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This article is to share with you about the 14 Linux distributions that can be used on the ancient 32-bit computer. The editor thinks it is very practical, so I share it with you. I hope you can get something after reading this article.

If you've been following the latest Linux distributions, you must have noticed that most popular Linux distributions have terminated 32-bit support. Arch Linux, Ubuntu, Fedora, each have abandoned support for this older architecture.

But what if you have old hardware that still needs to be reused, or if you want to use it for some purpose? Don't worry, there are some options for your 32-bit system.

In this article, I try to compile some of the best Linux distributions that will continue to support 32-bit platforms over the next few years.

The best Linux distribution that still provides 32-bit support

Even 64-bit computers can be considered old if they were released before 2010. This is why some of the recommendations listed include distributions that currently only support 64-bit versions.

According to my knowledge and knowledge, the information provided here is correct, but if you find something wrong, please let me know in the comments section.

Before continuing, I think you know how to check whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit computer.

1 、 Debian

Source: mrneilypops / Deviantart

For 32-bit systems, Debian is an excellent choice because their latest stable version still supports it. At the time of this writing, the latest stable release, Debian 10 "buster", is available in 32-bit versions and supports it until 2024.

If you are new to Debian, it is worth mentioning that you can get reliable documentation about all its content on the official Wiki. Therefore, getting started should not be a problem.

You can browse the available installers to install. However, before you begin, in addition to the installation manual, I suggest you refer to the list of things to remember before installing Debian.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ 512 MB memory

◈ 10 GB disk space

◈ 1 GHz processor (Pentium 4 or equivalent)

2 、 Slax

If you just want to quickly start the device to do some temporary work, Slax is an impressive choice.

It is based on Debian, but it runs through USB devices or DVD to make it a portable and fast option. You can download 32-bit ISO files for free from their website, or buy rewritable DVD or encrypted flash drives pre-installed with Slax.

Of course, this is not to replace the traditional desktop operating system. But, yes, you do get 32-bit support based on Debian.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ memory: 128MB (offline) / 512MB (for web browsers)

◈ CPU: i686 or later

3 、 AntiX

Photo Source: Opensourcefeed

AntiX is another impressive Debian-based distribution. AntiX is a well-known systemd-free distribution that focuses on performance and is a lightweight system.

It is perfect for all old-fashioned 32-bit systems. It requires as little as 256 MB of memory and 2.7 GB of storage space. Not only is it easy to install, but the user experience is also for novice and experienced users.

You should be able to get the latest version of the latest stable branch based on Debian.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ memory: 256 MB of memory

◈ CPU: Pentium 3 system

◈ disk space: drive space of 5GB

4 、 openSUSE

OpenSUSE is a stand-alone Linux distribution that also supports 32-bit systems. In fact, the latest regular version (Leap) does not provide 32-bit images, but the rolling distribution (Tumbleweed) does provide 32-bit images.

If you are a novice, it will be a completely different experience. However, I suggest you read carefully the reasons why you use openSUSE.

It is mainly for developers and system administrators, but it can also be used as an ordinary desktop user. It is worth noting that openSUSE does not mean running on older hardware, so you must ensure that you have at least 2 GB memory, 40 + GB storage space, and dual-core processors.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ Pentium 4 1.6 GHz or higher processor

◈ 1GB physical memory

◈ 5 GB hard disk

5. Emmabunt ü s

Emmanbuntus is an interesting release designed to extend the life of hardware with 32-bit support to reduce waste of raw materials. As a group, they are also involved in providing computer and digital technology to schools.

It provides two different versions, one based on Ubuntu and the other based on Debian. If you need longer 32-bit support, you may want to use the Debian version. It may not be the best choice, but it has a lot of pre-configured software to simplify the Linux learning experience and provides 32-bit support, which is a pretty good choice if you want to support their cause in the process.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ 512MB memory

◈ hard drive: 2GB

◈ Pentium processor or equivalent

6 、 NixOS

Nixos KDE Edition

NixOS is another stand-alone Linux distribution that supports 32-bit systems. It focuses on providing a reliable system in which packages are isolated from each other.

This may not be aimed directly at the average user, but it is an available distribution supported by KDE with a unique approach to package management. You can learn more about its functions from its official website.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ memory: 768 MB

◈ 8GB disk space

◈ Pentium 4 or equivalent

7 、 Gentoo Linux

If you are an experienced Linux user and are looking for a 32-bit Linux distribution, then Gentoo Linux should be a good choice.

If necessary, you can easily configure, compile, and install the kernel using Gentoo Linux's package manager. Not limited to the well-known configurability, you can also run on older hardware without any problems.

Even if you are not an experienced user, you want to give it a try, just read the installation instructions and try it boldly.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ 256MB memory

Similar products of ◈ Pentium 4 or AMD

◈ 2.5 GB disk space

8 、 Devuan

Devuan is another systemd-free distribution. Technically, it is a branch of Debian, but without systemd, and encourages the freedom to initialize the system.

