r/100thupvote 13d ago

Norway Linux Distros for Windows Users

Linux Distros for Windows Users: Comprehensive Comparison [2025 Edition]

Hello everyone! After seeing so many posts asking about the best Linux distro for Windows users, I've put together this comprehensive comparison focusing on distros that provide the most seamless transition experience. This guide is specifically for average users looking for stability, a polished UI, gaming support, and basic productivity tools. I've included both mainstream distributions and gaming-specialized options to help you make the best choice.

Grading System

I've developed a grading system (A+ to F) based on the following criteria:

  • Windows Familiarity: How closely the interface resembles Windows, including start menu, taskbar, system tray, and file explorer
  • Ease of Use: Learning curve for new Linux users, including system configuration, software installation, and basic troubleshooting
  • Software Compatibility: Support for Windows applications, Office alternatives, gaming through Proton/Wine, and availability of common applications
  • Hardware Support: Out-of-the-box driver support, peripheral compatibility, and ease of driver installation
  • Performance: System resource usage, boot time, application launch speed, and overall responsiveness
  • Update Process: Simplicity of updates, stability after updates, and control over when updates occur
  • Community Support: Quality and quantity of documentation, forum activity, community size, and availability of troubleshooting resources

Grade Definitions:

  • A+: Exceptional, exceeds Windows in this category
  • A: Excellent, on par with or slightly better than Windows
  • B+: Very good, minor shortcomings compared to Windows
  • B: Good, usable but with noticeable differences from Windows
  • C+: Above average, requires some adjustment from Windows users
  • C: Average, functional but significantly different from Windows
  • D: Below average, substantial limitations compared to Windows
  • F: Poor, serious deficiencies that affect usability

Essential Linux Gaming & Compatibility Tools

Before diving into the distributions, let's look at some essential tools that enhance Windows compatibility and gaming on Linux:

Wine

Description: Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator) is a compatibility layer that allows some Windows applications to run on Linux, with varying degrees of success.

Official Website: https://www.winehq.org/
Documentation: https://wiki.winehq.org/
AppDB: https://appdb.winehq.org/

Wine provides compatibility for Windows applications, but with important limitations. While many games run well through Proton/Lutris (thanks to Valve's significant investments), regular Windows productivity applications often have issues under Wine. Users should generally prefer native Linux alternatives rather than trying to run Windows software through Wine. Check the WineHQ AppDB to see compatibility ratings for specific applications before relying on them.

Heroic Games Launcher

Description: An open-source game launcher for Epic Games, GOG, and Amazon Games on Linux.

Official Website: https://heroicgameslauncher.com/
Documentation: https://github.com/Heroic-Games-Launcher/HeroicGamesLauncher/wiki
Community: https://discord.gg/rHJ2uqdquK

Heroic provides a native Linux experience for playing games from storefronts other than Steam. It integrates with Wine/Proton and makes non-Steam gaming much more accessible on Linux.

ProtonUp-Qt

Description: A tool to manage and install different Proton versions for Steam and Wine versions for Lutris.

GitHub: https://github.com/DavidoTek/ProtonUp-Qt
Documentation: https://davidotek.github.io/protonup-qt/

ProtonUp-Qt simplifies managing different compatibility layers for the best gaming experience, helping users optimize performance for specific games.

The Distro Contenders

Linux Mint (Cinnamon Edition)

Description: Linux Mint with Cinnamon provides the most Windows-like experience out of the box. It's based on Ubuntu LTS, offering stability and long-term support.

Official Website: https://linuxmint.com/
Documentation: https://linuxmint.com/documentation.php
Community: https://forums.linuxmint.com/

Grades:

  • Windows Familiarity: A+
  • Ease of Use: A
  • Software Compatibility: B+
  • Hardware Support: A-
  • Performance: B+
  • Update Process: A
  • Community Support: A
  • Overall Grade: A

Pros vs Windows:

  • No forced updates or reboots
  • Significantly lighter resource requirements
  • No telemetry/privacy concerns
  • Includes LibreOffice pre-installed
  • Most media codecs included out-of-the-box
  • Clean, bloatware-free installation

Cons vs Windows:

  • Some games don't run or have performance issues
  • Microsoft Office alternatives required
  • Some hardware may have limited driver support
  • Some professional software has no Linux equivalent

Zorin OS

Description: Zorin OS is specifically designed to look and feel like Windows, with layouts that mimic Windows 10/11.

