Intel has quietly ended support for Clear Linux OS, a Linux distribution it had supported for nearly a decade. The company has declared that it will no longer provide updates, security patches, or maintenance for the operating system, and has archived the GitHub repository in read-only mode. The move was announced with little fanfare, catching many users and developers off guard. Intel has urged everyone to migrate to an actively maintained Linux distribution as soon as possible to avoid running unpatched software. The company has stated in a statement that it remains deeply invested in the Linux ecosystem, actively supporting and contributing to various open-source projects and Linux distributions to enable and optimize for Intel hardware. The company has extended its heartfelt thanks to every developer, user, and contributor who helped shape Clear Linux OS over the last 10 years. Their feedback and contributions have been invaluable.
A source close to Intel’s engineering team described the move as a strategic shift, focusing on other Linux initiatives and open-source projects. The company has maintained a longstanding commitment to Linux, with Clear Linux OS previously being a flagship project. The decision to discontinue support has sparked discussions among the Linux community, with some users expressing disappointment over the lack of notice and the potential security risks for those still using the OS. Despite the abrupt ending, Intel has reassured users that they remain engaged with the Linux ecosystem through their contributions to various projects and distributions.
Community members and developers are now scrambling to find suitable alternatives to Clear Linux OS, as the OS had been widely used in development and production environments. The lack of prior warning has raised concerns about the potential vulnerabilities that remain unpatched for users who are still relying on the OS. Intel’s statement emphasized its continued support for the Linux ecosystem, but the sudden termination of support for Clear Linux OS has been a significant blow to its user base and contributors. As the Linux community moves forward, it remains to be seen how this abrupt change will affect the ongoing development and use of Linux distributions in the future.