 Visitor Reviews |
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Reader supplied reviews for VailuxOS
Average rating
7.8 from 5 review(s)
Version: 1.6.0.1
Rating: 5
Date: 2026-02-04
Votes: 0
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The concept behind VailuxOS is good and the devs seem to engage well in the forum but even the latest release is riddled with bugs. To add a firewall rule for KDE Connect for instance you have to enter your root password no less than 4 times and even then after an initial connection it fails with a daemon error popups for which appear every time you touch your phone, even just swiping the screen. Certain items installed using the software center such as Haruna, Kpat and KMahjongg don’t launch and from a terminal show a shared libraries error so it’s necessary to install the Flatpak versions instead. KCalc is shown as installed but doesn’t appear in the menu nor will it launch from a terminal. In this case removing and reinstalling fixes it. It’s just endless and a beta grade release at best.
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Version: 1.6
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 1
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I think Vailux OS is a good distribution. I have tested many distros such as Arch, Manjaro, Debian, MX Linux, and many more. Personally, I never really liked the design of most of them.
Vailux OS may look similar to Windows, but it still has the advantages of Linux, such as better privacy, many customization options, and more control over the system. That is exactly why Linux is not the same as Windows, even if a distribution looks similar.
The distribution was also quite easy to set up and use.
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Version: 1.6
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-09
Votes: 4
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I really do wonder sometimes how some of those who post here actually ‘test’ what they post about. I was initially skeptical of VailuxOS since we already have Zorin and others well established for targeting Windows migrants and Q4OS for a streamlined version of Debian but I was quite surprised. Just to counter a few of the other reports, the KDE desktop is in no way ‘fixed’. Yes it has some dedicated customizations as per pretty much every other distro but these can be changed quickly and easily via system settings. In fact to my knowledge the only KDE distro that does ‘fix’ the settings unless you make some manual changes is the ALT KWorkstation. Next up after install as again with most other distros you will still need to configure your keyboard layout despite what you might already have selected in Calamares. Snap is present in Discover but is not enabled by default as reports by another user. Lastly with German being their main language this is what appears when you launch Firefox. It takes 5 seconds to change it from the Firefox settings.
To counter one more statement it is no longer a valid argument to list KDE Plasma6 as ‘resource hungry’ when comparing it with Xfce. Yes the latter is faster (for some operations) and does use less resources but the differential is nowhere near as great as it once was. My fully installed VailuxOS uses 2G RAM with my standard background apps running which makes it suitable for all modern hardware and the majority of the older stuff other than budget notebooks. I purposely installed it on an 8 years old Intel NUC7CJYH with Celeron J4005 to prove the point.
I always appreciate the effort developers put into making the transition from Windows to Linux easier but have never been convinced of the real logic for it. Whatever you do with any version of Linux it can never be like Windows. Also most users who had never seen an Android smartphone or TV manage soon enough to understand how to work it and a Linux PC or notebook experience will be no different. That apart would I recommend VailuxOS for another reason and the answer is most definitely yes. Considering how many distros come and go in a short space of time, most of these have single developers whereas VailuxOS has a complete team comprising 5 contributors. Next they’ve understood that most Linux users like to ‘own’ their installation with a different custom layout to that on which it might be based. In this regard you get a well designed login screen and a choice of custom wallpapers. IMO this is one of the best Debian based distros to be released for some time.
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Version: 1.6
Rating: 8
Date: 2026-01-08
Votes: 5
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I'm a regular Linux MX Xfce user, and for some tasks I still need Windows. However, when it comes to helping relatives and friends who dislike Windows 11 but want a smoother transition (familiar GUI, File Explorer, and Settings layout), I'm always on the lookout for better alternatives to MX Xfce.
In the past, I tried "Winux Skins" and similar projects, but they offered little real customization for the File Explorer or Settings, so I wasn't convinced (see below for more details). I also tested AnduinOS, which had a more comprehensive Windows-like GUI concept, but it still didn't fully win me over.
Now, regarding VailuxOS 1.6 (tested in VMware):
- I'm torn between the slick, fast, and low-resource Xfce (which I love) and the highly customizable, modern but resource-heavy Plasma desktop (which can struggle on systems with less than 4–6 GB of RAM). On older machines or those with 8 GB or less, Plasma might cause noticeable performance issues.
- Regarding icon sets like Win10Sur: I appreciate that they make things easier for casual Windows migrants, but I would prefer some subtle custom branding — something that's clearly "near Windows" without being a complete copy. Using Microsoft Office icons for LibreOffice also feels unnecessary in my opinion.
- Windows 11 taskbar & layout: It might be smart for VailuxOS to also offer (or prioritize) a Windows 10-style taskbar, Quick Launch, etc. Many users still prefer the Windows 10 interface over 11, and a lot of potential migrations could happen this year from people unhappy with 11. In other words: those fleeing Windows 11 might not be thrilled to find yet another near-carbon copy of the Windows 11 taskbar they dislike.
