[Stable Update] 2025-12-08 - 25.1 Anh-Linh Preview

Manjaro Linux
1 month 2 weeks ago

Hello community, here we have another set of package updates. Welcome to our new development cycle of Manjaro 25.1.0, code-named ‘Anh-Linh’.We will focus on Plasma 6.5 series and will introduce GNOME 49, maybe Cosmic 1.0 (Beta).

We managed to stabilize ‘Anh-Linh’ enough to release this update to our stable branch. However, users of Plasma and GNOME may lose their X11 session support. Therefore read our Known issues and solutions section before restarting your systems!

Current Promotions Recent News Valkey to replace Redis in the [extra] Repository (click for more details) Previous News Finding information easier about Manjaro (click for more details) Notable Package Updates Additional Info Python 3.13 info (click for more details) Info about AUR packages (click for more details)

Get our latest daily developer images now from Github: Plasma, GNOME, XFCE. You can get the latest stable releases of Manjaro from CDN77.

ISOs including this update can be found here:

Anh-Linh 25.1-pre1 (2025-12-08)

Download XFCE (click for more details) Download GNOME (click for more details) Download KDE (click for more details)

Our current supported kernels

  • linux54 5.4.302 [EOL]
  • linux510 5.10.247
  • linux515 5.15.197
  • linux61 6.1.159
  • linux66 6.6.119
  • linux612 6.12.61
  • linux617 6.17.11
  • linux618 6.18.0
  • linux61-rt 6.1.158_rt58
  • linux66-rt 6.6.116_rt66
  • linux612-rt 6.12.57_rt14
  • linux617-rt 6.17.5_rt7

Package Changes (12/7/25 23:59 CET)

  • stable core x86_64: 152 new and 152 removed package(s)
  • stable extra x86_64: 7048 new and 7233 removed package(s)
  • stable multilib x86_64: 110 new and 130 removed package(s)

A list of all changes can be found here.

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philm

[Testing Update] 2025-12-07 - Kernels, COSMIC, Mesa, ROCm, Gambas

Manjaro Linux
1 month 2 weeks ago

Hello community, here we have another set of package updates. Welcome to our new development cycle of Manjaro 25.1.0, code-named ‘Anh-Linh’.We will focus on Plasma 6.5 series and will introduce GNOME 49, maybe Cosmic 1.0 (Beta).

Current Promotions Recent News Valkey to replace Redis in the [extra] Repository (click for more details) Previous News Finding information easier about Manjaro (click for more details) Notable Package Updates Additional Info Python 3.13 info (click for more details) Info about AUR packages (click for more details)

Get our latest daily developer images now from Github: Plasma, GNOME, XFCE. You can get the latest stable releases of Manjaro from CDN77.

Our current supported kernels

  • linux54 5.4.302 [EOL]
  • linux510 5.10.247
  • linux515 5.15.197
  • linux61 6.1.159
  • linux66 6.6.119
  • linux612 6.12.61
  • linux617 6.17.11
  • linux618 6.18.0
  • linux61-rt 6.1.158_rt58
  • linux66-rt 6.6.116_rt66
  • linux612-rt 6.12.57_rt14
  • linux617-rt 6.17.5_rt7

Package Changes (12/7/25 19:07 CET)

  • testing core x86_64: 38 new and 38 removed package(s)
  • testing extra x86_64: 1030 new and 1023 removed package(s)
  • testing multilib x86_64: 22 new and 22 removed package(s)

A list of all changes can be found here.

Click to view the poll.

Check if your mirror has already synced:

13 posts - 8 participants

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philm

Linux Distros Designed for Former Windows Users Are Picking Up Steam

Linux Journal
1 month 3 weeks ago
by George Whittaker

For years, Windows users frustrated with constant changes, aggressive updates, and growing system bloat have flirted with switching to Linux. But 2025 marks a noticeable shift: a new generation of Linux distributions built specifically for ex-Windows users is gaining real traction. One of the standout examples is Bazzite, a gaming-optimized Fedora-based distro that has quickly become a go-to choice for people abandoning Windows in favor of a cleaner, more customizable experience.

Why Many Windows Users Are Finally Jumping Ship

Microsoft’s ecosystem has been slowly pushing some users toward the exit. Hardware requirements for Windows 11 left millions of perfectly functional PCs behind. Ads on the Start menu and in system notifications have frustrated many. And for gamers, launcher problems, forced reboots and background processes that siphon resources have driven a search for alternatives.

Linux distributions have benefited from that frustration, especially those that focus on simplicity, performance and gaming readiness.

Gaming-First Distros Are Leading the Movement

Historically, switching to Linux meant sacrificing game compatibility. But with Valve’s Proton layer and Vulkan-based translation technologies, thousands of Windows games now run flawlessly, sometimes better than on Windows.

Distros targeting former Windows users are leaning into this new reality:

  • Seamless Steam integration

  • Automatic driver configuration for AMD, Intel and NVIDIA

  • Built-in performance overlays like MangoHUD

  • Proton GE and tools for modding or shader fixes

  • Support for HDR, VR and modern controller layouts

This means a new Linux user can install one of these distros and jump straight into gaming with almost no setup.

Bazzite: A Standout Alternative OS

Bazzite has become the poster child for this trend. Built on Fedora’s image-based system and the Universal Blue infrastructure, it offers an incredibly stable base that updates atomically, similar to SteamOS.

What makes Bazzite so attractive to Windows refugees?

  • Gaming-ready out of the box no tweaking, no driver hunts

  • Rock-solid performance thanks to an immutable system layout

  • Support for handheld PCs like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Legion Go

  • Friendly workflows that feel familiar to new Linux users

  • Customization without the risk of breaking the system

It’s no surprise that many “I switched to Linux!” posts now mention Bazzite as their distro of choice.

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George Whittaker