Live linux distro small No list of lightweight Linux distros would be complete without Puppy Linux. not only when compared to full distros, even far faster than small Live install images. It has the Linux Live USB Creator is a freeware for creating portable, bootable and virtualized USB stick running Linux. Here are some of the best Linux distros you can run from a USB. Remove all unnecessary files, to make your Live Linux system as small as possible (this step is optional). Puppy Linux, Knoppix, and SliTaz are probably your best bets out of the 17 options considered. It'd be like working in the live boot environment the whole time. a. The live distribution lets you save your session and recall it Rufus Rufus is a small portable tool that lets you create all kinds of bootable USB flash drives from ISO files such as Antivirus Rescue Disks, Partitioning Disks, Linux Distro Live USBs, and many other bootable rescue Almost any modern distro with a grub menu will let you boot into text mode. It should run on a CPU < 7Mhz and RAM < 512 mb. Let’s learn about lightweight Linux distro. 58 - A Live Linux operating designed for people who want to surf the Internet anonymously . Absolute Linux, like some other Slackware-based distro, CD Drive: 8x CD-ROM drive or USB port for booting from a live CD or USB With a small footprint and minimal system requirements, Puppy Linux is a great choice for older computers or for situations where speed and efficiency are important. Kali Linux is based on Debian. The updates that you will receive are only for improving privacy and not for improving user experience. This means you shouldn't expect these distros to provide blistering Best all-round Lightweight Distro under 100MB: Tiny Core Linux. "Designed to run as a live USB/CD" is the primary reason people pick Puppy Linux over the competition. FAQ. [10] A small and Welcome to /r/Linux! This is a community for sharing news about Linux, interesting developments and press. Installation. SliTaz 5. User Experience Level. debian based distro with advanced persistent Name Min Size Max Size Purpose Last Release; Tails: 1153: 1153 [Secure Desktop] 2017-07: Kali Linux: 1093: 2934 [OS Installation] 2016-08 Name Min Size Max Size Purpose Last Release; Tails: 1153: 1153 [Secure Desktop] 2017-07: Kali Linux: 1093: 2934 [OS Installation] 2016-08 IMO the definition of a “Live distro” is a working DE with preinstalled apps that will boot off the chosen media ready to use, with installation as an option. In the grub menu, select which release you want to boot into ( live USB's usually only have 1 option ) JustBrowsing is a bootable Linux "Live CD" that does not make any changes to the existing operating system on the computer. Now it’s Live Boot. Tale a yet some are so small that they get little notice. Image credit – PuppyLinux Official. Org, the Damn Small Linux, Lubuntu, and LXLE are probably your best bets out of the 5 options considered. This page is powered by a knowledgeable community that helps you make an informed decision. Puppy Linux. It starts with a recent Linux kernel, vmlinuz, and our If you have an older PC, or a small single board computer-based system, you probably want to run a version of Linux that’s light on resources and easy to download. 0-21-amd64 Use a lightweight Linux distro and revive that decades-old system. These distros are designed to be resource Linux Mint is an elegant, easy to use, up to date and comfortable desktop operating system. GParted Live is a live distribution with a single purpose - to provide tools for partitioning hard disks in an intuitive, graphical environment. Minimal Linux Live offers a core Step 3. If you're looking for tech support, /r/Linux4Noobs is a friendly community that can Don't listen to these naysayers, if you want the form factor of a thumbdrive, use it but find a distro like the Puppy, Porteus, Linux Lite. Minimal Linux Live offers a core environment with just the Linux kernel, GNU Tiny Core Linux: Minimalistic, modular, 16MB core system: 200MHz CPU, 64MB RAM: Many distros offer a “Live” mode, allowing you to test the system without installing it. I'm anking to get a linux system on a mobile device (such as a pendrive, micro sd or the like) in order to being able to use it as "plug Live linux distro combined in one ~20MB file. Install applications, tweak settings and so on. These operating systems often come pre-built with try mxlinux xfce i386 or linux lite. A live install image contains a Debian system that can boot without modifying any files on the hard drive and also allows installation of Debian from the contents of the LxPup combines all the significant advantages of Puppy Linux - small iso size, extensive hardware support, wide range of applications built-in, live cd and frugal installs, SliTaz is a secure and high performance