Best Linux Distros After Windows 10 End of Support: Mint vs Zorin OS vs Ubuntu LTS

The short version​

These are three different strengths. None of them is a verified "easiest for everyone" ranking.

Linux Mint 22.3: the "it just looks like Windows" pick​

Mint's own announcement dates version 22.3 "Zena" to January 13, 2026. The project describes it as a long-term support release with support running until 2029. The release's system requirements are modest: 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended), 20GB of disk space (100GB recommended) and a 1024×768 display. Those figures suggest Mint suits modest hardware, but they don't guarantee that every old PC will work.

Cinnamon is the Windows-like part. The desktop uses a bottom panel, a menu in the corner and a tray area. The original piece also credits 22.3 with Cinnamon 6.6 and a redesigned menu, and that holds up. How-To Geek's own release coverage describes Cinnamon 6.6 as the main attraction, with a redesigned application menu that has a sidebar for your avatar, places and favorite software. The Register notes that Mint releases track Ubuntu's long-term support releases. Several outlets also report the release uses Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with Linux kernel 6.14 and the HWE stack.

The safety net: Timeshift​

The snapshot tool matters most for nervous users. Mint's upgrade guide tells people to create a Timeshift snapshot before upgrading. If something goes wrong, they can restore the operating system to its previous state. Mint's guide also gives two practical tips for the 22.3 upgrade:

• Use the Update Manager's upgrade option. Refresh first, apply any updates to the upgrade tooling, then choose the upgrade to 22.3 from the Edit menu.
• Reset the menu after upgrading. The Cinnamon menu was redesigned, so Mint advises resetting its settings to defaults to avoid mixing old and new ones.

Caveat: a snapshot is not a backup of your documents. Back up personal files separately.

Trade-offs​

Mint is conservative and not flashy. The original article says Mint 23 is expected around the end of 2026. That is the author's claim, and we couldn't confirm it.

Zorin OS: the migration specialist​

Zorin's launch post puts Zorin OS 18's release on October 14, 2025. That was the day Windows 10 reached end of life in most of the world. The project describes itself as an independent company based in Dublin. Zorin promises software updates, security patches and driver updates until at least June 2029. How-To Geek's "April 2029" is slightly off.

The kernel detail also needs a correction. The article says Zorin 18 uses Linux 6.14. The research notes say Zorin's technical page lists 18.1, released April 15, 2026, with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, kernel 6.17 and support through June 1, 2029.

How Zorin handles Windows software​

Zorin has the strongest Windows-app story of the three, but it's easy to overstate.

1. Installer recognition. Zorin says its detection database covers more than 170 popular Windows apps. Launching a recognized installer, such as Microsoft Office's, brings up a dialog. It points you to a web app or a native Linux version instead of forcing you to try running the Windows program.
2. Windows App Support. Zorin's help page says it uses the Wine compatibility layer to run many .exe and .msi installers. It also warns that not all Windows apps will be fully compatible.
3. Recommended order. Zorin suggests checking for a native Linux version first, then a native alternative, and only then trying Windows App Support.
4. Trust the source. Zorin warns that running software from unknown sources can put your computer and personal data at risk. Wine doesn't make a dubious installer safe.

Zorin's launch post also says Windows App Support is now powered by Wine 10. It adds OneDrive integration through Online Accounts, which helps people who keep files in Microsoft's cloud.

Pricing​

Zorin's site says the Core edition is free. Pro is a paid edition with extra features. In the launch post, Pro adds three new desktop layouts, for a total of 12. One of them is a Linux Mint-like layout. The article's $47.99 price and its claim about upgrade prompts in Core weren't confirmed in our evidence, so check the live purchase page before you buy.

Zorin also lets you try it from a USB drive without touching your internal disk. That is the right way to test it.

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS: the long-haul pick​

Canonical's release notes date Ubuntu 26.04 LTS "Resolute Raccoon" to April 23, 2026. It gets security updates and critical bug fixes for five years, until April 2031. Ubuntu Pro adds Expanded Security Maintenance. Canonical's notes describe ten years of ESM access. The article's "up to 15 years" figure comes from adding Canonical's Legacy add-on, so it isn't part of the standard free five years.

Canonical's announcement highlights:

• GNOME 50 on Wayland
• TPM-backed full-disk encryption
• Expanded memory-safe components
• Improved application permission controls

Hardware baseline​

The release notes say Ubuntu Desktop 26.04 needs a 2GHz dual-core processor, 6GB of RAM and 25GB of free storage for a comfortable experience. Installing on weaker machines is possible, but Canonical suggests a lighter flavor such as Xubuntu or Lubuntu instead. So the baseline is a recommendation, not a hard wall.

Upgrade timing​

Canonical's announcement says 24.04 LTS users will be offered the automatic upgrade when 26.04.1 arrives. It was scheduled for August 4.

Claims we can't back up​

The article says Ubuntu has the "largest community" and that a search for an error message "almost always" finds a fix. We found no comparative evidence for either. It is reasonable to say Ubuntu is widely documented and commercially supported. The Dell and Lenovo claim wasn't checked against current vendor catalogs. The complaints about Snap are one writer's opinion, not a measured finding.

Before you switch​

1. Check your software. Make a list of what you depend on. Adobe apps and games with strict anti-cheat are the usual trouble spots, as the original piece notes.
2. Test from a USB drive. Zorin offers this explicitly, and it is a good habit for any distro.
3. Verify the ISO. Mint's announcement warns that anyone can produce fake ISOs and tells users to follow its verification steps.
4. Back up your files. Do this before touching your partitions.
5. Check peripherals. Printers, Wi-Fi cards and fingerprint readers are common sources of surprises.

Our take​

Wright's picks are sensible. All three are Ubuntu-based or Ubuntu-derived, so they share a lot of package and driver support. The real choice is what you value:

• Familiarity: Mint.
• Hand-holding for Windows apps: Zorin, with caveats.
• Support length: Ubuntu.

The "tech-illiterate" framing is a bit glib. Anyone moving off Windows still needs to check their own software before committing. That goes double for a relative who will call you when the printer stops working.