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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
[[File:
A '''Linux distribution''',{{efn|Sometimes called a '''GNU/Linux distribution''', with some [[GNU/Linux naming controversy|related controversy]]}} often abbreviated as '''distro''', is an [[operating system]] that includes the [[Linux kernel]] for its [[kernel (operating system)|kernel]] functionality. Although the name does not imply [[distribution (marketing)|product distribution]] per se, a distro—if distributed on its own—is often obtained via a [[website]] intended specifically for the purpose. Distros have been designed for a wide variety of systems ranging from [[personal computer]]s (for example, [[Linux Mint]]) to [[Server (computing)|servers]] (for example, [[Red Hat Enterprise Linux]]) and from [[embedded device]]s (for example, [[OpenWrt]]) to [[supercomputer]]s (for example, [[Rocks Cluster Distribution]]).
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A distro may be described as a particular assortment of application and utility software (various GNU tools and libraries, for example), packaged with the Linux kernel in such a way that its capabilities meet users' needs.<ref name="Rn9ZU">{{cite web | url = http://swift.siphos.be/linux_sea/whatislinux.html#idm3571768989216 | title = Linux Operating Systems: Distributions | date = November 27, 2014 | access-date = January 8, 2015 | website = swift.siphos.be | archive-date = October 3, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181003201630/http://swift.siphos.be/linux_sea/whatislinux.html#idm3571768989216 | url-status = dead}}</ref> The software is usually adapted to the distribution and then combined into software packages by the distribution's maintainers. The software packages are available online in [[Software repository|repositories]], which are storage locations usually distributed around the world.<ref name="IpPUW">{{cite web | url = http://www.howtogeek.com/117579/htg-explains-how-software-installation-package-managers-work-on-linux/ | title = HTG Explains: How Software Installation & Package Managers Work On Linux | date = June 27, 2012 | access-date = January 15, 2015 | author = Chris Hoffman | website = howtogeek.com | archive-date = February 10, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150210001733/http://www.howtogeek.com/117579/htg-explains-how-software-installation-package-managers-work-on-linux/ | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Eg74B">{{cite web | url = http://mirror-status.centos.org/ | title = The status of CentOS mirrors | date = January 15, 2015 | access-date = January 15, 2015 | website = centos.org | archive-date = December 31, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141231161218/http://mirror-status.centos.org/ | url-status = live}}</ref> Beside "glue" components, such as the distribution installers (for example, [[Debian-Installer]] and [[Anaconda (installer)|Anaconda]]) and the package management systems, very few packages are actually written by a distribution's maintainers.
Distributions have been designed for a wide range of computing environments, including [[Desktop computer|desktops]], [[Server (computing)|servers]], [[laptop]]s, [[netbook]]s, [[mobile device]]s (phones and tablets),<ref name="mOuND">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/linux/how-install-ubuntu-touch-image-3531970/|title=How to install Ubuntu Touch on your Android phone or tablet|author=Jim Martin|work=PC Advisor|access-date=October 29, 2015|archive-date=October 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027012940/http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/linux/how-install-ubuntu-touch-image-3531970/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="3PAkr">{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/install-linux-on-your-x86-tablet-five-distros-to-choose-from-1162825|title=Install Linux on your x86 tablet: five distros to choose from|author=David Hayward|work=TechRadar|access-date=October 29, 2015|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413074905/https://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/install-linux-on-your-x86-tablet-five-distros-to-choose-from-1162825|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[embedded systems]].<ref name="huumN">{{cite web |url = http://www.linux.com/learn/docs/ldp/282996-choosing-the-best-linux-distributions-for-you |title = The Top 7 Best Linux Distributions for You |date = February 3, 2010 |access-date = January 11, 2015 |author = Brian Proffitt |website = linux.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150105063710/http://www.linux.com/learn/docs/ldp/282996-choosing-the-best-linux-distributions-for-you |archive-date = January 5, 2015 |df = mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="wrjjJ">{{cite web | url = http://www.linux.com/news/embedded-mobile/mobile-linux/794261-mobile-linux-distros-keep-on-morphing | title = Mobile Linux Distros Keep on Morphing | date = November 4, 2014 | access-date = January 11, 2015 | author = Eric Brown | website = linux.com | archive-date = February 13, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150213124237/http://www.linux.com/news/embedded-mobile/mobile-linux/794261-mobile-linux-distros-keep-on-morphing | url-status = dead}}</ref> There are commercially backed distributions, such as [[
