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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Maybe Aurora by Universal Blue?
It's based off of Fedora Silverblue, so it's atomic, rock solid and basically guaranteed to work (more secure by design as well). But uses KDEPlasma instead of Gnome and has a bunch of improvements here and there, including proprietary codecs and Nvidia drivers preinstalled (latter depending on the image you choose)
This is an excellent answer. Kinoite (basically the same thing as Aurora) is what enabled me to finally make the switch to full time linux a few months ago.
I think you should cruise this guy's channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg6gPGh8HU2U01vaFCAsvmQ
He's very fair and uses all operating systems. I'm almost certain he's had a video on this exact question.
You're asking for a distro to best fit certain criteria; what's better for you.
What you're going to get is everyone waving the flag of their favourite distro and selling you on it as a solution; what's better for them.
I used to recommend Ubuntu. Now that immutable distributions exist, I prefer to recommend openSUSE Aeon or Fedora Silverblue to new users. However, check this website before installing Linux.
This site refers to "local repair cafés" more than once. Is that a regional thing? I've never seen those three words in that order ever before.
I know I'll get down voted for this, but from that site:
"Microsoft wants you to buy a new computer.
But what if you could make your current one fast and secure again?"
Kind of a sensationalized statement. I've upgraded tons of machines from 2015 and newer to windows 11 without issues. Sure, not all of them, but I'd say a majority of them, and the "upgrade" is free.
I guess I wanted to point out this piece isn't as doom and gloom as it seems.
Every time I've tried Kubuntu it's been a mess. Though it's been a couple years since I subjected myself to it. It's still going to use Snaps, so there's that.
If they want bulletproof and up to date, Fedora KDE.
ZorinOS or the recent AnduinOS can be very Windows like with modernish windows sex appeal as you call it.
Edit: If a gamer you could add Nobara with its own theme or bazzite with KDE.
You have had many answers, all of them revolving around Debian / Ubuntu. Yet it doesn't give the "like-windows" esperience. It's More like "slightly windows-flavored Linux".
For a more Windows-like Linux, which helped me transition easily because I retained muscle memory, is Zorin OS.
Get an immutable distro. You’ll never need to touch it again.
This may actually hinders new users because you can't just change stuff on the system.
And no, not everything always work out of the box. Fedora & OpenSUSE codecs, I'm looking at you.
I think you overestimate the average persons need to configure their computers. Most people just use a web browser, email, and maybe some light gaming. No one new to Linux is going to be really upset that they can’t do complex system operations on the command line.
No, but they'd be upset if they cannot play their usual media files. H265 is known to be absent by default on a lot of these distros.
Atomic distros by Universal Blue build proprietary codecs into their images
I’ve never had a problem with any media playback. I don’t think this is an issue on Bazzite, the immutable distro I’ve been using for over a year.
Linux. Mint.
Everytime.
OP explicitly said Mint isn’t what they’re looking for.
Fedora Atomic (immutable OS), install one and you can swap between Atomic, Kinoite, Bazzite, and any other atomic distribution easily.
I just switched to a ublue distro (bluefin) and think it's great. These are designed from the ground up to be an "install it for a family member or friend and never have to touch it again" experience. They are based on Fedora. Bluefin has been the most trouble-free install of linux I've ever tried. I can't say enough good things about it.
I would go with Aurora (essentially bluefin but with KDE instead of Gnome), unless they do a lot of gaming, in which case Bazzite-kde would probably work best (bazzite is more up-to-date which can mean more instability).
These are set up to use flatpak with a software center, so all gui apps can be installed from there and is similar to windows. It updates everything automatically in the background and only requires rebooting whenever you want to switch to the updated system. Also the immutable nature makes it hard to break, but if something does go wrong it makes it easy to roll back to the previous working install. There are also GTS versions of bluefin and aurora available, which are pinned to more stable releases so there's even less chance of breakage.
Live USB installs aren't stable yet so that might be an issue if you want to make sure hardware works before install, but you can install to a usb harddrive and boot off of that to check it out that way.
Fedora KDE is a good one.