operating system using the Linux Kernel and GNU software. For example, when you are trying out a distro using Live CD’s and you wish to save some text file or install an application, you will not be able to see those files and apps on the next boot. Knoppix is a GNU/Linux distribution that boots and runs completely from CD or DVD and can be used to read and write Windows and other partitions (among other Hey all-I've got a pretty stable unraid build (thanks to you all and a lot of patience) but I'm now looking for a Linux distro that'll deploy easily (some distros don't seem to take well to unraid), I am looking for a lightweight live Linux OS that would allow me to connect to a machine running Windows OS via RDP. It is recommended to remove udev's persistent net rules and other settings of Learn the ropes of two of the most popular Linux distributions in the world, Red Hat Linux & CentOS, and use the in-demand skills to start a career as a Linux Server Admin or Linux Administrator. The distribution uses X. Tiny Core Linux. It packs a lot of applications into a small package. It is also about mold it in whatever shape you want, skills. Best Linux distros for Welcome to The Core Project - Tiny Core Linux. It seems that the focus in 2023 is on the OS Type: Linux Based on: Debian Origin: Spain Architecture: i386, x86_64 Desktop: WMaker Category: Desktop, Live Medium Status: Active Popularity: 135 (65 hits per Depends on the person I suppose. The OS can run from RAM, with the latest version taking up barely Porteus is a complete linux operating system that is optimized to run from CD, USB flash drive, hard drive, or other bootable storage media. It is a brand-new distribution that tries to mix in the benefits of Debian and Ubuntu into one I'm looking for a modern Linux distro that can be installed on a very small VM image (2GB or less, prefer 1GB) that contains X-Windows and enough to run browser (like Universal USB Installer is a Live Linux USB Creator that allows you to choose from a selection of Linux Distributions to put on your USB Flash Drive. This page is powered I have been using Linux Lite for years. Bodhi Linux - Bodhi is a superfast, What is Damn Small Linux? Damn Small Linux (DSL) is a free and open-source operating system for the x86 family of personal computers. Enjoy a simple computing experience with only a web browser (your choice of Mozilla Firefox Now you can go ahead and make the changes you want for your live distro. News; Contact; About; Download Get LiLi Damn Small Linux 4. Live linux distro combined in one ~20MB file. io): Debian Live CD shaped after Puppy Linux. This is a great way to ensure compatibility. Damn Small Linux Sesuai namanya, Damn Small Linux sangat kecil karena hanya berukuran 50MB. The Puppy Linux project has created a number of Linux live CD images that provide binary compatibility with some Ubuntu and Slackware Linux versions; the latest official releases have been FossaPup64 9. A good example of this is the Parrot OS live environment, pictured below. I read a review of Slitaz on DistroWatch a while back and the founder of Slitaz uses it as his main distro. The smallest is the "Core" edition (17 MB), which provides a command line interface and some tools without any graphical desktop environment. With options ranging from user-friendly interfaces to highly customizable systems, there's a Several lightweight Linux distributions have emerged as some of the best options for users seeking efficiency and speed in 2025. Slax is a modern, portable, small and fast Linux operating system. Introduction; Start Slax; Use Slax; Customize Slax you can contribute towards the upcoming Best Linux distro for small business (Image credit: Rocky Linux) 4. The main reason is easy—Ubuntu, as a live distribution, makes an incredible tool for showing off what Linux can do, and this idea actually goes beyond the Linux Mint - Another Debian-based Linux distro built to be easy to use for beginners Zorin OS Lite - Lightweight distro featuring the most beautiful XFCE-desktop environment out of the box. - zhovner/OneFileLinux Small and medium teams Startups Linux Mint 18. It is packaged with JWM and IceWM, or Openbox and Xfce. I have used many other Linux distros like Zorin, Manjaro, Peppermint, Mint, Ubuntu, Pclinux, Lubuntu, and many more but to me Linux Lite is the best! With many add ons you do not GParted Live is a small bootable GNU/Linux distribution for x86 based computers. Once you are done with that, we can move on to the Live Kit itself. Test drive Linux distros online! Alma Linux. Another key feature of this distro is its native antiX control panel that you use to change 1. If you want something different from the same old crop of distros, Tiny Core Linux is a Hey Spiceheads, here’s what I need and I’m going crazy trying to find it. It makes our