Hubbry Logo
ManjaroManjaroMain
Open search
Manjaro
Community hub
Manjaro
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Manjaro
Manjaro
from Wikipedia

Manjaro
Manjaro 24.0 "Wynsdey" (KDE Plasma 6)
DeveloperManjaro GmbH & Co. KG
OS familyLinux (Unix-like)
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen-source
Initial release10 July 2011; 14 years ago (2011-07-10)[1][2]
Latest release26.0[3] Edit this on Wikidata / 5 January 2026; 34 days ago (5 January 2026)
Repository
Package managerpamac (GUI/CLI), pacman, libalpm (back-end)[4]
Supported platforms
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux kernel)
UserlandGNU
Default
user interface
Xfce, KDE Plasma 6, GNOME, Plasma Mobile, Phosh[5]
LicenseFree software licenses (mainly GNU GPL)
Official websitemanjaro.org

Manjaro (/mænˈɑːr/ man-JA-row) is a free and open-source Linux distribution based on the Arch Linux operating system with a focus on user-friendliness, accessibility, and improved software testing and stability compared to its upstream sources. It uses a rolling release update model with Pacman-derived package managers.[6] Manjaro is developed mainly in Austria, France and Germany.[6]

Reviewers often describe Manjaro Linux as a Linux distribution that is easy to set up and use, suitable for both beginners and experienced users.[7][8] It is recommended as an easy and friendly way to install and maintain a cutting-edge Arch-derived distribution.[9][10] Some reviewers find appeal in the large range of contributed software available in the Arch User Repository (AUR), which has a reputation for being kept up to date from upstream resources.[9] Others highlight the wide selection of official and community editions with different desktop environments.[11]

History

[edit]

Manjaro was first released on 10 July 2011.[1] By mid 2013, it was in the beta stage, though key elements of the final system had all been implemented, including a GUI installer (then an Antergos installer fork); a package manager (Pacman) with a choice of frontends; Pamac (GTK) for Xfce desktop and Octopi (Qt) for its Openbox edition; MHWD (Manjaro Hardware Detection, for detection of free & proprietary video drivers); and Manjaro Settings Manager (for system-wide settings, user management, and graphics driver installation and management).[12]

GNOME Shell support was dropped with the release of version 0.8.3 in 2012.[13] However, efforts within Arch Linux made it possible to restart the Cinnamon/GNOME edition as a community edition.[14] An official release offering the GNOME desktop environment was reinstated in March 2017.[15]

During the development of Manjaro 0.9.0 at the end of August 2015, the team decided to switch to year and month designations for Manjaro's version scheme instead of numbers. This applies to both the 0.8.x series as well as the new 0.9.x series—renaming 0.8.13, released in June 2015, as 15.06 and so on.[16] Manjaro 15.09, codenamed Bellatrix and formerly known as 0.9.0, was released on 27 September 2015 with the new Calamares installer and updated packages.[16]

In September 2017, Manjaro announced that support for i686 architecture would be dropped because "popularity of this architecture is decreasing".[17] However, in November 2017 a semi-official community project "manjaro32", based on archlinux32, continued i686 support.[18]

In September 2019, the Manjaro GmbH & Co. KG company was founded. It's FOSS website stated the company was formed '... to effectively engage in commercial agreements, form partnerships, and offer professional services'.[19]

Official editions

[edit]

For x86-64 processors, Manjaro offers downloads configured with one of three desktops:[20]

  • Manjaro Plasma, featuring Manjaro's own dark Plasma theme and the latest KDE Plasma 6, apps and frameworks.
  • Manjaro Xfce, featuring Manjaro's own dark theme and the Xfce desktop.[21]
  • Manjaro GNOME became the third official version with the Gellivara release; it offers the GNOME desktop with a version of the Manjaro theme.[15]

While not official releases, Manjaro Community Editions are maintained by members of the Manjaro community. Three of these configurations are available for download at Manjaro's website: Cinnamon, i3, and Sway.[20]

Manjaro also has official editions for devices with ARM processors, such as single-board computers or Pinebook notebooks.[22]

Features

[edit]

Manjaro comes with both a CLI and a graphical installer. The rolling release model means that users do not need to upgrade/reinstall the whole system to keep it all up-to-date inline with the latest release.[23] Package management is handled by Pacman via the command line (terminal) and via front-end GUI package manager tools like the pre-installed Pamac. It can be configured as either a stable system (default) or bleeding edge, in line with Arch.[6]

The repositories are managed with their own tool, BoxIt, which is designed like Git.[24]

Manjaro includes its own GUI settings manager where options like language, drivers, and kernel version can be configured.[25]

Certain commonly used Arch utilities, such as the Arch Build System (ABS), are available but have alternate implementations in Manjaro.[26][27]

Manjaro Architect is a CLI net installer that allows users to choose their own kernel versions, drivers, and desktop environments during the install process. Both the official and the community edition's desktop environments are available for selection.[28] For GUI-based installations, Manjaro uses the GUI installer Calamares.[29]

Screenshot of Manjaro 17.0 Cinnamon Edition
Screenshot of Manjaro 17.0 i3 Edition

Release history

[edit]

The 0.8.x series releases were the last versions of Manjaro to use a version number. The desktop environments offered, as well as the number of programs bundled into each separate release, have varied in different releases.

