Free Windows 10 Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Windows 10 for Windows if you are looking for a replacement. The best free Windows alternative is Debian, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Windows 10 and 15 are free and available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Windows alternatives to Windows 10 are ReactOS, Kali Linux, Revision (ReviOS) and Windows X-Lite.

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Windows 10 alternatives are mainly Operating Systems but may also be Linux Distros or Penetration Testing Tools.  Other popular filters includes Windows + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Windows 10.
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A versatile OS with universal app architecture, free initial year offer, redesigned UI for mouse and touch, virtual desktop, and improved security.

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Windows 10 alternatives page was last updated Jan 21, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Debian icon

    Debian

     1121 likes
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    The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian.

    191 Debian alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Debian 9 gnome.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Low memory usage
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Package Control
    4.  Based on Debian
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Command line interface
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Portable

    Debian VS Windows 10

     
    Comments about Debian as an Alternative to Windows 10
    Top Positive Comment
    Oktay Mercan
    Mar 8, 2019
    5

    Like a vanilla linux os and most large packe library. also you can run windows games and other programs on linux.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Sep 2, 2017
    13

    Debian is a not so good alternative for those who cares about updates. We know that to maintain the stability, the distribution (at least his stable branch) doesn't have the latest updates firstly. This way, some users won't feel truly fulfilled by the distribution.

    Most Recent Comment
    veddev
    Positive •Oct 30, 2024
    0

    I love Debian cuz its rock-solid

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    3 of 8 comments
    Windows 10 Icon
    Debian icon

    • Most users think Debian is a great Windows 10 alternative.

    • Debian is the most popular Windows & Self-Hosted alternative to Windows 10.

    • Debian is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Debian is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  2. ReactOS icon

    ReactOS

     286 likes
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    ReactOS™ is an Open Source effort to develop a quality operating system that is compatible with applications and drivers written for the Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Seven).

    195 ReactOS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • RU flagRussia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • FreeDOS
    ReactOS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Windows XP Compatibility
    2.  Run Windows software
    3.  Nt kernel
    4.  Windows-like
    5.  Support for BTRFS
    6.  Community-based

    ReactOS VS Windows 10

     
    Comments about ReactOS as an Alternative to Windows 10
    Top Positive Comment
    lounes-tb
    Sep 6, 2018
    7

    ReactOS is an opensource reimplementation of the NT api (ms windows) with a lot of inovative ideas like the package manager and the BTRFS support.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Jul 31, 2020
    0

    This is effectively a clone of Windows XP, and while it runs some software, it can not run most programs. It runs poorly on real hardware.

    Most Recent Comment
    Mano
    Positive •Jan 15, 2020
    1

    This is meant to be an "open source windows". Despite being in alpha, it works and you can still use all your .exes and installers, so no need to worry about having to abandon all your "windows only" programs.

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    3 of 6 comments
    Windows 10 Icon
    ReactOS icon

    • Most users think ReactOS is a great Windows 10 alternative.

    • ReactOS is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • ReactOS is LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users
  4. Kali Linux icon

    Kali Linux

     266 likes
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    Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing, originally forked from Backtrack Linux by the Offensive Security team.

    20 Kali Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Kali Linux screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Penetration Testing
    2.  Security Testing
    3.  Linux-based
    4.  Command line interface
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  ARM support
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Real time collaboration
    9.  Based on Debian

    Kali Linux VS Windows 10

     
  5. Revision (ReviOS) icon

    Revision (ReviOS)

     10 likes
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    ReviOS aspires to re-create what Windows as an operating system should have been - easy and simple.

    68 Revision (ReviOS) alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Revision (ReviOS) screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  No registration required

    Revision (ReviOS) VS Windows 10

     
  6. Windows X-Lite icon

    Windows X-Lite

     2 likes
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    Windows X-Lite's Optimized Windows Builds are designed to Enhance Performance, Privacy, Stability and Control, and work with all Apps and Games on all PCs. Old or New, Weak or Strong, Desktop or Laptop.

    7 Windows X-Lite alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows X-Lite screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Gaming-focused

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Customize Windows

    Windows X-Lite VS Windows 10

     
  7. HoloISO icon

    HoloISO

     8 likes
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    SteamOS 3 (Holo) archiso configuration.

    62 HoloISO alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    HoloISO screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free

    HoloISO VS Windows 10

     
  9. Tiny10 icon

    Tiny10

     2 likes
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    Tiny10 is a lightweight version of Windows 10 developed by NTDEV, optimised for older or low-resource hardware, with improved performance and reduced system requirements.

    19 Tiny10 alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Country of Origin

    • RO flagRomania
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Tiny10 screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Custom-ROM

    Tiny10 VS Windows 10

     
7 of 15 Windows 10 alternatives