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ZDNET Key Takeaways
- These Linux distros require no post-install effort.
- Each of these options is usable out of the box.
- You won’t need to install software or make changes to your desktop.
Every time I have to install Windows (which is a nightmare), it seems to take forever to get it to work as needed. You may need to install drivers and software, remove ads, update the system (which can take a long time), remove bloatware, make changes to the UI, disable taskbar and lock screen widgets, disable system notifications, enable system security, and more.
As with many Linux distributions, the list is quite short. If you choose to use the right Linux distribution, you will find that it can be just fine.
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But which Linux distributions offer this kind of post-install nirvana? The list may not be long, but it is enough to give you options. Each of the distributions below requires very little work once the OS is up and running. To make this list even more appealing, installing any of these distros is not remotely challenging. To be included in this list, a distribution must:
- be easy to install
- Include essential apps out of the box
- No changes are needed before the desktop is useful
- Do not insist that the user upgrade immediately after installation
- Include little or no bloatware
- Does not contain advertisements (of any kind)
- Detect most (if not all) hardware automatically
With those factors sorted, let’s look at the list of the best out-of-the-box distributions.
1. Linux Mint
It should come as no surprise that Linux Mint is on this list. I would go so far as to say that Linux Mint has the best out-of-the-box experience of any OS on the market. Once you’ve installed the OS, you’re ready to go. Sure, you may have to set your email account to the default mail client, but other than that, you won’t have to do much.
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Linux Mint checks all the boxes above and offers a user interface that is as simple as it gets. Anyone will feel right at home with the default installation and thrilled that they don’t need to do anything productive, creative, or for fun once the OS is installed.
Although Linux Mint isn’t my distribution of choice, I definitely envy those who use it because of how little work they have to do out of the box. Seriously, it can’t be overstated how easy it is to use Linux Mint immediately after installation. If you’re looking for the best out-of-the-box experience of any OS on the market, Linux Mint is what you want.
2. Manjaro
You might not expect to find an Arch-based Linux distribution in a list of easy-to-use distributions. Well, get rid of the doubts because Manjaro absolutely fits this particular bill.
Manjaro makes it incredibly easy to install Arch. The distro defaults to a gorgeous KDE Plasma desktop, includes all the software you need (without bloatware), doesn’t require immediate installation, has excellent hardware detection, and doesn’t require any UI changes to make it useful.
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Out of the box, Manjaro is surprisingly useful. You might also think that KDE Plasma is a bit much for people who want a simple, out-of-the-box experience, but it doesn’t demand too much from desktop users. Sure, you can customize KDE Plasma as you want, but you don’t have to.
3. ZorinOS
ZorinOS is as complete an operating system as you’ll ever use, and the onboarding experience is great. ZorinOS includes the software you need (no more), a simple tool to connect your mobile phone, an easy installation, and a handy Zorin Appearance app to help users select the desktop layout they want.
The latest release of ZorinOS (18 beta) is also gorgeous, so there would be no reason to miss it out of the box. ZorinOS uses the Brave browser by default, so you don’t even need to install a more secure browser.
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You also get the Evolution email client, which includes a full groupware suite (email, calendar, contacts, tasks, and a much more modern UI than you’ll get with the app installed on other distributions). And because ZorinOS has Flatpak support in the App Store, you can install proprietary apps like Slack and Spotify out of the box.
4. Pop!_OS
For a distribution designed for developers (and creators alike), Pop!_OS is surprisingly user-friendly. One of the best things about Pop!_OS is that you can download ISOs for Nvidia or AMD graphics, so you know there will be no reason to install a driver for whatever GPU you have on your machine.
Pop!_OS adds only the software you need to work after installation. With System76 soon to move from GNOME to the COSMIC desktop, the distribution has even more reasons to be on this list. COSMIC is far easier to use than GNOME-based desktops, it’s much faster, has a more logical workflow, and includes a great tiling window manager option.
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And, yes, Pop!_OS includes all the software you need and far more configuration than the GNOME-based alternative, meaning you won’t need to search for extensions to make the desktop useful. Pop!_OS has been my default Linux distribution for years, and I’ve watched it grow into the fantastic desktop option it is today.
5. Ubuntu Budgie
Ubuntu Budgie holds a special place in my heart because it is an amazing desktop to look at and use. This Linux distribution requires almost no work after installation, includes all the software you need (with no extra bloat), and offers an enjoyable out-of-the-box experience.
I’ve installed Ubuntu Budgie several times over the past few years, and always look at the default desktop and think it doesn’t need anything else. Sure, I could change the panel to the dock, but other than that, I’m good with the default desktop.
Coming from someone who is somewhat finicky about his desktop, that’s saying something. Even with Pop!_OS (especially with COSMIC), I make some changes after the installation is finished. With Ubuntu Budgie, not so much.
You may always find something you want to change in your desktop environment, but if you’re looking for a Linux distribution that doesn’t require any changes, these are the best places to start.