Manjaro typically includes the latest versions of supported desktop environments.[30]

Version Release date Codename Kernel Notes
Unsupported: 0.1 2011-07-10
Unsupported: 0.8.0[31][32] 2012-08-20 Askella 3.4.9 Only Xfce and KDE Plasma editions
Unsupported: 0.8.1[33] 2012-09-21 3.4.x
Unsupported: 0.8.2[34] 2012-11-10 3.4.x
Unsupported: 0.8.3[13] 2012-12-24 3.4.x
Unsupported: 0.8.4[35] 2013-02-25 3.7.x
Unsupported: 0.8.5[36] 2013-04-13 3.8.5
Unsupported: 0.8.6[37] 2013-06-02 3.9.x
Unsupported: 0.8.7[38] 2013-08-26 3.4.59 LTS
Unsupported: 0.8.8[39][40] 2013-11-24 3.10.20
Unsupported: 0.8.9[41][42] 2014-02-23 3.10.30 Support for LUKS and LVM partition encryption, improved UEFI support, improved filesystem detection and handling.[43]
Unsupported: 0.8.10[44] 2014-06-09 3.12.20
Unsupported: 0.8.11 2014-12-01
Unsupported: 0.8.12 2015-02-06
Unsupported: 0.8.13 2015-06-14
Unsupported: 15.09 2015-09-27 Bellatrix 4.2.0 [8]
Unsupported: 15.12[45] 2015-12-22 Capella
Unsupported: 16.06 2016-06-06 Daniella
Unsupported: 16.06.1 2016-06-11
Unsupported: 16.08[46] 2016-08-31 Ellada
Unsupported: 16.10[47][48] 2016-10-31 Fringilla
Unsupported: 17.0[21][49] 2017-03-07 Gellivara 4.9 LTS First official version with GNOME[15]
Unsupported: 17.1[50][51] 2017-12-31 Hakoila 4.14 LTS First made available pre-installed on the Manjaro Notebook from Station X, the Spitfire.
Unsupported: 18.0[52] 2018-10-30 Illyria[53] 4.19 LTS
Unsupported: 18.1.0[54] 2019-09-12 Juhraya[55] 4.19 LTS Choice between LibreOffice and FreeOffice during installation
Unsupported: 19.0[56] 2020-02-25 Kyria 5.4 LTS
Unsupported: 20.0[57] 2020-04-26 Lysia[57] 5.6.7
Unsupported: 20.1[58] 2020-09-11 Mikah[58] 5.8 Manjaro Architect edition now supports ZFS installations. Building AUR packages is now part of upgrade process.[30]
Unsupported: 20.2[59] 2020-12-03 Nibia[59] 5.9[59]
Unsupported: 21.0[60] 2021-03-24 Ornara 5.10 LTS
Unsupported: 21.1[61] 2021-08-17 Pahvo 5.13
Unsupported: 21.2.0[62] 2021-12-23 Qonos 5.15
Unsupported: 21.2.1[63] 2022-01-04 Qonos 5.15
Unsupported: 21.2.2[64] 2022-01-23 Qonos 5.15
Unsupported: 21.3.0[65] 2022-06-17 Ruah 5.15
Unsupported: 22.0.0[66] 2022-09-12 Sikaris 6.1
Unsupported: 22.1.0[67] 2023-04-21 Talos 6.1
Unsupported: 23.0.0[68] 2023-09-06 Uranos 6.5
Unsupported: 23.1.0[69] 2023-12-16 Vulcan 6.6 LTS
Unsupported: 24.0.0[70] 2024-05-14 Wynsdey 6.9
Unsupported: 24.1.0[71] 2024-10-01 Xahea 6.10
Unsupported: 24.2.0[72] 2024-12-08 Yonada 6.12
Latest version: 25.0.0[73] 2025-04-15 Zetar 6.12
Legend:
Unsupported
Latest version
Future version

Relation to Arch Linux

[edit]

The main difference compared to Arch Linux is the repositories.

Manjaro uses three sets of repositories:[74]

  • Unstable: contains the most up to date Arch Linux packages. Unstable is synced several times a day with Arch package releases.
  • Testing: contains packages from the unstable repositories after they have been tested by users.
  • Stable: contains only packages that are deemed stable by the development team, which can mean a delay of a few weeks before getting major upgrades.[74]

As of January 2019, package updates derived from the Arch Linux stable branch to the Manjaro stable branch typically have a lag of a few weeks.[10][Note 1]

Derivatives

[edit]

Two defunct distributions were developed in cooperation with Manjaro:.

  • Netrunner Rolling, a variant of the Debian-based Netrunner distribution by Blue Systems. The first version of Netrunner Rolling was 2014.04, which was based on Manjaro 0.8.9 KDE. It was released in 2014. The last released version was Netrunner Rolling 2019.04.[75]
  • The Sonar GNU/Linux project[76] aimed to provide a barrier-free Linux to people who required assistive technology for computer use, with support for GNOME and MATE desktops. The first version was released in February 2015 and the last in 2016.[77] The Sonar project was discontinued in 2017.[78]

Hardware

[edit]
Manjaro on the PinePhone

Although Manjaro can be installed on most systems, some vendors sell computers with Manjaro pre-installed on them. Suppliers of computers pre-installed with Manjaro include StarLabs Systems, Tuxedo Computers, manjarocomputer.eu[79] and Pine64.

Manjaro with Plasma Mobile desktop environment is the default operating system on PinePhone, an ARM-based smartphone released by Pine64.[80][81]

Reception

[edit]

Over the years, Manjaro Linux has been recognized as a desktop easy to set up and use, suitable for both beginners and experienced users.[7][8] It is recommended as an easy and friendly way to install and maintain a cutting-edge Arch-derived distribution.[9][10] Some reviewers find appeal in the large range of contributed software available in the AUR, which has a reputation for being kept up to date from upstream resources.[9] Others highlight the wide selection of official and community editions with different desktop environments.[11]

Very early versions of Manjaro had a reputation for crashing and for installation difficulties,[82][43] but this was reported to have improved with later versions,[11] and by 2014 was, according to Jesse Smith of DistroWatch, "proving to be probably the most polished child of Arch Linux I have used to date. The distribution is not only easy to set up, but it has a friendly feel, complete with a nice graphical package manager, quality system installer and helpful welcome screen. Manjaro comes with lots of useful software and multimedia support."[83]

Smith did a review of Manjaro 17.0.2 Xfce in July 2017, and observed that it did "a lot of things well".[9] He went on to extol some of the notable features as part of his conclusion:

