I’ve tried my fair share of Linux distributions over the years, some focused on minimalism, others packed with customization. But now and then, one catches my eye for its sheer commitment to looking like something else entirely. That’s what drew me to AnduinOS, a Linux distro that mimics Windows 11 in both appearance and user experience.

I decided to put it to the test for a whole weekend. My goal was simple: see how convincing the illusion really is, and whether AnduinOS is more than just a pretty face. Could it replace Windows for someone who wants the look and feel of Microsoft’s flagship OS without the Microsoft? Or is it just another themed Linux distro with limited appeal?

A Linux distro in disguise

AnduinOS looks the part, but is it enough?

AnduinOS goes all in on visual mimicry. As soon as you boot into the live environment, you’re greeted with a centered taskbar, a “Start” button, and a system tray layout that mirrors Windows 11. Even the desktop icons follow the same design language. The Gnome desktop is heavily themed to resemble Microsoft’s latest, from rounded corners to fluent-style menus and animations.

What makes this interesting is how complete the illusion is right out of the box. There’s no need to hunt for icon packs, tweak your panels, or install custom window themes. It’s already done for you. The tweaks are subtle but effective, making it feel like someone put real thought into not just copying the look, but also maintaining usability.

That said, there are limits to how much any distro can resemble Windows without being Windows. The Gnome system settings, while skinned, still have a Linux structure beneath. Click deep enough into a dialog box and the illusion starts to fade. Some system utilities and pop-up menus reveal their true nature, especially when they pull in unthemed or GTK-based interfaces. It’s a clever trick, but not a perfect one.

Real usability, not just a pretty face

Day-to-day performance is surprisingly solid

Visuals can only take you so far. Once I got past the initial wow factor, I focused on using AnduinOS for my usual weekend tasks: writing, web browsing, streaming, and a bit of photo editing. I was impressed by how stable and responsive the system was on modest hardware. My mini PC isn’t new, but AnduinOS made it feel snappy.

Gnome’s underlying performance certainly helps here. AnduinOS doesn’t overload it with unnecessary extras, but it does take advantage of how easy it is to build beautiful interfaces and human-computer interactions that “feel” like those of the Windows operating system. The preinstalled apps are sensible, and the system tools provided are helpful without being overbearing. Discover serves as the default software center and does a decent job of keeping things tidy. Between that and Flatpak support, getting new apps wasn’t a challenge.

There’s enough polish in the day-to-day experience to keep you from constantly thinking, “This isn’t Windows.” Things like Spectacle for screenshots, Dolphin for file management, and consistent keyboard shortcuts make for a smooth ride. And because Gnome is so configurable, you can fine-tune anything that feels off. While it isn’t identical to Windows under the hood, it gets surprisingly close on the surface.

What to expect if you install it

A simple setup process with few surprises

Installing AnduinOS is refreshingly straightforward. It uses the standard Ubuntu installer, which guides you through the process with a friendly, step-by-step interface. If you’ve installed other flavors of Ubuntu, this will feel instantly familiar. There’s support for manual and automatic partitioning, making it suitable for both new users and experienced tinkerers.

The installation took just under 10 minutes on my SSD-based mini PC. The post-install experience was even better. AnduinOS boots directly into its themed desktop, and everything just works. No need to adjust screen resolution, Wi-Fi, or keyboard layout. Even the dark and light themes are well-balanced, and switching between them doesn’t break anything visually.

To install AnduinOS, here’s what you’ll need:

1. A USB flash drive with at least 4GB capacity
2. The official AnduinOS ISO (available from the project’s site)
3. A disk image flashing tool like Rufus (Windows) or Balena Etcher (Linux/macOS)
4. A target machine with a minimum of a 2GHz Intel or AMD processor, at least 4GB of RAM, and 20GB or more of free space

Once installed, dual-booting with Windows is also seamless. GRUB recognized my existing Windows install and added it to the boot menu automatically. This makes AnduinOS a strong candidate for people who want to test Linux without giving up their current setup.

The catches you should know about

It’s not Windows, no matter how it looks

As convincing as AnduinOS tries to be, it can’t fully escape its Linux DNA. There are some behaviors and limitations that break the illusion. Not all system-level shortcuts work as expected, and certain applications feel slightly off in terms of UI integration. The occasional GTK app can look out of place among the themed ones, depending on your setup.

App compatibility is also a consideration. If you rely on Windows-only software, AnduinOS won’t magically solve that. You’ll need Wine, a VM, or a replacement app. These can work, but not always perfectly. It’s an issue every Linux user has encountered, and while the learning curve isn’t steep, it’s still there for those coming from Windows.

Then there’s hardware. Most devices will work out of the box, as with my mini PC. I did, however, run into a few limitations with my laptop. My laptop’s fingerprint reader wasn’t recognized, and some advanced touchpad gestures weren’t supported. It’s not enough to ruin the experience, but it's a reminder that Linux still doesn’t have the universal plug-and-play support that Windows enjoys.

A fun twist on familiar territory

AnduinOS manages to walk the line between novelty and practicality. It doesn’t just theme itself like Windows 11; it provides a stable, usable Linux environment that performs well and feels cohesive. It’s not a gimmick. For some users, it could easily become a daily driver. For others, it’s a fun way to ease into Linux without feeling too far from home.

Whether you’re a curious tinkerer or someone looking to leave Windows behind, this distro offers a well-executed starting point. It won’t be for everyone, especially if you need Windows-only apps or demand pixel-perfect consistency. But it’s proof that Linux can be both inviting and functional, all while wearing a very convincing disguise.