Published Feb 28, 2026, 2:30 PM EST
Afam's experience in tech publishing dates back to 2018, when he worked for Make Tech Easier. Over the years, he has built a reputation for publishing high-quality guides, reviews, tips, and explainer articles, covering Windows, Linux, and open source tools. His work has been featured on top websites, including Technical Ustad, Windows Report, Guiding Tech, Alphr, and Next of Windows.
He holds a first degree in Computer Science and is a strong advocate for data privacy and security, with several tips, videos, and tutorials on the subject published on the Fuzo Tech YouTube channel.
When he is not working, he loves to spend time with his family, cycling, or tending to his garden.
One of the things that makes switching from Windows really difficult is habit. After years of using the operating system, you have built muscle memory that helps you scale through the day in the most efficient way. Even some of the best Linux distros for Windows users underestimate the significance of this.
I found a lesser-known Linux distro that actually gets it. For the first time in years, when I want to talk about the best distros for Windows users, I may no longer default to Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Ubuntu. There is now AnduinOS, and its resemblance to Windows 11 is uncanny.
It mirrors Windows where it actually counts
A behavioral sense of familiarity
After installing AnduinOS, the first boot was disarming. It felt like I was staring at Windows 11, just with a different skin. The layout was an almost exact clone of Windows 11. I did not need to Google anything to understand where to find whatever I needed. After years on Windows, it immediately felt like I had been using AnduinOS for some time. I could see the resemblance even in tiny details, like the weather widget anchored in the lower-left corner.
The engine running the system is GNOME 48. But if you are not technical, all you will see is Windows. And it shows in the way you instantly start navigating the interface without hesitation; you are on familiar ground. I press the Super key, search, right-click, and pin; within seconds, I'm toggling light and dark mode.
I have used several Linux distros over the years, and none has ever felt this natural coming from a Windows background. There is still a cognitive shift, as you would expect. No matter how similar, AnduinOS is still Linux. However, with AnduinOS, this is the smallest cognitive shift I have ever experienced.
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The Ubuntu foundation makes the escape feel safe
Stability, drivers, and support you don’t have to think about
AnduinOS is an Ubuntu distro, and this is vital in understanding why it gives a great Windows-like experience. Ubuntu has excellent hardware compatibility. After installation, the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, webcam, and other hardware devices that historically would need extra configuration worked out of the box.
The software experience is also pleasant. GNOME is the default desktop environment, and you can install Flatpak for a more functional and clean app installation process by running the commands below on the AnduinOS console.
sudo apt install flatpak flatpak
remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
My AnduinOS version runs on Ubuntu 24.04, which is an LTS (Long Term Support) version with support running until 2029. This guarantees the maximum stability the distro offers, even though you can upgrade sooner if you would rather have some fresher components. It's good to know I have that option, even if I never get to use it.
Performance is where the argument becomes practical
When your hardware feels younger without upgrading it
I liked that it looked a lot like Windows 11, but more significant was its performance. I ran it on an older mid-range computer with 8GB of RAM, and it still felt smooth and responsive. Background activity was minimal, and no noticeable resource-hogging services.
This isn't a synthetic benchmark — it's a real-world impression: apps open and are usable immediately, rather than requiring a pause after clicking.
The difference is that while Windows is still very usable even on my mid-range computers, it generally feels very busy. A lot seems to be happening concurrently. After a while of running background services, updates, and just managing the typical interface overhead, the device starts to lag.
Remember, AnduinOS is a full desktop environment, so it isn't magically weightless or immune to occasional lag. However, what the distro does is combine the efficiency of Linux with a neat setup, and this makes it easier and smoother on old hardware.
Anduin Xue created the AnduinOS distro after several years working with Microsoft as a software engineer. This explains why the mimicry of Windows 11 feels deliberate.
This escape route works best for a specific kind of user
If you are a general Windows user or a developer, you will have a natural transition into AnduinOS. Any browser-based workflows will also be easily implemented in this distro with almost no friction. It uses a Linux base, so you may expect development tools, terminals, Git, and containers to work seamlessly. AnduinOS will offer a more modern development environment than Windows. Creative professionals and users who rely on Windows-specific tools may encounter hiccups.
A professional creative tool like Davinci Resolve doesn't have an official Ubuntu solution, and the unofficial workaround would require some terminal configuration.
Even though there are open-source alternatives for Adobe tools, you do not always find the perfect one-to-one replacements, and that's when you start to see the difference, even on the distro that tries to replicate Windows 11. The significant point is that total compatibility would be hard to achieve with any Linux distro, but AnduinOS provides a low-friction path for many typical Windows workflows.
AnduinOS
AnduinOS is a custom Ubuntu-based Linux distribution. It offers a familiar experience for users coming from the Windows ecosystem.