"I found Manjaro's Xfce edition to be very fast and unusually light on memory. The distribution worked smoothly and worked well with both my physical hardware and my virtual environment. I also enjoyed Manjaro's habit of telling me when new software (particularly new versions of the Linux kernel) was available. I fumbled a little with Manjaro's settings panel and finding some settings, but in the end I was pleased with the range of configuration I could achieve with the distribution. I especially like that Manjaro makes it easy to block notifications and keep windows from stealing focus. The distribution can be made to stay pleasantly out of the way."[9]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Manjaro is a user-friendly, open-source based on , emphasizing accessibility, stability, and the latest software while preserving Arch's flexibility and performance. It employs a model with a unique cascading repository system that delays and tests updates from Arch's repositories to enhance reliability for everyday use. Developed as an approachable entry point to the Arch ecosystem, Manjaro supports multiple desktop environments and automatic hardware configuration, making it suitable for beginners, developers, and organizations seeking a customizable operating system. The project originated in , with development centered in , , and , and its first release occurred on , 2011. Led by key contributors including Müller as co-founder and lead developer, Manjaro evolved from a community-driven initiative into a professionally backed effort under Manjaro & Co. KG, established to provide enterprise-grade support and services. Over the years, it has grown to include official editions with popular desktop environments like , KDE Plasma, and Xfce, alongside community-maintained variants, and expanded hardware support including architectures for devices like single-board computers and laptops. Manjaro's philosophy centers on balancing cutting-edge updates with user-centric stability, using tools like the Calamares installer for straightforward setup and Pamac for graphical package management via the system, supplemented by support for and Snap. It maintains close synchronization with Arch Linux's repositories but holds packages in testing branches for quality assurance, reducing the risk of breakage common in pure rolling releases. The distribution also offers multiple kernel options for hardware compatibility and includes pre-configured multimedia codecs and drivers, appealing to creative professionals and IT environments. As of 2026, Manjaro continues to release themed stable snapshots approximately every six months—such as the recent Manjaro 26.0 "Anh-Linh" edition released on January 4, 2026, featuring Linux kernel 6.18 LTS, Xfce 4.20, KDE Plasma 6.5, and GNOME 49 with Wayland as default—while providing ongoing rolling updates, fostering a vibrant community through forums and wikis for troubleshooting and customization. Its commitment to open-source principles and business-oriented features, like optimized IT infrastructure tools, positions it as a versatile alternative in the Linux landscape.

Introduction

Overview

Manjaro is a user-friendly based on , focusing on accessibility for beginners while offering the flexibility and power of its underlying architecture to a wider audience. It strikes a balance between providing cutting-edge software and prioritizing system stability, making it suitable for users transitioning from more traditional distributions. At its core, Manjaro utilizes a model, delivering continuous updates to keep the system current without requiring major version upgrades, but incorporates a delay in package synchronization from Arch repositories for thorough testing to minimize disruptions. This approach enhances reliability for everyday use. The distribution supports multiple desktop environments out of the box, such as KDE Plasma, , and , allowing users to select based on their needs for resource efficiency or feature richness. Complementing these are integrated tools like Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD), which automates the identification and installation of drivers for hardware components, including graphics cards, to streamline setup. Manjaro targets intermediate to advanced Linux enthusiasts who seek Arch's customization and performance without the steep installation and maintenance curve, including gamers benefiting from optimized drivers, developers requiring up-to-date tools, and general desktop users valuing ease and stability. As of 2025, it continues as a vibrant, actively developed overseen by the Manjaro and supported by a global community, with official editions centered around its flagship desktop options.

Development Philosophy

Manjaro's development philosophy centers on making more accessible to a wider by simplifying its minimalist and do-it-yourself while preserving core open-source principles and user control. This approach aims to deliver the speed, power, and cutting-edge software of Arch in a more stable and user-friendly package, targeting both beginners and advanced users through pre-configured tools and intuitive interfaces. By prioritizing ease of use without compromising configurability, Manjaro seeks to empower users who may find Arch's manual installation and maintenance processes daunting. A key tenet is the emphasis on stability over immediacy in updates, achieved through a multi-branch repository system that includes unstable, testing, and branches. The unstable branch syncs multiple times daily with packages, allowing early access to the latest software, while the testing branch refines these updates with community feedback over approximately 7-10 days before promotion to , which undergoes an additional ~2 weeks of validation to minimize breakage risks. This cascading stability model balances the benefits of a —providing continuous updates without major version upgrades—with robust testing to ensure reliability for everyday use. Development is fundamentally community-driven and volunteer-based, supported by structured resources such as official forums, a comprehensive , and user-friendly tools like the Pamac graphical to facilitate participation and ease of maintenance. Manjaro upholds a commitment to principles, funded primarily through sponsorships, donations, and enthusiast contributions, while offering optional proprietary drivers via tools like Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD) for hardware compatibility where open-source alternatives fall short. This volunteer ecosystem fosters collaborative input across flagship editions managed by the core team, community editions with flexible schedules, and unofficial created by contributors. To promote inclusivity, Manjaro supports multiple architectures, including x86_64 and devices as of 2025, enabling deployment on diverse hardware from desktops to single-board computers. Internationalization efforts include multilingual and interfaces in languages such as English, German, Spanish, French, and Turkish, broadening global accessibility. Tools like the Calamares graphical installer further cater to non-expert users by streamlining setup and configuration, aligning with the goal of making approachable for newcomers without sacrificing depth for experienced users.

History

Founding and Early Years

Manjaro was founded in 2011 by Müller, known online as "philm", in , alongside co-founders Roland, Guillaume, Wlad, and Allesandro. The project emerged as a response to the strengths of —its rolling-release model, vast package repository, and customizability—while seeking to overcome the distribution's reputation for complexity and manual configuration, which often deterred novice users. By prioritizing user-friendliness, Manjaro aimed to deliver Arch's cutting-edge software ecosystem in a more accessible package, complete with graphical tools for installation and hardware setup. Development began modestly, with the team focusing on core enhancements like automated hardware configuration and a streamlined installer to enable easy booting from media. The inaugural major release, version 0.8 codenamed "Askella", debuted on August 20, 2012, introducing the Edition as the flagship variant, built on 3.4.9. This was swiftly followed by Plasma and editions later in 2012, each optimized for testing and featuring the Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD) tool for seamless driver management of graphics cards, printers, and other peripherals. These early editions marked Manjaro's shift from alpha prototypes in 2011 to a viable desktop distribution, emphasizing out-of-the-box functionality without sacrificing Arch's . A key early hurdle was developing a comprehensive testing from the ground up, as the project adopted a three-branch model—unstable for initial Arch imports, testing for validation, and for production releases—to ensure reliability in a rolling environment. This required custom scripting and repository management tools, initially handled by a small core without external frameworks. Concurrently, expansion accelerated through the launch of official forums in , which served as a central resource for , feedback, and , fostering rapid user engagement and contributions that bolstered the distribution's evolution. By 2014, Manjaro had solidified its early momentum, attaining top rankings on and attracting sponsorships from hardware partners to refine compatibility tools, alongside growing adoption driven by its balance of and power—hallmarks that distinguished it from pure Arch installations.

