Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways Linux offers more security, privacy, and freedom from vendors. Modern Linux distros are user-friendly -- even for non-techies. Linux Mint, Zorin OS, MX Linux top beginner distro list. Why would you want to switch to the Linux desktop? There are many reasons, but the short version is that the operating system is more secure, provides far more privacy, and frees you from vendor lock-in. For current Windows users, it also provides a way to continue using your Windows 10 PC even if your machine cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. Besides, contrary to popular opinion, anyone can use and enjoy Linux as a desktop operating system. I taught my then-mother-in-law, who was 79 years old, how to use Ubuntu Linux, and we didn't even speak the same language! If she could do it, you can do it. Also: 8 ways I quickly leveled up my Linux skills - and you can too Yes, Linux was once difficult to learn, but those days are long gone. Don't believe me? Ever use an Android phone? A Chromebook? Congratulations, you're already a Linux user, but maybe you didn't know it. If you want to, you can dive deep into Linux shell scripts and do all your work from the Bash shell, but nobody must do that anymore. There are old-school desktop distributions, such as Gentoo and Linux From Scratch, where you need to be a Linux maven to make the most of them. But those distros aren't for you. Also: The best Linux laptops you can buy: Expert tested for students, hobbyists, and pros You need a Linux distribution that looks like Windows with a gentle learning curve. I get that. While I've used Linux for over three decades and Unix desktops before that, I know what it's like to be a new user. It also doesn't help your situation that there are hundreds of desktop Linux distributions to choose from. Some are hard, but most are simple. I'm here to help you select the version of Linux that will get you started on the right foot. I've tested all these myself. 1. Linux Mint Best Linux distribution for beginners overall Price: Free | Core code: Ubuntu 24.04 | Open source: Yes SJVN / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Sick and tired of Windows? Hate the idea of moving to Windows 11? Then consider turning to Linux Mint, in particular the version using the Cinnamon interface. I'm a Linux power user, and my current favorite desktop operating system is Linux Mint 22.1, and I highly recommend it to beginners. Mint, with several desktop environments such as Cinnamon 6.4, looks a lot like XP or Windows 7. It uses a Windows icon, menu, and pointer (WIMP) interface, much like the one you probably already know and love. It's not a one-to-one match with XP or Windows 7, but most Windows users will find Cinnamon a comfortable fit. Linux users who grew up with the GNOME 2.x style interface will also love Cinnamon since it's based on that classic Linux desktop interface. Also: The 6 best Linux distros for students - from elementary to college Like all Linux desktop distros, Mint is more than just an operating system -- it also comes with all the software you need. LibreOffice 24.2.7 for office work and homework, Firefox 141 for web browsing, Thunderbird 128.5.2 for email and calendaring, and GIMP 2.10.36 for graphics editing. If you're a gamer, Linux Mint supports Steam, which works the same way it does on Windows. All of this is free. Pros: Linux Mint is completely free to download and use. Its Cinnamon interface closely resembles Windows, making it familiar for new users. The built-in software installer program is easy to navigate and install applications. Cons: Proprietary graphics drivers (eg Nvidia or AMD/ATI) are not included out of the box, though you can add them. Snap package support isn't enabled by default, but you can install and enable it if you need it. 2. Zorin OS Best Linux distribution for those who like Windows Price: Free for basic and education; $47.99 Pro version | Core code: Ubuntu Linux 22.04 | Open source: Yes Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET My ZDNET Linux brother, Jack Wallen, thinks Zorin 17.3 is the best Linux distro for Windows users because its look, feel, and software support make it easy for them to adjust. I can't argue -- he's right. You can easily adjust Zorin to work and look like Windows 7 or Windows 11. Or, for that matter, with the Pro version ($47.99), you get six additional layouts, one of which provides a MacOS look and feel if you prefer. It's up to you. The Pro edition also comes with media software, including Kdenlive, a feature-rich, non-linear video editor; Inkscape for Adobe Illustrator -- like graphics editing; Blender for animation and 3D creation; and Ardour for digital audio work. Also: 6 most Windows-like Linux distros because old habits die hard Zorin 17.3 also makes it easy to install some Windows programs. It comes ready to install 150 Windows apps or to suggest alternatives. Underneath the hood, there are a lot of moving parts, such as Wine and PlayOnLinux, but as a new Linux user, you don't need to worry about those. All you must do is pick, install, and get back to work or play. When it comes to software, besides the usual pack of popular Linux programs, Zorin comes with the Brave web browser rather than Firefox, which is the default browser in almost all Linux distributions. That's because the distro's developers believe Brave is the best browser today for privacy. So, if you've decided to take your first steps into Linux from Windows, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better choice than Zorin OS. Pros: Zorin 17.3 is completely free to download and use. It is easy to use, making it ideal for beginners transitioning from Windows. It includes built-in support for many Windows programs, simplifying the installation process. Cons: The MacOS-style interface is only available in the paid Pro version. 