Zorin OS vs. AnduinOS: How to pick the right Windows-like Linux distro for you
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- If you're looking to move from Windows, you have options.
- Zorin OS and AnduinOS both have the look and feel of Windows.
- Both of these distributions are free to download and install.
If you ask any Linux user what distribution is best to use if you're moving from Windows, you'll get a cornucopia of answers: Linux Mint, Ubuntu, elementaryOS, Fedora… the list goes on.
From my perspective, there are two particular distributions that bubble up to the top of the heap: Zorin OS and AnduinOS.
Also: 8 most Windows-like Linux distros - if you're ready to ditch Microsoft
Similar names, but strikingly different takes.
Both of these distributions are based on Ubuntu, which makes perfect sense for a newbie-friendly distribution. However, what they do to Ubuntu is quite different from one another.
Let's find out which one of these distributions might be right for you.
Zorin OS
The Zorin OS desktop resembles Windows with a bit more panache.
Zorin OS recently announced that, after the demise of Windows 10, there were over 1 million downloads of the distribution in just over a month (75% of which were from Windows machines). That's impressive (and telling).
Also: How to choose the right Linux desktop distribution for you
But what is Zorin OS, and why is it always considered the best bet for those who are new to Linux?
It all begins with the UI.
Zorin OS gives you the choice of four different layouts, two of which are similar to Windows and two are very Linux-centric. That's just the free version. If you pony up for the Pro edition, you get six more layouts (including one that resembles MacOS). You choose your layout during your first login, but you can change it any time, using the Zorin Appearance tool.
If you want more layouts, you can purchase a Pro license for $47.
Zorin OS runs well on old and new hardware. Because it's based on Ubuntu, it benefits from the HWE (Hardware Enablement) kernel, which means it supports modern PCs as well as older machines.
I've been a big fan of Zorin OS for some time now and have regularly recommended it to those who are looking to finally leave Windows for Linux. It really is that user-friendly. I've even made the claim that Zorin OS is exactly what a desktop operating system should be.
Other features of Zorin OS include the following:
- All the software you need to get started (including the LibreOffice office suite and the groupware suite, Evolution)
- A unique take on using Windows apps (more on that in a bit)
- Supports Android connectivity out of the box (via Zorin Connect)
- Lightweight, so it runs on older hardware
- The Uncomplicated Firewall and AppArmor for application security
- Supports full-disk encryption
- Available in over 100 languages, making it accessible to a global audience
- Built-in window tiling for a more efficient desktop
- Available in three different versions: Core (free), Pro ($47), and Education (free)
Let's talk about Windows app support. This is one of the features that makes Zorin OS stand out. If you download a Windows installer (either .exe or .msi) and double-click it, Zorin OS will recommend a Linux alternative for that app.
Also: The best Linux distros for beginners in 2025 make switching from MacOS or Windows so easy
Zorin OS also includes the universal package manager, Flatpak, which means you have even more applications available for installation (including proprietary software, such as Spotify and Slack). Even better, Flatpak is rolled into the GUI App Store, so you don't have to bother installing those apps via the command line.
Is Zorin OS right for you?
If you're attempting to leave Windows for Linux, Zorin OS is a great option. You can always start out with a rather Windows-like UI and then (thanks to Zorin Appearance) switch it up for a more unique look.
With Zorin OS, you won't have to worry about installing a bunch of software after installing the operating system, as you'll have everything you need to get started.
Also: How to easily run Windows apps on Linux with Wine
In other words, Zorin OS is an out-of-the-box experience that is perfectly geared toward those who are new to Linux. However, don't be fooled, Zorin OS is also at home with those who have plenty of Linux experience.
The only thing missing from Zorin OS is Wine, which allows you to run Windows apps on Linux. You can always install Wine (and several Wine GUIs) from the GUI app store.
AnduinOS
The dark side of Windows 11.
Next up is AnduinOS. Unlike Zorin OS, with AnduinOS, you get one layout that happens to look quite a bit like Windows 11. With the AnduinOS, anyone who's ever used Windows 10 or 11 will feel right at home on this desktop OS.