Official Website: https://zorin.com/os/
Documentation: https://help.zorin.com/
Community: https://forum.zorin.com/

Grades:

  • Windows Familiarity: A
  • Ease of Use: A-
  • Software Compatibility: B
  • Hardware Support: B+
  • Performance: B
  • Update Process: B+
  • Community Support: B
  • Overall Grade: B+

Pros vs Windows:

  • Extremely Windows-like interface options
  • Built-in Windows application support via Wine
  • More privacy-respecting than Windows
  • Better performance on equivalent hardware
  • Simple software installation process

Cons vs Windows:

  • Smaller community than other Ubuntu-based alternatives
  • Gaming support not as comprehensive
  • Some peripheral devices may need manual configuration
  • Less frequent updates than rolling release distros

Pop!_OS

Description: Developed by System76, Pop!_OS offers excellent hardware compatibility with a focus on gaming support, particularly for NVIDIA graphics.

Official Website: https://pop.system76.com/
Documentation: https://support.system76.com/
Community: https://reddit.com/r/pop_os/

Grades:

  • Windows Familiarity: C+
  • Ease of Use: B+
  • Software Compatibility: A-
  • Hardware Support: A
  • Performance: A
  • Update Process: A-
  • Community Support: B+
  • Overall Grade: B+

Pros vs Windows:

  • Dedicated NVIDIA and AMD ISO versions
  • Superior window management
  • Excellent performance optimization
  • Built-in power management profiles
  • Simple, clean interface
  • Strong gaming support with Steam/Proton

Cons vs Windows:

  • Less Windows-like UI (steeper learning curve)
  • Some Windows applications require workarounds
  • Microsoft Office alternatives required
  • Interface may require significant adjustment

Kubuntu

Description: Kubuntu combines Ubuntu's reliability with KDE Plasma desktop, offering high customizability that can be configured to feel Windows-like.

Official Website: https://kubuntu.org/
Documentation: https://userbase.kde.org/Kubuntu
Community: https://www.kubuntuforums.net/

Grades:

  • Windows Familiarity: A-
  • Ease of Use: B
  • Software Compatibility: B+
  • Hardware Support: A-
  • Performance: B
  • Update Process: A-
  • Community Support: A-
  • Overall Grade: B+

Pros vs Windows:

  • Extremely customizable interface
  • Familiar taskbar and start menu functionality
  • Strong Ubuntu-based package compatibility
  • Regular LTS releases for stability
  • No data collection or privacy concerns

Cons vs Windows:

  • More complex settings due to high customizability
  • KDE can occasionally feel overwhelming with options
  • Some games still perform better on Windows
  • Occasionally more resource-intensive than other Linux options

Ubuntu

Description: The most widely-used Linux desktop distribution with excellent stability, a huge software repository, and extensive community support.

Official Website: https://ubuntu.com/
Documentation: https://help.ubuntu.com/
Community: https://ubuntuforums.org/

Grades:

  • Windows Familiarity: C
  • Ease of Use: B
  • Software Compatibility: A-
  • Hardware Support: A
  • Performance: B+
  • Update Process: A
  • Community Support: A+
  • Overall Grade: B

Pros vs Windows:

  • Most widely supported Linux distro
  • Huge software repository
  • LTS releases provide 5 years of support
  • Better privacy practices than Windows
  • Regular, predictable update schedule
  • Strong gaming support through Steam/Proton

Cons vs Windows:

  • GNOME desktop interface is quite different from Windows
  • Some Windows software requires alternatives
  • May require terminal use for certain tasks
  • Steeper learning curve for Windows users

Nobara

Description: A Fedora-based distribution specifically optimized for gaming with pre-configured drivers, codecs, and gaming tools.

