AnduinOS: The Linux Distribution That Mimics Windows 11
In a rather ironic twist , a software engineer from Microsoft has developed a Linux distribution that resembles Windows 11 more closely than even Microsoft’s own product! The amusing part? This new OS, called AnduinOS, could be the perfect escape route for those fed up with Windows but reluctant to lose the familiarity they’ve grown accustomed to.
The story behind the creation of AnduinOS is both fascinating and unique. Anduin Xue, a Software Engineer 2 at Microsoft (though he does not work directly on Windows), grew tired of struggling with a basic installation of Ubuntu for his personal projects. In September 2024, he began the journey to build a custom version of GNOME into a distribution that mimics Windows 11 so closely that it might just fool your grandma into thinking she’s using the Microsoft OS! For a detailed insight into this project, you can check out Anduin’s official site.
In essence, AnduinOS is built on Ubuntu 25.04, but with a heavily customized GNOME interface designed to evoke the look and feel of Windows 11. With a centered taskbar, familiar Start menu, rounded corners, and widgets, even the staunchest Windows loyalist may not notice the switch. Unlike standard Ubuntu, which enforces the use of Snap packages , AnduinOS utilizes Flatpak for application management, giving users more flexibility and control.
The current version, 1.3.2, runs on GNOME 48 , supports HDR displays (great for high-end gaming setups), and even boasts a Super + V shortcut for clipboard history. The ISO file is a lightweight 2 GB, installation takes less than 10 minutes, and once setup, it only occupies a mere 8 GB of disk space—quite minimal compared to the 20-30 GB that Windows typically demands just to function.
What’s even more impressive is that this entire project is a labor of love —Xue dedicates only a few hours each month to AnduinOS. He states that he is financially stable thanks to his job at Microsoft and does not intend to commercialize his creation. Rather, it’s a means for him to have “a comfortably themed Ubuntu.” There’s no shady business plan or funding rounds; just a passionate developer sharing his work with the community. This sense of sharing is refreshing and quite admirable.
Installation is a breeze; it takes a mere 5 minutes on a virtual machine, and you soon have a system running smoothly, providing an impression that you’ve stuck with Windows while actually making the leap into the “Dark Side” of Linux. This is exactly what many users desire when they wish to experiment with Linux without feeling like they’ve just landed on Mars.
However, it’s worth mentioning that AnduinOS is not without its limitations. There’s no mechanism for upgrades between versions; users must reinstall to enjoy the latest features. Additionally, given that the distribution is still relatively young and maintained by a single developer, there may be some stability issues. Nonetheless, considering the project has only been around for less than a year, its progress is nothing short of impressive.
As confirmed by The Register, Anduin Xue has created AnduinOS with complete transparency regarding his employment with Microsoft. There are no conflicts of interest or shady backdoors, and since the source code is publicly available, users can independently verify its integrity.
While it may seem amusing that an employee of Microsoft is behind a leading Windows alternative, it serves as a reminder that innovation can emerge from the unlikeliest of places. AnduinOS exemplifies this spirit, offering a pathway for those ready to explore Linux without losing touch with the familiar.
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