Mint's download page provides a number of links depending on where you live. XFCE is ideal for old or low-powered PCs, thanks to its light resource usage. Cinnamon is the desktop environment I recommend for former Windows users, though MATE is also pretty Windows-like, even though it's a bit less modern. Head to Mint's download page (Opens in a new window) and choose the 64-bit 'Cinnamon' version. It's not my personal distro of choice, but it's great for new Windows migrants, and it's easier to explore other distros once you've nailed down the basics on a beginner-friendly system. You're free to check out other distros instead, but I'll be using Mint for the purposes of this guide, and I recommend you do too. Linux Mint is a perfect in-between option: it's designed for beginners, offers a familiar desktop environment, and it's based on Ubuntu, so you can make use of the enormous Ubuntu/Mint community when you need help. Ubuntu (Opens in a new window), on the other hand, is arguably the most popular distro on desktop PCs, but it isn't very Windows-like at all these days.

There are a lot of distributions that aim to mimic Windows in layout and functionality, like Zorin OS (Opens in a new window), but they're on the smaller side, and you won't have as big a community to tap as you learn your way around. That's why I recommend starting with Linux Mint (Opens in a new window). One may use a Mac-like interface with a dock and an 'app store,' while others may use a more minimalist interface and require installing apps from the command line.Įxploring the bevy of Linux distributions out there is a fun part of the hobby, but for your first installation, you will likely want something popular and beginner-friendly, so it's easy to get help when you need it.

Instead, Linux is packaged into many different distributions, or 'distros,' each with their own interface and set of features. Unlike Windows and macOS, there isn't just one version of Linux. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.

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