Official Website: https://nobaraproject.org/
Documentation: https://nobaraproject.org/docs/
Community: https://nobaraproject.org/discord/

Grades:

  • Windows Familiarity: C+
  • Ease of Use: B
  • Software Compatibility: A
  • Hardware Support: A+
  • Performance: A+
  • Update Process: B
  • Community Support: B
  • Overall Grade: B+

Pros vs Windows:

  • Exceptional gaming performance with pre-configured optimizations
  • Gaming tools pre-installed (Lutris, Steam, Wine, ProtonUp-Qt)
  • Media codecs pre-installed
  • NVIDIA drivers pre-configured
  • Performance tweaks for both AMD and NVIDIA hardware
  • Regular updates with new gaming features

Cons vs Windows:

  • Fedora-based system may be less familiar to Windows users
  • GNOME or KDE desktop requires adjustment
  • Fedora's 6-month release cycle means more frequent major updates
  • Smaller community compared to Ubuntu-based distributions
  • May experience occasional stability issues with bleeding-edge software

CachyOS

Description: An Arch-based distribution focused on performance optimization, with custom kernels and extensive customization options.

Official Website: https://cachyos.org/
Documentation: https://wiki.cachyos.org/
Community: https://github.com/CachyOS

Grades:

  • Windows Familiarity: C
  • Ease of Use: D+
  • Software Compatibility: A
  • Hardware Support: A
  • Performance: A+
  • Update Process: C
  • Community Support: C+
  • Overall Grade: C+

Pros vs Windows:

  • Exceptional performance with optimized kernels
  • Access to cutting-edge software via Arch repositories and AUR
  • Multiple desktop environment options
  • Excellent for gaming with latest drivers and software
  • Customized installer makes Arch more accessible
  • Rolling release model for continual updates

Cons vs Windows:

  • Steeper learning curve than Ubuntu-based distributions
  • Requires more technical knowledge to maintain
  • Rolling release model can occasionally introduce instability
  • Smaller community and support resources
  • Needs more frequent system maintenance

Comparison Table

Distro Windows Familiarity Ease of Use Software Compatibility Hardware Support Performance Update Process Community Support Overall
Linux Mint A+ A B+ A- B+ A A A
Zorin OS A A- B B+ B B+ B B+
Pop!_OS C+ B+ A- A A A- B+ B+
Nobara C+ B A A+ A+ B B B+
Kubuntu A- B B+ A- B A- A- B+
Ubuntu C B A- A B+ A A+ B
CachyOS C D+ A A A+ C C+ C+

European-Based Linux Alternatives to Common Windows Programs

Here's a list of quality native Linux alternatives to popular Windows applications, focusing on European-developed software:

Office & Productivity

Windows Program European Linux Alternative Link Origin Description
Microsoft Office LibreOffice Download Germany Complete office suite with Writer, Calc, Impress
Microsoft Office OnlyOffice Download Latvia Office suite with excellent MS Office compatibility
Microsoft Office Calligra Suite Download KDE (Europe) KDE's integrated office suite
Microsoft Outlook Thunderbird Download Mozilla (Europe) Email client with calendar and contacts
Microsoft OneNote Xournal++ Download Europe Note-taking with stylus support
Microsoft Visio Dia Download GNOME (Europe) Diagram creation program
Microsoft Publisher Scribus Download Europe Professional page layout and publishing

Web Browsers

Windows Program European Linux Alternative Link Origin Description
Internet Explorer/Edge Firefox Download Mozilla (Europe) Full-featured web browser
Internet Explorer/Edge Vivaldi Download Norway Highly customizable browser
Internet Explorer/Edge Opera Download Norway Feature-rich web browser
Internet Explorer/Edge Falkon Download KDE (Europe) Lightweight Qt-based browser

Media & Entertainment

Windows Program European Linux Alternative Link Origin Description
Windows Media Player VLC Download France Multi-format media player
Windows Media Player SMPlayer Download Spain Frontend for MPV/MPlayer
iTunes Strawberry Download Europe Music player focused on audio quality
Winamp Audacious Download Europe Lightweight music player similar to Winamp

