AnduinOS: The distro that makes the jump from Windows easier

AnduinOS is a Linux distribution that has emerged with force due to its Windows 11-like aesthetic and its promise to ease the transition from Microsoft's system without giving up the Ubuntu foundation and ecosystem. Their proposal is simple: a highly refined Ubuntu, both visually and experientially, with tools and configurations designed to ensure that users don't feel out of place when making the jump.

Beyond the “look & feel”, the key to AnduinOS is that it maintains full compatibility with Ubuntu software and adds facilities to run Linux applications, web and even Windows programs through Wine, all of this supported by Flatpak for managing graphical apps in isolated environments that improve security and stability.

What is AnduinOS and who is behind it?

AnduinOS was born as a personal project of Anduin Xue, an active Microsoft engineer, who was looking for a comfortable working environment that allowed him to switch between Windows and Linux without wasting time reconfiguring the system. What began as an automated tool for his own use eventually became a shared distro for the community.

Its arrival on Distrowatch at the end of April sparked interest, with a flood of downloads that the server crashed, A sign that there's an appetite for proposals that soften the learning curve when moving away from Windows. The intention isn't to revolutionize the technical landscape, but rather to smooth the way for those who want to switch systems without trauma.

The author himself explains that he only dedicates a few hours a month to maintenance and that he has no marketing plans, Although he doesn't rule out offering business services if the opportunity arises, for now he defines it as a hobby that he will continue to pursue as long as it's fun.

Some media have shown caution and even advise against its use in production, Keeping in mind that this is a variant of Ubuntu with primarily cosmetic and configuration changes, it's approach and pace of improvement make it an interesting addition to the Linux ecosystem.

Technical basis, desk and philosophy

AnduinOS is based on the Ubuntu package base and, by extension, on the Debian universe, This ensures broad compatibility with drivers, utilities, and repositories. In fact, any software that works on Ubuntu should also work on AnduinOS.

The desktop is GNOME 48, deeply customized with about 18 extensions, Among these are ArcMenu (a Start-style menu), Dash to Panel (a taskbar-like bottom bar), and Blur My Shell (blur effects). The result is a look very similar to Windows 11: a bottom bar, centered icons, rounded corners, and transparency.

The visual themes adopt a sober and elegant Fluent Dark style, and practical details such as the history of the clipboard invoked with the Windows + V combination, a direct nod to the Windows 11 experience.

As for applications, it includes the essentials of the GNOME package and adds a store with Flatpak support out of the box, This sandbox layer distances itself from snaps and facilitates the installation of software in isolated containers that provide security and stability. This sandbox layer reduces the risk of an app compromising the system.

There are also additional tweaks: Firefox patch to fix localization issues and enabling support HDR, Two details aimed at polishing the out-of-the-box experience. At the identity level, the system is still recognizable as Ubuntu in its internal files, reflecting its direct heritage.

Software compatibility and application management

Compatibility is one of the big strengths: everything that runs on Ubuntu should work on AnduinOS, from office suites and development tools to multimedia utilities and password managers.

For everyday use, you can combine native Linux apps, web applications, and, if needed, Windows programs using Wine, which opens the door to running that essential software that doesn't yet have native equivalents or that is critical to your workflow.

Graphical app management is handled by Flatpak, with access to popular repositories and an application isolation model, which allows you to control permissions and minimize dependency conflicts. This approach fits with the idea of ​​providing a stable system for new users.

Those who prefer to avoid Snap will find AnduinOS a “Snap-free” environment, And for traditional packages, APT is still there (with references to APT 3.0 in some tests), so the user can choose the path that best suits their way of managing software.

Performance, kernel and stability

The performance is surprising for such a customized GNOME: at idle it has around 1,3 GB of RAM, very contained figure that makes it viable in modest equipment and in Virtual machinesThe animations feel fluid and the system responds responsively.

As for the kernel, a 1.3 kernel has been cited in version 6.14, which provides compatibility with recent hardware; in some specific test sessions 6.1.4 has been observed, which may be due to the environment or the ISO used. In any case, support for drivers It is wide.

