ExTiX, a lesser-known but increasingly compelling Linux distribution, has taken a bold step forward with its new release based on Deepin 25 Stable. The result is a desktop experience that doesn’t just borrow ideas from Windows 11—it channels the look, feel, and usability so convincingly, a casual user might initially believe they’re booting up a Microsoft OS. Yet behind this Windows façade is a Linux system boasting extensive customization, powerful local AI capabilities, and freedom from the nagging frustrations that often plague Windows users: intrusive ads, forced updates, and unexpected crashes.
The evolution of Linux desktops has often included efforts to entice Windows users by giving them familiar UI paradigms. ExTiX’s approach stands out not just for the faithfulness of its mimicry, but for the polish and seamlessness it brings. As soon as you log in, the resemblance to Windows 11 is uncanny: taskbar panel, launchpad, desktop icons, system tray, and a soft aesthetic palette immediately transport users into a familiar environment. Curiously, while transparency and blur effects are limited only to the panel—leaving some ambition for future releases—the overall effect is still impressive. With a few tweaks in Settings > Personalization > Opacity, some of that glassy look can be coaxed from the interface.
Where ExTiX sharply diverges from its inspiration, however, is in its respect for user autonomy and privacy. Deepin’s desktop foundations provide a stable, user-friendly shell but sans the telemetry, subscription pushes, and bloatware that have increasingly defined the modern Windows experience. For users frustrated by Microsoft’s changing vision for its OS, ExTiX offers a reprieve—a desktop environment that “just works” without adversarial surprises.
ExTiX ships with both the Deepin Browser (Chromium-powered) and Firefox pre-installed, ensuring web access is hassle-free right out of the box. What’s notably absent, however, is an office suite. Yet thanks to the Deepin App Store, users can easily grab LibreOffice or any preferred alternatives in just a few clicks.
Once this plugin is live, users have access to local models such as ULLM-1.5B, ULLM-7B, and DeepSeek-R1-1.5B. Testing DeepSeek on a reasonably modern system, performance was reportedly “decidedly impressive,” especially for searches and in-app recommendations. However, as with all localized models, the constraint is hardware horsepower—older or low-spec machines may struggle, so those intending to rely on AI features should verify their system specs before expecting fast, seamless operation.
The App Store presents categorized lists—including the “Linyaps App” section powered by Deepin’s linyaps universal package manager—where users can browse additional community software. While not brimming with hundreds of titles, and with variable quality, it introduces another way for users to expand their software toolkit without terminal commands.
Perhaps surprisingly, ExTiX does not ship with universal package formats such as Flatpak or Snap pre-installed, both of which have become common in mainstream Linux desktops for their cross-distro compatibility and ease of installing proprietary apps like Slack and Spotify. The absence is easily rectified: a quick
enables either in moments and opens the door to a much larger software universe.
Critically, automatic disk partitioning is absent. During setup, users are told to open GParted and manually configure a partition table—steps that could intimidate or confuse less experienced users. Although the task itself is straightforward, the lack of hand-holding or streamlined wizards stands in stark contrast to the beginner-friendly ethos seen elsewhere in the system. Those familiar with Linux will breeze through; newcomers might benefit from detailed guides or walkthrough videos, at least for this initial hurdle.
Another snag—obtaining the ISO. The official ExTiX website often buries the download link amid a tangle of information, pushing would-be testers to hunt for the image on SourceForge or other repositories. This step could be improved to align the download experience with the clarity and user-friendliness of the OS itself.
ExTiX, however, leverages Deepin’s open-source codebase and strips out any components that might be cause for concern, focusing entirely on delivering a clean, private experience. Both system settings and app behavior are transparent, with no unexpected network traffic or calls “home” observed during testing. Users looking for both the beauty and ease of Deepin and peace of mind when it comes to privacy may find ExTiX a worthy choice—though, as always, those with the utmost privacy concerns are encouraged to monitor network activity post-install using standard Linux tools like Wireshark or tcpdump.