Major Milestones and Controversies

In 2016, Manjaro began development for , enabling the distribution to run on a wider range of devices including single-board computers and embedded systems, marking an expansion beyond x86 hardware; official integration occurred in 2019. The project underwent a significant in 2017 with the release of Manjaro 17.0 "Gellivara" on March 7, which shifted to a versioned release model using six-month cycles named after celestial objects, improving predictability for users while maintaining rolling-release foundations. In September 2019, Manjaro & Co. KG was founded to enable full-time employment of developers, commercial partnerships, and enterprise services, transitioning the project from community-driven to professionally backed. During the 2020s, Manjaro expanded into enterprise-oriented tools, including hardened editions and management utilities for professional deployments, reflecting growing adoption in business environments. The 2021 release of Manjaro 21.1.0 "Pahvo" on August 17 featured major improvements to the Calamares installer. Manjaro has faced ongoing criticism for its package delay model, which prioritizes stability by holding updates from Arch repositories, leading to debates on whether this compromises the distribution's access to the latest software. On April 15, 2025, Manjaro launched version 25.0 "Zetar," featuring upgraded with improved theming and performance, alongside optimized drivers for better GPU acceleration in gaming and creative workloads. In September 2025, a major update caused widespread boot failures for some users due to kernel and GRUB incompatibilities, sparking discussions on update stability and leading to temporary rollback recommendations. By 2024, Manjaro shifted to more transparent testing processes for updates, publishing detailed changelogs and beta branches earlier to reduce surprises in stable releases.

Editions and Variants

Official Editions

Manjaro maintains three primary official editions, each centered on a distinct to cater to different user preferences and hardware capabilities. The KDE Plasma edition serves as a flagship offering, providing a highly customizable and feature-rich interface that balances modern aesthetics with extensive configuration options for both novice and experienced users. Introduced as one of the initial editions in , it emphasizes flexibility through tools like Latte Dock for advanced panel and docking customization. The edition, added in 2013, adopts a minimalist focused on intuitive workflows, gesture-based , and seamless integration with extensions for . It includes the Extensions app to facilitate the management and installation of add-ons that enhance productivity and usability without overwhelming the core experience. The edition, available since 2012, prioritizes performance and stability, making it ideal for older hardware or resource-constrained systems while retaining essential desktop functionalities. Its efficient resource usage ensures smooth operation on modest specifications, appealing to users seeking reliability over visual extravagance. In addition to these desktop-focused editions, Manjaro offers official variants such as the Minimal edition, which provides a bare-bones base system for users to construct custom setups by selecting components post-installation, and the installer, a tool for advanced, CLI-driven installations tailored to specific needs. All official editions share the Calamares graphical installer for straightforward setup and configuration. As of November 2025, all editions include multiple options, up to the 6.16 series, for robust hardware support and Mesa 25.2 for graphics acceleration, ensuring compatibility with contemporary applications and drivers. The development team selects and maintains these editions based on user popularity metrics and long-term sustainability, applying updates simultaneously across the stable branch to preserve consistency.

Community and Third-Party Derivatives

The Manjaro community has developed several unofficial editions tailored to specific user needs and hardware, extending the base system's flexibility beyond official releases. The Manjaro i3 edition, maintained by community contributors, provides a lightweight tiling window manager environment using the i3 WM, appealing to power users seeking efficient, keyboard-driven workflows without a traditional desktop environment. Similarly, the Sway community edition, introduced in preview form in January 2021, focuses on Wayland compositing for improved performance and security on modern hardware, building on the i3 syntax for seamless transition. Architecture-specific variants, such as those optimized for the Pinebook Pro laptop, integrate Manjaro ARM with custom configurations for ARM-based devices, enabling smooth operation on single-board computers like those from Pine64. Third-party derivatives have emerged as independent projects inspired by Manjaro's user-friendly approach to Arch Linux, often adopting its installation tools while diverging for specialized purposes. EndeavourOS, launched in July 2019, serves as an Arch-based distribution with a Manjaro-inspired graphical installer using Calamares, prioritizing simplicity and minimalism for users transitioning from Ubuntu-like systems. Garuda Linux, founded in March 2020, functions as a gaming-optimized fork with aesthetic enhancements like custom themes and performance tweaks, such as Zen kernel optimizations and BTRFS snapshots for system stability. A prominent example of a community-driven project is Manjaro ARM, an official effort supporting single-board computers including and Pinebook devices, with ongoing unstable branch updates throughout 2025, such as kernel and Plasma enhancements in January and August. Among discontinued variants, the Manjaro Budgie edition, once a spin featuring the Budgie desktop for a modern, Solus-inspired interface, ceased active maintenance after its 2021 release, with users now relying on non-official ISOs or manual installations via package managers. These derivatives maintain varying degrees of independence from Manjaro's core infrastructure; community editions typically leverage Manjaro's repositories while incorporating custom desktop environments, scripts, and themes for niche functionality. In contrast, third-party projects like and often shift to direct repositories for faster package access and reduced delay, adding proprietary optimizations or visual customizations without relying on Manjaro's testing branches. In comparisons regarding professional security use, EndeavourOS's use of official Arch repositories enables undelayed access to security updates, which some users consider more reliable for timely patching, whereas Manjaro employs delayed stable packages with fast-tracked security updates but has experienced multiple SSL certificate expiration incidents—documented at least four times between 2021 and 2022—that raised concerns about maintenance reliability; nonetheless, Manjaro provides polished GUI tools that enhance user experience.

