Plus, how to try it before you “buy” it

Windows 10 and Windows 11 completely dominate the desktop operating system market, so it's easy to forget that there are alternatives available for PC users. Even if you're a gamer, you'd be surprised at how much support for gaming on non-Windows systems has grown. Most don't cost a dime, and we've rounded up ten of the best free alternatives to Microsoft's Windows operating system right here.

Please note that your current software may not have a version that is compatible with these alternative operating systems. You may need to find alternative software to use compatibility layers. Check out the "try before you buy" section at the end of this article for some tips to make the transition easier.

Ubuntu Linux is a popular desktop Linux distribution available, with a core focus on being a Windows alternative for most users. Ubuntu is easy to use and hides a lot of the "technical" Linux stuff.