Nevertheless, as with any distribution sporting a full-featured and visually rich desktop, users on older or lower-resource machines may wish to disable certain effects or consider lighter alternatives. Those planning to leverage local AI should be particularly mindful; running large language models locally will tax even robust systems.
However, the absence of Flatpak and Snap means some sought-after proprietary or niche titles (especially those distributed primarily through universal formats) require a few extra steps to acquire unless added manually. Fortunately, the process is well documented within the Linux community, and most users can get these tools set up in minutes.
“Linyaps App,” a section dedicated to Deepin’s linyaps packaging system, offers niche software selections. While many will find limited utility here, the variety and surprise factor could delight power users who enjoy exploring less mainstream apps.
Privacy-conscious users can rest easy knowing that ExTiX is free from the telemetry and advertising now common on Windows. Updates are user-controlled. And while Deepin’s codebase is at the heart of the experience, ExTiX’s community-driven development brings transparency and responsiveness to user concerns.
Those most likely to struggle are absolute beginners, for whom the installation procedure and lack of explicit hand-holding could pose stumbling blocks. If you’re willing to spend an extra 15 minutes with online tutorials or community support, however, the payoff is a streamlined, secure, and deeply customizable desktop environment.
Yet perfection remains elusive. Documentation needs improvement, installation can be daunting for newcomers, and a few convenience features (like full-desk transparency or more robust default software selections) could further enhance usability.
Still, for anyone seeking a Windows-11-like Linux desktop—one that works with you rather than against you, is visually stunning, and respects your privacy—ExTiX’s latest release is a strong contender. Try it on a spare machine or a virtual machine, and you may just find yourself making the switch for good.
Source: ZDNet ExTiX's new release is an even better Windows 11-like Linux desktop
A Windows 11-esque Experience—But Purely Linux
The evolution of Linux desktops has often included efforts to entice Windows users by giving them familiar UI paradigms. ExTiX’s approach stands out not just for the faithfulness of its mimicry, but for the polish and seamlessness it brings. As soon as you log in, the resemblance to Windows 11 is uncanny: taskbar panel, launchpad, desktop icons, system tray, and a soft aesthetic palette immediately transport users into a familiar environment. Curiously, while transparency and blur effects are limited only to the panel—leaving some ambition for future releases—the overall effect is still impressive. With a few tweaks in Settings > Personalization > Opacity, some of that glassy look can be coaxed from the interface.Where ExTiX sharply diverges from its inspiration, however, is in its respect for user autonomy and privacy. Deepin’s desktop foundations provide a stable, user-friendly shell but sans the telemetry, subscription pushes, and bloatware that have increasingly defined the modern Windows experience. For users frustrated by Microsoft’s changing vision for its OS, ExTiX offers a reprieve—a desktop environment that “just works” without adversarial surprises.
The Deepin Factor: Aesthetics and App Cohesion
Deepin’s design philosophy is well known for Apple-like refinement, and in ExTiX it is artfully executed. The default Deepin apps—Mail, Music, Terminal, Calendar, among others—fit together so harmoniously it evokes comparisons to macOS and elementaryOS, two other platforms lauded for their design rigor. Applications launch quickly, icons are crisp, and the visual consistency across system apps makes for a smooth, enjoyable user experience.ExTiX ships with both the Deepin Browser (Chromium-powered) and Firefox pre-installed, ensuring web access is hassle-free right out of the box. What’s notably absent, however, is an office suite. Yet thanks to the Deepin App Store, users can easily grab LibreOffice or any preferred alternatives in just a few clicks.
