Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of people talking about switching to Linux once Windows 10 support ends. Many people want something that feels familiar, something that looks and works like Windows. In my search, I came across a Linux distro called Winux that has been getting a lot of attention.
At first glance, it seemed like a perfect fit, but after spending some time with it and digging a little deeper, I ran into some concerning issues that made me question whether it’s really a safe or reliable choice.
Winux wants to make Linux feel just like Windows
A familiar face on a different operating system
Winux is a Linux distribution designed to ease the transition for users accustomed to Windows. Its interface closely resembles that of Windows 11, featuring a taskbar, Start menu, and system tray that are nearly indistinguishable from their Windows counterparts. This design choice aims to provide a familiar environment for those making the switch to Linux.
It even comes with built-in apps that mimic what you’d expect on Windows. The file manager resembles Explorer, the settings app is essentially a clone of Windows Settings, and the system monitor is essentially a disguised version of Task Manager. At first glance, I couldn’t tell whether it was a Linux or Windows installation.
For anyone accustomed to Windows, such as my parents, this is perfect. There’s almost no learning curve, and you can get straight to work without feeling lost. It also comes with Wine pre-installed, which allows you to run some Windows applications directly. Not everything works perfectly, but it’s convenient for basic apps. At first, I actually thought it could be my go-to Linux recommendation for most people, since there’s almost no learning curve.
But as I started digging under the surface, some things didn’t sit right with me. There are issues here that you can’t ignore if you look closely.
Winux isn’t as trustworthy as it looks
The distro with a dodgy past
When I first booted up Winux, something felt oddly familiar. It reminded me of Wubuntu, a distro I’d tried a while back. After digging a bit, I realized why. Winux has gone through several rebrands—earlier it was called Wubuntu, and Linuxfx before that. That immediately raised a red flag. It felt like the developers were trying to distance themselves from their past, and boy, was I right.
In 2022, when it was still Linuxfx, the distro had a serious security issue. A database for online registration and activation was exposed, leaking users’ IP addresses, license keys, and emails. Instead of properly fixing it, the developers barely made any effort to fix the issue and even mocked Kernal, who first reported the issue. That alone made me seriously question the project’s reliability.
The distro is also heavily commercialized. Winux includes PowerTools, a $35 suite promising Windows-like themes, Android support, ChatGPT integration, and more. Most of these features are just themes and minor tweaks on top of Ubuntu—stuff you can do yourself for free. To make matters worse, pop-ups constantly push you to buy the Pro license. Ads are exactly why I wanted to leave Windows behind. For a Linux distro, this feels completely against the open-source spirit.
Long-term stability is another concern. The distro flirts with trademark issues, copying Windows assets, and even Microsoft Copilot branding on the boot screen. If Microsoft decided to act, it’s hard to say how long this project would survive.
On top of that, Winux comes preinstalled with proprietary apps. I was pretty shocked to see “4K Video Downloader+” pre-installed—just the name feels shady. On top of that, it also has a paid license. I wouldn’t have minded if it came with an open-source alternative instead, but this really didn’t inspire much confidence. That’s exactly the kind of bloat people leave Windows for. After seeing all this, I realized I just can’t recommend Winux in good faith.
What I’d recommend instead
Stick with something more reliable
Instead of Winux, there are tons of Linux distros you can try when switching from Windows. Personally, I’d recommend Linux Mint. It’s been the easiest distro to use that I’ve come across, especially for someone who isn’t very tech-savvy. It also works great on older systems, and while the UI isn’t an exact copy of Windows like Winux, it does feel familiar enough.
If it’s a Windows-like UI you really want, you can also go with any distro that comes with KDE out of the box, like Fedora KDE. From there, you can install one of the many Windows themes from the KDE Store. Honestly, I’d argue many of these themes look even better than Winux, and you get the flexibility of a proper, fully open-source Linux system without all the bloat and sketchy practices.
Another thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s worth experimenting a bit. Don’t feel like you have to settle on the first distro you try. Many distros let you test them in a live session without installing anything, so you can get a feel for the interface, performance, and workflow. This way, you can see what actually works for you instead of just chasing a Windows-like look or hype. Personally, I’ve found that trying out a few options first saves a lot of frustration down the line.
Linux shouldn’t nag you like Windows does
Ultimately, placing all your trust in a distribution run by a small team is never a wise decision. You’re taking on a huge security risk on top of all the other issues I’ve mentioned, since all of your sensitive data would be at risk.
I recently switched to Linux for gaming, and even then, I went with SteamOS, which is developed by Valve. Sticking to mainstream distros like Ubuntu, Fedora, or Linux Mint is the safer bet. And since Linux is so modular, if you really love a feature from one distro, there’s a good chance you can get it on another. Don’t limit yourself to a specific distro just for a single feature.