Core Features

Installation and Configuration

Manjaro provides a user-friendly installation process through the graphical Calamares installer, accessible directly from the live ISO image, which allows users to boot into a fully functional for testing hardware compatibility and features before committing to the installation. The installer supports automated partitioning alongside manual options for advanced users, enabling custom layouts such as resizing existing partitions for dual-boot setups with operating systems like Windows, where / boot order adjustments may be required post-installation. Additionally, Calamares includes built-in support for full-disk encryption using LUKS, as well as options to encrypt specific partitions, ensuring secure setups without needing command-line intervention. Hardware configuration is streamlined via Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD), a core tool that automatically identifies system components upon boot or post-install and recommends appropriate drivers, such as proprietary modules for optimal graphics performance versus open-source alternatives like Nouveau for broader compatibility. MHWD integrates seamlessly during the installation phase if is available, installing necessary kernel modules and firmware; users can later verify or switch configurations using the command mhwd -a pci for automatic setup or manual selection via graphical interfaces. This approach minimizes manual troubleshooting, particularly for GPUs, audio, and network devices, while maintaining flexibility for custom tweaks. After installation, the Manjaro Settings Manager (MSM) serves as a centralized graphical hub for post-install customization, offering modules to adjust desktop environments, install additional kernels, and fine-tune hardware profiles without terminal commands. For system reliability, is readily available as a post-install tool, configurable to create incremental snapshots or backups, often paired with the timeshift-autosnap-manjaro for automatic snapshots during package updates via the Pamac manager. The default setup includes an update notifier integrated into Pamac that alerts users to available system and software updates in the system tray; UFW is available in the repositories for easy installation and enabling of basic rules. Accessibility is prioritized from the live environment, with extensive language support selectable during boot or via the Manjaro Settings Manager, including input method frameworks like IBus for multilingual keyboard layouts. Screen reader support is available through Orca, primarily in GNOME editions, with additional setup required for other desktop environments. High-contrast themes, magnifiers, and sticky keys are available in desktop editions like KDE Plasma and GNOME. Manjaro KDE Plasma plans to shift to Wayland as the primary display server in upcoming releases such as 25.1, as announced in June 2025, for improved security and smoothness on modern hardware, while retaining X11 as a fallback option.

Package Management System

Manjaro employs a package management system derived from , utilizing binary packages for efficient software installation and maintenance. The system centers on official repositories that mirror 's structure, including the core repository for essential system components, the extra repository for additional popular software, and the community repository for packages maintained by volunteers. Additionally, the multilib repository provides 32-bit compatibility libraries. These repositories are organized into Manjaro-specific branches—unstable for cutting-edge updates, testing for pre-release validation, and for production-ready packages—allowing users to select stability levels via configuration in /etc/pacman.conf. The primary command-line tool is , Arch Linux's native , which handles , installation, and removal of packages from the official repositories. For example, users can search for packages with pacman -Ss <keyword>, install them using sudo pacman -S <package>, and perform full system upgrades with sudo pacman -Syu to sync databases and update all installed software. Pacman exclusively accesses Manjaro's official repositories and does not directly support the Arch User Repository (AUR), though AUR packages can be built and installed using helper tools like those integrated in graphical frontends. Complementing Pacman is Pamac, Manjaro's default (GUI) frontend, which simplifies package management for non-terminal users while providing CLI options via pamac. Pamac supports installations with commands like pamac install <package>, upgrades with pamac upgrade, and removals with pamac remove <package>, offering a unified view of available software through integration. It natively includes AUR support, enabling users to search, build, and install community-contributed packages directly, such as pamac build <aur-package>, though AUR usage carries risks of untested code. Furthermore, Pamac facilitates and Snap package handling, allowing seamless integration of containerized applications from those ecosystems alongside traditional repositories. System updates in Manjaro follow a rolling-release model, where pamac upgrade or pacman -Syu fetches the latest packages from the selected branch, ensuring continuous improvements without major version jumps. This process integrates with Manjaro's kernel management via the mhwd-kernel tool, which leverages to install or remove kernel variants—such as (LTS) for stability or mainline for recent features—using commands like sudo mhwd-kernel -i linux<variant>. Users can maintain multiple kernels and switch between them at boot via the GRUB menu, with Pamac providing a GUI for easy selection and updates. A distinctive feature of Manjaro's package system is its use of geographically distributed mirrors, optimized for global download speeds and tailored to specific branches. The pacman-mirrors utility ranks and selects the fastest mirrors from a global pool, configurable in /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist, reducing latency for users worldwide by prioritizing local servers for core, extra, community, and other repositories. This mirror infrastructure supports efficient syncing across unstable, testing, and stable branches, enhancing accessibility for international users.

Stability Mechanisms

Manjaro achieves system stability through a tiered model that delays the integration of upstream changes from , allowing for thorough vetting before reaching end users. The unstable synchronizes multiple times daily with the Arch Linux repositories, providing the most current packages but requiring users to handle potential issues independently. Packages then progress to the testing , which is periodically snapshot from unstable—typically shortly after Arch synchronizations—for an initial phase, where community testers identify regressions and compatibility problems. Finally, the , which is the default for most installations, incorporates these packages after an additional delay of 1 to 4 weeks in testing, ensuring broader reliability before general release. As of late , the 25.1 development cycle emphasizes enhanced testing for kernels and Plasma updates. Testing protocols in Manjaro emphasize both community involvement and automated processes to maintain reliability. Community quality assurance (QA) occurs primarily through dedicated forum threads, such as the Testing Announcements section, where users on the testing and unstable branches report bugs, perform manual verifications, and contribute feedback on package behavior across diverse hardware configurations. Automated scripts handle regression testing by simulating updates and checking for critical failures, such as boot issues or dependency conflicts, before packages advance. Additionally, Manjaro supports snapshot-based rollback mechanisms, particularly with Btrfs filesystems, using tools like Snapper or Timeshift to create pre- and post-update snapshots of the root partition, enabling users to revert to a previous stable state in case of breakage without data loss. Key reliability features further enhance Manjaro's robustness, including hardware-specific kernel configurations managed by the Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD) tool, which automatically applies optimized kernel parameters and module blacklisting to prevent conflicts with devices like graphics cards or adapters. During critical updates, certain packages—such as those involving major kernel or driver changes—may be temporarily held back in the repositories to allow for additional scrutiny, reducing the risk of widespread disruptions. In instances of update-related breaks, such as boot failures reported in September 2025 following a stable branch push, the development team responds with hotfixes, including emergency repository rollbacks and detailed recovery guides disseminated via official channels. This approach introduces trade-offs, with Manjaro's stable branch delivering updates more slowly than the immediate pace of pure installations, but user experiences consistently report fewer breakage incidents due to the pre-release testing. For example, community discussions highlight that while Arch users may encounter regressions shortly after upstream releases, Manjaro's model minimizes such events, contributing to higher overall system uptime in daily use. While this delay enhances reliability for general use, it may result in slower deployment of security patches compared to undelayed Arch-based distributions like EndeavourOS, which use official Arch repositories for immediate updates. Manjaro mitigates this by fast-tracking security updates to the stable branch more quickly, though historical issues, such as multiple SSL certificate expirations on official sites between 2015 and 2025, have raised concerns about reliability in professional security contexts.

