> ## 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. # RefreshOS: A Potential Debian-based Alternative to Kubuntu - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/refreshos/ - Published: 2024-08-24T05:38:36.000Z - Updated: 2024-08-24T05:38:36.000Z - Description: It may not be too exciting, but it's an alternative to exist. What do you think? - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: First Look, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 In a never-ending stream of distributions [based on Debian](https://itsfoss.com/debian-based-distros/), we sometimes get to see some options that offer something novel, something that sets them apart from the rest. One such distribution is [RefreshOS](https://refreshos.org/?ref=itsfoss.com), which offers a “fresh” (*pun intended*) take on what a Debian-based Linux distribution can be. Initially released in 2022, it has been under the radar until now. With this [First Look](https://itsfoss.com/tag/first-look/), we will see what it has to offer. 😃 ## RefreshOS: Overview ⭐ ![a screenshot of refreshos 2.0 desktop view with the default app launcher open and a beagle wallpaper in the background](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_a.jpg) The Beagle is lost in thoughts This debian-based distro is the brainchild of [Jordan Tyler Burchett](https://x.com/JTBurchett?ref=itsfoss.com), a developer out of Rogersville, Tennessee. Originally, **RefreshOS used to be based on Kubuntu 20.04**. But, with the recent RefreshOS 2.0 “*Boundless Beagle*” release, the base is now [Debian 12](https://itsfoss.com/debian-12-release/) “Bookworm”, with **Linux kernel 6.1.0-23-amd64** powering it. Some **key highlights** include: - The Beagle - Being User-Friendly - Having Sensible Defaults ### Initial Impressions 👨‍💻 I tested RefreshOS on a [virtual machine](https://itsfoss.com/virtual-machine/) using [Boxes](https://apps.gnome.org/Boxes/?ref=itsfoss.com) on my Fedora 40-equipped laptop. When I first booted into the ISO, the [Calamares](https://calamares.io/?ref=itsfoss.com) installer showed up in the live environment, and I proceeded with installation right away. ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_b.jpg) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_c.jpg) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_d.jpg) The Calamares installer on RefreshOS The **installation experience is nothing you have not already seen** on other distros, and it went ahead as one would expect. Nothing extraordinary to note, apart from the cool-looking RefreshOS branding. ![a screenshot of refreshos 2.0 with the about this system page and floating widgets open](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_e2.jpg) After the installation was done, I was taken to **a neat desktop**, which was running [KDE Plasma 5.27.5](https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.27.5/?ref=itsfoss.com), with the **X11 session as the default**. At first glance, everything is almost like the vanilla experience (*without changes)* found on KDE Plasma, and it was nice. *More on why I said “almost” later.* 😶‍🌫️ ![a screenshot of refreshos 2.0 default app launcher with many apps listed](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_e.jpg) The **application suite** mostly consists of the ones developed by KDE, except for apps like [Brave](https://brave.com/?ref=itsfoss.com) as the web browser, [LXTerminal](https://github.com/lxde/lxterminal?ref=itsfoss.com) as the terminal emulator, [Xfburn](https://docs.xfce.org/apps/xfburn/start?ref=itsfoss.com) for burning physical disks, and a few others. ![a screenshot of refreshos 2.0 kde wallet prompt when opening brave browser](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_f.jpg) However, there was **an issue**. When I first launched Brave, [KWalletManager](https://apps.kde.org/kwalletmanager5/?ref=itsfoss.com) popped up, asking me for a password. I entered the user password, but it didn't work. If you didn't know, this is used by other apps to store their secrets (*password/logins*) behind encryption. ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_g.jpg) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_h.jpg) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_i.jpg) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_j.jpg) Follow the screenshots left to right I resolved that issue by deleting the existing wallet named “*kdewallet*”, and creating a new one with the same name. If you face that issue, do what I did. First, open Wallet Manager on RefreshOS, then go into the “*File*” menu and select “*Delete Wallet…*”. Finally, create a new wallet by going into the same “*File*” menu. You can follow what the screenshots above show; just ensure that you give it the same name as mentioned earlier. ![a screenshot of refreshos 2.0 app launcher changing menu](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_k-1.jpg) You may have noticed how RefreshOS **uses a different app launcher** than the usual one KDE Plasma has. That is thanks to the use of the [Avalon Menu](https://store.kde.org/p/1386465/?ref=itsfoss.com), which, I think, is a more familiar experience for users switching from Windows. ![a screenshot of refreshos 2.0 app launcher changing menu with many app launchers](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Refresh_OS_l-1.jpg) Of course, **you can change the default behavior** by right-clicking on the launcher, then going into the “*Show Alternatives…*” menu and selecting “*Application Launcher*”. Follow the images attached above for more info. 👆 You can choose from a full-screen application dashboard, two KDE app launchers, and the Plasma drawer. On the package management front, **RefreshOS doesn't come with Flatpak and Snap support by default** but comes equipped with the venerable [APT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APT%5F%28software%29?ref=itsfoss.com) installed by default. The developers did that to maintain “*a pure, vanilla experience*”, and I respect that. But, if you'd like, **you can easily add the missing support** by following our guides on using [Flatpak](https://itsfoss.com/flatpak-guide/) and [Snap](https://itsfoss.com/install-snap-linux/). ### Closing Thoughts I was **impressed with the polished experience RefreshOS offers**, and that too on a newly integrated base, with me running it on a virtual machine. On bare metal, the overall experience should be even better. I truly hope this distribution catches on as a viable alternative to Ubuntu for the people who want a “*Klean*” KDE Plasma experience with a Debian base but without the “*Snappiness*” of the former. ## 📥 Get RefreshOS The latest release of RefreshOS can be sourced from the [official website](https://refreshos.org/downloads.html?ref=itsfoss.com), which also lists the older releases if you want to check those out. Before you begin, do keep in mind that sometimes **the download mirrors are inconsistent**, resulting in slow downloads. In my case, using a [VPN](https://itsfoss.com/best-vpn-linux/) solved the issue. I sincerely hope they add some more mirrors to cover various parts of the world. [RefreshOS](https://refreshos.org/downloads.html?ref=itsfoss.com) Should you run into any issues, the RefreshOS developers recommend visiting the [Debian](https://www.debian.org/support?ref=itsfoss.com) and [KDE](https://kde.org/support/?ref=itsfoss.com) support pages. For more info about this distro, you can give Jordan's [DEV blog](https://dev.to/jordantylerburchett/announcing-the-launch-of-refreshos-20-boundless-beagle-35eo?ref=itsfoss.com) a read. *💬 Are you going to try out RefreshOS? Do let me know how it goes in the comments below!*