Windows XP Alternatives

Windows XP is described as 'Line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, and media centers. The name "XP" is short for "experience"' and is a very popular operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Windows XP for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Self-Hosted, Mac and BSD apps. The best Windows XP alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Windows XP are Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch Linux.

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Windows XP alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. FreeBSD icon
     266 likes

    FreeBSD is an operating system used to power modern servers, desktops, and embedded platforms. A large community has continually developed it for more than thirty years. Its advanced networking, security, and storage features have made FreeBSD the platform of choice for many of...

    193 FreeBSD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
  2. Xubuntu icon
     292 likes

    Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment. It is based on Ubuntu Debian Linux.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Xubuntu as an Alternative to Windows XP
    Buster_Blue
    Positive
    0

    The low resource use of XFCE would be useful for running on the older computers that had Windows XP installed.

    Xubuntu icon
    Xubuntu icon
    • Xubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Xubuntu is Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows XP is not according to our users
  3. Qubes OS icon
     118 likes

    Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.

    191 Qubes OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen
     
  4. Lubuntu icon
     244 likes

    Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. It is a Linux system, that uses the minimal desktop LXDE/LXQT.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Lubuntu as an Alternative to Windows XP
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    A lightweight Ubuntu flavour that can replace Windows XP on your old computer.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Lubuntu icon
    Lubuntu icon
    • Lubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Lubuntu is Lightweight, Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows XP is not according to our users
  5. Windows 11 icon
     43 likes

    Experience the latest Windows OS with a new Start menu, integrated Teams, and gaming technologies like Auto HDR. Improved security with stricter requirements enhances protection, and seamless Microsoft Account integration makes it ideal for modern devices.

    167 Windows 11 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  6. Raspberry Pi OS icon
     105 likes

    Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) is the Foundation’s official supported operating system. You can install it with NOOBS or download the image below and follow our installation guide.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
     
  7. Red Hat is the leader in development, deployment, and management of Linux and open source solutions for Internet infrastructure - ranging from embedded devices to secure Web servers. Red Hat was founded in 1994 by visionary entrepreneurs Bob Young and Marc Ewing.

    183 Red Hat Enterprise Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  8. Deepin icon
     60 likes

    Deepin is a reinterpretation to creativity and individuality. It is not only a rebirth to the system appearance, but also a brand-new upgrade to the operating experience! All of this lets deepin become the best partner of your computer.

    198 Deepin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  9. Haiku icon
     100 likes

    Haiku is an open-source operating system that specifically targets personal computing. Inspired by the BeOS, Haiku is fast, simple to use, easy to learn and yet very powerful.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Haiku
    • Self-Hosted
     
  10. Q4OS icon
     27 likes

    Fast and powerful operating system based on the latest technologies while offering highly productive desktop environment. We focus on security, reliability, long-term stability and conservative integration of verified new features.

    177 Q4OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
     
    |
    2
    Comments about Q4OS as an Alternative to Windows XP
    Malaz YI
    Positive
    0

    it started as a distro that aims to mimic the feel of Windows XP, and it does it fairly well in my opinion, uses a lightweight yet great desktop environment (Trinity), making an excellent option for XP users who want to switch to Linux.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Q4OS have windows xp-like user interface and it works smooth on the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B v1.2.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Q4OS icon
    Q4OS icon
    • Q4OS is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Q4OS is LightweightWindows XP is not according to our users
  11. OpenBSD icon
     67 likes

    The OpenBSD project produces a FREE, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system. Our efforts emphasize portability, standardization, correctness, proactive security and integrated cryptography.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
     
    |
    1
    Comments about OpenBSD as an Alternative to Windows XP
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    NOT friendly for beginners... Complex, difficult to follow instructions.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    OpenBSD icon
    OpenBSD icon
    • OpenBSD is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • OpenBSD is Customizable and Security-focusedWindows XP is not according to our users
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