Windows 10 Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Windows 10 for Windows and since it's discontinued a lot of people are looking for a replacement. The best Windows alternative is Debian, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Windows 10 and 16 are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to Windows 10 are Kali Linux, ReactOS, Windows 11 and Revision (ReviOS).

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Most Windows 10 alternatives are Operating Systems, but you can also narrow the list to Linux Distros or Penetration Testing Tools. Other popular filters are Windows, Open Source, Linux, EU and Free. You can also filter for EU-based alternatives if you prefer software from the European Union.
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Alternatives
Windows 10 alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Debian icon
     1210 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Good alternative?
     
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    8
  2. Kali Linux icon
     298 likes

    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.

    27 Kali Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2013

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  3. ReactOS icon
     305 likes

    ReactOS™ is a FOSS effort to develop a quality operating system based on the architecture of Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems, that is compatible with applications and drivers written for it (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7).

    209 ReactOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • ReactOS
    Good alternative?
     
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    6
  4. Windows 11 icon
     48 likes

    Experience the latest Windows OS with a new Start menu, integrated Teams, and gaming technologies like Auto HDR. Improved security with stricter requirements enhances protection, and seamless Microsoft Account integration makes it ideal for modern devices.

    184 Windows 11 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2021

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
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    1
  5. HoloISO icon
     14 likes

    SteamOS 3 (Holo) archiso configuration.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2023

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  6. 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.

    11 Windows X-Lite alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2024

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
  7. illumos icon
     24 likes

    illumos is a free and open-source Unix operating system. It derives from OpenSolaris, which in turn derives from SVR4 UNIX and Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). illumos comprises a kernel, device drivers, system libraries, and utility software for system administration.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2011

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  8. MINIX 3 icon
     14 likes

    MINIX is a POSIX-compliant Unix-like operating system based on a tiny microkernel running in kernel mode with the rest of the operating system running as a number of isolated, protected, processes in user mode.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2019

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Good alternative?
     
  9. Titan Linux  icon
     1 like

    Titan Linux is an all new distro built on the Debian Stable branch. It's a fully functional yet minimal KDE Plasma desktop experience.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2023

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Debian
    Good alternative?
     
  10. Storm-OS icon
     Like

    Storm OS is a Linux distribution based on Arch, and LFS (Linux from Scratch)! developed by Ben Fitzpatrick with the contributions by silent robot, seeker, rayzer1981, yugiohmaster88, and more. FEATURES = XFCE and KDE desktops (Arch edition only!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Since

    • Since 2023

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • KDE
    • Xfce
    • Arch Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  11. ZealOS icon
     2 likes

    The Zeal Operating System is a modernized, professional fork of the 64-bit Temple Operating System. Guiding principles of development include transparency, full user control, and adherence to public-domain/open-source implementations.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2022

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
12 of 16 Windows 10 alternatives