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I should start by saying that, although AnduinOS is a well-designed Linux distribution, it's not quite as polished as Zorin OS. Of course, Zorin OS has been around for quite some time and has had plenty of opportunity to "get it right." That is not to say AnduinOS should be avoided, as that is certainly not the case. This is just an instance of one distribution having been around for quite a bit longer than the other.
That being said, AnduinOS is quite good.
But what is it?
Essentially, AnduinOS is a Linux distribution that uses the GNOME desktop environment to recreate the Windows 11 UI. AnduinOS is based on Ubuntu but shrugs off Snap in favor of Flatpak. The developers have also baked Flatpak into GNOME Software, meaning you can install any Flatpak app without having to use the command line.
One of the first things you might notice with AnduinOS is the limited amount of preinstalled software. Where Zorin OS gives you everything you need out of the box, AnduinOS requires that you install the apps. Fortunately, you only have to open the GUI app store and start installing.
Also: Why people keep flocking to Linux in 2025 (and it's not just to escape Windows)
Here's a feature that Windows 11 users will happily welcome: AnduinOS does not collect any data from you. Period. On top of that, there are no ads or even a hint of AI anywhere in the OS. With AnduinOS, you are free from spying or having things forced on you.
There is one thing you might want to change. AnduinOS ships with the dark theme enabled, so while it might resemble Windows 11, it's not quite right. Fortunately, you can go to Settings > Appearance and select the Default style. Once you've done that, you'll find the desktop looks even more like Windows 11.
That's more like it.
Other features of AnduinOS include:
- Uses the HWE kernel for broader hardware support
- HDR support
- Created for all types of users (average users, admins, developers, creatives, etc.)
- Designed for older and newer hardware
- Active development with new builds every month
Is AnduinOS right for you?
This is pretty simple: If you'd like to stick with the Windows 11 look and feel, but want the reliability, security, and user-friendliness of Linux, AnduinOS is the perfect distribution. As long as you're willing to install the software you need, you'll find AnduinOS to be the ideal operating system for weaning you from Windows 10 or 11.
Open Source
After 30 years with Linux, I gave Windows 11 a chance - and found 9 clear problems
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET's key takeaways
- Jack Wallen spends a week using Windows 11.
- During this experiment, he encountered a wide range of issues.
- In the end, it made him appreciate Linux all the more.
"Why do people willingly use Windows?" Less than one hour into my experiment, this question came to mind, and over the next seven days, I was unable to arrive at an answer.
Hello, my name is Jack Wallen, and I'm a glutton for punishment. For whatever reason, a week ago today, I decided to switch my default operating system from Linux to Windows. I did not come at it with any preconceived conclusions. In fact, I wanted the experience to be positive.
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I wanted to start using Windows and experience all the reasons people use the OS for both business and personal use. Surely, Windows 11 was an efficient, zippy, user-friendly, and reliable operating system, right?
Turns out, it was none of those things.
Remember, this is coming from a longtime Linux user who has been accustomed to an OS that can be and function exactly how I want it to. I'm used to being in control of my desktop -- not having my desktop control me.
That's exactly how I felt while using Windows 11. I'd been moved out of the driver's seat and relegated to the back seat with the children, as the adults insisted we do what they wanted, how they wanted, and when they wanted.
Let me share my experience with you. Hopefully, after reading this, you'll finally want to ditch Windows for Linux.
1. Creating a local account was a pain
Right out of the gate, Windows 11 showed me just how painful it was going to be. I did not want to use a Windows account to log into the operating system (and why would anyone willingly do that?). So, I set about to create a local account.
Wow, what a pain that was. In Linux, I can create an account with the command sudo adduser jack. Answer a few simple questions (such as full name and password), and that's it. I can log out of one account and log in with the other.
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With Windows 11, I pretty much had to sell my soul, do a backflip, promise to kneel at the foot of Microsoft, and learn to fly. OK, that's what it felt like.
Your first steps with an OS should not be hair-pullingly frustrating.
2. Google Passkeys will not work
Ah, Google and its passkeys. This is another point of contention because they rolled out a service that simply wasn't ready.
