Deepin 25 Linux preview looks and feels more like Windows – but is it safe?

I’m not a fan of the Windows UI, and no Windows desktop has ever caught my attention. My general reaction to the Windows aesthetic is “Meh.” So, when I booted up the latest preview release of Deepin 25, my first reaction was, “That figures.” Let me explain.  

When Deepin first landed some 20 years ago, the distro caught people’s attention (mine included). The desktop was exciting, beautiful, and professional-looking, showing that Linux could lead the charge to elegance.

Also: If you’re ready for something different, I recommend this Linux distro to newbies and experts alike

And, yes, it was problematic. Users discovered some questionable things going on under the hood. Search the internet with the phrase “Is Deepin Linux safe?” and you’ll get hundreds (if not thousands) of hits. There’s even this video where Quidsup discusses the privacy issues and the EULA, back when Deepin 20 was released.

The big concern was that the makers of Deepin (a Chinese company) could spy on users via various services running in the background of Deepin Linux. (I have to ask: How different is that from what Microsoft (along with other companies) has been accused of doing.) 

What do these developments say about Deepin Linux 25? From my perspective, it’s almost as if the distribution has finally reached full-on Windows status. Is that bad or good? It depends.

From a long-time Linux user perspective, it’s not so great. We’ve seen Deepin Desktop slowly migrate from a unique and elegant Linux desktop to a Windows 11 clone, and most of the elements that made Deepin Desktop unique have gone. The latest release even opts for a very Windows-like color scheme and the same glassy blur used by Microsoft’s desktop. 

Also: The 3 most Windows-like Linux distros you can try because change is hard

But then, the more you use it, the more you realize that this desktop is still Deepin Linux, and although it’ll look pleasing to the eye to many Windows users, some things make you question if it’s safe to use. 

For example, the default browser’s search engine defaults to the Chinese baidu.com. Then there’s the app store that not only displays the proprietary Linyapps packages (few of which I would ever consider installing) but also includes a sign-in button that wants you to create a Deepin ID. 

Does it sound as though I’m trying to lure you away from considering Deepin Linux 25? I can’t deny that’s part of my motivation for writing this story. 

Think about it: The US government banned (and then unbanned, which is a different story) TikTok because it was afraid the Chinese government was using the technology to spy on American users. 

Now, I’m not saying the makers of Deepin Linux are using this distribution to do that, but I’m also not saying they aren’t. We must be aware that using our data has become the modus operandi of big business around the globe.

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OK, let’s look beyond the potential spycraft and assume Deepin Linux isn’t malware in hiding.

If you’re a fan of the Windows UI, you’ll like Deepin Linux 25. It has everything you could want:

• A Windows 11-like UI
• Built-in AI assistant
• The Chrome browser
• An easily accessed manual
• Plenty of pre-installed applications
• System settings that are aptly named Control Center
• A “grand search bar”

Anyone who’s used Windows 11 will feel right at home on Deepin Linux 25. And, I have to admit, it’s a well-designed desktop (even with it looking so much like Windows 11). Deepin Linux 25 also runs well (even as a virtual machine with only 3GB of RAM and two CPU cores).

Here’s one odd thing about Deepin: Because it’s based on Ubuntu, it includes the apt package manager. However, Deepin also includes its own proprietary package manager (Deepin Package Manager). When I did my usual sudo apt-get update from the command line, I found only four updates available — all of which were fonts. When I ran the System Update GUI, there were far more updates than apt could find. In fact, that update took quite some time to complete (to the point where I assumed it was stuck).

What’s new?

What’s new with Deepin Linux 25? There are a lot of changes:

• The introduction of Solid, the OS framework built to strengthen security and reliability provides read-only core system files, modular extensions, automatic rollbacks, incremental updates, fast backup and restore, and more
• Global translation notification
• Region-specific office suites
• Enhanced Control Center
• More unified UI components
• Customizable title bars
• Varying levels of window effects
• Scheduled shutdowns
• Treeland, a new in-house compositing engine
• Improved UOS AI with new capabilities
• Distrobox integration (for installing other Linux distributions)
• Support for AES encryption

Yeah, this is a big update.

My advice

If you were to remove all of the concerns about Deepin’s true purpose, I would put this distribution smack at the top of my list of Linux distributions best suited for new users. But because those concerns never seem to go away, I’d recommend installing Deepin Linux 25 as a virtual machine to see how Windows-like this distribution has become and how customizable and user-friendly Linux could be. 

Deepin Linux is beautiful, customizable, and powerful. Unfortunately, it’s still a questionable piece of technology.

So, why do I bother reviewing such a distribution? Mostly, so I can help highlight how user-friendly Linux can be and that the desktop doesn’t have to be stuck in the late 1990s or early 2000s. 

Also: This Linux distro I recommend to power users takes a unique approach to OS design

In the end, for users who want to experience Deepin, I would suggest running Deepin Linux 25 as a virtual machine and, if you wind up liking what you see, install Deepin Desktop on a Ubuntu-based distribution (or go with UbuntuDDE, which is Ubuntu with the Deepin Desktop).

Despite Deepin’s associated security concerns, I still consider it a worthwhile distribution, if only because it demonstrates that the Linux desktop can be anything it wants to be.   

As always, proceed with caution; you never know who’s watching, stealing, or scheming.