Ceci est une ancienne révision du document !
Over the years, there have been several attempts to create Linux distributions that look and work like Microsoft Windows, often with the aim of luring away Windows users. Many readers may recall Lindows from 2001, which is still around today as Linspire, now a paid commercial distribution. Several others have come and gone over time, too.
A recent addition to this market is Wubuntu (Windows Ubuntu) which had its first release, numbered 11.3.22.04.2 LTS, on 25 June, 2023. Based on Ubuntu and using a modified KDE desktop, it does look very much like Windows 11.
As part of our series about Ubuntu derivatives that use the Ubuntu name, this month I thought we would have a look at this unusual distribution’s second release, 11.4.3, out on 6 December, 2023.
Background
Wubuntu comes from Brazil and is based on Linuxfx. Both distributions are the product of the same anonymous developer and based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, although the KDE versions draw mostly from Kubuntu.
Wubuntu takes the Linuxfx base and adds new icons, themes, and Microsoft software to complete the Windows 11 look and feel.
The first Wubuntu release offered a choice of KDE or Cinnamon desktops, but more recent releases have stuck with a modified KDE Plasma 5 interface. Further Cinnamon releases have been promised but not arrived. KDE has a lot of built-in user customization, but Wubuntu’s developer has taken it a step further, creating a Windows-like menu and other features that would fool most seasoned Windows users at first or even second glance. Some serious effort has obviously been expended here.
Getting Wubuntu
I downloaded the rather heavyweight 5.1 GB ISO file from SourceForge via HTTP as there is no BitTorrent available. There are also no SHA256 or even MD5 checksums provided, an oversight which prevents confirming that the download is valid. The first release actually did provide an MD5 sum which was better than nothing.
Installing
Once downloaded, I dropped the Wubuntu ISO file onto a USB stick equipped with Ventoy 1.0.96. Wubuntu is not on the list of Ventoy tested and supported distributions but, being Ubuntu-based, it booted up smoothly.
System requirements
The recommended system requirements are: 2 GHz dual-core processor or better 2 GB system memory (4 GB is highly recommended) 25 GB of free hard drive space (SSD is highly recommended) Internet access is helpful Either a DVD drive or a USB port for the installer media Virtual Box: It is extremely important to install guest add-ons for the system to run efficiently.
These minimum system specs are actually very close to those specified for Windows 11, although Windows has specific requirements for processor types and additional items such as Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0.
Trying out Wubuntu
Wubuntu looks very much like Windows 11 when booted up. Being Linux-based though, it is more secure and stable, won’t run all that Windows malware, and also doesn’t come with the crapware and bloatware that the tech media has taken Windows 11 to task for ever since its release on 5 October, 2021. Wubuntu will also run on somewhat older hardware that doesn’t make the grade for Windows 11.
While Wubuntu runs well, looks good, and is easy to use, as I tried it out I was wondering “just who is this aimed at?” It clearly is not intended for seasoned Linux aficionados as they are not going to be attracted by a Linux distribution that looks like Windows and runs a considerable amount of Microsoft proprietary software. Windows is just not a “prestige brand” in the Linux world. It also is probably not going to appeal to dedicated Windows fans who are already running Windows 11 on modern hardware, unless they are looking for better security and stability. I do think that there is a potential niche here made up of Windows users who would like to be running Windows 11 but without shelling out money to buy new hardware. These people are probably using Windows 10 for now but its mainstream support runs out on 14 October, 2025.
Wubuntu does not actually come complete as a free download. There is a package of extras included called PowerToys that can only be unlocked by purchasing the PowerToys Professional Key from the developer for a fee of $35. The official website describes this: “PowerToys is a powerful toolset that implements a software layer based on Microsoft Windows applications. Tools like Control Panel, Network Settings, One Drive, Android Support and many others are available through PowerToys”.
So, in effect, Wubuntu is “freemium” software where the free version gives you the basics but upgrades for full functionality cost extra. The same PowerToys package is also available for Linuxfx by the same developer and is obviously being used as a source of income.
A freemium model is very unusual in the Linux desktop world and so this reinforces the notion that Wubuntu is aimed at Windows users who are more used to paying for software.
On the subject of this paid extra package, the Wubuntu forum users have much to say about it. One user noted, “anytime you try to change the desktop it Nags for you to purchase Powertoys!! It's actually INFURIATING it's so often! IF I can actually get this OS setup on my PC, the way I want, I'll be happy to support your work, but right now, NO WAY! Right now, this OS is NOT ready for Prime Time!”. Another user noted it was “worse than running an unactivated copy of Windows 11. Had to uninstall and move on. If you don't plan on buying the $35 key I can't recommend Wubuntu.” Another wrote, “When does the nagging stop? It is relentless, every single time.” There are some indications that this issue was at least dialed back via some system updates, though.
