7 Best Linux Distros look like Windows 7/10/11 Interface

Why is the Windows operating system popular among us? It is because of ease of usage, availability of software and tools, and graphical user interface to perform any task.

But everything comes at some price, no doubt Windows is really an easy-to-use OS but lags somewhere behind in terms of security and customization. On the other hand, Linux is open source, free to use, can customize highly, and is very secure too.

If you are new in the Linux world and confused with lots of Linux distributions, which one do you have to choose and which do not?

Then this article would help you. Because users who are moving from the Windows operating system are much more familiar with its interface and definitely want something like in Linux too.

There are a couple of Windows alternative in Linux that almost looks similar to Windows and help the users a lot to get familiar with Linux’s strange world.

So today, I will introduce several such Linux distributions whose desktop environment is very similar to the Windows systems, let’s get started!

Note: If you think you know any better Linux OS than those mentioned in the article, please let us know…

Best Linux to replace Windows 10 or 11 including 7

Here is the list of best Windows-like Linux distributions with a similar interface for beginners

Linux Mint

Linux Mint best Linux alternative for Windows interface

The first very popular Windows-like Linux distribution I would like to introduce to you is the ” Linux Mint Operating System“.  When you decide to use a Linux system instead of a Windows system, you should have heard of the Linux Mint distribution in some places. Most of the websites recommend the Linux Mint as Windows the best Windows look like an alternative operating system to beginners.

It is Ubuntu based and like the Ubuntu system, Linux Mint is recognized as one of the best Linux distributions. They also provide LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) which is based on Debian. The Linux Mint system is known for its simple, easy-to-use, powerful Cinnamon desktop environment.

Cinnamon is very easy to use, and you can use a variety of desktop themes, icon libraries, desktop widgets, and application components to configure the Linux Mint system to be the same as the Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 system. Cinnamon is also one of the most popular desktop environments in Linux. You will love this easy-to-use, stable, and powerful desktop environment.

  • License: Free & Opensource
  • Linux Mint latest version Download Link 
  • Linux mint minimum system 19 requirements
    • 1GB RAM (2GB recommended for comfortable usage).
    • 15GB of disk space (20GB recommended).
    • 1024×768 resolution (on lower resolutions, press ALT to drag windows with the mouse if they don’t fit on the screen).

Zorin OS

Zorin Linux alternative to Windows

The Zorin OS operating system is also a very popular Linux distribution that can be used to replace Windows systems. Its start menu and taskbar are very beautiful, the overall interface is beautiful and vibrant, and it is also very good in terms of speed and stability.

If you like Windows 7 instead of Windows 10/11, then Zorin OS will be your best choice. Zorin OS also pre-installs a lot of software including Wine to run Windows software on Linux, so it means this is the Linux that runs windows programs, without the hotchpotch of Wine installation.

The interface style of its gorgeous imitation Windows 7 system is even more impressive. Try it out boldly. Zorin OS is translated into over 50 languages. This Windows-like Linux includes multiple themes full office suite to professional photo editing software.

  • License: Free & Open source
  • Zorin OS download link.
  • Zorin os minimum system requirements
    • Zorin OS 12 standard
      • CPU 1 GHz Single Core
      • RAM 1.5 GB
      • Storage 10 GB (Core) or 20 GB (Ultimate)
      • Display 800 × 600 resolution
    • Zorin OS Lite
      • CPU 700 MHz Single Core
      • RAM 512 MB
      • Storage 8 GB
      • Display 640 × 480 resolution

MX Linux

Most of the home users either use Linux Mint or Ubuntu, but there is something better which is MX Linux. It is not only fast and a mid-weight Linux OS, but also ensures to make users less interact with the command line. That is why most of the things we can perform on MX Linux use the graphical user interface.

For example, if you want to install Googe Chrome on Ubuntu or another popular Linux, you have to add first its GPG key, then repo, update command and after that, we would be able to install it.

However, that is not with MX Linux. Being a Debian Linux, apart from the official Debian repository it also provides a supplement that is managed by the MX Linux community. Therefore, with the help of the “MX Linux Package installer,” we can install or uninstall the Chrome browser with just one click.

MX Linux horizontal bottom taskbar min

Manjaro- Arch-based

Manjaro is another best Linux to use on Home computers in 2021. There was a time when installing Arch Linux on the system, without much knowledge of Linux distros, was really a cumbersome task, especially for beginners and home users. However, with Manjaro and other popular Arch-based GUI Linux distributions, it becomes so easy now.