Agreed. For a new user that wants to minimise system maintenance I'd recommend the atomic version, Fedora Kinoite. Flatpak plus rpm-ostree makes it like a phone where you can just do system updates and install/remove apps.
I'm personally a fan of Debian. Default KDE isn't bad looking from what I can remember (I personally don't use it - I neither hate or love it just because I love XFCE). I'm personally a big XFCE fan, but you do have to do some work to get it working good, and there are still jank parts here and there.
While no distro is completely set and forget, I think Debian Stable is as close as you can get. Once you install it and get it working the way you want (depending on your setup, you might encounter minor issues as with any distro), it will pretty much stay that way until you upgrade to the next version, and you can go up to 5 years before upgrading.
I would recommend you use the KDE (or whatever DE you want) live installer, though, as the default installer is quite unintuitive. You can find it in the list of installers at https://www.debian.org/distrib/.
I've never used Kubuntu specifically, but I would personally avoid Ubuntu these days if just because of Snaps. Also, Ubuntu is heavily bloated - base Ubuntu is almost unusable in a VM now, while vanilla GNOME and PopOS run well in VMs on the same machine. Personally, when I need to test Ubuntu builds, I always prefer working with PopOS.
Overall, I'd say if you don't end up using Debian (I don't blame you - while I like it, you might not), just please don't use anything Ubuntu-based that isn't Mint or PopOS.
Well there are no operating systems that you can install and forget, unless they never plan to go online with the machine. They all need updating which can be set automatically. The only problem is if it requires manual intervention, sometimes updates don't go as planned, then a roll-back might be necessary. They could try an immutable linux distribution if they are worried about screwing up their installs or something. Fedora kinoite may be their thing, or Bazzite which is based on that.
Bluefin and Bazzite have been good to me so far.
The embedded IoT crowd would like to refute your claim that there are no operating systems that you can install and forget.
The collective would like to stress that any operating system can be installed and forgotten. Please note, that usefulness and security may be impacted.
/s
Also, to be technical there is CollapseOS which is an install once and forget sort of thing.
Debian is always the forgotten choice. You can install kde at time of install. It's stable and can be upgraded in the background automatically even between major versions. Doesn't have snaps making hell for the user. For any apps they need the newest version of Flatpak is right there in Discover software center.
If you want a set it and forget it distro to never touch his computer again, then consider going a Ublue distro. Aurora (only KDE), or Bazzite (choose the KDE image) if he does gaming.
Focus on the DE instead of the distro. There used to be one that has "windows look" as a goal.
I'm pretty sure that's Zorin. I've never used it myself, but from what I've heard it might be a good choice for OP's person.
Zorin is too walled off IMO. Too many features locked in Pro version.
The true Windows experience.
There is nothing locked outside Pro version that you can't get by installing it manually :)
Another vote for Aurora.
Universal Blue in general has been really solid, I remember one time in the last year or two when there's been any need for manual intervention. And that came with a notification after boot, with a link to instructions that were all copy-pastable as-is to the terminal.
I want to try something windows like with more sex appeal.
Elaborate?
I don't want to have to touch this computer again.
This person will undoubtedly need help and if they can't help themselves you will be the one helping them. Mint is best-case for ease of use so your requirements are a bit contradictory.
If you want windows with sex apeal, the KDE desktop environment's treated me pretty well. I'm using Fedora, though you could get it from other distros too
Kubuntu is excellent for the stability imo. Super sane and low-demand defaults make for a reliable/enjoyable experience
I only use gentoo now so I can't offer suggestions other than maybe alpine for servers
I personally like mint and pop!os for new users, but for this user I want to try something windows like with more sex appeal.
what don't you mean by "sex appeal"?
They want this person to be sexually attracted to their computer.
Fedora KDE edition or OpenSUSE Tumbleweed/Slowroll. Otherwise could try Aurora.
I avoid Ubuntu base because it is slow to update packages, and the inclusion of Snap packages are a no from me.
Surprised I had to come this far to find tumbleweed. Its hard to kill and easy to fix. Love it.
Kubuntu is just really well polished. It works really well and stable nowadays. Only downside is snap.
Also have a look at Linux MX. Also very well polished and some really good tools.