The present, second list in 2023 is related to the first Linux x86 distributions of 2023, and lists other operating systems that still offer x86/i386-i686 architecture support.
My list of operating systems below is not based on the Linux kernel, but is related to open-source projects and systems from the family: BSD, Solaris, Unix, DOS, AROS and others, independently developed.
I hope that the following 32-bit operating systems will interest you at least a little bit, but keep in mind that 32-bit architecture is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
9front
Plan9front (or 9front) is an open source operating system that is a fork of Plan 9, created by the folks at Cat-V. The project was started to address the lack of dedicated development resources at Bell Labs and to make various fixes and improvements.
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9legacy
9legacy used to be an alternative distribution of Plan 9 from Bell Labs and is now a continuation of Plan 9. It is a set of regularly updated patches based on the latest release of Plan 9 from Bell Labs.
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AROS ONE
AROS One is a complete distribution of the Aros operating system, intended for users of personal computers (desktop).
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BSDRP
The BSD Router Project (BSDRP) is an open source FreeBSD distribution, an embedded system, for network routers. By default, the system uses the free software Quagga, which is an implementation of TCP/IP-based routing protocols, and Bird, an open source implementation of an Internet protocol package for routing (calculating a route and sending a data packet over a computer network), for unix-like systems.
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FreeBSD
FreeBSD is a Unix operating system from the BSD family, compliant with the Posix standard. The founders of the project were Nate Williams, Rod Grimes and Jordan Hubbard. The development of the project is supervised by the Core Team, which supervises the work of official developers and other programmers.
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FreeDOS
FreeDOS is an open source, free operating system, compatible with the no longer developed MS DOS. The project was founded in 1995 by American programmer Jim Hall. FreeDOS is an open source alternative to MS DOS, after the end of development of this system by Microsoft in 1994.
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FuguIta
FuguIta is a Live CD/USB operating system based on OpenBSD. It is characterized by a very low demand for computer power. The minimum requirements to run the Live system are an i386 class processor and 48 MB of RAM (in text mode).
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Haiku
Haiku is an open source operating system aimed at PC users. Haiku was inspired by the Be Operating System (BeOS). The goal of the Haiku project is compatibility with BeOS R5 at the source and binary level, which is to allow the compilation and execution of applications written for BeOS.
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HelenOS
HelenOS is a portable, open-source operating system based on a multi-server microkernel design and implemented from scratch. The HelenOS source code is written in C and published under the BSD license.
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Icaros Desktop Live
Icaros Desktop Live! is a complete distribution of the Aros operating system, intended for users of personal computers (desktop).
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KolibriOS
KolibriOS is a very small and lightweight operating system with a monolithic kernel, designed for 32-bit x86 machines. KolibriOS fits on a standard 1.44MB floppy disk and requires 8MB of RAM. The larger version of KolibriOS has additional software and is available as an iso image of approximately 5MB.
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MidnightBSD
MidnightBSD is a Unix operating system from the BSD family, developed since 2007. It is based on FreeBSD and is designed for personal computers. The system’s graphical interface is borrowed from the NEXTSTEP system and the system configuration uses GNUstep.
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MikeOS
MikeOS is an operating system for computers with x86 processors, written in assembly language. It is a learning tool that demonstrates how simple real-mode 16-bit operating systems are, with well-annotated code and extensive documentation.
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MorphOS
MorphOS is a 32-bit operating system designed for machines compatible with the Amiga computer, equipped with a PowerPC processor, Pegasos and Efika motherboards. The system has been developed since 2000 by the MorphOS Development Team.
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NetBSD
NetBSD is a free, free, secure, and highly portable Unix based operating system in the BSD family. The project was created in 1993 on the basis of the 4.3BSD Net/2 code and its continuation 386BSD. The main goal of the project is to provide a high-quality, stable and available operating system for a large number of devices.
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NexentaStor
NexentaStor is a Unix operating system based on the illumos kernel and a direct fork of OpenSolaris. NexentaStor is optimized to operate in the areas of: virtualization; SAN (Storage Area Network) – mass storage network; NAS (Network Attached Storage) – a technology that allows you to connect disk storage resources directly to a computer network…
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NomadBSD
NomadBSD is a live USB system based on FreeBSD. Automatic device detection and default settings are configured to use a desktop system that works “out of the box” and can also be used as a rescue system to recover lost data.
