The world of desktop computing is undergoing a profound transformation as Windows 10 approaches its official end-of-life. Many users, especially those with older hardware, are seeking alternatives that combine familiarity with modern, flexible underpinnings. One project that’s begun to capture significant attention in enthusiast circles is AnduinOS—a Linux distribution that openly courts Windows refugees by offering a user experience closely modeled after Windows 11, while leveraging the power of Ubuntu’s robust architecture. With the recent revelation of its upcoming 1.4 and 1.5 release plans, AnduinOS has positioned itself as a distribution to watch for anyone interested in the convergence of Linux reliability and Windows-like usability.
A Linux Distribution That Looks and Feels Like Windows 11
At the core of AnduinOS’ appeal is its unapologetic aim to minimize the learning curve for new Linux users, especially those coming from Windows environments. The user interface is intentionally styled after Windows 11, with desktop layouts, iconography, and workflow cues that should feel instantly familiar to anyone who has recently used Microsoft’s flagship OS. This isn’t a shallow skin—the project goes to great lengths to replicate key flows such as the Start Menu, window snapping, and other interaction patterns that Windows users take for granted.While there are several other Linux distributions—Zorin OS, Linuxfx, and KDE-based options among them—which offer “Windows-like” desktop experiences, AnduinOS sets itself apart by promising not just cosmetic similarity but also technical ambitions that could reshape what it means to “switch to Linux” without feeling like you’ve lost your way.
Roadmap: From 1.4 to 1.5 LTS
AnduinOS is the brainchild of Anduin Xue, a developer who is remarkably transparent about the project’s challenges and ambitions. In a recent roadmap reveal, Xue confirmed that AnduinOS 1.4 will be based on Ubuntu 25.10, with an anticipated release window in late October. This release, much like 1.3, will not carry Long-Term Support (LTS) status. However, the far more significant milestone is AnduinOS 1.5, expected late April 2026, which will be built atop Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.The move to an LTS base is vital. Linux newcomers often cite the churn of frequent upgrades as a pain point—LTS releases, which offer at least five years of security patches and support, are therefore highly valued for their stability and predictability. As with prior builds, Xue is committed to keeping the entire system (including all its planned editions) free of charge and licensed under the highly permissive GPLv3, providing users with legal guarantees against vendor lock-in or future paywalls.
Addressing Upgrade Pain Points
A common criticism of early AnduinOS releases concerns upgrade friction. The direct in-place upgrade from version 1.2 to 1.3, for example, has faced technical hurdles, requiring users to perform clean installs. This issue isn’t unique to AnduinOS—many smaller distros, especially those with bespoke desktop environments or system customizations, struggle with seamless version jumps due to the complexity of managing divergent package updates.Xue acknowledges these limitations, citing resource constraints, but commits to significant improvements for upcoming builds. The centerpiece of this effort: establishing an official AnduinOS apt repository, tightly coupled with the system’s dpkg backend. By consolidating changes and streamlining updates through this specialized repository, the goal is for users to execute smooth apt-based upgrades from future versions—including, crucially, transitioning easily between major releases like 1.4 and 1.5.
Notably, this change will debut in experimental form with AnduinOS 1.4 and reach full availability by 1.5. If implemented well, this could mark a dramatic enhancement in user experience, fostering trust and encouraging hesitant switchers to commit to AnduinOS as their daily driver.
Modular and Layered: Customization for Power Users and Minimalists Alike
Linux has always worn its modularity as a badge of honor, but achieving genuine user-friendly modularization—where novices and experts can both craft the environment that fits their needs—is an ongoing challenge. AnduinOS aims to take this further, offering what it calls “layered combinations” for system features.Practically, this means offering users simple controls to add or remove components such as the bundled app store, GNOME Shell, professional toolkits, container technologies, or even support for running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) alternatives. Some of these features, like GNOME layering, are familiar to Fedora Silverblue users, but AnduinOS plans to streamline this process and surface it in ways that are immediately accessible.
Additionally, the project intends to compile core system components for greater flexibility, allowing for deeper customization and optimization at install time. By the release of 1.5, users can expect specialized Server and Lite Editions:
- Server Edition: Likely targeting self-hosting enthusiasts and small businesses, this variant is expected to be lean, stable, and ready for headless operation.
- Lite Edition: Stripped of excess software, this flavor will utilize a minimal GNOME Shell environment, making it ideal for older or low-powered devices, or simply for users who value bloat-free installs.
A Future-Facing Customization and System Builder Tool
Another standout vision put forth by Anduin Xue is a versatile customization tool and system builder for Linux distributions. If realized, this feature could provide users—especially those creating “Live” Linux environments—the ability to build bespoke AnduinOS ISOs tailored to their unique requirements without installing Linux to a hard drive.Such a tool would have transformative potential for businesses, educators, and IT support teams needing to rapidly deploy systems with specific toolkits or configurations. Crucially, by integrating these capabilities into a Live environment, AnduinOS could vastly lower the barrier to experimentation, channeling the best spirit of open-source tinkering.
While this concept is not new—projects like SUSE Studio and MX Linux’s Snapshot tool have flirted with similar ideas—the fact that it’s on the roadmap of a modern, Windows-replica distro is particularly exciting. To date, there’s no firm release date for this builder, but if AnduinOS can deliver, it may further differentiate itself from its competitors.
