this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2025
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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What's the best distro for a windows user with some linux experience (lemmy.world)
submitted 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) by NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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I have used linux in a past job (I did not set it up), so im not a total noob with linux. But I am far from an expert. I bought a tablet that had a flavor of linux on it and found myself woefully unprepared trying to navigate the tablet. I was planning to use it for DnD for pdf reading, but it apparently wasn't capable of that bcz it was a rather custom OS. With windows 10 support being dropped by Microsoft in the next few months, I want to transition my desktop to Linux, and I thought I'd get a headstart on that. I have a windows 11 laptop (and I hate it), but im kinda stuck with it for now. So, in the spirit of I am a noob who isn't quite a noob, what do ya'll recommend? p.s. I used Ubuntu for a bit way way back in high school

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[–] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 12 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

Desktop environment will be the most impactful for you. I recommend picking a distro with KDE Plasma, which will feel like the best version of Windows you’ve never seen before.

If you are almost exclusively gaming and don’t want to fiddle much, Bazzite.

If you like to fiddle: OpenSUSE Tumbleweed or Fedora. If you want more Ubuntu compatibility, Kubuntu.

There are lots of options and it’s hard to go wrong. Bazzite is special in that the system is immutable, so everything needs to be run as a container.

[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 3 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

I do a lot of game development if that makes any difference, using Unreal.

[–] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 5 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

In that case you are best off with Kubuntu, since UE for Linux is distributed as a .deb.

If you prefer to compile the engine yourself, then you can use anything you like, but OpenSUSE Tumbleweed is worth a look since it’s a rolling distro and stays up-to-date (especially handy for GPU drivers).

[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 4 points 6 hours ago

Awesome thanks, will try out kubuntu and see how it goes!

[–] BalakeKarbon@lemmy.ml 0 points 4 hours ago

LFS or Gentoo probably

[–] zerakith@lemmy.ml 30 points 15 hours ago (3 children)

I think the usual consensus is Linux Mint (and its a solid distro) but I think the best advice is not to be afraid of trying different ones and finding out what works best for you.

[–] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 8 points 6 hours ago

Mint is step 1. Shit just works. Welcome to graduation.

[–] BurntWits@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Adding to this, I’m a new Linux user, and I’m distro hopping a bit. I started with Mint, now I’m currently using Bazzite (basically Fedora Kinoite with some drivers and apps preinstalled for gaming to basically be plug and play), but I find rpm-ostree to be more confusing than whatever Ubuntu is based on so I might switch to another Ubuntu-based distro. It’s fun to discover what you like best though, so OP if you’re reading this, that’s my advice as someone in the same boat as you. Bounce around and see what works best.

[–] Squizzy@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago

Do you just keep all your files separate and write down your list of software?

[–] wuphysics87@lemmy.ml 2 points 12 hours ago (2 children)

Are you suggesting distrohopping to a new user? For shame! (Use virtualbox)

[–] IsoKiero@sopuli.xyz 3 points 12 hours ago

I'd recommend mint too, but testing stuff around with ventoy or just live-usb images is a good way to get to know what you like and what you don't.

[–] zerakith@lemmy.ml 1 points 12 hours ago

I was thinking more booting to a few from a usb and playing around.

[–] Jumuta@sh.itjust.works 23 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

with a usb drive (live usb) you can boot most distros without making changes to your actual system, try that and see which you like the most.

you'll probably break your install a bunch of times anyway so don't feel like your choice now is permanent

[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 8 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Oh, thats a solid idea! Thanks for the suggestion!

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 6 points 14 hours ago

Also, spinning up VMs and practicing setting up your programs is a great way to get used to things and know what to expect.

If you want to do UI customization, be sure to look up some videos on how to do it for your chosen Desktop Environment (like Gnome, KDE Plasma, Cinnamon, XFCE, etc.).

[–] kurcatovium@piefed.social 5 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

That's why I always recommend openSUSE. It automatically makes snapshots when updating so you always have working point to go back to.

[–] NotProLemmy@lemmy.ml 1 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Meanwhile timeshift:

[–] kurcatovium@piefed.social 1 points 3 hours ago

I know of timeshift. The nice part about openSUSE snapper is it's all automatic and simply uses btrfs cow.

[–] nous@programming.dev 10 points 15 hours ago

There is not really one best distro out there - or else there would only be one distro. But for someone new you will find basically any mainstream/popular distro good enough for your usecase. The best one for you will come down to personal preference and will likely - at least at the start - be centered on which desktop environment you like the most. KDE will probably feel more like Windows. Though gnome I think tends to be the default on most distros. You will find popular distros have multiple flavors with various desktop environments as well. Your best bet is to download a few and put them on a usb and try them out before installing. That will give you a better idea of what you want.Or just pick one and go for it if you don't care that much - it will probably be good enough.

[–] OmegaLemmy@discuss.online 3 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

Just FYI, your question was reposted

https://lemmy.world/post/31875892

[–] XXIC3CXSTL3Z@lemmy.ml 2 points 13 hours ago

If you are familiar with Ubuntu still I recommend you fallback to that or if you hate canonical and telemetry then use mint. Honestly bro it depends on what you wanna use it for.

Generally:

Noobs -> popos, Ubuntu, mint, Devs -> fedora, Ubuntu (ease of access), debian Power users -> Arch, Nix, tails, (a bunch of other distros ig since any distro can be used in a powerful way tbh) Neckbeard -> Gentoo, LFS (not really a distro tho but amazing for learning)

But seriously speaking it's your choice bud. All Linux distros work amazing and are all the same to the kernel. You can always install multiple distros on an ext. SSD if you can't decide.