When a long time Windows user plans to switch to Linux, he/she generally wants a Linux like Windows 7 or a Linux like Windows XP.
This is understandable as switching to Linux from Windows could be overwhelming. If one gets a familiar interface, it becomes a bit easier to navigate. This is not just my opinion, people actually Google for Linux that looks like Windows.
Now the question arises, is there actually any Linux distro like Windows? And the answer is yes, there are Linux OS like Windows and we are going to see the best Windows look alike Linux distros.
Best Linux distributions that look like Windows
While many long time Linux users scorn at the idea of a Linux distribution imitating Windows’ looks.
But making the switch from Windows to Linux is not always easy for everyone. Partially because our computer experience is built on Windows and adapting to Linux sometimes needs a tad bit effort. And if looks could help, why not?
Anyway, Linux is all about sharing and caring. That’s why we at It’s FOSS, had a little team brainstorming session to bring the best and convenient distros for people coming from Windows. Let’s get right into it, shall we?
Chalet OS
If windows 10 made you switch to Linux and you’re a fan of the old Windows 7 looks and feel, Chalet OS is definitely for You.
See what I mean? Chalet OS offers the comfort and homely feel of Windows 7 coupled with the stability, customizability, security and other awesome features of Ubuntu 16.04.
Extensive care has been taken to make Chalet OS a native experience to Windows users. You can see the Window detailing has been customized to make it look exactly like Windows 7.
Chalet OS developers understand it can be a scary experience switching to Linux from Windows after spending our entire life on Windows machines. That’s why they have put in some home grown applications that make this switch so easy.
I know You might have made some heavy changes to the way your Windows PC looked and might want to have the same experience on Linux too.
That’s where the Chalet OS Style Changer comes in. With so many presets, you can set almost all the themes offered on Windows here too. That too with just a click. Want more customization? Hey, It’s Linux. You’re welcome.
Then there’s the Chalet OS “Start Point”. I suggest you have a look at this simple yet useful piece of work even if you’re a seasoned Linux user. For beginners, this software will launch your Linux experience light years ahead (I know, I know it’s a measure of distance and not time. But It just sticks brah ;p).
Want to know what Linux’s got in the gaming department. Check out Start Point. Or need some productivity stuff? Check out Start Point. Start Point is this guide to applications on Linux. It has got hand-picked titles which I can guaranty, will satisfy all your computing needs. It’s really a smart inclusion to Chalet OS.
Chalet OS might be created with the intention of helping out Windows refugees adjust to Linux, But it’s not at all a bridge. It is a complete Home and Business computing solution in itself.
If you are thinking of running a Window like Linux on your PC, Chalet OS would be my first choice to burn you a DVD or a Live USB. Go with it already!
Zorin OS
The thing about changing operating systems is, a lot of habits and muscle memory thingies we formed on our old OS really become a nuisance and become huge hindrances in our adjusting with the new OS. For example, hitting the F5 button repeatedly, checking for virus everytime we plug in a pen drive and… Okay okay, I’ll stop chiding Windows.
But you do agree it’s an issue. Is in not?
Enter Zorin OS. Ask any seasoned Linux user which OS a Windows refugee must get and most of the time it will be Zorin OS. Why ? Let’s see some reasons.
Zorin OS is a Linux distro like Windows in terms of the looks. The Start like application launcher, The bottom, icon indicator area, they’re all made to make the newcomers feel at home. There are lot other tools and applications that make Zorin OS a good choice.
Another thing I want to talk about is applications. Well, when I first had installed Ubuntu, I had tried to install Chrome by running the windows installer for the same (Without Wine too). Go ahead take a moment and have a laugh.
But I bet someone else can relate to me. The package managers can be a puzzle on Linux. That’s why Zorin comes with a very big list of day to day applications pre-installed. A good set of games, Rhythmbox music player, GIMP for image editing, OpenShot video editor, Firefox, LibreOffice and many more applications will allow you to do all the regular stuff without any further issue.
Zorin OS has Software Center and you can use it to get any software you want with just a few clicks. And if you want to install Windows software on Linux, Why the hell not? Zorin’s got Wine and PlayOnLinux up and running and they’ll handle windows software effortlessly.
Zorin OS has a tool called the “Zorin Look Changer” which is basically a theme changer and customizer on steroids. It lets You change basic looks, then chose presets like Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Ubuntu, Mac and more. See for yourself.
Zorin OS has a lot more such customizations and useful tools, like the Zorin Web Browser Manger which will help inexperienced Linux freshers install their favorite browser quickly and easily.
Zorin OS developers have done quite a brainy work here. Even my teammates here at It’s FOSS suggest Zorin to all the Windows users who want to check Linux out. It is great.
Kubuntu
If you looked up the web or discussed about moving to Linux, you probably already came across Ubuntu. I do agree Ubuntu is a good place to start your Linux journey. But I’d suggest you try Kubuntu instead of the default Ubuntu that has Unity desktop environment.