Overall Wubuntu looks good and works well in a limited way but, unless you buy the extra PowerToys package though it is going to be short of full capabilities. That said, Wubuntu has access to the Ubuntu repositories collection of application software via APT from the command line or from the included Discover software store, so there are lots of options for adding free software for functionality instead, much like any Linux distribution.
Settings
Wubuntu comes with a built-in range of user customization, similar to Windows 11. It includes 98 wallpapers, the most of any Linux distribution I have ever seen. Many of the wallpapers are from Kubuntu releases as well as several Windows-like ones.
It also has three window color themes: light, dark, and one that is halfway in-between, with light windows and a dark bottom panel.
From Kubuntu, it also offers 73 widgets, which are small programs that can be installed on the desktop to provide functions such as a calendar, clock or weather.
Applications
Some of the applications included with Wubuntu 11.4.3 are: Android File Transfer client AntiMicroX 3.1.4 gamepad keyboard mapper Ark 23.08.3 file archiver ChatGPT 1.1.0 AI client Cheese 41.1 webcam Discover 2.1.2 software store Dolphin 23.08.3 file manager Google Chrome 120.0.6099.62 web browser* GParted 1.3.1 partition editor Gwenview 23.08.3 image viewer K3B 23.08.3 CD/DVD burner KCalc 23.08.3 calculator KMail 22.04.3 email (failed to launch) KTorrent 23.08.3 BitTorrent client KWrite 22.04.3 (failed to launch) Kate 23.08.3 text editor Konsole 23.08.3 terminal emulator Microsoft Copilot AI toy* Microsoft Edge 119.0.2151.97 web browser* Microsoft Office Online (Excel, OneNote, People, PowerPoint, Word)* Microsoft Teams chat sign-up* Microsoft OneDrive cloud service sign-up* Okular 23.08.3 PDF viewer OnlyOffice 7.5.1.23 online office suite (Calc, Word, PowerPoint) PulseAudio 15.99.1 audio controller Power Toys Android Support sign-up RemoteDesktop Client 0.23 remote desktop Skanlite 23.08.3 scanner Spectacle 23.08.3 screenshot utility Steam 1.0.0.74 gaming client Thunderbird 115.5.1 email client VLC 3.0.16 media player Webcamoid 8.8.0 webcam Wine Stable 8.0.2 Windows compatibility layer Winetricks 0.0+20210206-2 Windows compatibility layer Wubuntu PowerToys Register
* indicates proprietary software
There are quite a lot of proprietary applications here with an emphasis on Microsoft products or launchers that give at least access to them. This will not thrill free software advocates, but is quite normal for Windows users. Some of these are Windows programs running on the included Wine compatibility layer.
It is odd these days to find a Linux distribution without the Firefox web browser and the LibreOffice office suite, but Wubuntu has neither of these. Instead, you get a choice of two proprietary browsers in their Linux versions, Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, and two online office suites, the free software OnlyOffice and the proprietary Microsoft Office.
Aside from including two web browsers and two office suites, Wubuntu has several other redundancies such as two webcams and two email clients.
The list of applications does show that, at its core, Wubuntu is really Kubuntu with many applications from the KDE Gear 23.08.3 collection. With the Ubuntu repositories available, it would be easy to remove the proprietary software and replace it all with free software alternatives, but instead of all that work, wouldn’t it just be easier to install Kubuntu instead?
Conclusions
Wubuntu looks good and works reasonably well in its free download incarnation but, to make it work right, you need to buy a paid key for the PowerToys package, or at least flush it out with some free software alternatives. It seems to be intended to appeal to the niche of Windows fans who have older hardware that won’t run Windows 11 or perhaps for Windows users looking for better stability and security.
Most Linux fans are not going to like this distribution due to its Windows-look and reliance on proprietary software. For Linux fans, there are better options.
Judging by the forum traffic, the built in advertising for the paid PowerToys extras doesn’t seem to be going over well among users. It will be interesting to see if adjustments are made in this distribution, and whether or not it attracts a dedicated user base between now and the end of support for Windows 10 in October, 2025.
It is probably promising that, while I was writing this review, a new point release, 11.4.4, was issued, indicating that development is continuing.
External links
Official website: https://www.wubuntu.org/