In virtualized environments (e.g., VMware Workstation) reports point to a smooth, stutter-free experience, Ideal for those who want to experiment without touching their main installation. It's a very convenient candidate for labs and rapid testing.

As with any GNOME with extensions, it is worth remembering that major updates may break some integration, Therefore, for maximum stability, it is usually recommended to opt for more conservative branches and check extension compatibility before updating.

Download, verification and installation

The ISO image is lightweight (around 1,9 GB) and is offered for free. from the launches page, with the option to download via torrent. It's suggested using qBittorrent to help "seed" the ISO, although Transmission or Deluge also work.

It is highly recommended to verify integrity with SHA256 before installing, comparing the output of the command sha256sum on Linux/macOS with the published .sha256 file, or using 7-Zip on Windows to verify the checksum. If they match, the download is valid.

The installation wizard is familiar to anyone coming from Ubuntu and the process can be completed in about 5 minutes, with a Boot Faster upgrade. During setup, there are references to choosing the Ubuntu 24.04 (LTS) or 25.04/25.05 base, thus offering stability or up-to-dateness based on preferences.

Recommended Requirements: 64-bit CPU with at least two cores (i3 or equivalent), 4GB RAM, 20GB storage storage (better in SSD), integrated or dedicated graphics, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and an Internet connection to download updates and additional software.

Versions, support and updates

In May 2025, the current release is 1.3, aligned with Ubuntu 25.04 in support cycles, with maintenance planned until January 2026. After that date, it is recommended to update to a newer version if you wish to continue receiving patches.

One point to keep in mind is that there is no direct update mechanism yet between major versions of AnduinOS, So, for now, to upgrade to the next release, you'll have to reinstall from scratch. The developers indicate they're working on improving this aspect.

The distro includes a tool to generate your own custom ISO with your settings, logos and other details, an idea that was born from the author’s own workflow to “package” his environment and replicate it quickly.

The project does not incorporate telemetry and its code is published openly, facilitating auditing and increasing the confidence of those who prioritize transparency in their operating system.

Language and regional settings editions

You'll find language-differentiated ISOs, such as en_US or zh_CN, with handy pre-configured differences, for example: installed language packs, input methods, and environment variables.

The zh_CN variant defaults to the Asia/Shanghai timezone and adjusts the APT mirror to Chinese repositories, optimizing package downloads in that region and delivering a ready-to-use experience to the target audience.

Variables such as LANG and LANGUAGE also change depending on the chosen ISO, so that after logging in, the entire system, menus, and applications appear in the selected language without any additional manual configuration.

ISO file names include language and timestamp indicators, something useful to quickly check which variant you are downloading (e.g. AnduinOS-0.2.2-beta-en_US-… vs AnduinOS-0.2.2-beta-zh_CN-…).

Advantages, limitations and target audience

Among the advantages, the familiar interface for Windows users, the good performance and the Ubuntu/Debian base stand out, with a gigantic catalog of software and the added security of Flatpak.

• Windows 11-like interface which facilitates adaptation in the transition from Microsoft.
• Lightness and fluidity even on virtual machines or older computers.
• Large software repository with APT and containerized applications via Flatpak.
• Transparency without telemetry and with auditable open source.

On the shortcomings side, some users may miss pre-installed productivity apps, and there are usability details that can still be polished.

• Without complete office package (like LibreOffice) by default: requires installation after first boot.
• Network sharing not as “out of the box” as someone coming from Windows would expect.
• Risk with GNOME extensions after major updates; more security if you stay on LTS branches.
• Minor bugs reported (e.g. in avatar management) that do not affect general usage.

Who is AnduinOS ideal for? For those who want a Linux environment that won't "take them out of their space," virtualized test environments, professionals who value speed and customization, and computers that don't meet Windows 11 requirements but can still deliver a modern experience.

Context: The end of Windows 10 support and the rise of "family" distros

With the end of Windows 10 support in October 2025, millions of users will be forced to consider alternatives, Bold.