What is EndeavourOS? Who it is for
EndeavourOS is built on Arch. It uses Xfce, with other desktops on offer as its desktop and pacman for software, and it follows a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps.
EndeavourOS at a glance
- Foundation: built on Arch
- Desktop: Xfce, with other desktops on offer
- Software tools: pacman
- Release style: a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps
- Installer: the Calamares installer
Who EndeavourOS suits
EndeavourOS suits people who want close-to-pure Arch with a friendly installer.
Strengths
- Software stays close to the newest versions without waiting for a new release.
- Fine control over how the system is built and what it contains.
- Good tooling for programming, with current compilers, languages and containers available.
Things to consider
- Updates never stop arriving, so update often and keep a backup in case an update needs fixing.
- It expects you to read documentation and solve problems yourself, so it is not the best first Linux system.
- As a rough guide, about 2 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Try EndeavourOS from a USB drive
The easiest way to find out is to start it from a USB drive without changing your computer. See the EndeavourOS bootable USB drive, then follow our install guide when you are ready. New to this? Read how to try Linux without installing it and how to boot from a USB drive.
Compare EndeavourOS
- Arch Linux vs EndeavourOS
- Manjaro vs EndeavourOS
- EndeavourOS vs CachyOS
- EndeavourOS vs Garuda Linux
- Omarchy vs EndeavourOS
Installing software on EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS uses pacman. These commands search for a program and install it (replace name with the program):
pacman -Ss name sudo pacman -S name
Most desktop systems also have a graphical software store. See how to install software on Linux.
Frequently asked questions
Is EndeavourOS good for beginners?
It can be used by beginners, but EndeavourOS is aimed more at people who want close-to-pure Arch with a friendly installer. If you are brand new, a beginner-friendly distribution such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu is usually an easier first step.
What desktop does EndeavourOS use?
EndeavourOS uses Xfce, with other desktops on offer. To learn how desktops differ, read what GNOME, KDE, Xfce and Cinnamon are.
How much RAM does EndeavourOS need?
As a rough guide, about 2 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Is EndeavourOS based on another distribution?
EndeavourOS is built on Arch.
How often is EndeavourOS updated?
EndeavourOS follows a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps.
How can I try EndeavourOS without installing it?
Write it to a USB drive, restart, choose the drive from the boot menu and pick the live or try option. Nothing on your internal disk changes unless you choose to install.