I think to start, Mint or Ubuntu is a good choice, it has support for most hardware and will probably run on whatever you install it.

Also something that I think most new Linux users should focus on; instead of distro pick the desktop environment (DE). As a beginner it does not really matter if you use, lets say, a Debian- or Fedora-based distro. Pick a DE that looks pleasing to you maybe GNOME or KDE and take the installation with that DE. Maybe do not start with Arch or Gentoo as they are for more experienced users that already have some Linux experience.

Distros will be way more interesting and important when you got a hold of Linux and you want to explore the differences of them.

Last tip: Make a separated /home directory, so when you want to change to a new distro you do not have to delete all your files and start over with an empty machine.

I wish you a good start into Linux and do not hesitate to ask questions if they arise!

Mint helped me a lot when I switched from Windows. I found it very straightforward, as much as that's possible with Linux

Distro doesn't really mater that much, desktop environment (de) is a more important choice for a new user.

Comming from windows you might like cinnamon, mate, kde plasma or gnome with ArcPanel and Dash to Dock extensions. There's also lxqt and xfce for low spec systems.

You can install any de on any distro but if you are new to linux you might want to stick with the default one.

If you want cinnamon or mate go with linux Mint.

For gnome ZorinOS looks decent. I think it comes with wine already set up to make running windows programs easier. If you have an nvidia gpu Pop!_OS comes with nvidia drivers but you'll probably want some gnome extensions like ArcMenu and Dash to Panel.

Before installing any distro you should try them out in a live usb mode or a virtual machine.

Personally I started with Cinnamon Mint but it had issues with my multi monitor set up and poor gaming performance so now I'm on gnome Pop!_OS with ArcMenu and Dash to Panel on desktop and lxqt lubuntu on laptop.

I switched from windows about a year ago and now I'm absolutely certain I'm never comming back. The first 2 weeks or so are the most difficult because you feel like you have to learn a brand new skill every time you do something basic that would take you 30 seconds in windows but once you have everything set up and are more familiar with how things are done on linux it will feel completely natural.

Good luck on your linux journey, I hope you see it through. :)

Linux mint

@privacy @linux
According to most of the responses so far, Eeementary is not the best choice. So I think I will try #LinuxMint as the first option.

https://linuxmint.com #Linux

Debian. If for some reason (software) you need a RPM based distribution then openSUSE. But the good thing is that in open-source world, you can try as many as you want almost for free (you invest your time, obviously).

Debian + GNOME + Flathub. The cool thing is that you can get the flatpak/flathub repository into GNOME's "software store" so you've updated software and a very polished experience for your user.

Do you just care about privacy, or is it your primary focus?

There are Linux distros like Tails which will be very hard to use day to day, but if you are laser focused on privacy, it's between that and CubesOS (not Linux).

Most Linux distros will give you reasonable privacy from an OS standpoint, from there it's up to you to have good practices with your data.

I would recommend what looks most promising/fun to you.

personally I am staying with the "big ones". on my gaming pc I have installed fedora with kde. on my notebook(with touchscreen) I am trying Debian with gnome and eventually arch when I am clear on how I want my system to be exactly

for work and network stuff I use debian with kde.

If you are unsure I'd recommend either debian or fedora with kde. Ubuntu isn't really something for me because snap is really annoying (apt installs sometimes default to snap but don't tell you outright)

I installed Manjaro to two of my friends that I'd say are mid-level and they've been using it without problems for years. Even if it's arch-based, it comes with everything it needs to be easy to use (most importantly a graphical package manager) and because it's arch-based it never lags behind with software updates and you got the AUR if you need it. Manjaro is to Arch what Ubuntu is to Debian basically. Yes, they have fucked up a few times in the past, most notably the certificate fiascos, but none of that affects its usability for a beginner, at worst they won't be able to update for a few days while they renew the expired certificates.

Edit: and I recommend you use Plasma, it will feel very familiar if they come from Windows

The desktop environment is much more important, I recommend going with Fedora, it's easy and has a large community and has a large amount of desktop environments to pick from.

@carloshr @Openhuman @privacy @linux I think Zorin OS is good for this.

Please don't. ElementaryOS is bad for new user this days. Try Fedora Workstation edition or Plasma spin, Linux Mint.

Fedora, mint or open suse tumbleweed. Pick your favorite DE and just give It a try. If you want to make distro hopping easier make a /home partition

@carloshr @privacy @linux
From Windows? Mint. After Mint? Manjaro. After Manjaro fucks again with the signing keys thing and their amnesia? Mint. Or MX Linux. Once you are past the learning curve, Debian. Want to get your hands dirty? *buntu based distro. Hype? EndeavourOS.

@carloshr @privacy @linux i think you should.

It's not made for customization, but I've not found a better install and run experience.

@carloshr

For privacy and "FOSS ideals" stay away from Ubuntu and RedHat.

For "easy for a Windows user", I tried switching to Linux 6-7 times over 15 years, different distro every time.

The one that finally "stuck" for me was #Mint.

Although honestly, nowadays, most of the top distros are very good. I'm also a fan of #Pop_OS

@privacy @linux

TAILS

Manjaro is really easy to use and understand for beginners.