.
I
ended up settling for another open-source productivity suite called
OnlyOffice. While it lacks some of the advanced features of LibreOffice
and not everything is free, I discovered it meets my needs. I don’t
think I'll go back to LibreOffice anytime soon. Well, not unless it
includes some of the features that OnlyOffice provides in its generous
package.
OnlyOffice has a better interface OnlyOffice mirrors Microsoft Office’s design philosophy
One
of the biggest reasons I was put off by LibreOffice was its interface.
It’s not ugly by any means, but I can’t get over how it looks like an
older version of Microsoft Office, before Microsoft transitioned it to
the popular Ribbon interface. The menus are dense, clunky, and
cluttered, making it harder to use, especially for new users.
LibreOffice feels like it's hanging on to an old and unwelcoming design
philosophy.
OnlyOffice, on the other hand, has fully embraced the
Ribbon UI, similar to modern versions of Microsoft Office. It’s
something Microsoft has perfected over the years to make it intuitive
and enjoyable to use. The Ribbon interface makes everything feel like a
cohesive, modern workspace rather than a collection of individual tools.
It’s
one of the things that makes the transition from Microsoft Office to
OnlyOffice effortless. There’s practically no learning curve because
everything is where it's expected to be. I also like how OnlyOffice has
tabs. Since I prefer a browser-based workflow, the tabs streamline my
workflow and make managing multiple documents easier while keeping my
desktop uncluttered.
Real-time collaboration is easier to set up in OnlyOffice It’s free and, best of all, optional
LibreOffice
is primarily an offline solution with no cloud features baked into its
DNA. While a majority of LibreOffice’s users prefer it this way, it can
be a hindrance to modern workflows, especially when it comes to
collaboration.
There is LibreOffice Online, which runs the full
office suite in a browser through a self-hosting solution like Nextcloud
or OwnCloud. It lets you edit documents from anywhere and collaborate
with others in real time. However, setting this up isn't straightforward
for most users.
OnlyOffice offers its own native cloud solution,
DocSpace. It allows me to break my projects into rooms, where I can
invite others to co-edit documents in real-time. I also get the standard
suite of professional collaborative features—tracking changes, version
history, real-time comments, and mentions. Furthermore, I can use AI
agents in this collaborative space, provided I have the API keys and
credits for the models and prompts.
To use DocSpace, I just
signed up for an account, which made transitioning from a solitary
experience to a collaborative one effortless. Alternatively, I can
create my own hybrid cloud setup if I want total control over my data.
The best part is that it's optional — I don’t have to use DocSpace if I
don’t want to.
OnlyOffice has an office mobile app LibreOffice only has one with viewing capabilities
LibreOffice
is also primarily a desktop app, which is a disadvantage for people
like me who sometimes need to finish working on the go. There have been
many times when I needed to make last-minute edits or review documents,
but I didn’t have a computer. One thing I did have at the time, though,
was my phone.
That’s why it helps that OnlyOffice has a free
Android and iOS app that translates the desktop experience to mobile
very well. Furthermore, it can connect to various cloud services,
including DocSpace. This gives me access to my documents wherever I go.
LibreOffice doesn’t have an official app like this, and it’s a major
sticking point for me.
There’s the LibreOffice Viewer app for
Android. However, it's mainly a viewer app (as the name suggests) with
experimental editing capabilities. Hopefully, LibreOffice gets an app
that works across platforms, has full editing, and built-in cloud
syncing capabilities in the future.
I'm not denying that LibreOffice is the gold standard
People
usually switch from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice when they’re
looking for a free alternative. That’s for a good reason, as LibreOffice
is the purest form of open-source there is — community-driven and
completely free and unrestricted. Furthermore, it offers a level of
depth that OnlyOffice doesn’t always match. This is especially true when
it comes to customization, database integrations, and macro support.
However,
a lot of this freedom comes with complexity that many average users,
myself included, don’t want to deal with. I have a mindset that
prioritizes usability over complexity, and I know I’m not alone. Sure,
OnlyOffice has some advanced features locked behind paid subscriptions,
but I prefer it over LibreOffice because it respects my time, especially
when it comes to creating a modern workflow.
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: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first - here's how
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 six 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.
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
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. 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). 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).
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 it's very secure), and includes several options for installing apps. You will find pacman, apt, Flatpak, Podman, 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.
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. 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.
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.