3. Ubuntu Great, easy-to-use Linux distribution for beginners Price: Free for individuals/Variable commercial pricing | Core code: Debian | Open source: Yes Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Ubuntu was often considered the best Linux distribution for new users, and while others may hold that title these days, it's a great distro for newbies. Indeed, if you've been looking closely at the notes, you'll see that both Mint and Zorin OS are built on Ubuntu's strong foundations. That's because Ubuntu is simple, beginner-friendly, and has lots of community support. If you have a question, someone out there has almost certainly had the same problem and found an answer to it. By default, Ubuntu uses the GNOME 3.x interface. It takes some learning if all you've known before is Windows, but it's not that hard. Once you get accustomed to the interface, you'll see that it makes perfect sense (and you might even wonder why other desktop operating systems don't follow suit). Also: The easiest way to try out Ubuntu Linux While the most recent version of this Linux is Ubuntu 25.04, I recommend you use the current long-term support (LTS) version, Ubuntu 24.04. That edition has support for a dozen (yes, 12) years. Pros: Ubuntu is well suited for both personal computers and corporate environments. Ubuntu offers some of the best hardware recognition available, ensuring most devices work out of the box. It includes built-in Snap support, giving you access to thousands of applications. The Ubuntu 24.04 LTS edition provides twelve years of official support. Cons: The GNOME 3.x interface may take new users some time to learn and get comfortable with. 4. Pop!_OS Odd name, but it's a great desktop Price: Free | Core code: Ubuntu | Open source: Yes Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET You say you don't want anything to do with installing Linux on a desktop, and I can't convince you that installing Linux on a PC isn't hard. In that case, you could buy a machine that already has Linux on it. If that approach works for you, one of your best choices is System76's high-end line of desktops and laptops. These all come with Pop!_OS as their default Linux distro. Pop!_OS fits this hardware like a glove. Like many other beginner-friendly Linuxes, Pop!_OS is based on Ubuntu. Where it changes course is that its new, still wet-behind-the-ears, desktop interface is COSMIC. This interface may look like GNOME, one of the most popular Linux desktops, but it's written in Rust. As a new user, you probably couldn't care less about that fact. What's important to you is that it's fast and smooth. You should avoid using this distro on a low-powered system. For those, you'll want MX Linux. Pop!_OS, however, will provide the most benefits from newer hardware. Also: Installing apps on Linux? 4 ways it's different than any other OS - and mistakes to avoid Another advantage for new Linux users is that almost all its applications can be installed with a single click with no fuss or muss. That's because Pop!_OS uses APT and Flatpak package management. This makes it as simple to install, remove, and update programs as it is on a smartphone. Last, but not least, Pop!_OS is great for PC gaming. The distro supports Steam, Lutris, and GameHub for the best possible, ready-to-run computer games. Pros: Pop!_OS delivers fast performance, making everyday tasks feel quick and responsive. Its new COSMIC desktop interface is smooth and speedy while still offering a familiar look. Cons: Pop!_OS shines most when paired with System76 hardware. 5. MX Linux Best lightweight Linux distribution for beginners Price: Free | Core code: Debian | Open source: Yes mxlinux.org / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Years ago, one of my favorite Linux desktops was MEPIS Linux. This Debian Linux–based distribution worked well. Eventually, though, its founder and maintainer, Warren Woodford, had to turn his attention to other business. MEPIS's fans joined forces with the related antiX Linux community and revived the project as MX Linux. Today, it's a good, solid, lightweight desktop that uses Xfce as its interface. MX Linux works well, and it's very popular. What I like most about this distro is that it's beginner-friendly, easy to pick up, and you can run it on even ancient Pentium II gear. In short, it's ideal if you want to get your feet wet with Linux on a PC that would otherwise be collecting dust in your closet. Also: Ready to ditch Windows? 'End of 10' makes converting your PC to Linux easier than ever But you don't have to take my word for it. On Distrowatch, the site that tracks all Linux desktops, MX Linux has almost always been at the top of the list recently. They must be doing something right. The newest edition available today is MX-Linux 23.5. Pros: MX Linux runs smoothly on much older computers. MX Linux offers a lightweight Xfce desktop that's easy to learn and pick up. Cons: Upgrading from one major release to another requires you to do a fresh installation.