I've been using a Lenovo laptop since 2014 with Windows 10, but with its end of support approaching, I've recently purchased an Acer desktop running Windows 11. I really dislike Windows 11, and I miss the look and feel of older Windows versions like XP, Vista, and 7. I'm looking for a Linux distribution that can provide a similar aesthetic without the security risks associated with older Windows systems. How much computing knowledge do I need to install Linux? My experience is limited to basic JavaScript, so I'm quite new to this. Thanks for the help!
2 Answers
If you want an interface similar to older Windows systems, focus on the DE more than the distro itself. For a familiar look, I’d recommend looking into a lightweight DE like LXQt. But if you want something more customizable, KDE is the way to go. It can be tailored to your likes, including a Windows XP aesthetic if you want it. Just remember, many distros come with different DEs that you can swap out easily!
You don't need any programming skills to use Linux! It might just be a bit of a shift from what you're used to. A great way to start is to try a Live USB version or a virtual machine. This way, you can test out different Linux Desktop Environments (DEs) without touching your current system. There are plenty of DEs to choose from, all customizable and some that can give you that classic Windows feel. You can read more about Live USBs and explore options. One of the popular tools is Ventoy for trying different systems easily!
Absolutely! KDE is super flexible. It’s particularly good for customizing and has more features compared to something like LXQt.