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OpenBSD
OpenBSD is a Unix-based standalone operating system from the BSD family. The project was created in 1995 as a result of a split in the NetBSD team. The founder of OpenBSD was Canadian programmer Theo de Raadt.
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PonyOS
PonyOS is an open source UNIX hobby operating system based on ToAruOS. The system is developed by the same developer as ToAruOS and is aimed at “pony people like you”.
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ReactOS
ReactOS is an open source operating system which is intended to be binary compatible with applications and drivers created for MS Windows NT 5.x. The project has been developed since 1998 and is still in the development phase (alpha). The very idea of an open operating system was created in 1996 under the name FreeWin95, intended to be a clone of operating systems from the Windows 9x family.
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Redox
Redox OS is an independently developed, Unix-like operating system released under the MIT license. Redox uses its own microkernel and is written in the Mozilla Rust programming language. It has support for the ZFS file system and includes UNIX commands.
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RISC OS
RISC OS is an operating system created by Acorn Computers in 1987. The system was intended for Archimedes personal computers, based on the ARM chipset. In the following years, the system was developed by the following companies: Element 14, RISCOS Ltd., Pace Micro Technology, RISC OS Select and Castle Technology.
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Tribblix
Tribblix is an operating system distribution derived from OpenSolaris, OpenIndiana and illumos, with a retro style and modern components. The kernel and commands come from illumos, with a few components currently repackaged from OpenIndiana (mainly X11 and a few others); almost everything else was repackaged from sources.
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Wpis dostępny również w języku polskim: https://linuxiarze.pl/2023-inne-systemy-operacyjne-x86/
Peppermint OS
Peppermint OS is a general purpose Linux distribution based on Debian and Devuan (formerly Lubuntu). By design, Peppermint is supposed to be a lightweight, fast system that does not consume large computer resources.
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PLD
PLD (PLD Linux Distribution) is a Polish Linux distribution developed since 2002 (first release). The system is designed for network servers and workstations for advanced users.
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Porteus
Porteus is a Linux distribution based on Slackware. It is a social fork / continuation of the Slax distribution and is built of modules. The Porteus project was founded in early 2010 as “Slax Remix”.
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PrimTux
PrimTux is a Debian-based stable Linux distribution developed by a small team of teachers and computer enthusiasts in an educational environment.
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Puppy Linux
Puppy Linux is an independent distribution started by Barry Kauler in 2003. Puppy Linux Community is currently developing the system.
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Q4OS
Q4OS is a Linux distribution based on the Debian GNU/Linux stable branch. It features the classic look of the Trinity Desktop Environment (TDE) desktop along with a collection of essential applications.
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Refracta
Refracta is a distribution of the Linux operating system aimed at home computer users. Refracta can be used as a rescue system and for recovering data from the disk.
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Rescatux
Rescatux is an emergency Linux distribution built on Debian from the stable branch. Rescatux comes with the graphical Rescapp program.
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ROSA
ROSA is a Live distribution developed by part of the development team that worked on Mandriva.
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Salix OS
Salix OS is a distribution in development since 2009, it is built on Slackware and fully compatible with it. Salix is fast and easy to use, system management is done via graphical interface or command line.
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Skolelinux
Skolelinux aka DebianEdu is a specially prepared Linux distribution aimed at schools and universities. The system is built entirely on Debian from the stable branch, which contains about 75 typically educational applications and 15 enabling network configuration in school environments.
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Slackel
Slackel is a Greek Linux distribution built on and fully compatible with Slackware and Salix OS. The system includes the current version of Slackware and the latest version of the KDE desktop environment.
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Slackware
Slackware is the oldest active Linux distribution developed by Patrick Volkerding.
The first version was released in July 1993 and was based on SLS Linux.
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Slax
Slax is a Linux distribution built on the top off Slackware by Tomáš Matějíček. The system is built of modules that can be added or removed, which affects the speed of the system. Now is based on Debian.
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SparkyLinux
SparkyLinux is a Linux distribution built on Debian. It has a pre-installed rich set of programs, codecs and plug-ins enabling free work on the computer.
