Winux

Overview

Winux (formerly LinuxFX and Wubuntu) is a free, open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu LTS. Designed to mimic the look and feel of Windows 11, it aims to provide a familiar and seamless experience for users migrating from Windows. Maintained by a team of Brazilian developers, it is hosted at winuxos.org (formerly winuxos.com, which moved due to access issues in July 2025). It supports the x86_64 architecture, is suitable for desktop devices, and offers the KDE Plasma desktop environment. Winux uses a rolling release model and comes pre-installed with Wine, supports running .exe and .msi files, OnlyOffice, and Chromium. It emphasizes minimal hardware requirements and security. The latest version is Winux 2025 (released in August 2025), based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, with optimized Windows-style themes and compatibility. However, the distribution has been criticized for trademark infringement disputes (e.g., the similarity between the names of Canonical and Microsoft), and was flagged by The Register as a potential scam.

History and Development

• Origins:
  • 2018: The project, initially named LinuxFX, was launched, based on Ubuntu, with the goal of creating a Windows-style Linux desktop.
  • 2020: Renamed Wubuntu to mimic the Windows look, but due to trademark issues, the name was changed to Winux in July 2025.
• Development History:
  • 2020: LinuxFX 1.0 was released, based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, introducing Windows themes and Wine support.
  • 2023: The Wubuntu version optimized KDE Plasma and added OnlyOffice and Chromium. - July 2025: Due to a trademark dispute, winuxos.com is inaccessible and has been migrated to winuxos.org. Winux 2025 is released.
  • September 2025: Winux 2025.1 fixes compatibility issues and supports more Windows applications.
• Community and Support:
  • Maintained by a Brazilian team, hosted on winuxos.org and SourceForge (sourceforge.net/projects/windows-linux).
  • Supports English and Portuguese (Chinese via KDE settings). Documentation covers installation and Wine configuration.
  • A Reddit user commented, "Winux is a good place for Windows users to get started, but be wary of trademark issues."
• Open Source Licenses:
  • GPL v3 (core), MIT (some tools).

Key Features

Winux is designed for desktop users, with Windows emulation, Wine support, and low requirements at its core. Here are its key features:

1. Windows-style interface
   • Customize Windows 11 themes using KDE Plasma, including the Start menu, taskbar, icons, and Aero effects.
2. Wine support
   • Wine comes pre-installed, supporting the running of .exe and .msi files.
3. Ubuntu LTS-based stability
   • Based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, offering 5 years of support.
   • Uses apt package management.
4. Pre-installed software
   • OnlyOffice, Chromium, 7-Zip, and VLC are pre-installed, with support for Flatpak and Snap.
5. Hardware compatibility
   • Supports x86_64, with low requirements (1GB RAM, 8GB disk), and kernel 6.8, compatible with Intel, AMD, and Nvidia. 6. Security and Privacy
   • Pre-installed ufw firewall, ZFS support.
6. Development Support
   • Pre-installed Python and Git, Flatpak and Snap support.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Windows Style:
  • KDE Plasma emulates Windows 11, lowering the migration barrier.
  • X post claims, "Winux 2025's interface allows Windows users to switch seamlessly."
• Wine Integration:
  • Runs Windows applications, surpassing Zorin OS's basic support.
• Low Requirements:
  • Suitable for older hardware.
• Ubuntu LTS Stability:
  • 5 years of support.
• Community Support:
  • Active SourceForge, offering tutorials.

Limitations

• Trademark Disputes:
  • Potential infringement. Canonical/Microsoft, The Register, and ZDNet warn of scam risks.
• Community Size:
  • Smaller than Ubuntu, documentation is primarily in Portuguese.
• Limited ARM support:
  • No official ARM version is available, making it inferior to Raspberry Pi OS.

Summary

Winux is a free, open-source Ubuntu-based Linux distribution. Its latest version, 2025 (August 2025), is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and ships with KDE Plasma by default. It supports the x86_64 architecture. It features a Windows 11-style interface, Wine support, and minimal requirements. It also provides apt package management. While Winux is particularly portable, it faces trademark disputes and a relatively small community, which warrants attention.