Want to save your old computer? Try these 6 Linux distros

As someone who’s been around the block a few hundred times with technology, planned obsolescence has long bothered me.

Consider this: With Windows 10 nearing the end of its life, you have two choices. You can hope your computer supports the upgrade to Windows 11, or you can go another route. When Microsoft released Windows 11, it became clear that a lot of hardware (capable of running the previous iteration) wouldn’t support the new version of Windows. Many people ended up having to purchase new systems if they wanted to stick with Windows. For some, that wasn’t an option, so they had to continue using a Windows operating system that would eventually fall out of support. That meant no more security updates, which can leave users — and their data — vulnerable.

Also: When Windows 10 support runs out, you have 5 options but only 2 are worth considering

If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, there’s hope in the form of a handful of Linux distributions designed specifically for older or less-powerful hardware. With these operating systems, you can revive an old machine and make it run as though it were new.

Here are six Linux distributions that are perfectly at home on older (and even newer) hardware.

1. Bodhi Linux

Great for those willing to learn new things

For about five years, Bodhi Linux was my go-to operating system. It’s not just perfectly suited for older hardware, but it also offers a unique take on the user interface. The Moksha Desktop is similar to that of Enlightenment (another old-school favorite of mine) and includes plenty of features to make it a full-fledged desktop operating system.

Also: Leaving Windows 10 for Linux? 5 security differences to consider first

The one caveat to using Bodhi Linux is that you will have to rethink the way you interact with the desktop, as it’s quite different. That doesn’t make it challenging (it’s not), but know that Moksha will take a bit of getting used to. One of my favorite features of Moksha (which also appears in Enlightenment) is that you can access the desktop menu by clicking anywhere on the desktop. That makes for a very efficient workflow.

The recommended system requirements for Bodhi Linux are:

• 64-bit, 1.0GHz processor
• 768MB of RAM
• 10GB of drive space

With just a minimal system, you’ll have a desktop computer that not only runs like a champ but also looks really cool as it does.

2. Linux Lite

Very user-friendly, highly customizable, and blazingly fast

If you’re looking for a more standard desktop interface, Linux Lite might be your best bet. Linux Lite uses a custom Xfce desktop environment to create an interface that should be immediately familiar to all user types.

Also: I converted this Mini PC from Windows to Linux, and it came alive. Here’s how

Even better, Linux Lite was designed to be very user-friendly. So, even if you aren’t familiar with Linux, you should be able to get up to speed with the operating system quickly. Linux Lite comes with the Chrome web browser, Thunderbird email client, GIMP image editor, VLC media player, the LibreOffice office suite, and more pre-installed. Linux Lite is fairly customizable, so if you don’t like the default desktop layout, you can change it.

The minimum system requirements for Linux Lite are:

• 1GHz CPU
• 768MB of RAM (1GB is recommended)
• 8GB of drive space (minimum)

3. Puppy Linux

Best for use as a live distribution

Puppy Linux is a bit of an outlier here, as it’s not nearly as easy to install as the other distributions. In fact, Puppy Linux is rather challenging on this front, so it’s often best to simply use it as a live distribution. With that, you can “install” it to a USB flash drive (and even do so with persistent file storage) and boot as needed. This way, you can carry Puppy Linux around with you and boot it on any machine you like, without making a single change to what’s installed on the local drive.

Also: The best Linux laptops

You’ll find more than enough installed software, such as the Palemoon web browser, Claws Mail email client, AbiWord word processor, Gnumeric spreadsheet tool, and plenty more. The Puppy Linux desktop is a bit cluttered, but it’s still very straightforward to use.

The minimum system requirements for Puppy Linux are:

• CPU: Pentium 900 MHz
• RAM: 300MB
• Hard Drive: Optional
• DVD-ROM: 20x and up or USB

Just remember, even though Puppy Linux can do wonders to revive your old hardware, you’ll need a bit more Linux experience to get the most out of this distribution.

4. Tiny Core Linux

Better for experienced users

Tiny Core Linux couldn’t have a more apropos name. It’s very small. Tiny Core is another distribution that you don’t really need to install on your hard drive. You boot it, add only the applications you need (using a GUI installer), and interact with the bare minimum desktop (based on BusyBox and FLTK).

Like Puppy Linux, I don’t recommend Tiny Core Linux to those who are new to Linux, as it’s not nearly as straightforward as you might think.

Also: You can test all the best Linux distros right in your web browser with this site

Tiny Core does support virtual desktops, sticky windows, and includes a Control Panel for configuring backup/restore, services, date/time, mouse, network, and more.

The minimum system requirements for Tiny Core Linux are:

The recommended minimum configuration for Tiny Core Linux is, however, a Pentium II CPU and 128MB of RAM. There are also three different versions on the download page: Core (the base system), Tiny Core (the recommended option), and CorePlus (an installation image that includes the choice of seven different window managers).

Of all the lightweight Linux distributions, Tiny Core can run on the oldest hardware.

5. LXLE Linux

Works on ancient hardware

LXLE Linux is built on the most recent version of Ubuntu Linux and uses the LXLE desktop environment to create an operating system that’s very lightweight, simple to install, and easy to use. LXLE offers quite a nice desktop (especially for a lightweight distribution) that includes all the software you need to be productive or entertain yourself.

The latest release of LXLE Linux (Focal) can be completely installed (from start to finish) in less than five minutes. On top of that, the default desktop should be quite familiar to anyone who’s used any kind of desktop interface. If, during the installation, you configure it to upgrade, you’ll probably run into a moment during the process where it seems like things have stopped (when it says “Retrieving file 100 of 101”). Have patience because it will complete and continue.

Also: Ready to ditch Windows? 5 factors to help you decide between Linux or MacOS

The system requirements for LXLE are about as minimal as you can get:

• 512MB of RAM
• P3 CPU or better

Yes, you read that correctly, a Pentium 3 CPU. That means you can revive ancient hardware with this distribution.

LXLE does ship with apps like LibreOffice, Bookworm, HomeBank, LibreWolf, and ClawsMail installed by default, so even though it’s a tiny distribution, you’ll find it has everything you need to get up and running.

6. Bunson Labs Linux

A more modern flare

Buson Labs Linux uses the Xfce desktop to create a lightweight Linux distribution. However, this isn’t your grandmother’s Xfce, as the developers have given it a rather modern twist. Instead of looking like an old-school Linux desktop, Buson Labs Linux has a more modern flair. And because Buson Labs Linux is based on Debian, you can be sure that it’s as rock-solid and reliable as any operating system on the market. This Linux distribution’s desktop takes a nod from Ubuntu, with a vertical panel and loads of personality. And with a right-click desktop menu, you can bet this distribution is incredibly efficient to use.

Also: The 4 easiest ways to test Linux on your old PC before Windows 10 support runs out

As far as system requirements, here’s what they look like:

• CPU: 32- or 64-bit
• RAM: 1 GB minimum and 2 GB+ recommended
• Storage: 20 GB recommended

With these six different lightweight Linux distributions that can help give old computers new life, you can save some money and the environment by keeping hardware around that cannot run the most modern operating systems, and feel good about doing a good deed for the planet and yourself.