list of top live distros because its a live OS by its very nature. , is one of the most popular and favorite ethical hacking operating systems used by hackers and security professionals. Live systems work a little differently then a normal install but part of the joy in using The Debian Live Project has a number of pre-built images for use as live-CDs or USB sticks, and documentation for creating your own custom live build based on Debian if you Tails is a privacy focused Linux distro. If you have an older PC that's low on resources, Puppy Linux is a great lightweight distro to try. It allows you to test the distro without This website is about Knoppix, a Free and Open Source Live Linux CD. 1. It is a Linux system, that uses the minimal desktop LXDE/LXQT, and a selection of light applications. If you're looking for tech support, /r/Linux4Noobs and /r/linuxquestions are friendly communities that If SSD are what you need to wipe and Linux distro will do. All of which can be converted into a Live Linux Bootable USB flash Explore the smallest Linux distros with GUI for limited space. 10; Puppy Before having a look at “Browsing only Distros”, let’s first have a look at the need for an Operating Systems optimized for just browsing. The live image uses the GNOME desktop, but the installation allows you to choose from 11 different desktops. Redcore Linux 2301 [ 2023-02 . It is recommended to remove udev's persistent net rules and other settings of Luit Linux was a small bootable live CD distribution based on KNOPPIX and Damn Small Linux. I know that you can install the package on the live system but I need to This is a community for sharing news about Linux, interesting developments and press. Lightweight Linux distributions are ideal for older computers, minimalists, or Tiny Core, aka The Core x86 Project, is a modular Linux distribution offering different super small ISO files featuring the distro variants. Ubuntu heads up my list of Live distros for several reasons. Of course, if you’re new to Linux, you may not Silverblue at 2. Here is a list of the top 8 lightweight Linux distros that cater to various needs and preferences. People will suggest huge distros or incomplete, or tasked Most Lightweight distro with Live mode to use on the go . Download Linux Live Kit. This However, the latest version of Absolute Linux occupies 2 GB of space, and like many other distros, its live version can also be installed directly from a CD or flash drive. A live USB lets you jump into a live environment when you use it to install a Linux distro. - zhovner/OneFileLinux. A small compact live distribution with tools and applications for day to day needs, without About. Linux Lite. Images support both BIOS and UEFI, including Secure Boot mode. GParted Live can be Choose your live Linux. Also, if you’re curious about similar tiny/smallest On the one hand, nearly any Live ISO can be made to run in console only mode, with variations on the process from distro to distro. 1GB is by no means a tiny Linux distribution, but in many ways, it's a child of the tiny Linux and container movements. The Tiny Core Linux project was created to provide a base operating system that doesn’t require any additional software and is based on BusyBox and FLTK. 5 (based on Minimal Linux Live is a tiny educational Linux distribution, which is designed to be built from scratch by using a collection of automated shell scripts. Use the toggles on the left to filter open source Live USB distros by OS, license, language, Minimal Linux Live (MLL) is a tiny educational Linux distribution, which is designed to be built from scratch by using a collection of automated shell scripts. A light-weight Linux distribution is a For others, a small distribution is the one that is distributed in a nifty little package and can be lugged around in a portable USB key. Distros have a separate live iso files like Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Linux Distribution for personal or commercial use. Best Lightweight Distro under Choosing the right small Linux distro can transform your computing experience, especially on older or less powerful hardware. It is recommended to remove udev's persistent net rules and other settings of Damn Small Linux (a. Despite its size, it still Zentyal Server is another great all-in-one Linux server available in two versions developer edition which is free to download and use and another is the commercial version. DSL) Damn Small Linux, or DSL, is a very small live Linux distribution on CD that is designed to fit a 50 MB business card CD. com For Lightweight Linux distributions are gaining popularity as they offer an excellent way to breathe new life into older hardware or provide a snappier experience on modern systems. The second is TinyCore (23 MB), whi ArchBang. Now it's based on Debian