- Overall, I'm very impressed with the distribution's GUI features — especially the taskbar, File Explorer, and Settings concept. I immediately switched to Dark Mode (which I prefer almost everywhere). That said, not everything feels fully polished yet: some translations are incomplete, and there are still minor bugs or unfinished areas.
- App discovery / software installation: Compared to MX Linux, I noticed that many applications I normally install are only offered as Snap or Flatpak in VailuxOS. Several of them caused problems (e.g., LibreWolf, Signal — possibly due to Wayland compatibility issues or passwords stored in unencrypted locations). In the end, I had to manually install .deb packages or use other sources — something I rarely need to do in MX Linux.
- Wayland: The situation remains challenging (not just for VailuxOS, but across many distros). Some software only works properly after switching to an X11 session. In VMware, features like copy-paste and shared folders are unreliable under Wayland. I hope these issues will improve significantly over the next 1–2 years, but right now it's still quite annoying.
Final thoughts
I'm very close to recommending VailuxOS to some friends — or even installing it here and there. It gives the best "feels like Windows but actually different" experience I've tested so far. I might wait for the next version to see further improvements in polish and bug fixes.
At the same time, I'm hesitant because of the apparently small development team and questions about long-term support. Still, it's currently the strongest Windows-like Linux option I've encountered for ease of transition.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to escape Windows 11 without losing the familiar feeling — just keep an eye on system requirements (RAM) and be prepared for occasional manual tweaks.
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Version: 1.6
Rating: 7
Date: 2026-01-08
Votes: 0
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I assume this is a new distro. It definitely has some bugs to work out.
For example, the installation process was normal in Calamares. However, when I went to upgrade in the terminal, z was in place of y on the keyboard and vice versa. Next I went to look for another distro via Firefox and the browser was in German. Lucky for me I had multiple distros on my ventoy drive.
The KDE DE was fixed, no alteration could be made. Snap was enabled in discover. Just another reason to look for another distro. But before I do that I am installing Cachy OS lol. Something solid to install with no hiccups.
I will say this, before Valiux, I installed GLF OS with it's customized refind bootloader. Cachy OS wouldn't even install after the GLF nightmare. No other distros would install, except Valiux. So in a way it reminded me of Mint. Which I used as a failsafe when distros went wrong before. To fix the system before installing another distro. Howevet, I didn't have Mint on Ventoy, but I did have Valiux. So I guess that is a positive thing to say about this distro. But it's not from r me for now. Maybe after some tweaks and improvements it will be worth taking another glance. Good day!
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Latest Reviews
Project: VailuxOS
Version: 1.6.0.1
Rating: 5
Date: 2026-02-04
Votes: 0
|
The concept behind VailuxOS is good and the devs seem to engage well in the forum but even the latest release is riddled with bugs. To add a firewall rule for KDE Connect for instance you have to enter your root password no less than 4 times and even then after an initial connection it fails with a daemon error popups for which appear every time you touch your phone, even just swiping the screen. Certain items installed using the software center such as Haruna, Kpat and KMahjongg don’t launch and from a terminal show a shared libraries error so it’s necessary to install the Flatpak versions instead. KCalc is shown as installed but doesn’t appear in the menu nor will it launch from a terminal. In this case removing and reinstalling fixes it. It’s just endless and a beta grade release at best.
|
Project: VailuxOS
Version: 1.6
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 1
|
I think Vailux OS is a good distribution. I have tested many distros such as Arch, Manjaro, Debian, MX Linux, and many more. Personally, I never really liked the design of most of them.
Vailux OS may look similar to Windows, but it still has the advantages of Linux, such as better privacy, many customization options, and more control over the system. That is exactly why Linux is not the same as Windows, even if a distribution looks similar.
The distribution was also quite easy to set up and use.
|
Project: VailuxOS
Version: 1.6
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-01-09
Votes: 4
|
I really do wonder sometimes how some of those who post here actually ‘test’ what they post about. I was initially skeptical of VailuxOS since we already have Zorin and others well established for targeting Windows migrants and Q4OS for a streamlined version of Debian but I was quite surprised. Just to counter a few of the other reports, the KDE desktop is in no way ‘fixed’. Yes it has some dedicated customizations as per pretty much every other distro but these can be changed quickly and easily via system settings. In fact to my knowledge the only KDE distro that does ‘fix’ the settings unless you make some manual changes is the ALT KWorkstation. Next up after install as again with most other distros you will still need to configure your keyboard layout despite what you might already have selected in Calamares. Snap is present in Discover but is not enabled by default as reports by another user. Lastly with German being their main language this is what appears when you launch Firefox. It takes 5 seconds to change it from the Firefox settings.
To counter one more statement it is no longer a valid argument to list KDE Plasma6 as ‘resource hungry’ when comparing it with Xfce. Yes the latter is faster (for some operations) and does use less resources but the differential is nowhere near as great as it once was. My fully installed VailuxOS uses 2G RAM with my standard background apps running which makes it suitable for all modern hardware and the majority of the older stuff other than budget notebooks. I purposely installed it on an 8 years old Intel NUC7CJYH with Celeron J4005 to prove the point.