Relation to Arch Linux

Architectural Similarities

Manjaro Linux is fundamentally built upon the architecture of Arch Linux, adopting its core package management system, repositories, and initialization framework. At the heart of this shared foundation is the pacman package manager, which handles binary package installation, dependency resolution, and system upgrades in both distributions. Manjaro maintains its own repositories derived from Arch Linux's official repositories, providing access to a vast array of upstream software packages that are synchronized, tested, and rebuilt regularly to ensure compatibility. Additionally, both employ systemd as the default init system for managing services, boot processes, and system states, enabling seamless integration with Arch's service configuration standards. This base architecture supports a rolling release model, where updates are delivered continuously without fixed version numbers or major reinstallations, allowing users to maintain an up-to-date system through perpetual upgrades. Key shared components further underscore the architectural alignment between Manjaro and . Both distributions support building custom packages from source code using PKGBUILD scripts and the makepkg utility, particularly for the Arch User Repository (AUR). Documentation follows a wiki-style approach in both ecosystems, with Manjaro leveraging the extensive Arch Wiki for in-depth guides on configuration and troubleshooting, promoting a knowledge-sharing model that benefits from community contributions. This overlap emphasizes a mutual philosophy of simplicity and customization, where minimal base installations encourage users to configure systems via plain text files without proprietary graphical tools, aligning with Arch's (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle and DIY ethos that prioritizes user autonomy and upstream software fidelity. Community aspects reflect significant overlap, as Manjaro users frequently access Arch Linux's resources, including its forums and , for support on shared components like package building and system maintenance. Both distributions cultivate a that values upstream software integration and a hands-on approach to system assembly, fostering collaboration among users who contribute to repositories and . Technically, Manjaro maintains parity with Arch in file system structure, adhering to the with directories such as /etc for configuration files and /usr for shared data and binaries. Kernel choices are identical in scope, offering the latest stable options from for optimal hardware support, while both provide bleeding-edge packages through testing repositories to deliver cutting-edge software without compromising core stability.

Key Differences and Modifications

Manjaro introduces several usability enhancements over Arch Linux's minimalistic installation process, prioritizing accessibility for a broader audience. Unlike Arch, which requires users to manually configure and install desktop environments post-installation, Manjaro offers pre-configured official editions featuring desktop environments such as KDE Plasma, , and , complete with themed artwork and optimized settings for immediate use. Graphical tools further simplify management; Pamac serves as a user-friendly frontend for the pacman package manager, enabling software installation, updates, and removal through an intuitive GUI, while MHWD (Manjaro Hardware Detection) automates graphics driver setup by detecting hardware and installing appropriate free or proprietary options with minimal user input. To enhance stability, Manjaro implements modifications that buffer against upstream disruptions from Arch's repositories. Package syncing in Manjaro's stable branch is deliberately delayed by 1-4 weeks compared to Arch's immediate availability, allowing developers to test and resolve potential issues before propagation; this contrasts with Arch's bleeding-edge approach, where updates are pushed without such holds. Branch isolation reinforces this through distinct stable, testing, and unstable branches, where the stable branch pulls from testing only after rigorous verification to prevent breakage from upstream changes. drivers are readily accessible and often recommended for optimal performance in hardware-intensive scenarios, differing from Arch's default emphasis on open-source options that may require additional configuration. Manjaro's repositories include extras tailored to its ecosystem, such as custom packages for themes, drivers, and optimizations not found in Arch's official repos, fostering a more polished experience. AUR integration is streamlined via Pamac, which supports building and updating AUR packages through simple GUI checkboxes or CLI commands like pamac build, reducing the manual PKGBUILD handling typical in Arch. Philosophically, Manjaro shifts from Arch's (, Stupid) principle—geared toward experienced users who prefer full control and minimal defaults—to a more hand-holding approach, with enabled services like automatic updates and hardware configuration out of the box for newcomers.

Release and Development Process

Branching and Testing Model

Manjaro's development follows a structured branching model designed to balance the incorporation of upstream changes with rigorous stability testing. The unstable branch acts as the primary integration point, mirroring 's stable repositories multiple times per day while incorporating custom Manjaro-specific packages, such as optimized kernels, drivers, and in-house applications. This branch enables rapid adoption of upstream updates but is recommended only for experienced users tolerant of potential disruptions. From the unstable branch, packages are selectively advanced to the testing branch through irregular snapshots, typically aligned with major Arch synchronizations. In the testing branch, developers perform manual , including bug identification and compatibility checks, supplemented by community feedback. Once vetted—usually after 1 to 4 weeks—these packages are promoted to the stable branch, which serves as the user-facing default and receives bi-weekly updates to maintain reliability for general audiences. The testing workflow relies on Git-based repository management hosted on Manjaro's GitLab instance, where continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines automate package builds and validation. Community involvement is facilitated through access to the -testing repository, allowing users to test and report issues via dedicated announcement channels. Developers utilize tools like manjaro-devtools—a suite for package building, ISO creation, and chroot environments—to streamline these processes. Contributions to Manjaro's codebase and packages are handled through pull requests submitted to the project's repositories, emphasizing incremental and non-disruptive modifications to avoid regressions. All participants are required to adhere to the Manjaro , which establishes standards for respectful collaboration and inclusive participation across the . This process ensures that enhancements, such as custom configurations or hardware optimizations, align with the distribution's stability goals. As of 2025, Manjaro has introduced enhanced automation in its testing procedures, enabling more frequent and reliable validation for ARM-based devices through dedicated update cycles. Additionally, the unstable branch has accelerated integration of upstream changes, reducing latency in propagating security and feature updates.

