Windows XP Alternatives for Linux

Windows XP is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Windows XP and loads of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Windows XP are Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch Linux.

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Windows XP alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Linux Mint icon

    Linux Mint

     1158 likes
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    Linux distribution focused on desktop use, with unique menus, media codecs, browser plugins, and DVD support pre-installed; offers easy package management, compatibility with Ubuntu repositories, and a Debian-based alternative for consistency and reliability.

    183 Linux Mint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint 22.2 "Zara"
     
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    8
    Comments about Linux Mint as an Alternative to Windows XP
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Wasn't on the list of alternatives for windows 7, despite it being the best windows alternative for all versions, and couldn't suggest it as a guest, so found it here in XP. Best Windows alternative, 95 to 11.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    it s all in + User frendly (you dont need to know what an Admin is,if U r root = it s 4 Relatives = They need no (less) support = YOUR Live become easy ;-)))

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Windows XP Icon
    Linux Mint icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Linux Mint is a great Windows XP alternative.

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Linux alternative to Windows XP.

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Windows XP.

    • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Linux Mint is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows XP is not according to our users
  2. Ubuntu icon

    Ubuntu

     2364 likes
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    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.

    165 Ubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Ubuntu
    Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome 46
     
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    16
    Comments about Ubuntu as an Alternative to Windows XP
    gdmanjaro0
    Negative
    1

    Doesn't have a 32-bits CPU support. Requires more RAM, than windows xp.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Stable, familiar user interface, safer than Windows from malware, lots of software available. And especially the Lubuntu version, runs VERY well on older computers with less power and memory.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Windows XP Icon
    Ubuntu icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Ubuntu is a great Windows XP alternative.

    • Ubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Ubuntu is Customizable and LightweightWindows XP is not according to our users
  4. Debian icon

    Debian

     1155 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.

    198 Debian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

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

    • Debian is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Debian is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows XP is not according to our users
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    Zorin OS icon
    Zorin OS

    Linux-based OS designed for familiar user experience, mimicking Windows or macOS, supports dual-boot, runs Windows apps via WINE, pre-installed essential software, customizable desktop layouts, broad hardware compatibility, and p...

    https://zorin.com
    Learn More
  6. Fedora icon

    Fedora

     590 likes
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    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.

    183 Fedora alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38
     
  7. Arch Linux icon

    Arch Linux

     779 likes
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    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.

    199 Arch Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    arch with KDE 4.4 desktop
     
  8. Manjaro Linux icon

    Manjaro Linux

     330 likes
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    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...

    179 Manjaro Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Manjaro 19.0 Kyria (Xfce)
     
  10. Zorin OS icon

    Zorin OS

     132 likes
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    Linux-based OS designed for familiar user experience, mimicking Windows or macOS, supports dual-boot, runs Windows apps via WINE, pre-installed essential software, customizable desktop layouts, broad hardware compatibility, and privacy-focused updates.

    184 Zorin OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Windows 10 layout
     
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    2
    7
    Comments about Zorin OS as an Alternative to Windows XP
    ThomasStevenson
    Positive
    0

    Really fast and responsive system. After moving to Zorin OS, my computer ran faster than it ever did with Windows XP, and it doesn't get viruses as it's based on Linux. I could even edit my MS Office documents with Zorin OS out of the box without paying for MS Office.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Due to the UI customisability of Zorin OS, I have completely switched to exclusively Linux (Zorin & Lubuntu) on my daily driver and so far there haven't been any adverse effects for me personally. Eventually I will have my main and secondary home system running Zorin also!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Windows XP Icon
    Zorin OS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Zorin OS is a great Windows XP alternative.

    • Zorin OS is Freemium and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Zorin OS is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows XP is not according to our users
  14. Xubuntu icon

    Xubuntu

     292 likes
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    Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment. It is based on Ubuntu Debian Linux.

    181 Xubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Xubuntu 19.10
     
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    1
    Comments about Xubuntu as an Alternative to Windows XP
    Buster_Blue
    Positive
    0

    The low resource use of XFCE would be useful for running on the older computers that had Windows XP installed.

    Windows XP Icon
    Xubuntu icon
    • Xubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Xubuntu is Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows XP is not according to our users
12 of 50 Windows XP alternatives