Linux Distros for XP Users

If anyone is considering a switch-over to Linux, there are a few Linux distributions specifically designed with XP users in mind. Here are two examples that I have come across.

1) Linux Lite

Desktop Environment: Xfce

https://www.linuxliteos.com/

2) Q4OS

Desktop Environment: Trinity (a variation of KDE)

http://q4os.org/index.html

Some Windows themes for Q4OS:

https://xpq4.sourceforge.io/


With Linux you can run the most up-to-date applications on older computers, there is absolutely no need for an antivirus program, the hard drive space taken by the OS is held constant, all programs and OS components are updated with a single command, the updates are rolled out all the time (sometimes a few times per day), etc.

So on a 12 year old HP with single core AMD Athlon 64 and 4 GB RAM you can have:

- Linux Lite 64 bit
- Firefox v57.0.4
- Thunderbird v52.5.0
- VLC v2.1.6
- plus much more

All that taking 4.2 GB of disk space, working lightning fast without any problems.

More information about all Linux distributions can be found here:

https://distrowatch.com/

 

Here are another two distros targeting Windows users (not just XP):

3) Linux Mint

DE: Cinnamon or MATE

https://linuxmint.com/

4) Zorin

DE: GNOME

https://zorinos.com/

The easiest way to get an idea about different distros is to go to DistroWatch website mentioned in the previous post, select the distribution from the drop down menu (top left corner of the page) and read some Reviews.

While the number of active Linux distributions may seem high, they all offer more or less the same set of applications and desktop environments, but in different configurations, with extra features, different package management (application updates), different new OS version release cycles and different policies regarding the selection of free/non-free and open-source/closed-source packages.

All the distributions listed above are based on Debian application repositories and have Long Term Support release cycle, which means you need to re-install a new OS from scratch every five years (in most cases). Another approach is a "rolling release" model, when you keep the OS updated without any need to re-install it. The trade off here is that it may involve some more maintenance work. All distros based on Arch Linux repositories belong to that group:

Manjaro

https://manjaro.github.io/

Arch Linux (warning: it must be installed manually from the command line)

https://www.archlinux.org/

 

I have tried several of these in the past "advertised as" like XP. So far none have lived up to claims. (Its been more than a year since my last attempts)

Which one(s) resemble 3.1/98/XP??

I'll try again, , , ,

-c-

 

Here is another distro to add to my list:

5) ChaletOS

DE: Xfce

https://sites.google.com/site/chaletoslinux/home

You are looking for a Classic XP theme. First try Q4OS with the theme package mentioned in my original post. I think this is as close to Classic XP look as you can get:

https://xpq4.sourceforge.io/s01.jpg

But please keep in mind that Linux GUI is very flexible and can be customized, so getting an XP look and feel is just a matter of installing an XP theme, and you can find those themes available for many other Linux distributions, not just for Q4OS. Just google:

windows xp theme for Linux

classic windows xp theme for Linux

In Xfce, after the theme has been installed you need to select related Style and Icons in Appearance and Window Manager:

https://s19.postimg.org/4tssj6nmb/xfce-appr-1.png

I remember a few "Redmond" styles available when I tried Manjaro Linux (with Xfce desktop) a while ago. So you could have a rolling release distro that looks like XP.

Before installing anything it might be a good idea to have a look at some screenshot galleries available on DistroWatch and also on many distros' websites:

https://s19.postimg.org/8fylvi1lv/distrowatch-screenshots.png

Linux can be installed on a logical partition, so it is easy to install and try out a few different distributions (installed on different logical partitions). We are talking about MBR partitioned hard disk (which was the default layout in the days of XP), where XP is always installed on a primary partition.

Of all the desktop environments mentioned before my favourite is Xfce. It is lightweight but still offers solid set of features. KDE is heavier but has more graphical effects and other options. So the DE list looks as follows (the lightest on top):

Xfce
MATE
Cinnamon
KDE (and its Trinity fork)

 

Thanks, I'll give 'em a try.

 

You might also want to look into:

https://ferenos.weebly.com/what-is-feren-os.html

This article has a pretty good selection of options:
https://www.datamation.com/open-source/50-open-source-replacements-for-windows-xp-1.html

Lastly, if you have any trouble downloading your chosen OS:
https://buylinuxcds.co.uk/

All my twenty plus install CDs I bought from OSDisc.com (the American equivalent of the above).

 

Tried Feren os.