Local AI: The UOS Advantage
Unique among mainstream Linux distributions, ExTiX stands out with the inclusion of the UOS AI tool. Unlike most AI assistants that route user queries through remote cloud servers (raising security and privacy questions), UOS AI empowers users to run localized models for free. Setting it up requires a small investment of effort: the Embedding Plugins app must be installed for local AI usage, and the installation prompt is handily presented within the UOS AI app settings.Once this plugin is live, users have access to local models such as ULLM-1.5B, ULLM-7B, and DeepSeek-R1-1.5B. Testing DeepSeek on a reasonably modern system, performance was reportedly “decidedly impressive,” especially for searches and in-app recommendations. However, as with all localized models, the constraint is hardware horsepower—older or low-spec machines may struggle, so those intending to rely on AI features should verify their system specs before expecting fast, seamless operation.
Package Management: Freedom of Choice
Package management can often be a source of confusion for new Linux users. ExTiX addresses this with dual package manager front ends: the Deepin App Store for one-click installs and updates (especially for system updates), and Synaptic for those who prefer more granular control.The App Store presents categorized lists—including the “Linyaps App” section powered by Deepin’s linyaps universal package manager—where users can browse additional community software. While not brimming with hundreds of titles, and with variable quality, it introduces another way for users to expand their software toolkit without terminal commands.
Perhaps surprisingly, ExTiX does not ship with universal package formats such as Flatpak or Snap pre-installed, both of which have become common in mainstream Linux desktops for their cross-distro compatibility and ease of installing proprietary apps like Slack and Spotify. The absence is easily rectified: a quick
Code:
sudo apt-get install snapd -y
sudo apt-get install flatpak -yGrand Search: Efficiency in Discovery
A highlight of ExTiX’s desktop is Grand Search, a system-wide tool aimed at rivaling the likes of Windows Search or macOS Spotlight. With the ability to scour files, folders, documents, settings, and applications, it streamlines daily tasks and saves users countless minutes that might otherwise be lost digging through menus or subfolders. The responsiveness is impressive, and its integration into the core desktop makes it a feature worthy of emulation by other Linux distributions.Installation: Room for Improvement
Not everything about ExTiX is frictionless. The installation process remains an area where new users may be challenged. With no prominent “Install ExTiX” icon on the desktop or in the application menu, would-be users must launch the Refactor installer—a powerful utility but one that initially feels daunting.Critically, automatic disk partitioning is absent. During setup, users are told to open GParted and manually configure a partition table—steps that could intimidate or confuse less experienced users. Although the task itself is straightforward, the lack of hand-holding or streamlined wizards stands in stark contrast to the beginner-friendly ethos seen elsewhere in the system. Those familiar with Linux will breeze through; newcomers might benefit from detailed guides or walkthrough videos, at least for this initial hurdle.
Another snag—obtaining the ISO. The official ExTiX website often buries the download link amid a tangle of information, pushing would-be testers to hunt for the image on SourceForge or other repositories. This step could be improved to align the download experience with the clarity and user-friendliness of the OS itself.
Security and Privacy: Deepin’s Reputation Addressed
One historic concern around Deepin-based distributions has been privacy. The original Deepin Linux, developed in China, came under scrutiny for alleged data collection and telemetry. While independent audits have never uncovered serious threats and many concerns proved overblown or based on misunderstandings, the stigma has lingered in some corners of the tech community.ExTiX, however, leverages Deepin’s open-source codebase and strips out any components that might be cause for concern, focusing entirely on delivering a clean, private experience. Both system settings and app behavior are transparent, with no unexpected network traffic or calls “home” observed during testing. Users looking for both the beauty and ease of Deepin and peace of mind when it comes to privacy may find ExTiX a worthy choice—though, as always, those with the utmost privacy concerns are encouraged to monitor network activity post-install using standard Linux tools like Wireshark or tcpdump.