== History ==
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Early distributions included:
* Torvalds' "''Boot-Root''" images, later maintained by Jim Winstead Jr., the aforementioned disk image pair with the kernel and the absolute minimal tools to get started (4 November 1991)<ref>[https://www.kclug.org/old_archives/linux-activists/1991/dec/1/0002.shtml linux-0.11 available]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/Historic/old-versions/RELNOTES-0.95a|title=RELNOTES-0.95a}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/nico/archive.git/commit/?id=be068f1a017608faa9b4a0652686426df2e87689|title=kernel/git/nico/archive.git - Archive of old Linux versions since v0.01|website=git.kernel.org}}</ref><ref name="ovoFu">{{Cite web|last1=Klemmer |first1=Joe |url=https://lwn.net/Articles/91371/|title=A Short History of Linux Distributions [LWN.net]|website=lwn.net|date=June 30, 2004 |access-date=2018-09-30|archive-date=June 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623113052/https://lwn.net/Articles/91371/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[MCC Interim Linux]] (3 March 1992)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tech-insider.org/linux/research/1992/0225-b.html|title=interim release|website=www.tech-insider.org}}</ref>
* [[Softlanding Linux System]] (SLS) which included the X Window System and was the most comprehensive distribution for a short time (15 August 1992)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tech-insider.org/linux/research/1992/0812.html|title=SLS: Free Linux Distribution|website=www.tech-insider.org}}</ref>
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* Standard release or [[rolling release]], see below.
The diversity of Linux distributions is due to technical, organizational, and philosophical variation among vendors and users. The permissive licensing of free software means that users with sufficient knowledge and interest can customize any
===Rolling distributions vis-à-vis standard releases===
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When the operating system is booted from a read-only medium such as a CD or DVD, any user data that needs to be retained between sessions cannot be stored on the boot device but must be written to another storage device, such as a USB flash drive or a hard disk drive.<ref name="9y8MA">{{cite web | url = https://lwn.net/Articles/447650/ | title = Debating overlayfs | date = 2011-06-15 | access-date = 2015-01-05 | author = Jonathan Corbet | publisher = [[LWN.net]] | archive-date = July 24, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150724115553/https://lwn.net/Articles/447650/ | url-status = live}}</ref>
Many Linux distributions provide a "live" form in addition to their conventional form, which is a network-based or removable-media image intended to be used only for installation; such distributions include [[antiX]], [[SUSE Linux|SUSE]], Ubuntu, [[Linux Mint]], [[
==Examples==
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===Widely used GNU-based or GNU-compatible distributions===
* [[Debian]], a non-commercial distribution and one of the earliest, maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles and democratic project management.
** [[
***
*** [[Linux Mint]], a distribution based on and compatible with Ubuntu. Supports multiple desktop environments, among others GNOME Shell [[Fork (software development)|fork]] [[Cinnamon (user interface)|Cinnamon]] and [[GNOME 2]] fork [[MATE (desktop environment)|MATE]].
*** [[Pop!_OS]], is a Linux distribution based on [[Ubuntu]] which was developed by [[United States|American]] Linux computer manufacturer [[System76]], and
* [[Fedora Linux]], a community distribution sponsored by American company [[Red Hat]] and the successor to the
** [[Red Hat Enterprise Linux]] (RHEL), a derivative of Fedora Linux, maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat. It seeks to provide tested, secure, and stable Linux server and workstation support to businesses.
