If you do not have a friend to help you along the way, use the Linux Mint Cinnamon edition first. Download it now and use it in a VM to get used to it.
If you’re feeling confident and would like to explore further, install Debian with GNOME or KDE. I suggest Debian because it’s a large and independent distribution, community-built, rock solid stability, convenient or powerful as needed, and stays true to “the standards” (like the stock GNOME) and free software, but doesn’t prevent you from installing proprietary software as needed. I moved all my friends who were willing to switch to Linux with zero experience to Debian (3 in total), but they had me to help and I didn’t have to do anything after assisting the installation and the first day configuration. Now they’re all independent, using it daily and never ask me for help.
Fedora is also a good option, but every release has only 1 year of support while Debian has at least 3 years and Mint has 5.
If you do not have a friend to help you along the way, use the Linux Mint Cinnamon edition first. Download it now and use it in a VM to get used to it.
If you’re feeling confident and would like to explore further, install Debian with GNOME or KDE. I suggest Debian because it’s a large and independent distribution, community-built, rock solid stability, convenient or powerful as needed, and stays true to “the standards” (like the stock GNOME) and free software, but doesn’t prevent you from installing proprietary software as needed. I moved all my friends who were willing to switch to Linux with zero experience to Debian (3 in total), but they had me to help and I didn’t have to do anything after assisting the installation and the first day configuration. Now they’re all independent, using it daily and never ask me for help.
Fedora is also a good option, but every release has only 1 year of support while Debian has at least 3 years and Mint has 5.