> ## 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. # Vanilla OS Stable Release Has Landed! - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/vanilla-os-release/ - Published: 2022-12-30T12:49:14.000Z - Updated: 2022-12-30T13:52:43.000Z - Description: Vanilla OS is ready for you to try! Learn what's exciting here. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 Vanilla OS is an Ubuntu-based distro that aims to provide a stock GNOME experience with on-demand immutability and the freedom to choose packages. After months of testing, **Vanilla OS first release** is finally here in the form of **Vanilla 22.10 Kinetic** featuring **GNOME 43**. In a recent interview, we asked the creator: '*Many people think we have more than enough distros. Why Vanilla OS?*', **Mirko Brombin**, had some interesting insights to share. Read our conversation with him below to explore exciting things about Vanilla OS: ### Suggested Read 📖 [‘Don’t be Afraid to Contribute’: Mirko Brombin Talks about Vanilla OS and Other Future ProjectsA conversation with Mirko Brombin, founder of Vanilla OS and Bottles creator.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/12/interview-with-mirko-brombin.png)](https://itsfoss.com/interview-mirko-brombin/) Vanilla OS has several features that you might find helpful; allow me to introduce them to you. ## Key Highlights Being a new distro, Vanilla OS has a well-equipped feature set that you might like. Some notable highlights include the following: - **Native Installer** - **Vanilla OS First Setup Utility** - **Vanilla OS Control Center** - **apx Package Manager** - **On-Demand Immutability** ### Native Installer ![vanilla os installer](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/12/Vanilla-OS-Installer.png) Vanilla OS features a native installer that is written in [GTK4](https://itsfoss.com/gtk-4-release/) and [libadwaita](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-libadwaita-library/), it replaces the '[Calamares](https://calamares.io/?ref=itsfoss.com)' installer that was being used while the OS was in the early development stages. ![vanilla os installer progress](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/12/Vanilla-OS-Installer-2.png) Previously, they had also announced that they would use the '[Jade](https://github.com/crystal-linux/jade?ref=itsfoss.com)' installer from the Crystal Linux team. But, they changed their mind and opted to build the '[Vanilla Installer](https://github.com/Vanilla-OS/vanilla-installer?ref=itsfoss.com)' on top of their existing '[Vanilla First Setup](https://github.com/Vanilla-OS/first-setup?ref=itsfoss.com)' project. ### Vanilla OS First Setup ![vanilla os first setup](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/12/Vanilla-OS-First-Setup.png) After the installation of Vanilla OS is complete, you are greeted with a quick setup screen, which says 'Welcome' in various languages. ![vanilla os package manager selection](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/12/Vanilla-OS-Package-Manager.png) It will then take you through various settings, such as choosing the color scheme, choosing what package managers you want, whether you want to install restricted codecs, and more. I must say, this is quite handy! 😃️ ### Vanilla OS Control Center ![vanilla os control center](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/12/Vanilla-OS-Control-Center.png) This graphical tool enables you to make changes to the operating system, such as running critical updates and installing additional drivers. ### On-Demand Immutability As showcased above by the founder of Vanilla OS, this OS can provide full immutability and atomicity by allowing you to transact between two root partitions (A/B). What does that mean, you ask? 🤔 Well, this means that the core parts of your system are locked to prevent any unwanted changes, especially the ones caused by corrupt applications or faulty update. Vanilla OS uses '[ABRoot](https://github.com/Vanilla-OS/ABRoot?ref=itsfoss.com)' to achieve this, previously, they had tried using '[Almost](https://documentation.vanillaos.org/docs/almost/?ref=itsfoss.com)', but it didn't pan out well. ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/12/vanilla-os-updates.png) It also features a **smart update feature**, which they explain as follows: > VSO (Vanilla System Operator) is the tool that will periodically check for an update and then download and install it in the background if the device is not under heavy usage. In fact, VSO checks that certain checks are met, such as whether the resources are free (CPU/RAM), whether the connection allows it, whether the battery is at least 30%, etc. The updates are applied through ABroot and get patched during the next reboot without taking extra time. ### apx Package Manager ![vanilla os apx](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/12/Vanilla-OS-apx.png) Vanilla OS features the '[apx](https://github.com/Vanilla-OS/apx?ref=itsfoss.com)' utility, allowing you to install packages inside a managed container without modifying the root file system. ## Download Vanilla OS If you think Vanilla OS solves the problem you have been facing with Ubuntu and want a stock GNOME experience, give it a go. You can learn more about Vanilla OS 22.10 in its [official blog post](https://vanillaos.org/2022/12/29/vanilla-os-22-10-kinetic.html?ref=itsfoss.com). [Download Vanilla OS](https://vanillaos.org/?ref=itsfoss.com)