Linuxfx is the most convincing Windows‑like Linux distribution I’ve seen: it ships a Windows‑style desktop, ships on an Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS base with a modern kernel, bundles Steam/Heroic and Wine, and aims to make moving off Windows painless for users worried about the October 2025 Windows 10 sunset.
Linuxfx (marketed as Winux on the project site) is a KDE‑based Linux distribution built on the Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS stack that intentionally mimics Windows 10/11 UI conventions and workflows. The distro’s latest LTS build — version 11.25.07.1 “NOBLE” — advertises a Linux Kernel 6.14 baseline, KDE Plasma UI components, bundled game and productivity software, and an optional paid “Pro”/PowerTools tier to unlock deeper integrations and enhancements. The project’s homepage and release notes list the major changes and show the Windows‑style theming and bundled extras as first‑class features.
This package is squarely aimed at two audiences:
Canonical’s Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, the upstream base for Linuxfx, provides an attractive counterpoint: standard security updates through April 2029, with optional extended maintenance via Ubuntu Pro/ESM stretching much longer. That long‑term support timeline is an important part of the Linuxfx pitch: choose a familiar‑looking desktop and still get years of security and maintenance without the subscription rules Microsoft imposes. Canonical’s published schedule for 24.04 shows standard support to April 2029 and extended Canonical support options for several more years.
Independent hands‑on testing (Tom’s Hardware) found the Android integration present but fragile: Linuxfx currently uses a QEMU‑based Android VM rather than a containerized solution such as Waydroid, and that choice produces a different performance profile. In that reviewer’s experience, Android apps could be very slow to start and unstable (Chrome on Android crashed in one test). This suggests that while the Android subsystem is a headline feature, real‑world performance will depend heavily on the host hardware, GPU passthrough support, and how the Android runtime is implemented in the distribution. The project notes mention OpenGL support and Play Store availability, but the exact mechanism (QEMU vs container) is not always identical across builds or documentation, so expectations should be tempered.
A note about Waydroid: Waydroid is an alternative, container‑based approach that integrates Android apps into the host Wayland/Wayland compositor session and generally offers smoother desktop integration on systems with compatible graphics stacks. Waydroid has its own compatibility caveats (especially with Nvidia), so Linuxfx’s QEMU VM approach is a tradeoff that improves compatibility in some cases and complicates performance in others.
Linuxfx ships Steam, the Heroic Games Launcher (for Epic/GOG/Amazon), MangoHud, and Feral Game Mode out of the box, so a typical gamer can sign in, let Proton/Steam do translation work, and play many titles without deep configuration. That said:
But the polish comes with caveats. Android support, Windows‑app compatibility, and any closed integrations deserve careful validation before a full switch. The Pro/PowerTools monetization is relatively inexpensive compared with enterprise contracts, but billing prompts should not obscure the fact that the free edition is sufficient for most home users. Finally, organizations and cautious individuals should factor in training, backup strategies, and a roll‑back plan when shifting mission‑critical systems.
If your primary goal is to move away from Windows 10 before October 14, 2025 while keeping a near‑identical desktop model, Linuxfx deserves a top‑of‑list trial. If you want raw gaming performance or an unadulterated open‑source ethos with minimal proprietary integrations, evaluate Zorin, AnduinOS, or a gaming‑oriented distro alongside it. Either way, the rise of polished, Windows‑like Linux distributions makes the prospect of leaving Windows far less intimidating than it was just a few years ago.
Source: Tom's Hardware Wean yourself off of Windows with Linuxfx — I've tried many Linux distros designed to look and feel like Windows, and this is the best one yet
Overview
Linuxfx (marketed as Winux on the project site) is a KDE‑based Linux distribution built on the Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS stack that intentionally mimics Windows 10/11 UI conventions and workflows. The distro’s latest LTS build — version 11.25.07.1 “NOBLE” — advertises a Linux Kernel 6.14 baseline, KDE Plasma UI components, bundled game and productivity software, and an optional paid “Pro”/PowerTools tier to unlock deeper integrations and enhancements. The project’s homepage and release notes list the major changes and show the Windows‑style theming and bundled extras as first‑class features. This package is squarely aimed at two audiences:
- users who want the familiarity of a Windows UI while avoiding Microsoft’s upgrade or paid‑support paths; and
- owners of older hardware who need a light, well‑supported OS that still “feels” like Windows.
