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# loss32 is a Linux Distro Nobody Asked For (But Still Has Its Use)
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/loss32-distro/
- Published: 2026-01-24T17:06:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-27T04:07:12.000Z
- Description: This sure sounds like a meme project, but there's more to it!
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: First Look

loss32, or, as it is called by its creator, *Win32 plus Linux*, is an upcoming Linux distribution where the entire desktop environment is [Win32 software](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/?ref=itsfoss.com) that runs under [Wine](https://www.winehq.org/?ref=itsfoss.com).

It sounds absurd on paper but seems to be following a very different approach than usual, where **a fully functional desktop with the Windows Classic theme** runs on [Debian 13](https://itsfoss.com/news/debian-13-release/). As you can see in the screenshot below, loss32 appears to be able to run a *Paint* application, a file explorer, a terminal, and a taskbar.

![a demo picture that shows loss32 in action, with a windows 98-esque user interface and many app windows open](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2026/01/loss32.png)

**Original screenshot courtesy of* [**hikari\_no\_yume*](https://hikari.noyu.me/?ref=itsfoss.com)**.*

The project makes it a point to differentiate itself from others like [ReactOS](https://reactos.org/?ref=itsfoss.com), which, as the developer notes, tries to reimplement the [Windows NT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows%5FNT?ref=itsfoss.com) kernel and has struggled with hardware compatibility and stability.

But **loss32 does take some components from ReactOS**, most notably the [user space](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User%5Fspace%5Fand%5Fkernel%5Fspace?ref=itsfoss.com) ones, to achieve a similar desktop experience while making use of a more practical foundation comprised of Linux and Wine to bring it all together.

This is the brainchild of [hikari\_no\_yume](https://hikari.noyu.me/?ref=itsfoss.com), who wants to preserve the late 90s to early 2010s PC desktop experience that was beloved by power users. 

She also argues that a desktop environment where everything runs inside Wine **would create strong incentives to improve Wine for everyone**, addressing the rough edges people currently tolerate only as a last resort.

The most interesting (*albeit a bit spicy*) motivation the dev shares is that **Win32 is the stable Linux ABI**. By which she means that there are over three decades of Win32 software that can still run in Wine or on Windows, with no other [ABI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application%5Fbinary%5Finterface?ref=itsfoss.com) matching such compatibility standards.

Before you dive in, know that **the developer is still working on shipping an initial proof-of-concept**. They had mentioned a release timeline of January 2026, so there's only a few more days to go.

Once ready, loss32 is meant to be very easy to install through a package repository. From there, you can download and run `.exe` files directly. In the meantime, you can keep an eye out on the [project homepage](https://loss32.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) for updates on the initial release of loss32.

[loss32](https://loss32.org/?ref=itsfoss.com)