* [[openSUSE]], a community distribution mainly sponsored by German company [[SUSE S.A.|SUSE]].
** [[
* [[Arch Linux]], a [[rolling release]] distribution targeted at experienced Linux users and maintained by a volunteer community, offers official binary packages and a wide range of unofficial user-submitted source packages. Packages are usually defined by a single [[PKGBUILD]] text file.
** [[Manjaro Linux]], a derivative of Arch Linux that includes a graphical installer and other ease-of-use features for less experienced Linux users.
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===Lightweight distributions===
{{main|Lightweight Linux distribution}}
Lightweight Linux distributions are those that have been designed with support for older hardware in mind, allowing older hardware to still be used productively, or, for maximum possible speed in newer hardware by leaving more resources available for use by applications. Examples include [[antiX]], [[Damn_Small_Linux|Damn Small Linux]] (based on antiX),<ref>{{cite web |author1=Jesse Smith |title=Damn Small Linux |url=https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=damnsmall |website=distrowatch.com |publisher=Atea Ataroa Limited |access-date=9 February 2024 |___location=Copenhagen |language=en-US |date=2 February 2024}}</ref> [[Tiny Core Linux]], [[Puppy Linux]] and [[Slitaz]].
===Niche distributions===
Other distributions target specific niches, such as:
* Routers
* [[Microcontroller]]s
* [[Internet of things]]
* [[Home theater PC]]s
* Specific platforms
* [[Do it yourself]], that is distributions manually built from the ground up, such as [[Linux From Scratch]].
* Education
* Digital audio workstations for music production
* Computer security, [[digital forensics]] and [[penetration testing]]
* Privacy and anonymity
* Offline use
* Gaming
* For smartphones
==Interdistribution issues==
The [[Free Standards Group]] was an organization formed by major software and hardware vendors that aims to improve interoperability between different distributions. Among their proposed standards are the [[Linux Standard Base]], which defines a common [[Application binary interface|ABI]] and packaging system for Linux, and the [[Filesystem Hierarchy Standard]] which recommends a standard filenaming chart, notably the basic directory names found on the root of the tree of any Linux filesystem. Those standards, however, see limited use, even among the distributions developed by members of the organization.<ref>{{
The diversity of Linux distributions means that not all software runs on all distributions, depending on what libraries and other system attributes are required. [[Linux package formats|Packaged software]] and software repositories are usually specific to a particular distribution, though cross-installation is sometimes possible on closely related distributions.<ref>{{
==Installation==
There are several ways to install a Linux distribution. The most popular method of installing Linux is by booting from a live [[USB memory stick]], which can be created by using a USB image writer application and the ISO image, which can be downloaded from various Linux distribution websites. DVD disks, CD disks, network installations and even other hard drives can also be used as "installation media".<ref name="JnYKa">{{cite web|url=https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/amd64/ch02s04.html.en|title=2.4. Installation Media|website=www.debian.org|access-date=July 23, 2018|archive-date=July 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724032431/https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/amd64/ch02s04.html.en|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In the 1990s, Linux distributions were installed using sets of [[floppy disk]]s, but this has been abandoned by all major distributions. By the 2000s, many distributions offered CD and DVD sets with the vital packages on the first disk and less important packages on later ones. Some distributions, such as [[Debian]] also enabled
New users tend to begin by [[Disk partitioning|partitioning]] a hard drive
In a Live CD setup, the computer boots the entire operating system from CD without first installing it on the computer's hard disk. Many distributions have a Live CD ''installer'', where the computer boots the operating system from the disk, and it can then be installed on the computer's hard disk, providing a seamless transition from the OS running from the CD to the OS running from the hard disk.
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Virtual machines (such as [[VirtualBox]] or [[VMware]]) also make it possible for Linux to be run inside another OS. The VM software simulates a separate computer onto which the Linux system is installed. After installation, the virtual machine can be booted as if it were an independent computer.
