Microsoft Employee Unveils AnduinOS, a Custom Linux Distro Mimicking Windows 11
A Microsoft software engineer, Anduin Xue, has revealed himself as the sole maintainer of AnduinOS, a Linux distribution designed to resemble Windows 11. The project, which has gained attention from tech communities and forums like Neowin and DistroWatch, was developed as a personal endeavor. Xue, who works as a Software Engineer 2 at Microsoft, clarified that he does not work on Windows directly and has no plans to commercialize the project. He explained that his financial stability allows him to pursue the project without monetary pressure.
During an interview, Xue addressed concerns about the project’s future and its potential for commercialization. He stated that the primary goal of the distro is to provide a comfortably themed Ubuntu experience, and the project remains a personal passion rather than a professional endeavor. He mentioned that each month, he only dedicates a few hours to maintaining the distro, emphasizing the non-commercial nature of the project. However, he hinted at the possibility of exploring enterprise solutions in the future if sponsorship or corporate cooperation arises.
Interestingly, some users raised concerns about the origin of the distro, noting that it is from China. Xue acknowledged these concerns and reiterated that the source code is publicly available, making it difficult to embed backdoors or engage in surveillance for any government. He also assured the community that the project is not abandoned and that he intends to continue supporting it. In the event of significant support or funding, he may consider maintaining the project full-time, highlighting the community’s potential role in its long-term development.