More than 10 years ago, Microsoft launched Windows 7. At first, the company that Satya Nadella now runs thought to launch the news as a Service Pack that would solve all the problems of Windows Vista, but the disaster was so great that they decided to make a blur and new account launching a different operating system. In a few days, Windows 7 will no longer be supported, so in this article we will talk about the best Linux alternatives to Windows, in case someone has decided to make the final leap or to help you do so.
But before I start I would like to say something: Linux will never be Windows and Windows will never be Linux (nor macOS). Each operating system uses its own applications and, although there is emulation software such as WINE, the support will never be the same. With this explained, what you will have next are several distributions that will be one of the easiest to use for those who have never touched Linux, partly because of its design.
Zorin OS
Zorin OS (article about the latest version here) is one of the best options for Windows users who want to upgrade to Linux. In fact, one of their reasons for being is to facilitate this, for which they use an interface and general image that will be familiar to users of Microsoft systems.
It is based on Ubuntu, which means that it will be fully compatible with most of the features that Canonical adds, although they usually arrive a little later. Includes some packages of WINE so that we can run applications in EXE format but, as we mentioned above, even if they work, it will not be 100% the same.
Linux Mint (Cinnamon)
Another of the best Linux alternatives to Windows and that became famous in part for this is Linux Mint. In fact, the user interface of Cinnamon It is very similar to the one used by Windows 7 that will die in a few days, with the bottom bar and the double start menu with its search bar.
Like Zorin OS, it is based on Ubuntu, in its LTS versions, so it is compatible with all the functions that Canonical adds, although some will arrive two years late. It usually works very well on computers with limited resources, which will be a plus for users who are tired of the slowness of Windows systems.
Solus
Solus is an operating system that lovers of Windows 7 will not like so much, but a little more for those of W10. Uses a Rolling Release update model, which means that will always be up to date, and its user interface includes a kind of "Control Center" on the right that is reminiscent of the latest version of Microsoft's system.
The graphical environment that Solus uses is Budgie, a very attractive "young" environment that includes the start menu at the bottom left, like any distribution that wants to look like Windows. The quick access bar on the right allows us to access notifications, system settings, the calendar and other options such as multimedia playback.
Fern OS
Going back to Ubuntu-based systems, Feren OS is a distribution that adds a WINE compatibility layer. The graphical environment it uses is Cinnamon, but one that makes the start menu look much more like Windows 10 than the official Linux Mint. In its latest versions it uses Plasma, so it may be a good idea to enter the Linux world with a previous version and, once you are used to it, move on to the latest version of Feren OS that, we remember, includes startup support with WINE.
deepin OS
This I have added in the list because it looks a bit like Windows and because of its attractive design. The bottom bar (different from the previous image) and the menu on the right will remind us of Microsoft's proposal, which can make us feel comfortable. On the other hand, the design will always keep us interested and will make us enjoy a good experience.
Bonus: Robolinux
I have tried it to do a review, I have to confess that it is not a distribution that I love for its image, but here we are talking about Linux alternatives to Windows and Robolinux is one of them. It is because it includes tools by default that will allow us to install everything necessary to run Windows programs, either through WINE or by downloading Windows to install it in Virtualbox.
Now that Windows 7 is going to die, you're coming, right? What Linux distribution will you start using?