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"?
this post was submitted on 14 May 2025
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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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
I wasn't aware that there's a paid version. Based on their website it does look like they have a lot of standard stuff locked behind Pro. Is it just like an additional repo or something? I'm also not too keen on the fact that the upgrade doesn't carry over to the next major version.
Yeah the entire existence of any "pro" version of anything is cancer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MX Enlightenment Respin has a unique and excellent look. Add some Propaganda Wallpaper Tiles to further enhance the vibe https://github.com/BenjaminHCCarr/PropagandaTiles
ChromeOS Flex. Very low maintenance.
Not really a Linux distro. Based on Gentoo but not really a Linux distro, just like Android.
ChromeOS Flex is designed as a desktop OS. Android is not.
Ubuntu Touch is still a Linux distro. I was referring to how Linux-like the experience is.
I used Kubuntu in college quite a bit and very much enjoyed it. No issues myself.
Of course, Linux mint KDE edition is a suggestion, but it'd be easier for your friend to find help online with Kubuntu as they can just google the name instead of knowing what's a plasma issue and what's a mint issue.