Background: why a Windows‑like Linux matters now
Microsoft has publicly set Windows 10’s end‑of‑support date: October 14, 2025. After that date Windows 10 will no longer receive regular security updates or technical support, and Microsoft is steering users to Windows 11 or to the paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program as stopgaps. For many users—especially those with older hardware that fails Windows 11’s stricter requirements—this is a forcing event that leads them to consider alternatives. Microsoft’s lifecycle notice is explicit about the options and the implications for users who do not upgrade or enroll in ESU. (support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)Canonical’s Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, the upstream base for Linuxfx, provides an attractive counterpoint: standard security updates through April 2029, with optional extended maintenance via Ubuntu Pro/ESM stretching much longer. That long‑term support timeline is an important part of the Linuxfx pitch: choose a familiar‑looking desktop and still get years of security and maintenance without the subscription rules Microsoft imposes. Canonical’s published schedule for 24.04 shows standard support to April 2029 and extended Canonical support options for several more years.
Installation and first impressions
Ease of install
Linuxfx’s installer and live‑USB experience are designed to replicate the “plug‑and‑play” feel Windows users expect. Creating a bootable USB (Rufus, BalenaEtcher, or dd) and booting into a Live session provides a familiar flow: hardware checks, locale selection, partitioning, and a simple reboot into the new system. Reviewers who tested the distro on both virtual machines and older laptops report that the installer is among the smoothest they’ve used.Hardware compatibility
Because Linuxfx is built on Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS and is shipping a current kernel (6.14 in the NOBLE release), hardware detection is very good. Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, integrated webcams, and audio typically work out of the box on consumer laptops and desktops. The kernel bump matters: newer kernels broaden vendor driver coverage and improve support for recent chipsets. The Linuxfx release notes explicitly list Kernel 6.14 as a headline improvement for the 11.25.07.1 build.The Windows 11 doppelgänger: UI, UX, and productivity
Linuxfx invests heavily in visual fidelity. The distribution exposes:- a centered taskbar with an app launcher styled like Windows 11’s Start menu,
- system trays, notification center and weather widgets that mimic Windows concepts, and
- a Windows‑like control panel and UAC‑style admin prompts.
Widgets, theming, and KDE under the hood
Under the skin, Linuxfx uses KDE Plasma (the release advertises Plasma 5.27) so users gain the configurability and low resource footprint of KDE. The distro includes several themed presets:- Windows 10, Windows 11 looks
- “Redsand” variants (a more colorful alternative)
- Light, Dark, and Twilight modes
Software ecosystem and application support
App centers and GUI installs
Linuxfx offers the KDE Discover software center and the project’s own App Center for discovering and installing applications. Flatpak and Snap support are available, and the Discover UI keeps everything graphical: Chrome, Slack, GIMP, and Inkscape can be installed without touching the terminal. That’s a key usability win for users fleeing Windows because they don’t want to learn package managers and command lines.Microsoft 365 / Office workflows
Rather than trying to replicate Microsoft Office natively, Linuxfx includes easy entry points for Office 365 web apps: selecting an Office tile opens Microsoft Edge to the chosen web app. For users tied to Office 365 this is a pragmatic compromise: full features are available in the browser while local LibreOffice is included for offline work. This hybrid approach keeps the most common productivity workflows intact.Running Windows apps: Wine and caveats
Linuxfx bundles Wine and provides GUI helpers for installing .exe and .msi files, but the compatibility story is mixed. Some installers will run and apps will work; others may appear to launch and then stall (a situation observed with certain GIMP Windows installers in testing). For mission‑critical Windows apps (especially those that require kernel drivers or device‑level hooks), Wine is not a guaranteed solution. Test any required Windows application thoroughly before committing to a full migration.Android subsystem: container, VM, and real‑world behavior
Linuxfx advertises an Android subsystem with Google Play support and OpenGL acceleration in release notes and on the project site. The project’s marketing claims “Android with Play Store” and graphics acceleration as part of the PowerTools ecosystem.Independent hands‑on testing (Tom’s Hardware) found the Android integration present but fragile: Linuxfx currently uses a QEMU‑based Android VM rather than a containerized solution such as Waydroid, and that choice produces a different performance profile. In that reviewer’s experience, Android apps could be very slow to start and unstable (Chrome on Android crashed in one test). This suggests that while the Android subsystem is a headline feature, real‑world performance will depend heavily on the host hardware, GPU passthrough support, and how the Android runtime is implemented in the distribution. The project notes mention OpenGL support and Play Store availability, but the exact mechanism (QEMU vs container) is not always identical across builds or documentation, so expectations should be tempered.
