Linux recommendations? Making Windows 10 like Windows 7?

[ffutures]

Assuming that plans don't change, Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7 next year. Since I really don't like the Windows 10 UI, and I'm guessing that most of my elderly software will have problems with Windows 10, I'm thinking again about switching to Linux. I've tried it before and ran into too many problems, but this time I have a 3GHz machine with 8GB RAM and a spare 500gb or so of disk space, which may make things a little simpler, so I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for a Linux that will run well and has a good Windows 7 style UI. Good support for scanners, printers, and cameras would be a plus.

Alternatively, is there a way to set up Windows 10 to be as much like Windows 7 as possible, and is the upgrade program any good?

Comments

Making Windows 10 like Windows 7?

[ncc_1973a]

What do you mean with that?
Simplified windows?
A simple start menu?
I ask, to see if it is possible to help you

Re: Making Windows 10 like Windows 7?

[ffutures]

Basically, the default setup for Windows 10 seems to be aimed at tablet computers, and is sod all use for running a lot of programs on a desktop PC. I'm looking for a setup more like Windows 7 with a start menu, the ability to have program icons and/or files on the desktop, etc.

Re: Making Windows 10 like Windows 7?

[timill]

Settings, System, Tablet Mode and select "use desktop mode" and "never ask me and never switch".

Re: Making Windows 10 like Windows 7?

[ffutures]

OK, thanks.

[history_monk]

I have made Windows 10 fairly like Windows 7 with Classic Shell (http://www.classicshell.net/). I agree with you that the default UI is just horrible, but Classic Shell and some work has made it pretty usable.

I don't know about desktop Linuxes: I use Linux a lot at work, but always via remote terminal windows, never with a GUI.

[original_aj]

Another vote for classic shell from me = I avoided Windows 8 but ten with classic shell has been fine.

[ffutures]

I took a look at the Classic Shell site and it says development ended in 2017 because every new W10 update broke things, which doesn't really reassure me. Any alternatives?

[history_monk]

Took a look and found that other people have continued development as Open Shell Menu (https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu), although I've had no trouble with Classic Shell across Windows 10 updates.

[ffutures]

OK, that's definitely a possibility then - thanks!

[eledonecirrhosa]

The version of Windows 10 we've just upgraded to at work has a Start menu (with many,many small as well as a few ridiculously large screen hogging icons). You can also have shortcuts on the desktop and programmes pinned to the taskbar, just like Windows 7 did.

So they've sorted it for the version they flog to businesses.

[ffutures]

It's crap like the screen hogging icons that worries me.