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Tiny Core
Tiny Core is one of the smallest Linux distributions that run in graphical mode. It is an independent distribution, but derived from the no longer developed Damn Small Linux.
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Vitalinux
Vitalinux is a GNU/Linux distribution developed in Aragon (Spain) based on Ubuntu. Vitalinux comes with the MigasFree systems management system.
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Void
Void Linux is a standalone general purpose Linux distribution. The system is equipped with a hybrid package manager “XBPS”, which allows you to install, update and remove packages, as well as build applications from source packages. At the moment, there are about 4500 packages in the repositories of the system.
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YunoHost
YunoHost is a Debian-based Linux distribution aimed at facilitating quick server setup and web application hosting. The distribution can be managed with a custom command line tool or through the web admin panel.
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GNUinOS
GNUinOS is a fork of the Devuan GNU/Linux distribution that uses the Openbox window manager. It is very lightweight, comes with the linux-libre kernel, and is focused on general purpose computers. The project aims to create a distribution fully approved by the FSF.
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GParted LiveCD
GParted (GNOME Partition Editor) is a disk partition management tool. The program allows you to create, copy, read, delete, move and resize partitions. It supports many types of file systems, such as Btrfs, ext2, ext3, ext4, FAT16, FAT32, HFS, HFS+, JFS, SWAP, NTFS, Reiser4, ReiserFS, UFS and XFS.
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Grml
Grml is a live distribution built on Debian from the stable branch.
It contains a set of tools (mostly text) for system administrators.
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GuixSD
GuixSD (Guix System Distribution) is an independent GNU/Linux distribution centered around the GNU Guix package manager. The distribution uses the Linux-libre kernel, and has support for the GNU Hurd, which is under development. In February 2015, GuixSd was added to the Free Software Foundation’s list of free distributions.
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Hyperbola
Hyperbola GNU/Linux-Libre is an open source project providing a completely free and free GNU/Linux-libre operating system. Hyperbola is based on Arch Linux, includes security patches from Debian, and optimized packages for the i686 and x86_64 architectures.
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Kali
Kali Linux is a specialized Linux distribution for security testing and cracking. The system is based on the Debian distribution from the testing branch and is equipped with the GNOME desktop.
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KNOPPIX
Knoppix was the first Linux distribution created as a Live CD/DVD, i.e. run from CD without installation, by the German engineer Klaus Knopper. The system is based on test Debian with the default LXDE graphical environment (CD version) and can be installed on a hard drive or a portable drive.
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Lion
Lion Linux is an operating system for desktops and laptops. It is designed to work “out of the box” and is fully loaded with apps that most people need.
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LxPup
LxPup is a Linux distribution based on Puppy. LxPup offers LXDE as the default desktop environment, Openbox as the window manager, LxPanelX (a fork of LxPanel, and the PCManFM file manager.
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Mageia
Mageia (Greek: magic) is a fork of Mandriva. It was created in 2010 and is being developed by a non-profit organization consisting of former Mandriva employees and the community gathered around the project.
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LMDE
Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) is built on Debian packages from the testing branch. Just like the Ubuntu-based version, it comes with non-free codecs and drivers installed by default, so novice users have no problem playing popular audio and video files.
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Miyo
MiyoLinux is a Devuan-based, Refract-based minimalist Linux distribution. The system uses Openbox as the default window manager, which is ideal for older or resource-constrained computers. Iso images equipped with IceWM, JWM and i3 are also available.
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MX
MX is a Linux distribution built on top of antiX. The system uses the Xfce desktop by default. The project is developed in cooperation with the Mepis distribution community.
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nakeDeb
nakeDeb is a French Debian-based Linux distribution planned to accompany the kissballad project.
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NixOS
NixOS is an independent GNU/Linux distribution developed since 2003. NixOS stands out from other distributions with its innovative way of managing packages and building the structure of system directories.
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OLPC
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is an initiative to create low-cost laptops with a pre-installed operating system and a set of applications for children in developing countries.
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openmamba
openmamba GNU/Linux is an independent Linux distribution aimed at users of personal computers (Intel i686 compatible). The system can be used on notebooks, desktops and servers.
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Pentoo
Pentoo is a live Linux distribution for network testing, station security, and intrusion detection. Includes GPGPU password cracking tools configured with openCL and CUDA.
