Switching from Windows
Which distro to pick, what changes, and what to use instead of your Windows apps.
Why now
Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025. Home PCs enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates get security fixes until 12 October 2027, then nothing. Microsoft's page.
Your PC can't run Windows 11? It can still run Linux.
Most distros run well on PCs from the last ten years. For older or slower machines, try Mint, Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Q4OS or MX Linux.
Good places to start
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Mint · #2 in popularity
Start menu, taskbar and system tray where you expect them.
Familiar Windows-style desktop (Cinnamon), Ubuntu LTS base, very little setup.
Telemetry: None
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Zorin · #6 in popularity
Can look like Windows 11 or Windows 7; built for people leaving Windows.
Polished desktop with Windows- and macOS-style layouts; aimed at people leaving Windows.
Telemetry: Anonymous count, on by default
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Kubuntu · #42 in popularity
KDE Plasma works much like Windows and is easy to customise.
Ubuntu with the KDE Plasma desktop.
Telemetry: not checked yet
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Bazzite · #11 in popularity
If you mostly game: Steam is set up and updates can be rolled back.
Fedora-based gaming distro with Steam set up; image-based updates you can roll back.
Telemetry: Anonymous count, on by default
Not sure? Answer a few questions for three matches with reasons.
What changes day to day
- Installing apps
- Apps come from an app store (Software Center, Discover) instead of downloads from websites. Most popular apps are there, including Firefox, Chrome, Steam, Spotify, Zoom and Discord.
- Drivers
- Most drivers are built in, so there's usually nothing to install. NVIDIA graphics cards may need the NVIDIA driver; distros like Mint, Pop!_OS and Bazzite make that one click or ship it already.
- Gaming
- Steam runs most Windows games through Proton. Games with kernel-level anti-cheat (Valorant, Fortnite and many competitive shooters) don't run. Check a game on ProtonDB before you switch.
- Your files
- Linux reads and writes Windows (NTFS) drives and USB sticks. Office files open in LibreOffice or in Microsoft 365 on the web.
- Keep Windows as well
- You can install Linux next to Windows (dual boot) and choose at start-up. Back up first, and try Linux from a USB stick before you install.
- Updates
- Updates cover the whole system and your apps at once, and you choose when to install them. Most don't need a restart.
Your apps on Linux
What to use instead of 80 common apps from Windows. Missing one? Tell us.
80 of 80 apps
| You use | On Linux |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPointOffice and email |
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| OutlookOffice and email |
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| OneNoteOffice and email |
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| Microsoft To DoOffice and email |
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| Microsoft VisioOffice and email |
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| Microsoft ProjectOffice and email |
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| Adobe AcrobatOffice and email |
|
| NotionOffice and email |
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| EvernoteOffice and email |
|
| ObsidianOffice and email |
|
| TodoistOffice and email |
|
| Adobe PhotoshopPhoto and design |
|
| Adobe LightroomPhoto and design |
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| Adobe IllustratorPhoto and design |
|
| Adobe InDesignPhoto and design |
|
| Affinity Photo, Designer, PublisherPhoto and design |
|
| FigmaPhoto and design |
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| CanvaPhoto and design |
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| PaintPhoto and design |
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| Paint.NETPhoto and design |
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| Windows PhotosPhoto and design |
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| AutoCADPhoto and design |
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| Fusion 360, SolidWorksPhoto and design |
|
| SketchUpPhoto and design |
|
| BlenderPhoto and design |
|
| Adobe Premiere ProVideo and audio |
|
| Adobe After EffectsVideo and audio |
|
| Windows Media Player, Movies & TVVideo and audio |
|
| OBS StudioVideo and audio |
|
| AudacityVideo and audio |
|
| Adobe AuditionVideo and audio |
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| FL StudioVideo and audio |
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| Ableton LiveVideo and audio |
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| SpotifyVideo and audio |
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| iTunes, Apple MusicVideo and audio |
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| Netflix, Disney+, Prime VideoVideo and audio |
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| SteamGaming |
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| Epic Games LauncherGaming |
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| GOG GalaxyGaming |
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| Battle.net, EA app, Ubisoft ConnectGaming |
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| Xbox app, PC Game PassGaming |
|
| Games with kernel anti-cheatGaming |
|
| GeForce NOWGaming |
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| Logitech G HubGaming |
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| Corsair iCUE, Razer SynapseGaming |
|
| Microsoft TeamsChat and calls |
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| ZoomChat and calls |
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| SlackChat and calls |
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| DiscordChat and calls |
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| WhatsAppChat and calls |
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| SignalChat and calls |
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| TelegramChat and calls |
|
| OneDriveFiles and cloud |
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| Google DriveFiles and cloud |
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| DropboxFiles and cloud |
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| Nearby Share, Phone LinkFiles and cloud |
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| 7-Zip, WinRARFiles and cloud |
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| File Explorer, FinderFiles and cloud |
|
| Visual Studio CodeDeveloper tools |
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| Visual StudioDeveloper tools |
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| JetBrains IDEsDeveloper tools |
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| Notepad++Developer tools |
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| Docker DesktopDeveloper tools |
|
| PuTTY, Windows TerminalDeveloper tools |
|
| Microsoft Store, App StoreSystem and utilities |
|
| Task Manager, Activity MonitorSystem and utilities |
|
| Snipping Tool, macOS screenshotsSystem and utilities |
|
| File History, Time MachineSystem and utilities |
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| TeamViewer, AnyDeskSystem and utilities |
|
| Remote Desktop (RDP)System and utilities |
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| 1PasswordSystem and utilities |
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| BitwardenSystem and utilities |
|
| Proton VPN, MullvadSystem and utilities |
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| Google Chrome, Microsoft EdgeSystem and utilities |
|
| AntivirusSystem and utilities |
|
| QuickenMoney and other |
|
| QuickBooks DesktopMoney and other |
|
| TurboTax, H&R BlockMoney and other |
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| KindleMoney and other |
|
| iTunes device sync, Finder iPhone syncApple services |
|
- Linux app
- Made for Linux, or the maker ships a Linux version.
- Community package
- Packaged by volunteers on Flathub; the maker doesn't support it.
- In the browser
- Use the website or web app in Firefox or Chrome.
- Through Wine
- Runs the Windows version through a compatibility layer. Often works, sometimes breaks after updates.
- No good option
- Nothing on Linux does this job well yet.
Get help installing
End of 10 lists repair cafés, install events and local helpers worldwide, run by volunteers. Each distro's own site has install guides; start with a live USB so you can try it first.
Want to try Linux without touching your computer? Rent a small server for an hour: DigitalOcean or Vultr . Affiliate links: we may earn a commission.
Questions
Is Windows 10 still safe to use?
Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025. Home PCs enrolled in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates get security fixes until 12 October 2027; after that, there are no more updates.
My PC can't run Windows 11. Can it run Linux?
Almost certainly. Most distros run well on PCs from the last ten years, and light ones like Lubuntu, Xubuntu and MX Linux run on much older machines.
Which Linux is most like Windows?
Linux Mint (Cinnamon desktop), Zorin OS and Kubuntu all have a Start menu, taskbar and system tray in the usual places.
Can I try Linux without removing Windows?
Yes. Write a distro to a USB stick, start the PC from it and try it without installing. You can then install Linux next to Windows and pick one each time you start.
Will my games work?
Most Steam games do, through Proton. Games with kernel-level anti-cheat, like Valorant and Fortnite, don't. ProtonDB lists reports for each game.
Picks and app notes are LinuxStatistics editorial notes based on each project's own documentation. Corrections welcome via the suggestion form. Install help listings from End of 10 (CC BY 4.0).