Various tools are also available to perform full [[dual-boot]]
* The (now deprecated) [[Wubi (installer)|Wubi installer]], which allows Windows users to download and install [[
* [[Win32-loader (Debian)|Win32-loader]]
* [[UNetbootin]], which allows Windows and Linux users to perform similar no-CD network installations for a wide variety of Linux distributions and additionally provides [[live USB]] creation support
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==OEM contracts==
{{update section|reason=Sources are outdated and don't support assertions about the present (2025) situation|date=July 2025}}
However, it is possible to buy hardware with Linux already installed. [[Lenovo]], [[Hewlett-Packard]], [[Dell]], Affordy,<ref name="k0WSz">{{cite web |url=http://shop.affordy.com/?lang=en |title=Affordy - TITAN Computers |publisher=Shop.affordy.com |access-date=July 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529014808/http://shop.affordy.com/?lang=en |archive-date=May 29, 2009 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Purism (company)|Purism]], [[Pine64]] and [[System76]] all sell general-purpose Linux laptops.<ref name="VECM6">{{cite web |url=http://mcelrath.org/laptops.html |title=Laptops/Notebooks with Linux Preinstalled |publisher=Mcelrath.org |date=June 10, 2010 |access-date=July 29, 2011 |archive-date=August 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820205011/http://mcelrath.org/laptops.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Custom-order PC manufacturers will also build Linux systems, but possibly with the [[Windows key]] on the keyboard. [[Fixstars Solutions]] (formerly Terra Soft)
It is more common to find embedded devices sold with Linux as the default manufacturer-supported OS, including the Linksys [[NSLU2]] NAS device, [[TiVo]]'s line of personal video recorders, and Linux-based cellphones (including Android smartphones), PDAs, and portable music players.<!-- please add wikilinks to examples in the last sentence-->
The current Microsoft Windows license lets the manufacturer determine the refund policy.<ref name="Ax80H">{{Cite web|url=http://download.microsoft.com/Documents/UseTerms/Windows%207_Professional_English_b7a7153f-1a6c-498c-9350-c86926bb1aa9.pdf|title=Microsoft Software License Terms: Windows 7 Professional|access-date=January 23, 2012|archive-date=March 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311072450/http://download.microsoft.com/Documents/UseTerms/Windows%207_Professional_English_b7a7153f-1a6c-498c-9350-c86926bb1aa9.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> With
==Statistics==
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Desktop usage statistical reports for particular Linux distributions have been collected and published since July 2014<ref name="y9sXd">{{cite web|author=A. Ponomarenko|title=Linux Hardware Trends|url=https://linux-hardware.org/?view=trends|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920064241/https://github.com/linuxhw/Trends|archive-date=September 20, 2020|access-date=11 March 2020}}</ref> by the Linux Hardware Project.
[[Statcounter]], a web traffic analysis company, within the ''operating system market share'', showed that the Linux operating systems had, according to them, 3.9% of the worldwide [[market share]] in July 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Operating system market share worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide?ref=itsfoss.com|access-date=21 August 2025 |website=Statcounter}}</ref>
==See also==
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== References ==
{{
== External links ==
{{sister project links|wikt=no|b=Linux Guide/Distributions |s=no|q=no|n=no|voy=no|species=no|mw=no|m=no}}
* [https://static.lwn.net/Distributions/ The LWN.net Linux Distribution List]
* [https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html List of GNU/Linux distributions considered free by the Free Software Foundation]
* Google's approach to a large-scale live upgrading between two widely different Linux distributions: [http://marc.merlins.org/linux/talks/ProdNG-LC2013-JP/ProdNG.pdf presentation] and [http://marc.merlins.org/linux/talks/ProdNG-LC2013-JP/Paper/ProdNG.pdf text version], LinuxCon 2013, by Marc Merlin
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