It may not be a very popular Linux distribution for the average user, but if you want a systemd-free distribution with 32-bit support, Devuan should be a good choice.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ memory: 1GB

◈ CPU: Pentium 1.0GHz

9 、 Void Linux

Void Linux is an interesting distribution independently developed by volunteers. It aims to become a general-purpose operating system while providing a stable rolling release cycle. It uses runit as the initialization system instead of systemd, and provides you with a variety of desktop environment options.

It has a very impressive minimum specification, requiring only 96 MB of memory with a Pentium 4 or equivalent chip. Give it a try!

Minimum system requirements:

◈ 96MB memory

◈ Pentium 4 or equivalent AMD processor

10 、 Q4OS

Q4OS is another Debian-based distribution dedicated to providing a minimalist and fast desktop user experience. It also happens to be one of our best lightweight Linux distributions. Its 32-bit version has a Trinity desktop, and you can find KDE Plasma support on the 64-bit version.

Like Void Linux, Q4OS can run on as little as 128 MB of memory and 300 MHz of CPU, requiring 3 GB of storage space. It should be more than enough for any old-fashioned hardware. So, I want to say, you should definitely try!

For more information, you can also check out our comments on Q4OS.

Minimum requirements for Q4OS:

◈ memory: 128MB (Trinity Desktop) / 1GB (Plasma Desktop)

◈ CPU:300 MHz (Trinity Desktop) / 1 GHz (Plasma Desktop)

◈ storage space: 5GB (Trinity Desktop) / 3GB (Plasma Desktop)

11 、 MX Linux

If you have a slightly better configuration (not entirely old-fashioned, but old), I personally recommend MX Linux for 32-bit systems. It also happens to be one of the best Linux distributions for all types of users.

In general, MX Linux is an excellent lightweight and customizable distribution based on Debian. You can choose KDE, XFce or Fluxbox (this is their own desktop environment designed for old hardware). You can find more information about it on their official website and give it a try.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ 1GB memory (2GB is recommended for comfortable use)

Disk space for ◈ 15GB (recommended 20GB)

12 、 Linux Mint Debian Edtion

Linux Mint based on Debian? Why not?

You can get the same Cinnamon desktop experience, but not based on Ubuntu. It is as easy to use and as reliable as Ubuntu-based Linux Mint.

Not only based on Debian, you can also get support for 64-bit and 32-bit systems. If you don't want to use a Linux distribution you've never heard of on a 32-bit system, this should be a good choice.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ 1GB memory (2GB is recommended for comfortable use)

Disk space for ◈ 15GB (recommended 20GB)

13 、 Sparky Linux

Sparky Linux is one of the best lightweight Linux distributions tailored for beginners. It is easy to customize and takes up very few resources.

It can provide different versions according to your requirements, but it does support 32-bit versions. Considering that you want to buy something for your old computer, I suggest you take a look at its MinimalGUI version, unless you really need a mature desktop environment like Xfce or LXQt.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ memory: 512 MB

◈ CPU: Pentium 4, or AMD Athlon

◈ disk space: 2GB (command line version), 10GB (home version), 20GB (game version)

14 、 Mageia

As an offshoot of Mandriva Linux, Mageia Linux is a community-driven Linux distribution that supports 32-bit systems.

Usually, you will notice that there is a major version every year. Their aim is to contribute their work to provide a free operating system, which is also potentially secure. It may not be a popular choice for 32-bit systems, but it supports many desktop environments (such as KDE Plasma, GNOME), and if you need it, you just need to install it from its software library.

You should be able to get the option to download a specific image of the desktop environment from their official website.

Minimum system requirements:

◈ 512MB memory (2GB recommended)

Minimum installation of ◈ requires 5GB storage space (regular installation of 20GB)

◈ CPU: Pentium 4, or AMD Athlon

Honorary nomination: Funtoo & Puppy Linux

Funtoo is a Gentoo-based Linux distribution developed by the community. It focuses on providing you with the best performance of Gentoo Linux and some additional software packages to give users a complete experience. Interestingly, the development is actually led by Daniel Robbins, the creator of Gentoo Linux.

Puppy Linux is a small Linux distribution with few bundled software applications except for basic tools. If none of the other options work and you want the lightest distribution, Puppy Linux may be an option.

Of course, if you are not familiar with Linux, neither of these may provide the best experience. However, they do support 32-bit systems and work well on many older Intel/AMD chipsets. You can explore more information on their official website.

I focus my list on Debian-based distributions and some stand-alone distributions. However, if you don't mind the long-term support clause and just want to get a 32-bit image, you can also try any Ubuntu 18.04-based distribution (or any official version).

At the time of this writing, they have only a few months of software support left. Therefore, I avoid mentioning it as the main option. However, if you prefer a distribution based on Ubuntu 18.04 or any other version, you can choose LXLE, Linux Lite, Zorin Lite 15 and other official versions.

Even most modern Ubuntu-based desktop operating systems have abandoned support for 32-bit. You still have many options to choose from.

These are the 14 Linux distributions that can be used on ancient 32-bit computers. The editor believes that there are some knowledge points that we may see or use in our daily work. I hope you can learn more from this article. For more details, please follow the industry information channel.

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