Confused about various types of Ubuntu? Kubuntu is a flavor (a variant featuring some changes in per-installed software list as well as the default desktop environment) of Ubuntu. It runs the KDE which is polished and elegant.
Ubuntu has very different desktop layout than that of Windows. This combined with other differences can be a lot to take in. If you are running Kubuntu, at least the menu and indicators won’t be new and you’ll be more comfortable with the desktop.
The application launcher is very accessible and finding applications by navigating the sub menus is absolutely handy. Once you know what applications you will be using, you can invoke the search by pressing alt+spacebar. Start to type in the application name and the matching cases will drop down. You can easily pick the application you want.
You know, although not my favorite, I think KDE is the best desktop environment for Linux.
You’ll find Kubuntu a superior quality environment and although a learning curve is involved, I still suggest Kubuntu to newcomers as the curve is not really steep and it won’t be long before you get a hang of things.
If I was to suggest a flavor of Ubuntu to a Windows user, it’ll be Kubuntu hands down. A Linux OS like Windows and an official flavor of Ubuntu, there is nothing more to ask for.
Linux Mint
Linux Mint, as many of you might know, is one of the heavyweights of Desktop Linux world. You will find Linux Mint in almost all the top Linux Distros list.
You might be wondering what it’s doing in this article. Well, It’s here because of its simplicity. Its desktop environment, Cinnamon is similar to Windows 7 and is one of the most adored desktop environments. That style just rocks whether on Windows or on Linux.
If you are terribly addicted to working on a Windows machine (nobody said that was a bad thing), your productivity will not hamper at all on Linux Mint.
Why, you ask? The Linux Mint menu is located in the same position as the Windows start so when you move the cursor to the bottom right just like you did on Windows, You won’t be disappointed. LM has “activate on hover” for Menu. So that’s a bonus. The applications are arranged under categories so finding applications in a new OS won’t be an issue.
The Software Manager is a minimalistic and simple tool for finding and downloading additional software on Linux Mint. Since Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, you’ll find a very large number of applications for all your computing needs. A simple browse and click will get you anything you need.
Gaming on Linux is a major factor that prevents ‘the switch’. I agree gaming is not the same on Linux as it is on Windows. But we are definitely not in the stone age of gaming. Check out this list of Top 10 games for Linux.
Steam also supports Linux. It more than supports Linux. Steam recommends Linux. Steam brings the latest and the greatest of gaming titles to Linux. FYI Deus Ex: Mankind Divided will soon be available on Linux. Yay!
One thing about Linux Mint though. If you install it as a beginner, you can still continue to use it even after you feel you’ve gotten more acquainted with Linux. A lot of advanced Linux users use Linux Mint too. It’s the number One Linux distro on Distrowatch. It’s just that good.
Well, there you have it, people. These Windows like Linux distros will help you make the switch from Windows to Linux easier, especially if you are a new to Linux world. If you liked this, I recommend reading about the best Linux distributions for beginners.
Tell us which was Your “transition distro” and also some tips beginners might find useful. Do share this article and help someone find love with Linux.
i would like to use linux. i have a loptop that i run windows and apple on by bootcamp. I am sick of windows although i have some software that will not run on anything but windows. is it possible to run them on linux? anyway, i would love to try linux. after reading it seems mint or kubuntu would be the choices. any ideas?
Why is it that there are so many types of linux distros which is downright confusing? When you have windows, whether it be 7 or 10, it is still windows and thats it. With linux, there are so many of them and it is very hard to distinguish each and every one. There are about 6 beginning types of linux and each one tends to mimic win 7. I would love to change to linux but it is so difficult to choose the very best one for a user like myself who has been with windows since inception. Frankly, I am getting tired of windows as every update that Microsoft has, it tends to slow down the computer and even some, you don’t know how it will act once installed on the computer. Some, made it so hard to enjoy their browser and all of a sudden, I get extreamly large fonts and unable to get it to fit on the screen. I installed firefox and everything appears to work fine. It goes on and on like this. So, I am asking you, what do I do to safely choose a linux distro that will be easy to learn and mimic win 7? Thank you for your answer.
Mel
To answer your first question, the reason there are so many different linux distributions is because the software is open sourced. That means there isn’t one major company that’s publishing everything and that everyone is free to change things and republish/rebrand them. This is good as it means you get much many more people who are very passionate about the OS working on it but it’s also bad because it means not much standardization and lots of different distros that can confuse people who don’t know where to start.
But when it comes to picking a linux distro, you really can’t go wrong. If you can install it, it’ll do basically everything any other distro will do since it’s all linux based. The only difference is the programs might have different names or not be *officially* supported by a distro yet. That and as this article points out, the pre-installed software is different. But if you really wanted to, you could make any Linux distro look exactly like any of the ones mentioned in this article. At the end of the day, it’s all just software on top of linux.
I’d personally recommend Mint as a beginner-friendly option as it’s very Windows-like and has a pretty large community so any questions you may have are probably already answered on their forums.
why are we all penguins