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Linux has long been an alternative for those who can't (or don't want to) upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. I think this is the best attempt yet at easing that transition.
We've talked a lot about the impending end-of-life of Windows 10, and what folks can do if they can't, or choose not to upgrade to Windows 11. One of the options is to pay up for extended support, one of the options is to buy a new PC — which Microsoft would surely love — and one continually floated is to make a switch to Linux.
Linux is known for many things, one of which is legendary support for older hardware. But Linux can be a very different experience from Windows, and quite jarring for many who make the switch. I've already looked at one Linux distro that aims to be friendly to Windows refugees. AnduinOS was created by a Microsoft engineer, so it has the credentials.
WINUX is not, but having poked around with it, there's no denying that it's impressive. It looks almost identical to Windows 11, and not just because of the wallpaper and taskbar layout. It also feels closer to Windows 11 than many Linux distros I've tried over the years. Might it be the one for those who are seriously looking to switch, even if temporarily? It's certainly in the mix.
Ubuntu underneath, Windows 11 on top
Yeah, it's not a carbon copy, but it's the closest I've seen.
(Image credit: Windows Central)
Whatever it looks like, WINUX is, of course, not Windows 11. It's Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, which means another four-ish years of support from now, since LTS releases promise five years, compared to the regular rolling releases. That's still quite a long time for any single version of an operating system.
While Ubuntu does the driving, out front is KDE Plasma, something you may have heard of. It's one of the more popular desktop environments on Linux, it's on the Steam Deck, and it's highly customizable. In essence, the Windows-ness of WINUX is a remarkably good theme for Plasma.
The taskbar looks right, the Windows logo and icons for some of the built-in apps look right, the Start Menu looks right, and even the right-click menu looks right. At a passing glance, most people would probably assume it was, in fact, Windows 11, even though it's not absolutely identical.
Some of the stock wallpapers are included from Windows 11, and so are some of the stock themes. There's even a settings app called PowerTools, which resembles the Windows 11 settings app, but it runs alongside the KDE Plasma equivalent, not instead of.
The Start Menu is a very close copy of Windows 11.
(Image credit: Windows Central)
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