I'm looking for recommendations on lightweight Linux distributions that meet a few specific criteria. First, I prefer desktop environments like MATE, XFCE, or LXQT, in that order. The distro should work well on both newer and older hardware. I'm only interested in security updates, so the option for updates that aren't security-related is not necessary for me. Also, I want a clean installation with no unnecessary software pre-installed; ideally, I just need a browser and plan to install everything else on my own. It should also be easy to install—I don't want to waste time figuring out how to set it up. Additionally, I require compatibility with VMware Workstation Professional. Any suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
You might want to check out the LTS versions of Ubuntu or go with Debian, especially since Debian 13 is launching soon! They both can stick to security updates for a long time. Just a heads-up—VMware can be a bit tricky to get working on Linux due to its proprietary nature, but many users report success with some effort.
For VMware compatibility, you should be fine with most distributions, since they all share similar core components. Regarding ease of installation, that really depends on your experience level. Most distros have become user-friendly over the years, so you shouldn't have too much trouble. As for avoiding pre-installed junk, it's pretty easy to choose how much you want to install with almost every distro.
Have you considered Debian? It checks off most of your boxes, including a lightweight installation. I'm not entirely sure if they allow for just security updates, but Debian 12 is generally well-received and highly customizable.
I've tried Debian too, but is there a way to do a minimal install? The default setup includes quite a bit of software that I don’t really need.