A note about Waydroid: Waydroid is an alternative, container‑based approach that integrates Android apps into the host Wayland/Wayland compositor session and generally offers smoother desktop integration on systems with compatible graphics stacks. Waydroid has its own compatibility caveats (especially with Nvidia), so Linuxfx’s QEMU VM approach is a tradeoff that improves compatibility in some cases and complicates performance in others.
Gaming on Linuxfx: Steam, Proton, Heroic, and Wine
Linux gaming is no longer niche. Valve’s Proton compatibility layer and the Steam Deck effort have moved hundreds — and now thousands — of Windows games into playable territory on Linux. Proton continues to evolve (Proton 10, Proton 9 betas, and multiple Proton milestones over 2024–2025) to broaden compatibility and improve performance. Distributions that ship Steam plus helper tools put most of the heavy lifting on Proton/Steam rather than on the distro itself. (gamingonlinux.com, theverge.com)Linuxfx ships Steam, the Heroic Games Launcher (for Epic/GOG/Amazon), MangoHud, and Feral Game Mode out of the box, so a typical gamer can sign in, let Proton/Steam do translation work, and play many titles without deep configuration. That said:
- anti‑cheat protected multiplayer titles remain a problematic category (kernel anti‑cheat hooks are the major blocker), and
- older or underpowered hardware will still struggle with AAA titles.
The payment model: free core vs Pro / PowerTools
Linuxfx is usable in a free mode; the project also offers a paid “Pro”/PowerTools option (community references and some outlets place this at around $35) that unlocks advanced features: Active Directory GUI support, improved OneDrive integration, enhanced Android subsystem acceleration, and other enterprise/IT features. The project historically used serial keys and licensing for PowerTools; recent release notes stated that the 11.25.07.1 release removed the mandatory serial key for basic usage, leaving the Pro options as optional paid extras. Some reviewers reported confusing purchase prompts in the UI, which can leave a bad first impression even when the free tier suffices. (winuxos.org, betanews.com)Strengths: what Linuxfx does very well
- Low friction migration: The user interface removes psychological barriers that keep many people on Windows, enabling a near‑seamless desktop transition for non‑technical users.
- Ubuntu LTS foundation: Access to Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS repositories and long support windows means stable security updates and a vast application catalog. Canonical’s support timeline for 24.04 is attractive for organizations and home users alike.
- Good hardware support with newer kernel: Shipping Kernel 6.14 improves compatibility with modern hardware and peripherals.
- Out‑of‑box app coverage: Preinstalled Steam, Heroic, Wine, LibreOffice, and convenience tools reduce the initial setup friction many new Linux users face.
- Educational path to Linux: For users who ultimately want to learn more about Linux, starting from a Windows‑like desktop and moving inward can be an easier path than a sudden switch to a very different environment.
Risks, trade‑offs, and unanswered questions
- UI mimicry can confuse support flows. The near‑identical Windows look means users and help desks may misidentify the OS during troubleshooting, complicating support and making it harder to find relevant help. This is a product design trade‑off: comfort vs clarity.
