Windows 7 Alternatives

Windows 7 is described as 'the successor to Windows Vista . The new OS introduces a compelling combination of welcome innovations and much-needed polish. Windows 7 is built with the codebase from Vista and minor upgrade (6' and is a leading operating system in the network & admin category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Windows 7 for a variety of platforms, including Linux, BSD, Self-Hosted, Windows and Mac apps. The best Windows 7 alternative is Ubuntu, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Windows 7 are Linux Mint, Debian, Arch Linux and Fedora.

Windows 7 alternatives are mainly Operating Systems but may also be Linux Distros or Mobile OSs. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Windows 7.

Windows 7 alternatives page was last updated

Windows 7

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Paid • Proprietary
Operating System

Windows 7 is the successor to Windows Vista . The new OS introduces a compelling combination of...

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Ubuntu
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Ubuntu
207 Ubuntu alternatives
Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.
- - Ubuntu is the most popular Linux alternative to Windows 7.
- - Ubuntu is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Windows 7.
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Ubuntu Features
1. Support for scriptingUbuntu supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. PortableUbuntu can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. LightweightUbuntu consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsUbuntu can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Linux-based
Customizable
Based on Debian
User friendly
APT package manager
Support for Unicode
OTA Updates
Kde support
KDE
X server
Comments about Ubuntu as a Alternative to Windows 7
Almost everyone thinks Ubuntu is a great Windows 7 alternative.
Guest
Ubuntu has everything and more then a user needs. Plus.
Top positive comment•
20

Dhara Andharia
It is very great and nice
Top positive comment•
0

Jonathan Mckanna
Windows 7 is slow now but it was fast then and Ubuntu is nothing like Windows 7!
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Because of it's ease of use :)
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Ubuntu is unix based system not similar to windows at all...
Negative comment•
-32
Linux Mint
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
224 Linux Mint alternatives
Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people. The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use. Latest: Vera (21.1).
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Linux Mint Features
1. Ad-freeLinux Mint doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. No TrackingLinux Mint will not track you or use your personal data.
3. LightweightLinux Mint consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Privacy focusedLinux Mint is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Dark ModeLinux Mint supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Customizable
Windows-like
Based on Ubuntu
Support for Nvidia drivers
Debian package compatible
Cinnamon Desktop
User friendly
Linux-based
Out Of The Box
Based on Debian
Comments about Linux Mint as a Alternative to Windows 7
Almost everyone thinks Linux Mint is a great Windows 7 alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Mint might be more suitable for the type of person who stuck with Win7 even after Windows 10 came along.
Top positive comment•
10

Guest
User-friendly windows-like operating system.
Top positive comment•
9

Guest
it easy to learn. safe. no update he#$.
Positive comment•
4

Guest
Very friendly, easy and light.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Fast, fluid, low need for ram and free
Positive comment•
3

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5 of 7 comments
Debian
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Windows
Linux
BSD
Self-Hosted
235 Debian alternatives
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.
- - Debian is the most popular Windows & Self-Hosted alternative to Windows 7.
Suggest and vote on features
Debian Features
1. Rolling ReleaseDebian supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. No TrackingDebian will not track you or use your personal data.
3. LightweightDebian consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Privacy focusedDebian is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Ad-freeDebian doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Command line interfaceDebian either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
7. Dark ModeDebian supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Debian without registration.
9. PortableDebian can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Customizable
Low memory usage
Package Control
Based on Debian
Comments about Debian as a Alternative to Windows 7
Most users think Debian is a great Windows 7 alternative.
Guest
Unlike ubuntu and windows 7 you can completely customize your os by changing various different desktop enviroments, icons, cursors and more.
Positive comment•
5

Guest
it's free software, and contains a gazillion of packages with usable software, ready to install.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Debian respects their users' privacy and right to control the software that they use.
Positive comment•
7
Arch Linux
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
222 Arch Linux alternatives
Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86_64 optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.
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Arch Linux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseArch Linux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. LightweightArch Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Ad-freeArch Linux doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Privacy focusedArch Linux is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. No TrackingArch Linux will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Command line interfaceArch Linux either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
7. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Arch Linux without registration.
Customizable
Arch User Repository
Wiki documentation
Minimalistic
Community-based
Bleeding edge
Linux-based
FOSS
Package Control
ARM support
Comments about Arch Linux as a Alternative to Windows 7
Most users think Arch Linux is a great Windows 7 alternative.
karaboungalos
It is the best for those who know what they're doing.
Positive comment•
6

Vivek Vaishya
Its a rolling release distro, so you get to see stuffs ahead of other distros.
Positive comment•
5
Fedora
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
226 Fedora alternatives
Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.
Suggest and vote on features
Fedora Features
1. No TrackingFedora will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedFedora is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeFedora doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Dark ModeFedora supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Rolling ReleaseFedora supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Fedora without registration.
7. LightweightFedora consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Out Of The Box
Linux-based
Customizable
Wayland Support
Support for BTRFS
FOSS
Unix-like
Multiple languages
Separated workspaces
Key rebinding
Comments about Fedora as a Alternative to Windows 7
Most users think Fedora is a great Windows 7 alternative.
Albert Wang
User friendly, private, secure, and open source.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
Great distro for beginners
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Combines ease of use with solid software backed up by Red Hat Corporation. You don't have to hack around the system, but when you want to – obscure solutions (i.e. Mir and Unity in Ubuntu) don't stand in your way
Positive comment•
1

karaboungalos
It is user-friendly, but not enough for people who don't know how to use PCs properly.
Positive comment•
0
Manjaro Linux
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Arch Linux
245 Manjaro Linux alternatives
Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting...
Suggest and vote on features
Manjaro Linux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseManjaro Linux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. LightweightManjaro Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. No TrackingManjaro Linux will not track you or use your personal data.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Manjaro Linux without registration.
5. Ad-freeManjaro Linux doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Based on Arch Linux
Customizable
Arch User Repository
User friendly
Community-based
Linux-based
Simple installation
Out Of The Box
Clean design
Support for Nvidia drivers
Comments about Manjaro Linux as a Alternative to Windows 7
Almost everyone thinks Manjaro Linux is a great Windows 7 alternative.
Gruak
Has a linux kernel which is superior to windows NT kernel
Positive comment•
1

NickFreeman
Software always up to date and easy to install latest kernel/drivers
Positive comment•
5

Guest
Very easy to use for new Linux users and (because it's based off Arch) has pacman which is the best package manager in my opinion
Positive comment•
1

Albert Wang
User friendly, private, secure, and open source.
Positive comment•
1
macOS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Operating System
Mac
194 macOS alternatives
macOS is a Unix-based operating system, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is designed to run on Macintosh computers, having been pre-installed on all Macs since 2002. Within the market of home computers, and by web usage, macOS is the second most widely used desktop OS...
- - macOS is the most popular Mac alternative to Windows 7.
Suggest and vote on features
macOS Features
1. Chromecast SupportCast your content to a Chromecast connected device with macOS.
Consistent UI
Usability
Unix-like
Spotlight
Compatible with Microsoft Office
Unlock with fingerprint
Voice Commands
QuickLook File Preview
Comments about macOS as a Alternative to Windows 7
Some users think macOS is a great Windows 7 alternative, some don't.
Guest
In my opinion if you're to this day using Windows 7 (or even older) you have no business with macOS. Trying out Linux (like Mint, Manjaro, MX or Fedora) is a much better idea and investment (for your knowledge and skills, money and privacy).
Negative comment•
0

Guest
The apps used on macOS are not compatible with Windows 7, and vice versa
Negative comment•
-2