Spent 20 minutes trying to switch mouse buttons (to left handed), found 3 mouse settings but not that, , , ,
I'll look online for settings, , , , ,

 

It looks to be based on either Linux Mint or Ubuntu, but I'm not finding much by way of instructionals online. Last resort try:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ferenos
https://forums.linuxmint.com/
In researching linux distros similar to XP, I also ran across ReactOS:
https://www.tecmint.com/reactos-installation-guide-and-review/
Not sure if it is mature enough to do what you need done, but you can decide.

 

Already burnt Reactos & Q4os, I'll try 'em later today, , , , ,

 

You might also want to look into Robolinux:
https://www.robolinux.org/
https://liliputing.com/2014/05/robolinux-turns-c-drive-virtual-windows-machine-can-run-linux.html
or PinGuyOS:
https://www.linuxinsider.com/story/80590.html
...and if you get stuck trying to customize it, there is a forum:
http://forum.pinguyos.com/

 

I would recommend Q4OS. I ran the Live CD and wow - I was impressed. Even a number of Windows apps ran well with Wine.

 

Tried q4os, why do they ALWAYS select the highest resolution right off the bat???? Text on the screen is so small I have to get right up to the screen to read. & have to go through a bunch of stuff before I could finally change it. & mouse settings, cant figure this out. They dont have a simple "swap pri/sec mouse tab, at least not one I could find. q4os's Online FAQ's dont cover this. Let down again!!

(Just had my 71st b-day, maybe thats my problem!

 

Q4OS uses 'libinput' driver to control touchpad and related pointing devices by default

above comes from HERE, #8, I do not understand it but you should

 

Well, I've said it before, and I'll say it again; give 'Puppy' Linux a try.

It's been designed to be as as lightweight and easy to use as possible, and right from its roots back in 2003 was designed for Windows XP 'refugees'. Bear in mind that the general level of hardware back in the early to mid-2000s was a lot less than is considered to be the absolute minimum today.

Puppy will still run quite happily on a Pentium 4, so long as you have a minimum of 512 MB of RAM, and will run like this in what's known as 'frugal' mode, where the entire thing loads into RAM.....which accounts for why it's so nimble on its feet.

My old Dell Inspiron lappie, from 2002, came with XP Home, had a slow Celeron, only 128 MB of RAM, and ran like a slug. Since uprating to a Pentium 4, the max of 2 GB, swapping out the tiny 20 GB HDD for a 64 GB SSD, and performing various other tweaks, she'll quite happily do everything I ask of her.....including watching videos. Don't think of trying to watch YouTube, though; despite Intel marketing the P4s as 'multimedia'-capable, they're absolutely shite at it!

Cornemuse has, I believe, given it a try. Don't know what he thinks of it, though..... I'm running a 'kennels' of around 10 of the little beasties, on an old pre-HP Compaq desktop.....and couldn't be happier.


Mike.

 

If I was you I'd join the pinguyos forum (prior to even downloading it), and do a post. Basically say you want to try to learn Linux, but you tried these other distros, and couldn't solve these problems, and are there any easy solutions in PinguyOS for how to set resolution, switch mouse to left hand, and so on. If they can provide understandable how-to directions, then download it for a test drive.

 

I tried puppy linux both from cd & installed on hdd, it seemed to be slow, , ,
With Ubuntu (up to 12.xx) you just go to mouse & click either 'left handed' or 'swap r/l buttons', (I forget which), it was that simple.

 

Actually Mike, I run an old Dell D610 (circa 2005) with a Centrino M 1.8 GHz CPU on Precise Puppy v5.7.1. I use Pale Moon x86 v27.8.3 and YouTube works quite acceptably with it (not HD, but 480p)

 

Tried Linux Mint Mate & Cinnamon. Actually like both of them. Bit of a learning curve tho. Eventually, I will reg on their forums and start asking questions, , ,

(Mate=18.3, & Cinnamon=17.3)

Both worth a try.

 

Have a look at these to see if any looks practical:
MX Linux


Robolinux Mate 3D (This one can run Windows XP safely within Virtualbox):

 

I have switched from using Puppy Linux to teach myself the Linux OS, to now using MX Linux 7.1. Was on it six hours last night (could barely last an hour of Puppy). Anyway, while sifting through its contents I found the way to manually adjust resolution, and switch the mouse. If you are still having problems, and want to try MX Linux as a LiveCD, I'm sure you can figure it out....if not, I can direct you.