How do I choose a Linux distribution?

I see a lot of potential Windows refugees asking this question on the two social media sites I still use, BlueSky and Mastodon. While it’s an important question for anyone thinking about moving to Linux, the first question to ask should be which desktop to use.

The desktop question

Why should you determine which desktop first? Because the desktop will define how you view and interact with your computer as well as the amount of flexibility you have to personalize your experience. Linux has a large number of desktop interfaces, but there are only four that I think are best for users new to Linux

• Cinnamon — The best option for new Linux users. It’s modern, innovative, and has some features found in more complex desktops, while not overwhelming new users with customization options. I find Cinnamon is great for most systems, but it doesn’t work on systems with only 4GB of RAM like my old Dell.
• Xfce — Another excellent option for new users, Xfce is a lightweight desktop with plenty of configuration options but not so many as to be overwhelming. It has a clean look and is very responsive even on that old Dell.
• Mate — The MATE Desktop Environment provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems.
• KDE Plasma 6 — A powerful, complex desktop with more personalization options than I’ve seen in any other desktop. But it is perfect for newcomers without making any changes while offering those options for when you’re ready for them.

I think the Cinnamon desktop is best for most new Linux users. However, you can install multiple desktops and switch between them as you want to. I change desktops frequently as a way to keep my experiences fresh, and to see what new releases bring. I prefer Xfce for my desktop and keep returning to that even after a few weeks of using a different one.

You can try all four of these desktops on your computer before you install Linux without even touching your hard drive of the data stored on it. You can use a Live USB thumb drive to try Linux without touching your disk drive. Two of the distributions I recommend for new users provide downloads of ISO images for most of the desktops listed here. Fedora provides images for all four. You can use the Fedora images to try all the desktops then later download the image for the distribution and desktop combination when you’ve chosen that.

Back to the original question

Now we can return to the original question and you can pick the distribution¹ that works best for you and the desktop you’ve chosen.

Some distributions and desktops are better for users new to Linux. I prefer Fedora and it’s highly recommended by many for use by new Linux converts. Others prefer Linux Mint and I think that it’s a great choice as well. You can’t go wrong with either of these distributions and they both offer all three of those desktops. Ubuntu is also a good distribution choice for a newcomer to Linux.

• Linux Mint — An excellent distribution especially intended for new Linux users, it is the most like earlier versions of Windows than other distros. It looks good, using the Cinnamon desktop, and is generally considered to be the best for users migrating from Windows.
• Fedora — Another great distribution for new users, Fedora can be very simple while providing more advanced options than Linux Mint.
• Ubuntu — Many new Linux converts use this excellent distro and find it a good way to start with Linux.

Linux Mint is probably the best distro for most people who want to migrate from Windows. However, any of these three distros would be a good choice.

Personally, I tend to recommend Fedora because it or it’s predecessor, Red Hat Linux, is what I’ve used for almost 30 years. It also tends to get updates for fixes, security bugs, and new features more quickly than Ubuntu and Linux Mint. You can install the same open source software you’ll need for most or all of your needs on any of these three distros, regardless of which desktop you choose.

None of these choices are irrevocable. You can change desktops and distributions at any time.

1. A Linux distribution, often called a “distro,” is an operating system that includes the Linux kernel along with a collection of software and utilities that make it functional and user-friendly. Distros are designed for various uses, from personal computers to servers, and can be customized to meet different user needs. Wikipedia has a more detailed definition of distribution. ↩︎