Version History and Recent Releases

Manjaro Linux began development in 2011, with its initial release on July 10 as version 0.1, marking the start of a project aimed at simplifying for broader accessibility. Early versions focused on core functionality, with version 0.8.0 "Askella" released on August 20, 2012, introducing a basic edition alongside experimental and spins to provide multi-desktop options from the outset. This release emphasized graphical installation via the Manjaro Wizard and hardware detection, though it remained in beta with limited stability. By 2013, iterative updates like 0.8.5 (April 13) and 0.8.6 (June 2) refined kernel support (3.8.x and 3.9.x series) and package management, transitioning toward more robust multi-edition support across , , and . The versioning scheme evolved significantly over time. Initially using a 0.x.y format for incremental , Manjaro shifted in mid-2015 to a year-month notation (e.g., renaming 0.8.13 to 15.06 in June 2015) to better reflect release timing in its rolling model. By , it adopted the current YY.X scheme for major ISOs (e.g., 19.0), with point releases (e.g., 19.0.1) for updates; this allows snapshot-like stability points while maintaining rolling updates, with older ISOs reaching end-of-life typically 1-2 years after release based on kernel support cycles. Non-LTS kernels in these snapshots become unsupported roughly every 2 months as newer mainlines stabilize, while LTS options (e.g., 6.1, 6.6) extend usability for legacy hardware. In the mid-period, version 17.0 "Gellivara" arrived on March 7, 2017, as a major milestone with Linux kernel 4.9, KDE Plasma 5.9.x, Xfce 4.12, and the return of an official GNOME edition after a hiatus. Key enhancements included improved multi-desktop consistency, the Maia theme for Xfce, and better hardware compatibility, solidifying Manjaro's user-friendly Arch derivative status. Version 20.0 "Lysia," released April 26, 2020, advanced display protocols with Wayland support in the KDE Plasma 5.18 edition, alongside kernel 5.6, GNOME 3.36, and Xfce 4.14; it also integrated Snap and Flatpak by default via Pamac for easier app management. Recent releases have emphasized modern desktops and performance. Manjaro 24.0 "Wynsdey" launched May 13, 2024, featuring Linux kernel 6.9, the debut of KDE Plasma 6.0 (with Wayland HDR and Qt transitions), GNOME 46, and Xfce 4.18; Pamac was updated to libalpm 6.1 for faster AUR handling. The 24.2 "Yonada" point release followed on December 8, 2024, with kernel 6.12, Plasma 6.2 (adding drawing tablet and accessibility tools like colorblindness filters), GNOME 47, and refined Xfce file management in Thunar. The latest major update, Manjaro 25.0 "Zetar," was released on April 14, 2025, incorporating kernel 6.12, Plasma 6.3 (with fractional scaling and Night Light improvements), 48 (featuring notification stacking and HDR), and 4.18; it also defaulted to filesystem for new installations, enabling native snapshot tools like Snapper for enhanced rollback capabilities. This edition prioritizes stability and gaming optimizations through updated Mesa drivers. Manjaro 26.0 "Anh-Linh," released on January 4, 2026, features Linux kernel 6.18 LTS, Xfce 4.20, KDE Plasma 6.5, and GNOME 49 with Wayland as the default session. Key enhancements include improved Wayland support across desktops, updated Mesa drivers for better graphics performance, and refinements in package management for enhanced stability.
VersionCodenameRelease DateKey Highlights
0.8.0AskellaAugust 20, 2012Basic with KDE/GNOME experiments; graphical installer debut.
0.8.6AskellaJune 2, 2013Kernel 3.9.x; multi-edition refinement.
17.0GellivaraMarch 7, 2017Kernel 4.9; Plasma 5.9.x, GNOME reinstatement.
20.0LysiaApril 26, 2020Kernel 5.6; Wayland in Plasma, Snap/ integration.
24.0WynsdeyMay 13, 2024Kernel 6.9; Plasma 6.0 debut, GNOME 46.
24.2YonadaDecember 8, 2024Kernel 6.12; Plasma 6.2 accessibility enhancements.
25.0ZetarApril 14, 2025Kernel 6.12; Btrfs default, GNOME 48.
26.0Anh-LinhJanuary 4, 2026Kernel 6.18 LTS; Plasma 6.5, GNOME 49 with Wayland default, Xfce 4.20.

Hardware and Compatibility

General Hardware Support

Manjaro Linux primarily targets the x86_64 architecture, providing official installation images optimized for and processors commonly found in desktops and laptops. It also offers community-maintained ARM64 () support, including editions for single-board computers such as the 5, with development builds available since late 2024, though official stable images remain unavailable as of November 2025 and ARM development appears limited. Graphics processing units are handled through the Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD) utility, which scans the system and installs appropriate drivers for , , and GPUs, including proprietary NVIDIA options and open-source Mesa drivers for AMD and Intel. This tool simplifies configuration for hybrid setups, such as Intel-NVIDIA combinations in laptops, ensuring seamless integration post-installation. Peripheral devices benefit from broad out-of-the-box compatibility via the kernel's built-in drivers, supporting adapters (e.g., those using ath9k or iwlwifi modules), interfaces through BlueZ, and printers via the CUPS system, which auto-detects many models over USB or network connections. USB standards up to 4.0 are fully supported by the kernel's USB stack, enabling plug-and-play functionality for storage, input devices, and other peripherals without additional configuration in most cases. Manjaro includes kernel modules for virtualization technologies, such as KVM for efficient hardware-accelerated virtual machines on x86_64 systems and support via dedicated host modules that can be installed and loaded automatically. Hardware detection is facilitated by tools like hwinfo, which provides detailed system queries, while the linux-firmware package ensures automatic loading of required blobs for , GPUs, and other components during boot. Overall, Manjaro demonstrates strong compatibility with modern hardware, supporting the majority of /AMD-based laptops and desktops released in the 2020s.