I always appreciate the effort developers put into making the transition from Windows to Linux easier but have never been convinced of the real logic for it. Whatever you do with any version of Linux it can never be like Windows. Also most users who had never seen an Android smartphone or TV manage soon enough to understand how to work it and a Linux PC or notebook experience will be no different. That apart would I recommend VailuxOS for another reason and the answer is most definitely yes. Considering how many distros come and go in a short space of time, most of these have single developers whereas VailuxOS has a complete team comprising 5 contributors. Next they’ve understood that most Linux users like to ‘own’ their installation with a different custom layout to that on which it might be based. In this regard you get a well designed login screen and a choice of custom wallpapers. IMO this is one of the best Debian based distros to be released for some time.
|
Project: VailuxOS
Version: 1.6
Rating: 7
Date: 2026-01-08
Votes: 0
|
I assume this is a new distro. It definitely has some bugs to work out.
For example, the installation process was normal in Calamares. However, when I went to upgrade in the terminal, z was in place of y on the keyboard and vice versa. Next I went to look for another distro via Firefox and the browser was in German. Lucky for me I had multiple distros on my ventoy drive.
The KDE DE was fixed, no alteration could be made. Snap was enabled in discover. Just another reason to look for another distro. But before I do that I am installing Cachy OS lol. Something solid to install with no hiccups.
I will say this, before Valiux, I installed GLF OS with it's customized refind bootloader. Cachy OS wouldn't even install after the GLF nightmare. No other distros would install, except Valiux. So in a way it reminded me of Mint. Which I used as a failsafe when distros went wrong before. To fix the system before installing another distro. Howevet, I didn't have Mint on Ventoy, but I did have Valiux. So I guess that is a positive thing to say about this distro. But it's not from r me for now. Maybe after some tweaks and improvements it will be worth taking another glance. Good day!
|
Project: VailuxOS
Version: 1.6
Rating: 8
Date: 2026-01-08
Votes: 5
|
I'm a regular Linux MX Xfce user, and for some tasks I still need Windows. However, when it comes to helping relatives and friends who dislike Windows 11 but want a smoother transition (familiar GUI, File Explorer, and Settings layout), I'm always on the lookout for better alternatives to MX Xfce.
In the past, I tried "Winux Skins" and similar projects, but they offered little real customization for the File Explorer or Settings, so I wasn't convinced (see below for more details). I also tested AnduinOS, which had a more comprehensive Windows-like GUI concept, but it still didn't fully win me over.
Now, regarding VailuxOS 1.6 (tested in VMware):
- I'm torn between the slick, fast, and low-resource Xfce (which I love) and the highly customizable, modern but resource-heavy Plasma desktop (which can struggle on systems with less than 4–6 GB of RAM). On older machines or those with 8 GB or less, Plasma might cause noticeable performance issues.
- Regarding icon sets like Win10Sur: I appreciate that they make things easier for casual Windows migrants, but I would prefer some subtle custom branding — something that's clearly "near Windows" without being a complete copy. Using Microsoft Office icons for LibreOffice also feels unnecessary in my opinion.
- Windows 11 taskbar & layout: It might be smart for VailuxOS to also offer (or prioritize) a Windows 10-style taskbar, Quick Launch, etc. Many users still prefer the Windows 10 interface over 11, and a lot of potential migrations could happen this year from people unhappy with 11. In other words: those fleeing Windows 11 might not be thrilled to find yet another near-carbon copy of the Windows 11 taskbar they dislike.
- Overall, I'm very impressed with the distribution's GUI features — especially the taskbar, File Explorer, and Settings concept. I immediately switched to Dark Mode (which I prefer almost everywhere). That said, not everything feels fully polished yet: some translations are incomplete, and there are still minor bugs or unfinished areas.
- App discovery / software installation: Compared to MX Linux, I noticed that many applications I normally install are only offered as Snap or Flatpak in VailuxOS. Several of them caused problems (e.g., LibreWolf, Signal — possibly due to Wayland compatibility issues or passwords stored in unencrypted locations). In the end, I had to manually install .deb packages or use other sources — something I rarely need to do in MX Linux.
- Wayland: The situation remains challenging (not just for VailuxOS, but across many distros). Some software only works properly after switching to an X11 session. In VMware, features like copy-paste and shared folders are unreliable under Wayland. I hope these issues will improve significantly over the next 1–2 years, but right now it's still quite annoying.
Final thoughts
I'm very close to recommending VailuxOS to some friends — or even installing it here and there. It gives the best "feels like Windows but actually different" experience I've tested so far. I might wait for the next version to see further improvements in polish and bug fixes.
At the same time, I'm hesitant because of the apparently small development team and questions about long-term support. Still, it's currently the strongest Windows-like Linux option I've encountered for ease of transition.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to escape Windows 11 without losing the familiar feeling — just keep an eye on system requirements (RAM) and be prepared for occasional manual tweaks.
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