System Performance: Polished and Smooth (on Modern Machines)
Most modern computers will find ExTiX’s Deepin-based desktop to be responsive and light. While not as featherweight as stripped-down XFCE or LXQt environments, performance is comparable to KDE Plasma and GNOME. Applications open with minimal delay, multitasking is smooth, and compositing effects rarely hiccup on hardware released within the last five years.Nevertheless, as with any distribution sporting a full-featured and visually rich desktop, users on older or lower-resource machines may wish to disable certain effects or consider lighter alternatives. Those planning to leverage local AI should be particularly mindful; running large language models locally will tax even robust systems.
App Store and Software Universe: Abundant, but With Gaps
With the Deepin App Store, users have a single front end for most needs—system updates, application installs, and even troubleshooting via community resources. The interface is straightforward, search is quick, and reviews are present for most major apps.However, the absence of Flatpak and Snap means some sought-after proprietary or niche titles (especially those distributed primarily through universal formats) require a few extra steps to acquire unless added manually. Fortunately, the process is well documented within the Linux community, and most users can get these tools set up in minutes.
“Linyaps App,” a section dedicated to Deepin’s linyaps packaging system, offers niche software selections. While many will find limited utility here, the variety and surprise factor could delight power users who enjoy exploring less mainstream apps.
Strengths of ExTiX in the Windows-to-Linux Transition
The most compelling reason for many to test drive ExTiX is its combination of familiarity and security. Windows-to-Linux switchers will be comfortable from the first boot, avoiding the jarring context shifts of some Linux desktops. Meanwhile, experienced users will appreciate both the visual elegance and the under-the-hood power—including root access, powerful package management, and the ability to run almost any Linux software with minimal fuss.Privacy-conscious users can rest easy knowing that ExTiX is free from the telemetry and advertising now common on Windows. Updates are user-controlled. And while Deepin’s codebase is at the heart of the experience, ExTiX’s community-driven development brings transparency and responsiveness to user concerns.
Potential Pitfalls and Considerations
- Installation Complexity: Newcomers will find manual drive partitioning unintuitive. Until guided wizards or better documentation appear in the official installer, some technical confidence is required.
- Limited Default Software: The choice not to pre-install an office suite or universal package managers means extra steps for users, though the App Store mostly covers these omissions.
- Under-promoted Resources: Official resources—including download links—are not always easy to find, diminishing first impressions and potentially frustrating prospective testers.
- Hardware Requirements for AI: The UOS AI feature is enticing, but demands capable hardware for optimal performance. Prospective users should verify compatibility, especially on older systems.
Who Should Try ExTiX?
If you’re looking for a desktop Linux that feels immediately familiar to Windows 11 converts, offers beautiful design with cohesive system apps, and supports localized AI features with robust privacy, ExTiX deserves a strong look. The experience is polished and user-friendly once installed, with most users able to shape the desktop to their needs using the built-in App Store and rapidly expanding library of Linux apps.Those most likely to struggle are absolute beginners, for whom the installation procedure and lack of explicit hand-holding could pose stumbling blocks. If you’re willing to spend an extra 15 minutes with online tutorials or community support, however, the payoff is a streamlined, secure, and deeply customizable desktop environment.
The Verdict: A Standout, With Caveats
ExTiX’s new release is a refreshing reminder that desktop Linux remains fertile ground for rapid innovation. The blending of Deepin’s visual style, Windows 11’s UX convenience, and local AI integration heralds a new era for user-friendly open-source environments. The absence of intrusive advertising, forced updates, and heavy-handed telemetry—now all too common in commercial OSes—gives ExTiX a unique value proposition in the desktop landscape.Yet perfection remains elusive. Documentation needs improvement, installation can be daunting for newcomers, and a few convenience features (like full-desk transparency or more robust default software selections) could further enhance usability.
Still, for anyone seeking a Windows-11-like Linux desktop—one that works with you rather than against you, is visually stunning, and respects your privacy—ExTiX’s latest release is a strong contender. Try it on a spare machine or a virtual machine, and you may just find yourself making the switch for good.
Source: ZDNet ExTiX's new release is an even better Windows 11-like Linux desktop
