> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Exploring openKylin: China's 1st Independent Open-Source Linux OS - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/openkylin-linux-os/ - Published: 2023-07-06T10:47:51.000Z - Updated: 2023-07-06T10:48:06.000Z - Description: A new Linux distribution was built from scratch. What's exciting about it? Let us take a peek at it. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 openKylin is a new distro offering, hailed as China's first independent, open-source desktop operating system. Worked on by over 3,000 developers, 74 SIGs (special interest groups), and over 200 enterprises, openKylin has come a long way since its early releases. The closest competitor to openKylin would be Deepin, another distro that has come out of China. But it uses a Debian base and cannot be considered independent (or built from scratch). **Suggested Read** 📖 [Deepin 23: 7 Features to Look Out ForDeepin 23 is around the corner. Find out what you can expect with the release.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/08/deepin-23-release.jpg)](https://itsfoss.com/deepin-23/) Let's dive into this release and see how it fares. ## openKylin 1.0: First Look ⭐ ![a screenshot of the neofetch output on openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin.jpg) openKylin 1.0 is based on the long-term-supported [**Linux Kernel 6.1**](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-1-release/), and takes its name from a mythical creature in Chinese mythology called '[Qilin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qilin?ref=itsfoss.com)'. I installed it on a virtual machine to see how the user experience was. Allow me to show you how it went. ### Initial Impressions So, first things first, the installation of openKylin. The **installer was primarily in the Chinese (Simplified) language**. But luckily, there was an option to install the English version of openKylin. **It was weird to see** that the boot menu read ''Install openKylin with kernel 5.15” rather than kernel 6.1; I guess that is an error. ![a screenshot of the openkylin installation type selection screen](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_1.jpg) **So, moving on with the installation**, a language selection screen shows up to choose between Chinese (simplified) and English. ![a screenshot of the language selection screen in openkylin's installer](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_2.jpg) After setting the language, the timezone, and the user account, the **install method selection menu is shown**, where you can either decide to do a full install or go through a custom install. **Under custom install**, you can select the storage device for bootloader installation and create new partition tables. ![a screenshot of the installation method selection screen on openkylin's installer](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_3.jpg) After confirmation of the installation method, the install progresses. A **nice progress screen shows** all the usual elements, such as the progress bar, log, and features banner. ![a screenshot of the install progres on openkylin's installer](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_4.jpg) **When everything is set**, you will be booted into the beautiful desktop that has a very familiar look to it. It has a taskbar at the bottom with some pretty handy widgets. openKylin uses the **[UKUI](https://github.com/ukui/ukui-desktop-environment?ref=itsfoss.com)** desktop environment that stands for **“Ultimate Kylin User Interface”** which handles all the GUI-based user interactions and also **extends the functionality of the OS by providing a set of core apps**. ![a screenshot of the desktop of openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_5.jpg) openKylin features a **Windows-like app launcher** that feels very intuitive to use; it has all the essential apps and tools in the right place. You can also set your favorite apps that will remain pinned on the right-hand side. ![a screenshot of the app menu on openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_6.jpg) Then there's the '**Taskview**' mode that allows for effortless multitasking. I tested it out with multiple applications; it bugged out on me once. Luckily, a system reboot fixed that. You can access it by clicking on the Taskview button beside the app launcher on the taskbar. ![a screenshot of the taskview screen on openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_6.x.jpg) The taskbar also features a neat sidebar menu with useful options to control the device and access a few tools. ![a screenshot of the sidebar menu on openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_7.jpg) openKylin uses the [Peony file manager](https://github.com/ukui/peony?ref=itsfoss.com) (UKUI's file app). I must say it was pretty straightforward to use and will be **familiar to the users of GNOME files**. ![a screenshot of the peony file manager on openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_8.jpg) Similarly, the system monitor does an impressive job in providing the required info and also has a familiar feel to it. ![a screenshot of the system monitor on openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_9.jpg) The layout of the '**Settings**' app is quite neat, and all the important settings are divided into different sections and subsections. ![a screenshot of the settings menu on openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_10.jpg) When you click on one, you will be taken to the respective menu. I tried it with the '**System**' section; I clicked on '**About**', and it took me to the correct menu. ![a screenshot of the about section in the settings menu of openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_11.jpg) openKylin also features a capable '**Software Store**' for all your application needs. However, remember that not all apps will have a description in English. ![a screenshot of the software store on openkylin](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/07/openKylin_12.jpg) Other than that, openKylin features a **decent set of pre-installed applications;** some notable ones include: - **Mozilla Firefox** - **WPS Office** - **Vim Text Editor** - **Video Player** - **Weather App** If you are interested in going through the source code for openKylin, you can do so by visiting its [Gitee repo](https://gitee.com/openkylin?ref=itsfoss.com). **Suggested Read** 📖 [13 Independent Linux Distros That are Built From ScratchUnique and independent Linux distributions that are totally built from scratch. Sounds interesting? Check out the list here.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSSreenath![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/08/independent-linux-distros.png)](https://itsfoss.com/independent-linux-distros/) ## 📥 Download openKylin With this 1.0 release, openKylin has been made available for conventional **x86** systems, **RISC-V**, and **ARM**. You can find the relevant ISOs on the [official website](https://www.openkylin.top/downloads/712-en.html?ref=itsfoss.com). [openKylin](https://www.openkylin.top/downloads/712-en.html?ref=itsfoss.com) 💭*What do you think about openKylin? Share your thoughts in the comments below.*