Choosing a Linux distribution
Linux comes in many versions, called distributions. They share the same core but differ in looks, tools and how often they update. There is no single best choice, so it helps to know what you want.
Popular starting points
- Ubuntu is widely used and has a large amount of online help.
- Linux Mint has a traditional desktop layout that many Windows users find familiar.
- Zorin OS is designed to feel familiar to people coming from Windows or macOS.
- Debian is known for stability and is the base for many other distributions.
- Fedora tends to include newer software and is a common choice for developers.
Things to consider
- How much experience you have. Beginner-friendly distributions are usually easier to set up.
- How old your computer is. Some distributions are built to run well on older hardware.
- What you will use it for: everyday browsing, gaming, programming or servers.
You can try most of these in live mode before installing. See how to boot from a USB drive to get started.