Exploring the Windows-like Linux distros ChaletOS and Zorin OS
Quick Switch

ChaletOS and Zorin OS are two Ubuntu derivatives designed for users who are migrating from Windows.
Microsoft's massive effort to force Windows 10 on users is causing a whole new round of migration to Linux. If these Windows users decide to make the switch, the first distribution they encounter might be a high-profile desktop system like Ubuntu and Mint. But behind the headlines, the Linux environment is teeming with choice. More than 200 Linux derivatives vie for users' affections, and if you aren't getting what you want, you can always try another Linux.
In an effort to cover the complete Linux experience, we're always ready to explore any inventive Linux alternative. Many Linux distros are created to address a specific need. The question of how to make Linux look like Windows is particularly interesting – and important, if the goal is to attract more Windows users to the open source community. I tested two Ubuntu derivatives, ChaletOS [1] and Zorin OS [2], that are designed to facilitate easy migration from Windows.
ChaletOS
ChaletOS, which was created in Serbia, is now available in its fourth major version. The current version is based on Ubuntu 16.04 and Debian 8, inheriting the 16.04 long-term support that lasts until April, 2021.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Blender App Makes it to the Big Screen
The animated film "Flow" won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025 and Blender was a part of it.
-
Linux Mint Retools the Cinnamon App Launcher
The developers of Linux Mint are working on an improved Cinnamon App Launcher with a better, more accessible UI.
-
New Linux Tool for Security Issues
Seal Security is launching a new solution to automate fixing Linux vulnerabilities.
-
Ubuntu 25.04 Coming Soon
Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) has been given an April release date with many notable updates.
-
Gnome Developers Consider Dropping RPM Support
In a move that might shock a lot of users, the Gnome development team has proposed the idea of going straight up Flatpak.
-
openSUSE Tumbleweed Ditches AppArmor for SELinux
If you're an openSUSE Tumbleweed user, you can expect a major change to the distribution.
-
Plasma 6.3 Now Available
Plasma desktop v6.3 has a couple of pretty nifty tricks up its sleeve.
-
LibreOffice 25.2 Has Arrived
If you've been hoping for a release that offers more UI customizations, you're in for a treat.
-
TuxCare Has a Big AlmaLinux 9 Announcement in Store
TuxCare announced it has successfully completed a Security Technical Implementation Guide for AlmaLinux OS 9.
-
First Release Candidate for Linux Kernel 6.14 Now Available
Linus Torvalds has officially released the first release candidate for kernel 6.14 and it includes over 500,000 lines of modified code, making for a small release.