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The beginning of 2023 provides new releases of various Linux distributions, but we should not forget about the still active, maybe already obsolete 32-bit hardware architecture (i686). Many open-source projects still actively develop this architecture, unfortunately its twilight is in sight. My list provides information about Linux-related projects that still support 32-bit systems.
The list of Linux distributions is arranged alphabetically, without assigning points and stars, it can be done by each of you.
Alpine Linux
Alpine Linux is a standalone Linux distribution designed to support routers, VoIP gateways, and firewalls. It is designed to work in embedded devices. The system was built with an emphasis on security and includes patches for the Linux kernel: PaX and grsecurity. In addition, packages are compiled with protection against buffer overflows.
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ALT Linux
ALT Linux is a GNU/Linux distribution launched in 2001 based on Mandrake Linux packages. ALT Linux offers a set of several versions of the system with different applications, which are addressed to different recipients.
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antiX
antiX is a Live distribution designed for older computers. The system’s default desktop is IceWM. AntiX is designed to provide a lightweight but fully functional operating system.
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Arch Linux 32
You’ve reached the website for Arch Linux 32, the community continuation maintained of 32-bit support for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux® distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the i686 and pentium4 architectures. Also most(ly) non-graphical packages are available for i486, too. Have a look at the required cpu flags to decide which architecture is the right one for you. Most packages from Arch Linux’s community-operated package repository are also compatible with Arch Linux 32.
ArchBang
ArchBang is a live distribution built on top of Arch Linux. The system uses the lightweight Openbox window manager and is a rolling release just like its predecessor. This means that it does not require reinstalling to a newer version – just perform regular updates of all packages.
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BG-Rescue
BG-Rescue Linux is a very small standalone Linux distribution that is mainly for rescue purposes. BG-Rescue Linux is a Busybox and uClibc based rescue system with a Linux kernel. Supports full read/write support for NTFS using ntfs-3g.
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BlueStar
BlueStar Linux is a Linux distribution built on Arch Linux packages. BlueStar Linux is available for 32 and 64 bit machines and offers 3 different configuration options: base, common and full.
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BunsenLabs
BunsenLabs Linux is a Linux distribution based on Debian from the stable branch. The system is a social fork of the no longer developed Crunchbang. BunsenLabs Linux uses the lightweight Openbox window manager, and offers a set of pre-installed basic applications.
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ClearOS
ClearOS (formerly ClarkConnect) is a Linux distribution based on CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It is intended for use in small and medium-sized companies as a gateway to the network and a server equipped with a web interface.
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Clonezilla Live
Clonezilla is a specialized live Linux distribution that allows you to back up the entire system or individual directories and restore them.
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CrunchBang++
Crunchbang Plus Plus (or CBPP or #!++) is a Linux distribution based on the stable version of Debian GNU/Linux and inspired by and continuing the idea of the discontinued Crunchbang.
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Daphile
Daphile is a minimalist Linux distribution based on Gentoo Linux that provides a music player for computers without the need for a hard drive.
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Debian GNU/Linux
Debian is one of the oldest Linux distributions valued for its stability, excellent package management system that automatically resolves dependency issues, and security. Contrary to popular belief, Debian is not a particularly difficult system to install and manage, and with a little commitment it will reciprocate with trouble-free operation for a very long time.
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Devuan
Devuan is a fork of the Debian GNU/Linux distribution, founded in October 2014. The main intention of the project is to provide a Linux distribution without the ‘systemd’ init system installed by default.
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Elive
Elive is a live distribution based on a stable version of Debian. The system’s default desktop is Enlightenment.
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Emmabuntus
Emmabuntüs is a desktop Linux distribution based on Xubuntu and Debian. The developers’ aspiration was to create a user-friendly system, taking into account its lightness and low demand for computing power of even an older computer.
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Escuelas
Escuelas (Spanish for Schools) Linux is an educational distribution designed to implement Free Software from kindergarten to high school. The live system is based on Bodhi Linux and is offered for 32- and 64-bit PC users, separately in Spanish and English.
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Wpis dostępny również w języku polskim: https://linuxiarze.pl/2023-dystrybucje-linux-x86-1/