Now, I'm not sure if this is Google's or Microsoft's problem, but no matter what I did, I could not sign in to my Google account. Mind you, I could create a new Linux virtual machine and, within seconds, be connected to my Google account. But with Windows, I had to enable the "Hello" service before passkeys would work.
Even then (with my Google passkey literally in hand), Windows 11 wouldn't play along. Come on!
3. An email client that really frustrated me
I needed an email client, and I thought I'd try one from the Microsoft App Store.
The email client in question was Mailbird. Once I had Mailbird installed and an account added, the app decided it wanted me to pony up for the paid version by way of a pop-up. But this wasn't any old pop-up. This pop-up prevented me from accessing other apps. I couldn't open the process monitor to close Mailbird, and I couldn't open the terminal window to close Mailbird. I was stuck.
The only solution I found was to reboot and work as quickly as I could to delete the app before Mailbird mysteriously opened (without my doing so) and took control. I eventually succeeded, but it took me several tries.
With Linux, I could have used SSH to log in to the desktop and uninstall Mailbird from the command line.
4. Natural scrolling is so unnatural
The next thing I had to do was disable natural scrolling. Whoever thought this was a good idea should be fired. Off to Settings I went. The feature was fairly simple to find, and I switched it to my preferred scrolling direction.
That should have been the end of it, but no! For whatever reason, I could not get Windows to honor the change. No matter what I did, Windows 11 insisted natural scrolling was what I wanted. Au contraire, mon ami.
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The entire time I used Windows 11, my brain had to constantly readjust itself and remember I was living in Bizzaroworld.
5. Ads? Are you kidding me?
Seriously. I saw ads at the far left of the Windows 11 panel. I also spotted them in the desktop menu. Why would anyone be OK with this?
To avoid that altogether, I installed the Seelen window manager so I didn't have to see ads or look at that boring Windows 11 UI.
Ads... in an OS. Sheesh.
6. Save As defaults to OneDrive? Why?
After about an hour working with Windows 11, I had to save a file and noticed that it immediately defaulted to OneDrive. I hadn't even logged in to my OneDrive account (because I never use it). This was very frustrating for me because I do not want my work saved to a cloud account (for several reasons, many of which have to do with AI).
I wanted to remove OneDrive from the entire experience but decided it wasn't worth the effort for a weeklong experiment.
7. Windows 11 uses so many resources
After I realized that the laptop I was using ran really hot and the fans were constantly kicking on, I did a bit of quick investigating and found the msedgewebview2.exe process to be the problem. This process is part of the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, and it consumes considerable resources. The crazy thing is, I wasn't even using Edge. I installed Opera and used it exclusively.
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I'm sure there's a good reason why msedgewebview2.exe was running, but to consume more resources than Opera with ten or so tabs open is crazy.
8. Virus and threat protection
This is Windows, so I fully understand the need for protection. I cannot imagine using this OS without a few levels of protection because, without it, it's just a matter of time before something nefarious happens.
I decided to check in on it and found, to my shock, that Virus and Threat Protection was not enabled, nor was account protection or app and browser control. From the looks of it, the first two are cloud-based and Windows account-based. However, on another page within Windows Security, both are listed as On. What's the disconnect?
I would never experience this on Linux (nor would I need to). To be honest, I expected to find out that too many protection services were up and running -- not the opposite.
9. Power and battery options
I used a laptop to test Windows 11. During my first few hours, I noticed something: the laptop screen wasn't going black or entering hibernation. Doesn't Windows 11 auto-detect if it's being used on a laptop? Linux sure does. Had I not known to look for this, I could have been using that laptop unplugged and run out of battery prematurely.
Why is that the default?
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On top of all the above issues, I always felt as if something was going to crash on me and cause me to lose work, or that Windows would decide it needed to update and automatically reboot on me. I never once (during the entire week) felt as if I could relax and just use the OS to do my work. Not once.
This is my last day using Windows 11
Since publishing this piece, I've headed back to my wooby -- Linux. I hope to never have to depend on Windows again because if this experience has taught me anything, it's that Linux is exponentially better than Windows in every conceivable way -- at least for me.