We can install Manajro using a USB drive on almost any modern PC or laptop. The best thing is, officially and via community, Manjaro is available in multiple desktop environments such as Gnome, XFCE, Budgie, LXDE, KDE Plasma, Awesome, i3, and more… Thus, you can go for the one which suits and makes you & your all family members comfortable while using Manjaro on the common home computer.

Manjaro software updater

Ubuntu DDE

UbuntuDDE with the best UI for Home usage, yes it is here how can we forget “Ubuntu” but with not its custom GNOME interface instead of the Deepin Desktop environment which gives you an eye-catching interface along with the power of Ubuntu?

The UbuntuDDE is not the official flavor but that doesn’t matter because it uses the official latest version of Ubuntu, the only different thing is the interface. It is donning the popular Deepin Linux UI which is the most beautiful UI for Linux, to date.

Colorful icons and effects will make your home computer’s display more attractive while giving you the same security and stability that Ubuntu’s latest versions are having.

Ubuntu DDE best linux for home users

Download the latest edition of UbuntuDEE

Linux Lite

Linux Lite, as its name suggest, is a lightweight distro best to revive old laptops or PCs. With Windows 7-like interface, it makes MS Windows users easily switch to this Linux operating system. It comes with a free Office suite and other common useful software like other Lightweight Linux distros mentioned here but without putting much stress on your Virtual machine as well as on the host machine. It is based on Ubuntu’s long-term support (LTS) release and features the Xfce desktop

As we already know Linux Lite is also based on Ubuntu-like Puppy but of course with customizations to make it consume fewer resources. It can easily work well on a virtual machine running on a 1 GHz CPU, 768MB of RAM, and 8 GB of storage.

Lite also takes care of users’ privacy and security by providing a highly configurable firewall and a one-click update of the system. Furthermore, built-in applications such as Lite Tweaks and Lite Software will help the users to enhance and optimize the system’s performance.

Linux Lite free OS best linux distros 2022

Kubuntu

When we talk about the Linux distribution for a beginner that also looks like Windows then how can we forget Kubuntu?

The clean and sleek interface of Kubuntu is really adorable.  It is developed by a worldwide community of developers and can be the best free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.

Kubuntu is an Ubuntu-based Linux operating system that combined with a beautiful-looking Plasma desktop environment. It comes with pre-installed applications to full fill most of our daily requirements.

It includes productivity, office, email, graphics, photography, and music applications. For example, Firefox, Kmail, LibreOffice, Gwenview, and more, the best part is it has the Discover software center to install the software with one click.

The benefit of Kubuntu is it is built using the Qt toolkit which gives it a sleek look and is mobile-ready. Anyone can easily access this Linux desktop from a Phone or Tablet just by installing the KDE connect from the Google play store.

  • License: Free & Open source
  • Kubuntu download link.
  • Kubuntu minimum system requirements
    • Processor 2 GHz dual-core (x86)
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM
    • Hard drive capacity 25 GB
    • Video card VGA @ 1024×768

Windows look like Linux distribution or operating system: Verdict

To neutralize the perplexion of Linux beginners, I tried to make this Windows-like Linux distribution list comprised of only the best available options from my point of view. However, if you have some proficiency in Linux you can customize any Linux distro to look exactly like Windows 11/10/7/XP. 

There are also some Linux distributions with great user interfaces or desktop environments that are not mentioned in this article. If you want to know about them here it is the 10 Top Most Beautiful Linux Distros or Operating systems. I hope that you will come up with the comments below to help our new friends make the right choices in the process of choosing a Linux distribution.

These five operating systems are the most widely used Linux distributions for new users from Windows to Linux, and of course, Elementary OS systems but that does not look like a Windows that’s why it is not on the list. Which version you want to install is entirely up to you. In most cases, the Linux Mint operating system has always been the leader in the Windows-like Linux category. If you are just entering the world of Linux, I suggest you start with the Linux Mint system. Take action, install a Linux system of your choice, and move forward to become a member of the Linux open-source world.

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9 thoughts on “7 Best Linux Distros look like Windows 7/10/11 Interface”

  1. Rather than an OS or desktop that LOOKS like classic Windows, I am looking for one that WORKS and FEELS like Windows. I am talking about stuff like
    * mouse/window behavior – the way the mouse pointer moves and feels, and how it grabs windows (the parts of each window that are draggable, stretchable, clickable, etc.)

    * start button / search box / run command / windows key behavior – being able to press the Windows key and just start typing in the search box, and pressing Windows+R for the Run command box

    * keyboard navigation – keyboard equivalents for EVERYTHING, which are the exact same as Windows

    * keyboard shortcuts – all the same navigation & explorer shortcuts as windows (F2 to rename, F5 to refresh, F1 for help, backspace to open the window one level up (or previously opened window), arrow keys & tab keys to navigate items in a window, CTRL+V CTRL+C CTRL+X clipboard commands, etc. etc.