stable. A user may need a Browser only Linux distro in APC magazine from mid-2003, Lindows OS Live CD on the cover, and somewhere in the text inside the corresponding article, “—pair it with a cheap-as-chips 128 MB USB disk 1. Just select persistent storage option and enter the amount of storage for the persistance. Just of the top of my head, I would suggest the x86 flavour of Raspbian because of it's small file With so many distros out there, Tiny Core Linux remains unique in a world of ever-larger operating systems, even in the Linux world. Bugs & Requests LiLi will allow you to Puppy Linux, Damn Small Linux, and Slax are probably your best bets out of the 19 options considered. But tiny Linux distributions are powerful innovations: having an entire operating system drive a computer with less than 1GB of storage The above needs can be fulfilled by all of the Linux distros as Python is just a programming language and Linux is a major operating system, as such Linux has all the capabilities needed inbuilt to run Python code! All you For this delicate work there are some specialised Linux Live Distributions that once booted allow you to make a lot of tasks, like mounting and repairing disk partitions and file system, for this Tiny Core Linux is the extremely lightweight operating system based on a recent Linux kernel, BusyBox, Tiny X, Fltk, and Flwm. Introduction; Start Slax; Use Slax; Customize Slax you can contribute towards the upcoming Damn Small Linux 2024 (DSL 2024) The revival of Damn Small Linux was driven by the need for a compact Live distribution suitable for legacy systems, fitting on a standard CD (under 700 MB). It uses a combination It’s one of the best and lightweight Linux distro available in 2020. News; Contact; About; Download Get LiLi; Features A guided tour; Help FAQ & Guide. Slackware's installation CD boots to a command line by Test out popular Linux distributions online for free on your web browser. Or in other words, what is the most customizable distro out there? Kind of a different question. BTW there is no perfect linux distro ever and will never be. Kali Linux is the most widely known Linux distro for ethical hacking and penetration testing. Puppy Linux is one of the best Lightweight Linux that one can easily install on a Laptop or Desktop using a virtual machine (VirtualBox, Vmware, or Hyper-V). I would do this: Get a large size USB stick and throw Ventoy In the extreme case - user can use a computer without a GUI and even browse the internet in a terminal, without images, in Lynx, on a weak computer. Puppy Linux’s size is around 300MB, making it one of the smallest Linux distros. You want your pc to only do certain things. It is known for its tiny size, typically around 50 megabytes (MB), which allows it to Damn Small Linux was a business card size (50MB) live CD Linux distribution, based on Debian and Knoppix. 0; Manjaro 'Strit' a community-based spin developed by a maintainer of Manjaro, Denmark's Dan 'Strit' Johansen. Despite its small size, What is the smallest Live CD Linux Distro? I need a Small, Headless (No GUI, Online Commandline), Live CD Linux Distro. The average release weighs in at about 300MB, making it one of the smallest (but not the smallest) releases on this list. The computer I'm on right now is using Puppy and Download Jondo Live-CD 0. The Linux distro is meant to run on low-end devices. Welcome to the Linux ISO Downloads repository! Whether you're looking for a fresh installation, a rescue tool, or a live environment, you'll find a comprehensive list of ISO files for Puppy Linux. This release is based on the AntiX 23 Live Category: Desktop, From RAM, Live Medium, Old Computers, Raspberry Pi; Status: Active; Popularity: 95 (121 hits per day) Tiny Core Linux is a 16 MB graphical Linux Linux distributions are popular and cool because they have a variety of features and capabilities that you can use according to your needs. All the applications are chosen for their Best minimal linux CLI distro? Alpine. USB persistent Puppy Linux is ready Live Media is a way to try AlmaLinux on your computer without installing it to the hard drive. See More. Need for a Browser Only Linux Distro. The Core Project is a highly modular based system with community build extensions. I need to recover the data off an old machine (as in IBM NetVista old). This is called a Live USB. I recommand Paladin live distro Damn Small Linux, or DSL, first appeared in 2005 as a tiny distro for the old machines of the day, Under the hood it borrows heavily from the AntiX live Linux distro, and the version we’re Step 3. 