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You may use Windows every day as an operating system and you may have become accustomed to it, its windows system or its appearance. Windows is one of several desktop operating systems. It is not the only operating system that we can use, although it is the most widespread. Whether you want to try something new or if you don’t like Microsoft‘s or are looking for something completely free, we review what are the main alternatives to Windows that you may not know and want to download to your computer.
Beyond Windows, two operating systems are on the podium of the most used and recommended by users: macOS and Linux. These are the three major operating systems that developers think of when launching programs and software, beyond mobile phones and tablets, but not the only ones. There are many alternatives to Windows that you can install if you want to try something new.
For an everyday PC, start by comparing maintained Linux distributions and ChromeOS Flex on a certified model. Specialist systems below serve particular development, retro-computing or Unix workloads; they are not all interchangeable replacements for Windows.
What is Windows?
It’s hard for you to get this far without knowing what Windows is, or at least without getting an idea. Windows is the operating system developed by Microsoft and started in 1985, standing out for being a system with a simple and comfortable graphical interface, intuitive and with all the necessary tools to control the computer through a window system, such as its own name indicates. Although you may have gotten used to it, it is not the only one you can use, install … There are many alternatives to Windows and many of them are completely free, open source and free.
macOS
macOS is supplied for compatible Apple hardware, so it is not a free replacement to install on an ordinary Windows PC. Choose the release supported by your Mac rather than the historical Catalina example. If switching from a Mac to a PC, compare hardware support and applications separately.
Linux
As you may already know, Linux is another of the best operating systems for PC , one of the main and best alternatives to Windows, born in the nineties and with customization as a strong point, in addition to being free. In Linux you can customize practically everything about the appearance and choose ‘distros’ that fit what we want, including tracing the appearance of Windows or the programs that are on this system.
It is a free alternative and is open source so it is usually one of the main alternatives to Windows for PC users and is installed on millions of computers around the world and with it you can access all kinds of programs, applications, website … It is a versatile, free, open source operating system and one of the most interesting and recommendable.
Choose a maintained distribution and verify Wi-Fi, graphics, printer support and the applications you need. Many Windows applications need a native alternative, a supported compatibility layer or a virtual machine; none of those options guarantees every program or game will work.
Chrome OS
ChromeOS Flex is the Google option for installing on eligible PCs and Intel Macs. Check the certified-model list and the model-specific support end date. Google lists an Intel/AMD x86-64 CPU, 4GB RAM and 16GB storage as minimum requirements; those figures do not guarantee full functionality on an uncertified machine.
Flex is different from a Chromebook installation. The official differences guide explains limits including the lack of Android-app/Google Play support. Consider it for a supported web-focused workflow, after testing your peripherals and applications.
Haiku
Haiku continues the BeOS-style desktop concept. Its published download is a beta release, so assess hardware and application availability before using it for important work. Try a live image or a separate test machine rather than treating it as a drop-in Windows replacement.
FreeDOS
FreeDOS serves DOS applications and retro-computing tasks. It does not run modern Windows applications as an everyday Windows substitute. Check the intended hardware and software before installing, and keep any existing system recoverable.
Free BSD
FreeBSD is a Unix-like operating system with a strong server and networking ecosystem. A desktop installation has its own setup, drivers and applications; it does not run the Windows software ecosystem unchanged. Consult its supported hardware and handbook before choosing it for your main PC.
ReactOS
ReactOS is a Windows-compatibility development project. Compatibility varies by application and driver; the familiar interface is not proof that your current Windows software will work. Use a disposable test environment and avoid making it the only copy of important data.
Illumos
illumos provides a Unix system base used by projects such as OpenIndiana. These are specialist choices with their own application ecosystem and hardware requirements. Consult the current distribution downloads; the old 2020 release number is not a current recommendation.
Before switching your everyday PC
- List the software, games and document formats you must keep using.
- Verify architecture, device drivers and support lifetime.
- Back up files and confirm how to restore the current system.
- Test the new OS and your peripherals before replacing the disk installation.
Compare lightweight Linux choices for older hardware and Linux desktops familiar to Mac users for interface preferences.