- Proprietary integrations and transparency. Features that integrate with OneDrive, Active Directory, or proprietary club of tools may rely on closed APIs or glue code. When distros insert proprietary connectors, transparency and long‑term maintenance expectations must be clarified; open‑source alternatives may be preferable for privacy‑conscious users.
- Windows app compatibility is not guaranteed. Wine and Proton handle a lot, but complex Windows software (kernel drivers, specialized instrumentation, hardware dongles) will not port cleanly. Users with essential Windows‑only apps should keep a fallback plan.
- Android subsystem maturity. The Android VM experience on Linuxfx appears promising on paper but can be flaky in practice, based on reviewer tests: slow startups and crashes were observed. The distro’s documentation and official notes promise Play Store and OpenGL support, but the implementation details (container vs VM, GPU passthrough) change the end‑user experience considerably. Treat Android support as experimental until proven on your hardware.
- Potential upgrade and security policy changes. With Windows 10 EOL driving users away, the Linux ecosystem will see a surge of new users. That influx pressures maintainers and support channels; organizations should plan for governance, patch management, and training, not just a UI swap. Microsoft’s ESU arrangements and timelines are firm; migration planning should be time‑boxed. (support.microsoft.com, learn.microsoft.com)
Practical migration checklist: moving from Windows to Linuxfx
- Backup everything: documents, browser bookmarks, mail stores, and any license keys.
- Try Linuxfx from a Live USB to confirm hardware support (Wi‑Fi, audio, webcam).
- Test all business‑critical applications: web apps, local Office files, any Windows apps under Wine.
- Confirm peripherals: printers, scanners, and USB dongles.
- If gaming matters, log into Steam and run a few Proton/Steam‑verified titles as a test.
- Consider dual‑boot or keep an image of the Windows drive until you’re fully confident.
- Read official release notes and PowerTools descriptions carefully before paying for Pro features.
How Linuxfx compares to competitors (Zorin, AnduinOS, Bazzite and others)
Linuxfx’s single biggest differentiator is the fidelity of its Windows mimicry combined with an Ubuntu LTS core. Other Windows‑targeted distros aim for a similar goal but with different tradeoffs:- Zorin OS: focuses on performance and ease of use with a polished, Windows‑familiar shell and strong performance; ideal where speed is the priority.
- AnduinOS: blends UI familiarity with modern features and may be a better middle ground if you want both performance and aesthetics.
- Bazzite (and gaming‑oriented distros): better for pure gaming rigs thanks to tuned gaming stacks and gamer‑centric utilities.
Final verdict
Linuxfx is the best Windows‑style Linux distribution many reviewers have tried because it pairs an unusually faithful visual and interaction layer with a robust Ubuntu LTS foundation and a modern kernel. That combination addresses the two things most Windows holdouts care about: “Will my apps work?” and “Will I be able to keep using my PC the way I always have?” For users who spend the bulk of their time in a browser or in Office‑style apps, Linuxfx lowers the migration barrier dramatically.But the polish comes with caveats. Android support, Windows‑app compatibility, and any closed integrations deserve careful validation before a full switch. The Pro/PowerTools monetization is relatively inexpensive compared with enterprise contracts, but billing prompts should not obscure the fact that the free edition is sufficient for most home users. Finally, organizations and cautious individuals should factor in training, backup strategies, and a roll‑back plan when shifting mission‑critical systems.
If your primary goal is to move away from Windows 10 before October 14, 2025 while keeping a near‑identical desktop model, Linuxfx deserves a top‑of‑list trial. If you want raw gaming performance or an unadulterated open‑source ethos with minimal proprietary integrations, evaluate Zorin, AnduinOS, or a gaming‑oriented distro alongside it. Either way, the rise of polished, Windows‑like Linux distributions makes the prospect of leaving Windows far less intimidating than it was just a few years ago.
Source: Tom's Hardware Wean yourself off of Windows with Linuxfx — I've tried many Linux distros designed to look and feel like Windows, and this is the best one yet
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