About Me

header ads

7 Linux distributions alternatives to Windows 7

Microsoft will finalize technical support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020 . This means that the operating system will not receive new security updates and will potentially be exposed to attacks taking advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities. And in Windows there is malware to give and take ... It is the most used and most exploited system.

Although Windows 7 is one of the most successful operating systems in history, maintaining an operating system without security updates is not a recommended option and companies and users have less than a year to prepare the goodbye. To prevent another "Windows XP case" from recurring and in January 2020 the industry is facing tens of millions of vulnerable computers, Microsoft is recommending a massive migration , obviously, to another of its operating systems, Windows 10, either updating or buying a new equipment.

What if I do not like Windows 10 what do I do? You have three main alternatives. Keep Windows 7 with the risk discussed; Acquire an Apple Mac or-better-take the step to Linux. On paper, any computer that runs today Windows 7 will be able to upgrade to one of the GNU / Linux distributions that we are going to propose because its minimum hardware requirements are very similar.

The modern distributions offer a great support for the main architectures using free or proprietary drivers and you should not have problems to support at least the primary hardware (board, processor, graphics, RAM, SSD ...) that will work perfectly in Linux. And forget about myths. Starting with Linux can be intimidating for a user who has never tried the free system but the reality is that  it has never been so simple  in installation and use. And it's totally free, open source, with thousands of free applications and hardware and software support (including games) that -although it's not Windows yet- have improved dramatically in recent years.

7 Linux distributions alternatives to Windows 7
Okay, you're convincing me and I'm going to try it. What distro do I use? Linux as a kernel is unique (although customizable) but the operating system itself, based on GNU/Linux distributions, is available in a number of different developments. A variety that some analysts expose as a problem to extend its market share and really compete against Windows, but that many others perceive as a great advantage because it allows to satisfy the taste and needs of all users.

Thinking of a Windows user that enters the Linux universe , we have selected some distributions that allow a gradual and not dramatic change, for powerful machines and also for others with fewer resources. Of course, you can also use both systems on the same computer to prepare the final transition.

Linux Mint
A derivative of Debian, with the latest version 19.1 based on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (another distro that can be used) that increasingly appeals to Linux users and can be a great alternative to Windows 7. It offers three versions to choose according to its environment. desk. Cinnamon (the most modern, innovative and complete); MATE (the most stable and fastest) and Xfce (the lightest and most stable).

cinnamon

Kubuntu
It is one of the developments derived from Ubuntu (and at the same time from Debian), the most popular GNU/Linux distribution in computer desks. Use KDE as a desktop environment and share the same Ubuntu repositories, general operation and support. Another distro guaranteed for any Windows user.

Alternative-Linux-distributions-Windows-7_2

Elementary
One of the most beautiful distros for which you can choose and in fact, is one of the most downloaded by Windows users. Also based on Ubuntu, compatible as the rest with its repositories and packages, it uses the GNOME desktop environment, but with its own shell. Its interface looks for simplicity and minimalism with clear inspiration in the functionality of Mac OS X, so if you like the Apple operating system you will feel very comfortable with it.

Alternative-Linux-distributions-Windows-7_3

Deepin
Accessibility, design, efficiency ... are characteristics of this distribution that comes from China and how most of this selection is a guarantee for its Debian base. As Elementary, has always stood out for its aesthetic and for offering a graphical interface with its own personality taking elements from all platforms, GNOME Shell, OS X and Windows itself.

Alternative-Linux-distributions-Windows-7_4

Zorin OS
It is the closest thing to Windows 7 that you will find because it is precisely your goal: that these users feel at home, but at home with Linux. Also based on the incombustible Ubuntu is designed to take the first steps in the free system, with a taskbar, system tray, home button or file browser very similar to Windows 7. Zorin claims to be faster than the Microsoft system with the same hardware and like everyone else you can live with it if you need it in the transition.

Alternative-Linux-distributions-Windows-7_5

Manjaro Xfce
Based on Arch Linux, although with its own repositories, it is one of the alternatives to the Ubuntu family (Debian). It offers KDE, GNOME Shell and Xfce desktop environments. The latter is precisely what we select for Windows 7 machines that are just hardware level because it is a light and fluid distro. Manjaro Linux uses a continuous release development model ( rolling release ) and is in the Top 1 ranking of DistroWatch visits. More information and Download .

Alternative-Linux-distributions-Windows-7_6

Ubuntu MATE
Another derivative of Ubuntu (and Debian at the same time) that like Manjaro works very well on machines with less hardware resources, although it can work just as well on more powerful machines. It offers a quite configurable desktop environment and shares the same Ubuntu repositories, general operation and support.

Alternative-Linux-distributions-Windows-7_7

Of course, we could include many more distributions. And not only GNU/Linux, because Chrome OS is another Linux based system that can be used and there are other free operating systems beyond Windows or Linux, although they are not so direct replacements to Windows 7.

In any case, having as much Linux follower you can certainly contribute your own vision and other Linux distributions alternatives to Windows 7.

Post a Comment

0 Comments