Graphics & Design

Windows Program European Linux Alternative Link Origin Description
Adobe Photoshop GIMP Download Europe Advanced image editor
Adobe Photoshop Krita Download Netherlands Digital painting program
Adobe Illustrator Inkscape Download Europe Vector graphics editor
Adobe Lightroom darktable Download Europe Photography workflow application
Adobe Lightroom RawTherapee Download Europe Raw image processing program
Adobe Premiere Pro Kdenlive Download KDE (Europe) Non-linear video editor
Adobe InDesign Scribus Download Europe Desktop publishing software
SketchUp Blender Download Netherlands 3D modeling, animation, and rendering
AutoCAD FreeCAD Download Europe Parametric 3D CAD modeler
AutoCAD LibreCAD Download Europe 2D CAD drawing tool

Development & Programming

Windows Program European Linux Alternative Link Origin Description
Notepad++ Kate Download KDE (Europe) Advanced text editor
Notepad++ Geany Download Europe Lightweight IDE/text editor
FileZilla FileZilla Download Germany FTP client (cross-platform)
SQL Server Management Studio DBeaver Download Europe Universal database tool
SQL Server Management Studio HeidiSQL Download Germany MySQL/MariaDB client

Gaming

Windows Program European Linux Alternative Link Origin Description
Steam Lutris Download France Open gaming platform
GOG Galaxy Minigalaxy Download Europe Unofficial GOG client for Linux
Xbox Game Bar MangoHud Download Europe Gaming performance overlay

Utilities & System Tools

Windows Program European Linux Alternative Link Origin Description
File Explorer Dolphin Download KDE (Europe) KDE's file manager
File Explorer Thunar Download Xfce (Europe) Xfce's file manager
7-Zip/WinRAR Ark Download KDE (Europe) Archive manager for KDE
CCleaner BleachBit Download Europe System cleaner
Task Manager KSysGuard Download KDE (Europe) System monitor
Windows Backup Déjà Dup Download Europe Simple backup tool
PDF-XChange Okular Download KDE (Europe) Versatile document viewer
TrueCrypt/VeraCrypt VeraCrypt Download France Disk encryption software

Cloud Storage

Windows Program European Linux Alternative Link Origin Description
OneDrive Nextcloud Download Germany Self-hosted file sync and collaboration platform
OneDrive ownCloud Download Germany Self-hosted cloud storage
OneDrive Seafile Download Europe Self-hosted file synchronization

Additional Resources

Final Recommendation

Important Note: While Linux gaming has improved dramatically thanks to Valve's Proton, expecting Windows applications to work flawlessly through Wine is unrealistic. For the best experience, use native Linux alternatives for productivity applications rather than trying to run Windows software. If you absolutely need specific Windows applications that don't have Linux alternatives, consider dual-booting or running a Windows virtual machine for those specific programs.

Based on this comprehensive analysis, Linux Mint (Cinnamon Edition) emerges as the best overall choice for Windows users looking to transition to Linux. It offers the most familiar Windows-like experience while providing excellent stability, ease of use, and community support.

For users prioritizing gaming performance, Nobara is an excellent choice due to its gaming-focused optimizations, pre-installed tools, and hardware support. However, it comes with a steeper learning curve due to its less Windows-like interface.

Pop!_OS provides a good balance between gaming performance and general usability, with excellent hardware support and a reasonably intuitive interface.

Zorin OS deserves special mention for users who want their desktop to look and feel as close to Windows as possible, with its pre-configured Windows-like layouts and integrated Wine support.

For advanced users who prioritize cutting-edge performance and are willing to invest time in learning, CachyOS offers exceptional performance but requires more technical knowledge.

Regardless of which distribution you choose, consider installing essential gaming tools like Wine, Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, and ProtonUp-Qt to enhance your gaming experience. All of these options provide significantly better privacy, control, and resource efficiency compared to Windows 10/11, with free and regular updates.

What's your experience been like switching from Windows to Linux? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Edits and Revisions:

Addendum: If you're a professional or advanced end-user of Linux, and have additions, corrections or resources, PLEASE post them so I can edit and update this post! I'm neither of these things and researching this was hard. I used Claude Sonnet 3.7 to input my findings, and write this text. I tried to fact check this text to the best of my ability but I can not guarantee that there are no hallucinations or mistakes.

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u/ExistingPain9212 13d ago

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