3 series; Linux Mint 19 series; Linux Lite 4. itsfoss. If you're looking for tech support, /r/Linux4Noobs is a friendly community that can What’s the current “best” small Linux distro with a full GUI that works well with bcm wireless out of the box? I’m looking to have a recovery/showoff option on a 16gig flash I got for super cheap. Best User-Friendly Lightweight Distro under 100MB: Slitaz. Ukurannya yang kecil tidak berarti distro linux ini tidak bisa dihandalkan. Linux Lite is an ideal choice for Windows Do you want to boot from USB in a live OS, or install from a USB to your hard disk? Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) // 6. Latest Release. This tiny OS weighs in at under 300MB, so it can run 5. Puppy Linux could be an option if nothing else works and you want the lightest distro. Kali is a Debian-derived antiX Linux boots into an aesthetically pleasing IceWM window manager with desktop icons. 0 Rolling release (weekly) - 19 Jan 2025 SliTaz is now a Take initramfs of microcore and do following. SystemRescue One of the goals of the distro is to keep the size of the final release small enough to fit A Linux live distro is very useful either you are a Linux user or a Windows user. Status; DistroSea. Arch and Gentoo just does not meet 01. No installation or live boot needed. 6 is a delightful-to-use Linux distro - with next to zero learning curve PorteuX has another fancy trick up its sleeve. It’s running WinXP, but the OS RebornOS is a Linux distro based on Arch Linux. After a 12 year break (from 2012 to 2024), the Damn Small One of the all-time favorite lightweight Linux distros, Puppy Linux, is a Unix-like operating system primarily meant for netbooks, older systems, and Live CDs. (NOTE: i haven't tried this with microcore distro but i've used this long time back with DSL and Knoppix) # check if your initramfs is gz compressed Damn Small Linux is a Debian-based operating system, however, it also includes applications that don’t usually come with that distro. 9. Puppy Best Linux repair and rescue distro for advanced users (Image credit: SystemRescue) 3. It enables you to use all the features of the latest versions of the GParted application. Because of this, Lubuntu has very low I would use a live distro to see if you like the distro itself, but for game performance, I would just pick up a small SSD to install to. Arch Linux was built from scratch Not as user friendly as some other Linux distros. It's small (under 300Mb) and insanely fast which Then, use the USB running the Linux system. Choosing the best small Linux distro in 2024 can feel overwhelming with so many options available. a small dialog will prompt the user to set a password for the live account. Minimal Linux Live offers a core environment with just the Linux kernel, GNU Minimal Linux Live is a tiny educational Linux distribution, which is designed to be built from scratch by using a collection of automated shell scripts. One of the main reasons that Linux Distro is a highly portable operating system is the low RAM consumption, depending upon the OS version or GUI, and its support in Where to Download Live Linux ISO files? A Live Linux ISO repository list of some of the most popular and widely recognized Live Linux ISO compilations available today. - Install to HD/USB. Runs on any UEFI computer. This page is Puppy Linux: Small but Mighty. Take Ubuntu Server uninstall the ubuntu-server metapackage. There's no "live" version to try out what you've installed and no helpful graphical setup wizard to let you choose which Damn Small Linux 2024 **Be My Hero** The New DSL 2024 has been reborn as a compact Linux distribution tailored for low-spec x86 computers. Discover the 8 best lightweight Linux distros and how to choose the best options from the list! Excellent for live boot. There are many that haven't been mentioned, such as Slax (a Debian-based live distro), Tiny Core, Slitaz, Kali (a security-focused utility distro), E-live, and more. After a 12 year break (from 2012 to 2024), the Damn Small Linux (DSL) project Unlike other distros, all kernel modules are not installed, only the necessary ones - therefore vmlinuz is small and you can install the modules (or any thing you like) with just 2 clicks. Puppy Linux can be booted live with either a CD/DVD/USB. Most modern distros would great on most hardware past 2007, but as for size that depends. The developers essentially created a version of Debian that was stripped down to its core essentials in Slax is a modern, portable, small and fast Linux operating system. You go in, do what you have to do, and get out with saving anything on the USB. 4MLinux 47. You can run it from a USB or DVD to preview and for system rescue needs. User's Guide. Slax is a fast, small and portable Linux live USB distro, was based on Slackware. Learn why to choose them, compare the top 5, and find the perfect fit for your needs. The Best all-round Lightweight Distro under 100MB: Tiny Core Linux Best Lightweight Distro under 100MB for Very Old Computers: DSL Best User-Friendly Lightweight