Specific Compatibility Challenges

Manjaro users have reported glitches with hybrid graphics systems, particularly in configurations involving integrated GPUs and discrete cards, where applications may fail to offload properly to the discrete GPU, leading to performance inconsistencies or black screens as of 2025. These issues were commonly mitigated through the use of the prime-run command to manually launch applications on the GPU. Older chips, such as certain or models, often require manual installation of () packages to ensure compatibility, as the default kernel modules may not load automatically. Users typically install these via the Arch User Repository (AUR), followed by a , to enable functionality on legacy hardware. In edge cases, Manjaro's edition encounters challenges on single-board computers (SBCs) like models, where aggressive CPU scaling or incomplete support can lead to higher-than-expected idle power consumption or instability under load. Suspend and resume functionality also presents difficulties on certain , with systems occasionally freezing upon wake-up due to incomplete GPU state restoration in the amdgpu driver. Additionally, the September 2025 unstable branch update introduced GRUB boot failures on legacy systems, resulting in black screens or boot loops that required manual intervention to resolve. Common workarounds include following detailed forum guides for driver configuration, adding kernel parameters such as nomodeset to the GRUB boot line to bypass video driver loading during early boot, and installing proprietary blobs for enhanced stability in hybrid setups. The Manjaro community has also contributed upstream patches to the Mesa project to improve support, addressing rendering artifacts in graphics-intensive applications. Ongoing improvement efforts involve the Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD) tool, which automates driver selection and testing across diverse hardware configurations during installation and updates, supplemented by community-reported testing on various devices to identify and patch compatibility gaps.

Reception and Impact

Critical Reviews

Manjaro Linux has garnered positive evaluations from technology publications for its and , particularly appealing to users transitioning from other operating systems. Reviewers frequently praise its user-friendly interface and installation process, which simplify access to Arch Linux's vast repositories without requiring advanced configuration skills. For instance, aggregates reader ratings averaging 8.2 out of 10 across 468 reviews, highlighting Manjaro's balance of ease and flexibility as a key strength. In terms of desktop , a 2024 assessment of Manjaro 24.1 described the Plasma edition as highly responsive and visually refined, with application launches and multitasking on par with leading distributions, making it suitable for everyday productivity. Gaming capabilities stand out in expert analyses, where Manjaro excels due to its rolling-release model delivering the latest drivers and compatibility layers like Proton and Wine. A 2019 review of Manjaro 18 positioned it as the top for gaming at the time, outperforming competitors in benchmarks for titles like : Warhammer II, thanks to optimized and support. More recent evaluations, such as a 2025 It's FOSS guide to gaming distributions, reaffirm Manjaro's strength in this area, noting seamless integration and minimal overhead for high-frame-rate play on modern hardware. awarded it 4 out of 5 stars in a 2021 review (equivalent to 8/10), commending its suitability for beginners seeking fresh software updates without Ubuntu's perceived staleness. Criticisms center on stability and deviations from Arch Linux's minimalist , with some experts pointing to occasional breakage from its delayed update model. It's FOSS comparisons note that Manjaro can encounter more disruptions than point-release distros like , as its manual testing process sometimes introduces inconsistencies, such as delayed patches or package conflicts. However, while Manjaro fast-tracks security updates to public repositories for timely resolution, it has faced reliability concerns, including multiple incidents of SSL certificate expirations on its official websites between 2021 and 2025, which have undermined trust in its maintenance practices. In comparisons with other Arch-based distributions like EndeavourOS, which accesses official Arch repositories directly for undelayed updates including security patches, Manjaro's approach of delaying stable packages for testing—despite its polished GUI tools—may make it less preferred for professional security use where immediate update reliability is paramount. Accusations of "bloat" arise from pre-installed components and graphical tools, which add convenience but increase resource usage compared to pure Arch installations, as discussed in a 2022 It's FOSS analysis of Arch derivatives. A 2025 LinuxConfig review echoes these concerns, stating that while Manjaro offers faster raw performance than on lighter hardware, its out-of-the-box stability lags for mission-critical tasks, recommending it more for desktops than servers. In comparisons, Manjaro is often favored over for customization and speed—LinuxConfig's 2025 benchmark showed it booting 20-30% quicker on mid-range laptops—but trails in enterprise reliability. Overall consensus positions Manjaro as robust for desktop and gaming scenarios with diverse hardware, as demonstrated in Linus Tech Tips' 2019 gaming guide featuring Manjaro for its broad compatibility across GPUs and peripherals. However, it receives cautions for server environments due to its desktop-oriented focus and potential update volatility.

Community Adoption and Feedback

Manjaro has experienced substantial growth in its user base. The distribution maintains a strong presence in popularity rankings, consistently placing in the top 5 on DistroWatch's page hit metrics, reflecting sustained interest among enthusiasts. It enjoys particular appeal in and , where its user-friendly approach to Arch-based systems resonates with diverse audiences, including gamers. The Manjaro community is robust and collaborative, centered around a forum that serves as the primary hub for discussions and support. Complementary channels include IRC for real-time assistance and emerging Signal groups for secure communication among contributors. The project's fosters a comprehensive through volunteer contributions, while global translation teams ensure accessibility in multiple languages, enhancing adoption in non-English-speaking regions. User feedback highlights a mix of appreciation and constructive criticism. The 2025 Zetar release, version 25.0, garnered praise for its polished interface, integration, and gaming optimizations, with community members lauding the improved stability and ease of use on the official forums. However, recurring complaints focus on the update frequency in the rolling-release model, where some users report occasional disruptions from delayed or untested packages. Manjaro's impact extends to the broader ecosystem by popularizing accessible entry points to rolling releases, encouraging contributions to shared repositories and tools.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.