Winux

Winux
DeveloperRafael Rachid[1]
OS familyUnix-like (Linux)
Initial release2007
Latest release11.26.04 LTS "Noble"
Kernel typeMonolithic kernel
LicenseProprietary
Official websitewinux.is

Winux[a] is a Linux distribution for personal computers themed close to Microsoft Windows.

Versions

Linuxfx was first released in 2007.[2][3] It has since been rebranded to Wubuntu,[4] and later to Winux.[5][6] However, The Register described Wubuntu as "very similar to a different distro called LinuxFX", while ZDNET quoted the distributions' developer that:[7]

Linuxfx has its own theme [...] and its own selection of applications. [...] Wubuntu is just a Windows theme applied over Ubuntu. [...] Wubuntu has a completely different purpose than Linuxfx. Wubuntu wants to look like Windows and Linuxfx doesn't necessarily. [...] Wubuntu is just Ubuntu with opensource Windows themes applied and comes with the Powertools tool pre-installed.

Some versions are also known as Windowsfx.[1][8][9]

LinuxFx Build 2004,[1] Linuxfx 10.1,[10] 10.3[11] and 10.5[9] are based on Ubuntu and use Cinnamon desktop environment. They imitate the appearance of Windows 10.

Linuxfx 10.6 is based on Linux Mint.[8]

Linuxfx 11 is based on Ubuntu[12] and KDE Plasma.[13] It can emulate both the appearance of Windows 11 and Windows 10.[13] In 2021, Adrenaline reported that its license key cost $20.[12] As of 2025, a free and a paid version were offered.[13]

Both Wubuntu and Winux are based on Ubuntu and use KDE Plasma, and are themed like Windows 11.[14][15]

Bundled software

LinuxFx Build 2004 bundles a third-party Windows 10 theme called b00merang, a Control Panel-like program, a virtual assistant known as Helloa, Evolution as it the mail client, the LibreOffice office suite, and an application store. The latter four used the icons of Cortana, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Store. It also includes Skype, Telegram, Microsoft Teams, TeamViewer and Zoom.[1]

Linuxfx 10.5 includes Wine, OnlyOffice, GIMP, Inkscape, Firefox, Google Chrome, Evolution, Transmission, TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, VLC, Kodi, Visual Studio Code, and Steam. It supports Windows Installer packages and Active Directory.[9]

Linuxfx 10.6 packages Wine, AnyDesk, OnlyOffice, OBS Studio, Telegram, Visual Studio Code, TeamViewer, Steam and Zoom. Its weather applet supports third-party weather services. It includes support for Windows Installer packages and Active Directory, and Microsoft fonts. Its installer displays advertisements.[8]

Wubuntu 11.24.04.2 LTS includes a third-party Windows 11 theme, Wine, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome (but not Firefox), OnlyOffice, an unofficial third-party OneDrive client, an Android virtual machine, Steam, Flatpak, and KDE Discover. A "system-admin program" called PowerTools can be purchased for $35; however, the KDE Plasma System Settings program is pre-installed.[14]

Winux bundles "Redsand" theming, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Thunderbird, OnlyOffice, Steam, Heroic Game Launcher, MissionCenter (a task manager), Hardinfo (which "provide[s] details on connected hardware"), a graphical OneDrive client, and a device-driver manager. Winux distributes several KDE applications, such as KDE Discover, Konsole, Dolphin. It supports Snap and Flatpak packages. The installation process uses the Calamares installer. Some features are implemented in PowerTools (a paid component), including "Windows-style Control Panel and Settings" and an "Android Subsystem". Winux 11.25.12 includes WinBoat, a software that can execute Windows programs inside a Docker container that runs a "full Windows environment". Winux 11.25.10 packages Wine.[15][3][16][17]

Server hacking incident

Reception

Richard Devine of Windows Central praised Winux's imitation of Windows, and recommended it for users transitioning away from the latter, labelling Winux as "probably the least scary Linux distro I've ever seen from the perspective of coming from Windows".[15]

