I attempted 3 Linux distros inside Windows without spending a dime to see which felt most acquainted

I spend a number of time behind a pc, and for many years Windows has been my every day driver. Mostly, that is as a result of it is the surroundings I needed to work in on the completely different corporations I’ve labored for through the years. That stated, the hole between Windows and Linux retains getting smaller for the issues I really do every single day. At this level, I can see fairly clearly that Linux can deal with my common workload and workflow with out an excessive amount of compromise.

What I’m much less serious about now’s wanting by way of distros to search out which one has the longest characteristic checklist or probably the most customization choices. I simply need an OS that does what I would like with as little friction as attainable. With this in thoughts, I put Zorin OS, Linux Mint, and Ubuntu inside Windows with out changing something on my Windows machine to see which one felt probably the most acquainted.

I examined all three Linux distros inside Windows without spending a dime

VirtualBox made it straightforward to attempt Linux with out touching my Windows set up

If you are studying this and also you’re serious about Linux or contemplating leaving Windows for another working system, I really feel like that is probably the most attention-grabbing a part of the experiment. Testing all of this software program inside my present model of Windows was straightforward and free. I used VirtualBox, a free obtain from Oracle, to run Zorin OS, Linux Mint, and Ubuntu as digital machines within Windows.

The solely actual sources you want are time and a willingness to experiment. Inside VirtualBox, I may boot every of those distros, discover the desktop, open settings, handle recordsdata, and set up software program with out altering my Windows setup in any respect. This method, I may evaluate every distro primarily based on the way it really felt to make use of as a substitute of judging it from screenshots, different individuals’s articles, or characteristic lists.

For Windows customers, that is about as low threat because it will get. You do not need to repartition a drive, arrange a dual-boot system, or change Windows completely simply to see if Linux is smart for you. Once you really spend a while utilizing Linux, you could marvel why it took you so lengthy to offer it a attempt.

Linux Mint was straightforward to know however nonetheless felt like Linux

It was acquainted sufficient to make use of immediately, however some Windows habits did not carry over cleanly

Linux Mint will get loads proper for Windows customers proper from the beginning. That’s as a result of the Cinnamon desktop follows a well-known format: the applying menu within the lower-left nook, taskbar throughout the underside, system tray on the fitting. That, together with the standard reduce, maximize, and shut buttons that each one Windows customers already know, means there isn’t a lot of a studying curve.

Where Mint felt probably the most completely different from Windows was within the particulars. You can see the applying menu is acquainted, however the classes and group do not map on to the best way Windows handles apps and settings. Software set up can be a little bit completely different. Instead of downloading .exe installers from a web site as you’d on Windows, Mint encourages you to make use of its built-in Software Manager, although you’ll be able to nonetheless obtain and set up standalone DEB packages or Flatpaks.

This is the factor that basically pushed me towards Zorin. Mint can look Windows-like at first, however when you begin really digging into the software program, updates, and drivers, it is clearly Linux.

Ubuntu made me rethink probably the most acquainted habits

It labored, however I needed to alter greater than I did with Zorin or Mint

Ubuntu required a little bit extra coaxing within the VirtualBox setup than the opposite two distros, requiring a change within the graphics controller settings earlier than it could render the desktop correctly. Once I made that change, it booted fantastic.

Right off the bat, I wasn’t a fan of the taskbar being on the left aspect of the display screen. I may in all probability get used to it, however coming from Windows it did not really feel proper. Another factor that struck me was search. I could not discover a search field or a magnifying glass to click on. Instead, I needed to know to press the Super key or Windows key on a Windows keyboard. Once I figured that out, I used to be in a position to navigate round fairly simply. Of the three, Ubuntu felt like the largest departure from the Windows expertise.

It gave me the least to relearn after Windows

Zorin OS was the simplest of the three for me to settle into. So a lot of the desktop felt acquainted immediately. The format is harking back to Windows 7, which continues to be one in all my favourite variations of Windows. The taskbar, utility menus, system tray, and settings had been all the place I anticipated them to be. That’s one of many greatest causes individuals like Zorin. It would not require Windows customers to fully rethink how the desktop ought to work.

I additionally appreciated Zorin’s Windows App Support as a result of it gave me a path to run a number of the Windows software program that I’ve used for years as a substitute of forcing me to discover a substitute for each app I exploit. Zorin additionally does a very good job of placing widespread duties inside graphical instruments. This is vital if, like me, you favor to not work within the terminal. The draw back is that the Windows resemblance does have limits. Some Windows apps simply will not work correctly and when you get deeper into software program administration and system settings, you are still coping with a Linux machine.

Lately, I’ve been operating Windows 10 within GNOME Boxes in order that I can run just about no matter Windows app I would like proper inside Zorin. This is not unique to Zorin, however it’s a method that I’ve been in a position to maintain utilizing the Windows instruments I’ve relied on for years whereas spending extra of my time in Linux.

Zorin is the one I’d maintain

Zorin came out on top for me, but Mint was close. Both had been straightforward to make use of, however Zorin let me carry over extra of my Windows habits and, in some circumstances, maintain utilizing the Windows apps I already know. That gave it the sting. If I needed to decide one to maintain utilizing proper now, it could be Zorin.