    * quick launch toolbar and taskbar like classic windows (and same interface to customize these)

    * Etc.

    Is there a Linux OS (preferably a portable USB one like Puppy Linux) that has these features?

    Reply
    • No, there is no distro which is exactly a replica of Windows because it will totally dissect the gist of having a Linux OS.

      Reply
    • Q4OS is the closest you’ll get. But you also have to download and install “XPQ4” – “Windows look’n feel for your Q4OS desktop”

      Reply
  2. I’m looking to create a Linux Environment on a USB, so I can stop carrying a PC and just use whatever is available, but booting of my USB, my enviroment will remain familiar.
    I’m a windows user, so I guess I’d like to stay near that, for familiarity. I tried UBUNTU but couldn’t get my head around it.. Liking the look of Puppy and Mint, but 8gb USB is my current MAX – although I have ordered from PRC a new 32GB USB, but the world could self detroy before that makes it way here by post.

    Any strong sugggestions.. Article is great and clear, but my space limit is the restricter

    Reply
  3. From my little experience on Linux, and considering that there are hundreds of Linux distros but we can not try them all (I tried around 40) for portable work, installed on a USB PEN or running from CD, I suggest “Puppy Xenial” distro. To install, I recommend the “Linux Lite” distro or the “Mint” distro, but there are around a few Linux that look more like Windows. Unfortunately I do not have spare time to deepen this subject and only from time to time I dive into it. So this is just a suggestion. Linux is not as friendly as Windows neither for file exploring tree folders, nor to install extra programs. I use Windows 7 but occasionally, I use an installed “Linux Lite” and added 32 bits Opera 45 (If you have installed a 64 bit OS use Opera 46) as it is an excellent browser. They are in separate HD, installed independently from scratch from DVD installation media, one in IDE the other on SATA and I choose from which HD I want to boot. This way I can even remove any one of the HD with no booting problems as they are totally independent. One does not know that the other exists! Good luck, keep Well.

    Reply
  4. You may not have written the headline ……..

    But many of us are trying to escape from Microsoft because of Windows 10 ….
    …..compounding unnecessary and unproductive changes since XP with its minimalist, flat, white interface, barely visible thin grey lines making navigation harder, nagging, interconnecting everything …. changing default behaviours and hiding previous ones ….etc.

    So it would be very helpful if Win-like distros could be tagged with the relevant “XP”, “7”, “10” or whatever.

    Recently I added Mint-Mate .. and I’m struggling to find much similarity with XP or even 7.

    Any pointers to a Distro closest to XP Classic would be appreciated.

    Reply
    • Hello Friends, as a hobby, I’ve been refurbishing and regifting (meaning no charge) computers to kids, vets, moms, schools, etc.. for some years now. I would load Windows XP in its day, and until recently Windows 7.

      But now I’ve found that manufacturers REALLY do want old hardware retired and have taken their drivers offline and it’s very, very difficult to get machines to full usefulness without their drivers. As a result, I have an inventory that — if I stick with Windows — is all destined for the scrap heap rather than under some poor kids desk.

      I’ve been experimenting with lightweight versions of LINUX (Chalet, Zoran, Linux XP) and currently have Lunbuntu 18.04 LTS loaded, with Windows XP / 7 themes and icons loaded for familiarity.

      But I have to echo the sentiments of poster @modscijun, what is wanted is a Linux OS that uses the commands and look and feel (as much can be done without running into legal problems) as Windows XP / Windows 7, as possible.

      My biggest beef with Linux is that so many commands are so esoteric, and assistance often so grudging, that after having mastered decades of Windows, even trying to perform a basic operation within Linux is daunting. It’s like having a stroke and having to learn to use a spoon again.

      My next plan is to try Linux Lite (whichever is the latest LTS distro that is still working in 32 bit), and then add more user-friendly Windows themes and icons. It also looks like I will have to start providing a mini operational manual with each new (refurbished) machine.

      So, I welcome constructive guidance in finding the most Windows-user-friendly, most lightweight Distro to bring new life to older machines. It could mean difference between working machines for moms, kids, vets, etc… and more toxic landfill.

      Thank you.

      Reply
  5. As of July 11th 2020?…the most “Windows-centric” distro out there is called “Linuxfx…(or some will see it as Windowsfx!) either way?…none of these on this list get as close as THAT one does!! Look for it on DistroWatch!…should be listed there by now.

    Reply

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