Jason Evangelho, a Forbes contributor, opined that LinuxFx looked "shockingly similar" to Windows 10, but experienced multiple software crashes "within just a few hours".[1]

Les Pounder of Tom's Hardware recommended Winux for older hardware. He called the installation process "extremely simple", and complimented its theming and hardware support. He described issues with the Android subsystem and support for Windows programs. He also criticized a pop-up advertising the paid version for conflating purchases with donations.[13]

TechRadar rated LinuxFX 7 out of 10.[8]

Liam Proven of The Register critiziced the multitude of Wubuntu's alternative names, and expressed concerns about possible trademark infringement. He commented that Wubuntu's imitation of Windows "does look good", but described it as "skin-deep", recommending other Linux distributions instead.[14]

Rich Edmonds of XDA Developers found fault with "potential copyright infringement", the database-hacking incident and the Winux's subsequent response, as well as with Winux (as a "smaller distro[...]") not being "community-developed".[3]

Jack Wallen of ZDNet originally wrote a positive review, which he later retracted. The new review alleged that LinuxFX is "a distribution well-known to be a scam", mentioning the database breach, and that "Wubuntu is rumored to be a rebranding of LinuxFX".[7]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Previous and alternative names include Wubuntu, LinuxFX, Windowsfx, Windows Linux, Windows Ubuntu, Windows Theme Over Linux and Windows Linux With Copilot.[18][14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Evangelho, Jason (July 10, 2020). "Meet The Unique Linux OS That Looks Shockingly Similar To Windows 10". Forbes.
  2. ^ "Linuxfx Level 1, disponível para download | BR-Linux.org". br-linux.org. November 29, 2007. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  3. ^ a b c Edmonds, Rich (2025-09-17). "Winux is a Linux distro Windows 11 lookalike with questionable value". XDA. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  4. ^ Arnold, Arne. "3 free Linux distros that look and feel like Windows". PCWorld. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  5. ^ "Winux Operating System - Linux With Windows Appearance by Linuxfx". winuxos.org. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  6. ^ Nistor, Codrut (2026-02-24). "Ubuntu-based Winux 11.26.03 arrives with multiple package updates". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  7. ^ a b Wallen, Jack (24 December 2024). "Why I no longer recommend this Windows-like Linux distro". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d Bidwell, Jonni (2021-01-24). "LinuxFX 10.6 review". TechRadar. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  9. ^ a b c Nestor, Marcus (2020-08-17). "Linuxfx 10.5 Windows 10 Clone Arrives with Cinnamon 4.6, Based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS". 9to5Linux. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  10. ^ Germain, Jack M. (2020-06-04). "Linuxfx 10: A Smart, Easy Way to Transition From Windows". LinuxInsider. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  11. ^ Linder, Brad (2020-07-10). "Linuxfx: an Ubuntu-based operating system that looks like Windows 10". Liliputing. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  12. ^ a b Freitas, Felipe (September 18, 2021). "Windowsfx: conheça o Windows 11 brasileiro baseado em Linux". Adrenaline (in Portuguese).
  13. ^ a b c d Pounder, Les (2025-08-14). "Wean yourself off of Windows with Linuxfx — I've tried many Linux distros designed to look and feel like Windows, and this is the best one yet". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  14. ^ a b c d Proven, Liam (5 December 2024). "Wubuntu: The lovechild of Windows and Linux nobody asked for". The Register. Archived from the original on 2026-02-02. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  15. ^ a b c Devine, Richard (2025-09-07). "I tried WINUX — a promising Windows 11 experience inside a Linux distro, and I think they've nailed it". Windows Central. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  16. ^ Borisov, Bobby (2025-12-27). "Winux Tries to Mimic Windows While Staying Fully Linux". Linuxiac. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  17. ^ Williams, Wayne (2025-10-13). "RIP Windows 10 -- Winux 'W10EOL' is the Windows 11 clone that runs on Linux and makes your old PC feel new again". Betanews. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  18. ^ "Winux Operating System". SourceForge. 2026-02-28. Retrieved 2026-03-14. Windows Theme Over Linux a.k.a "WINUX" by Linuxfx


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