Distro under 100MB: Slitaz The Live system provides a If you’re looking for a portable Debian-based Linux distro that runs great from a USB drive, then Slax is a great option. Best Lightweight Distro under 100MB for Very Old Computers: DSL. Minimal Linux Live is a tiny Linux distribution which is designed to be built from scratch using a collection of Puppy Linux is a tiny Linux distro with almost no bundled software applications but basic tools. Beginners: For users new to Linux, finding the best Slax is a modern, portable, small and fast Linux operating system. It has a very dedicated development team that Step 3. A Kali Linux Live image on a CD/DVD/USB/PXE can allow you to have access to a full bare metal Kali install without needing to alter an already-installed operating system. Both types of distributions have their uses. We list the best lightweight Linux distros, to make it simple and easy to run a simpler Linux OS on older x86 computers. One of the big reasons a lot of users chose a live CD, initially, was the difficulty of CrunchBang Linux: A small distribution and Live CD based on Debian Stable, featuring the Openbox window manager and tint2 panel with GTK+ applications. Kali Linux. ArchBang is based on Arch Linux and inspired by CrunchBang, another small Oct 3, 2024 Live USB distros are portable and can be used on any machine with a USB drive. The configuration files for the distro show that it is Ubuntu to ensure optimum compatibility with Ubuntu-specific software. Alpine Linux. 4. It is developed by Offensive Security. If you have a spare USB Damn Small Linux was a business card size (50MB) live CD Linux distribution, based on Debian and Knoppix. It’s packed with hundreds of penetration testing and similar tools. There are 32-bit and 64-bit versions available, both of which weigh in Lightweight Linux distros — operating systems are designed to use little memory, disk space, and CPU time, ensuring that only the necessary resources are used. It comes with a large amount of penetration testing The popularity of live CDs has waned a little bit over the years, for a couple of reasons. So, dump all your worries about less storage space on your old PC in a corner and try the lightweight Puppy Linux. github. Kali Linux, maintained and funded by Offensive Security Ltd. The title is self-explanatory, I'm looking for distros that preferably have smallish isos (under 3gb) with chntpw baked in. Smaller community & support. Download Silverblue and write it to a thumb drive with dd or Etcher or burn it - Put on a live-USB, that can work as just live or live+persistent, or live_copytoram (for ultra_fast live distro). I recall DSL - "Damn Small Linux" many years ago, made to fit on a "credit card size" CD-R - Minimal Linux Live – a tiny educational Linux distribution, which is designed to be built from scratch by using a collection of automated shell scripts. Kali is a Linux distribution built for security auditing and ethical hacking. ArchBang Linux is known for its beautiful desktop environment. Also you can take a snapshot of your customized running Category: Live Medium; Status: Dormant ; Popularity: Not ranked. Small-footprint distros help save old and resource-strapped Damn Small Linux or Tiny Core are the original distros that did this many years ahead of everyone else. The notable feature of this lite Linux distro is its size — the 12 MB graphical Linux desktop runs It's small: The traditional GNU/Linux base system is over 100MB in size (excluding the kernel), while the base system in Alpine Linux is only 4-5MB in size (excluding the kernel). For a while I tested running of a micro SDcard (no HardDrive Browse free open source Live USB distros and projects for Linux below. 0 4MLinux is a miniature Linux DebianDog - ( debiandog. This is accomplished by using the BusyBox Also: Solus 4. As t42 says, today, truly minimal distros are of less importance than it once were. Debian structure and behaviour are Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free LinuxLive USB Creator is a free and open-source software to easily create Live USB. which means that it’s Welcome to /r/Linux! This is a community for sharing news about Linux, interesting developments and press. Puppy Linux uses JWM and Openbox window managers by default which makes it very easy on system resources. You can use the developer or community edition for It's a linux distro with a risk of causing UTI. k. Minimal Linux Live offers a core environment with just the Linux kernel, GNU C library and Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. Reply reply ThreshingBee • I don't think you're supposed to wipe an SSD unless it's for disposal. Even we have used it using Qemu on you can create live usb with persistent storage with Rufus. hwwe llqcy drqxxy ncfop lzh cyptp iumu kgyfst fxrx gbmo