Selective AI Integration: Power That Respects Privacy
No 2025-era operating system project can ignore the rapid rise of integrated artificial intelligence. AnduinOS is aware of this shift, and its roadmap includes the possibility of selectively integrating AI-powered features similar to Microsoft’s “system-level MCP” (most likely referring to “Microsoft Copilot” or a comparable machine learning controller for desktop OS). The language from Xue is deliberate: AI integration will be optional and easily removable, respecting the concerns of users wary of background data collection or opaque feature creep.This approach may provide reassurance for privacy advocates, especially in light of mounting regulatory scrutiny over how AI and telemetry are handled in consumer OS environments. Those seeking the full power of next-generation automation and machine intelligence can opt in; those wanting a lean, predictable, and AI-free experience can ignore or disable these features entirely.
Transparency and Independence: Addressing the “China Question”
AnduinOS’ sole developer, Anduin Xue, is reportedly based in China and also works for Microsoft, which has inevitably raised questions about government influence or covert agendas. In an explicit statement, Xue has responded to these concerns by affirming that transparency is a “top priority” for the project.Toward this end, Xue pledges to fully disclose all source code, outline development milestones and team composition, and strive for an international, English-speaking community. The project’s commitment to GPLv3 licensing further supports this transparency, requiring the public release of source code for all distributed binaries and preventing proprietary forks or secret “backdoors.”
Given the current global discourse surrounding data sovereignty and digital trust, this forthrightness is a strength. Skeptical users, however, should watch for independent code audits and the involvement of outside contributors over time, as these will provide the clearest proof of ongoing independence and openness.
Comparative Analysis: How Does AnduinOS Stack Up?
While AnduinOS is garnering headlines, it’s not alone in attempting to woo disenfranchised Windows users:- Zorin OS has a well-established reputation for providing a Windows-like, accessible Linux environment, with extra polish and commercial support options.
- Linuxfx (Windowsfx) goes even further in mimicking the Windows interface, seeking to provide a seamless transition, though it is sometimes criticized for a lack of transparency due to its proprietary elements.
- Kubuntu, KDE neon, and others also offer clean, familiar desktop environments with a focus on flexibility and user friendliness.
Strengths and Notable Innovations
- User-Centered UI/UX: Few distributions so closely capture the muscle memory and “look and feel” of modern Windows, making AnduinOS an ideal landing spot for users fleeing the end of Windows 10.
- Roadmap Transparency: Xue’s frequent communication about releases, limitations, and future plans exceed the norm for many one-person projects.
- Potential for Seamless Upgrades: The planned migration to a dedicated apt repository directly addresses a common pain in “niche” Linux distros, promising a more professional user experience.
- Layered Modularity: Allowing users to add or omit core features at install or runtime is a modern solution to an age-old Linux pain point: “distro bloat.”
- Commitment to Open Source and Privacy: Mandatory AI opt-in/opt-out and clear GPLv3 licensing position AnduinOS as a privacy-respecting and user-empowering choice.
Risks and Reservations
- Resource Constraints: With development largely dependent on a single individual, rapid bug fixing, support, and feature delivery could be inconsistent, especially in the face of unexpected challenges.
- Upgrade Glitches: Initial issues with moving from 1.2 to 1.3 are a cautionary tale—major Linux version upgrades are technically complex, and users may face teething troubles as the migration to a centralized repository unfolds.
- Geopolitical Concerns: Despite strong transparency assurances, some users may remain uncomfortable with the project’s origins due to political or regulatory issues—especially if running on systems handling sensitive data.
- Feature Creep Risk: Balancing extensive modularity, AI-enabled options, and a streamlined UI can stretch resources thin, leading to bugs or user confusion if not designed with clear guardrails.
Practical Guidance for Prospective Switchers
Anyone considering AnduinOS as a Windows replacement should evaluate their personal needs and comfort level with Linux in general. For users who:- Value a familiar interface and seamless onboarding from Windows 10 or 11,
- Are willing to be early adopters and possibly face some upgrade hiccups,
- Appreciate open-source transparency and a user-driven roadmap,
- Want to experiment with customizing their OS environment without deep command-line expertise,
The Bigger Picture: What AnduinOS Represents
As Windows undergoes its greatest period of change in years—with tighter hardware requirements, new AI-driven workflows, and a more closed ecosystem—demand for friendly and flexible alternatives will only grow. AnduinOS, even in its current nascent stage, offers a glimpse into a promising future where UI familiarity, modular customization, and open-source transparency come together.It’s not the only project chasing this vision, nor is it without its challenges. But the roadmaps for AnduinOS 1.4 and the LTS-bound 1.5 reflect unwavering ambition: to create a Linux desktop for everyone, beginning with Windows veterans, but ultimately serving the entire spectrum of power users, privacy advocates, and explorers.
As the October 2025 release of AnduinOS 1.4 and the April 2026 LTS looms, all eyes will be on whether AnduinOS can scale its vision beyond a “one-person show” and deliver on its promise of an upgrade-friendly, modular, and secure Windows-alike. For now, it remains one of the most interesting new options in the ever-expanding universe of Linux distributions—and a project every Windows enthusiast should keep firmly on their radar.
Source: Neowin Windows 11-like AnduinOS 1.4 and 1.5 LTS plans revealed
