14 DAY TRIAL // Q4OS is a Linux distribution based on Debian that aims to provide users with a desktop experience that is similar to the one found on older Windows systems. The developers have finally moved passed the dreaded 1.x version, and they have upgraded their systems once more.
Linux distros that look like Windows are not all that uncommon, which might seem weird. Most of the Linux operating systems that do have a Windows feel achieve this by using themes and icons, but Q4OS does things a little bit differently. The developers of this OS have integrated Trinity, which is a KDE fork and has taken the Windows resemblance to another level, although most will agree that it's a little bit dated.
Q4OS is a great solution for people who want to give up on their old Windows XP installation and who plan to install Linux for the first time. The design of the desktop is pretty much the same, and some of the names have been kept, like the Control Panel, for example. Packages can be installed with a double click, and many of the apps that you would expect to find, like Google Chrome, Firefox, or LibreOffice, are already available.
The new Q4OS is based on Debian 8.1
One of the biggest changes in this latest installment of Q4OS is the upgrade to Debian 8.1, which, in fact, was just made available a short while ago. The devs have been quick to adopt the new system, but a lot of other changes have been implemented as well.
"Q4OS core system has been updated into just released Debian Jessie 8.1. Both Software Centre and Desktop Profiler tools got numerous of improvements; Software Centre now supports direct uninstallation of applications. Other updates include improvements in hardware support, for example better synaptics touchpads configuration, better power management configuration, Thinkpad laptops detection and more," reads the official announcement.
The devs have also said that new LXQT desktop environment is present once more as an option on the login screen. You can download Q4OS 1.2.3 right now from Softpedia and take it for a spin. Please keep in mind that no Live CD is available and that you will have to install it in order to test it.
