Frequently asked questions

Our page about GNU/Linux covers the essential information. We hope this FAQ list can help if you are more curious.

General Questions

Are ‘GNU/Linux’ and ‘Linux’ any different?

You keep referring to one and the other alternatively. What is this all about?

Originally, Linux refers to a core component (called the kernel) that fits within the GNU system. What users run today are, to be precise, “distributions of the GNU/Linux system”.

In practice, the word “Linux” caught on much better (unsurprisingly), and today people refer to the whole system as simply “Linux”. This causes a great deal of controversy.

Calling the system GNU/Linux is much more meaningful, technically (end-users use a lot of “GNU” and a little of “Linux”) but also philosophically: the strength and momentum of the Free Software movement started with and are still carried by the GNU project.

Calling the system Linux is more practical and appealing for computer users that often believe Windows is the only thing on earth.

To avoid confusion, we use “GNU/Linux” to refer to operating system distributions that include GNU software and the Linux kernel. When we use “Linux” without the GNU part, we refer to the kernel.

And what has that software to do with a GNU?

When Richard Stallman started to design GNU, the main system in use was Unix, which is proprietary. Because GNU is similar in function to (and compatible with) Unix, but is free software, he coined the term GNU which stands for GNU’s Not Unix. It’s a recursive acronym. If you enjoy that kind of humour, check out what GNU Hurd means.

Is Linux a registered trademark?

Yes. You cannot sell any random software under the name of Linux®. The trademark is held by the Linux Mark Institute.

Is GNU/Linux the only free operating system available?

No. GNU/Linux is by far the most widely used free system; however a number of other systems exist.

These include the UNIX derivatives FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, the BeOS clone Haiku OS, the Windows NT clone ReactOS, the DOS clone FreeDOS, and Syllable, just to name a few.

Is macOS a distribution of GNU/Linux?

No. There are a few free software components in macOS, and it is technically similar to GNU/Linux systems. But overall, it is proprietary software: all the issues about Windows apply to it as well.

Understanding free software

Are ‘Open Source’ and ‘Free Software’ the same thing?

Yes and no. Technically, the great majority of open source programs are free software and vice-versa.

In terms of philosophy, things are quite different. The term “open source” was coined to make “free software” more attractive, its supporters see open source software as a better way to make software.

Supporters of the “free software” term value the freedom, not merely the way software is made, and thus argue that the term “open source” misses the point.

Which term you employ simply depends on your vision of software.

Why are some GNU/Linux distributions sold, not given away?

Some websites actually sell distributions of GNU/Linux. So, why do you write it is “free as speech and available at no charge”?

The concept of free software, refers to freedom, not price. You have the freedom to copy, study, modify, and give free software away.

Most companies developing free software make money by selling services around their software, rather than the software itself. This is sometimes done by selling everything as a package: the customer buys the CD, book, and support contract at once. The software can still guarantee your freedoms.

More:

Why are some GNU/Linux distributions not fully free?

Some GNU/Linux distributions are available at no charge, but include restrictive software. Why is it so?

There are typically three types of policies regarding the inclusion of non-free software:

Some GNU/Linux distributors allow non-free software in order to enable hardware functionality. This happens because manufacturers like NVidia do not release the full code for their drivers. Additionally, many Wi-Fi cards and other components require specific proprietary firmware to operate. These are available at no cost (they are freeware) but under restrictive licenses. Distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora thus include or help install these components to ensure your computer works smoothly out of the box.
On the other hand, some GNU/Linux distributors do not compromise on the freedom of software and ensure their systems contain no proprietary code whatsoever. This is the case for the distributions endorsed by the Free Software Foundation. These systems remove all non-free components, even if it means some hardware might not work.
Some GNU/Linux distributors assemble free and restrictive software without distinction. Such distributors would not like users to think of their freedom, and rather advertise only the technical capabilities of their product. Using such distributions isn’t much better than using Windows. We value your freedom and recommend you choose carefully!

Is macOS also a free operating system?

Do all the reasons for avoiding Windows apply to macOS?

It’s quite common for Mac users to believe they are exempt from restrictions associated with Windows. Unfortunately such is not the case.

macOS does have some low-level components which are free software; and Apple puts less energy into customer lock-in (with some notable efforts such as BootCamp).

However, the end-user is still fundamentally restricted – because of the proprietary license, he/she cannot use macOS for all purposes, nor copy, study, modify, or redistribute it.

Happily, because these freedoms matter a lot, it’s possible to run popular GNU/Linux distributions (such as Ubuntu) on Mac computers.

Aren’t GNU/Linux users the ones who make illegal downloads?

Isn’t GNU/Linux about cracking, “piracy” and illegal download websites?

No. Wherever you read or heard this, you should update your views. GNU/Linux is completely distinct from such things. Whether you want to do them, or whether you prefer intelligent, legal downloads, GNU/Linux will work just as well as Windows. Unfortunately you can’t identify gangsters by the make of their cars; the same thing goes for their operating system.

GNU/Linux was made by people who don’t like the thought of all the world’s computers running just one company’s proprietary products. There is certainly nothing wrong with that!

Read more in the article: How to Misunderstand Free Software.

Is GNU/Linux a form of communism?

“Everything has to be free” and “No one owns anything” sounds somewhat frightening. Are GNU/Linux and its GPL something for anarchists or communists?

GNU/Linux has nothing to do with a political system and anyone – regardless of their political views – can use it. We have this explained simply in our article “How to Misunderstand Free Software”.

Installing GNU/Linux

Does GNU/Linux come pre-installed on computers?

Yes it does. LinuxPreloaded.com has built a website specially for that purpose, listing vendors that sell GNU/Linux desktops and laptops.

Note that buying new hardware is not necessary to use GNU/Linux!

Can I get GNU/Linux in my own language?

Yes. All main distributions, such as the ones we recommend, are all available in the main languages around, and have support for many keyboard types.

Unlike Windows, all languages are included on each installation CD, so there is no need for you to download (or pay for!) another whole version to merely change the language on your computer.

Is it legal to install GNU/Linux on my computer?

There is a shiny Windows sticker on it! Am I allowed to erase Windows or use it together with GNU/Linux?

Yes. It is absolutely, completely legal, provided of course it’s your computer!

The sticker on it is purely marketing, it has no legal value. We believe it is one fundamental right to choose which software to run on our own hardware.

In fact this right is threatened by the rise of things such as DRM and Trusted Computing. Read our article “Stand for a free society” for more information.

Do I have to purchase a new computer to run GNU/Linux?

Not at all. It runs happily on the vast majority of existing computers.

Hardware compatibility has improved dramatically. The only minor hurdles you might face involve using bleeding-edge hardware released very recently, or computers with specialized proprietary architecture (such as modern Apple Silicon Macs). Otherwise, almost all GNU/Linux distributions run flawlessly on standard 64-bit PCs and laptops. Read how you can try or install GNU/Linux on your computer.

Using GNU/Linux

Is my hardware supported on GNU/Linux?

For most users, the answer is yes, your hardware is likely supported. The days of struggling to get basic sound or internet working on Linux are largely in the past.

However, “supported” can range from “works perfectly out of the box” to “requires manual tweaking”. Here is the step-by-step process to verify your specific hardware, ranked from the easiest to the most thorough.

A live USB stick

Almost all GNU/Linux distributions (like Debian, Ubuntu, or Fedora) allow you to boot the operating system from a USB stick without installing it or touching your hard drive. Once the desktop loads, you can check things like Wi-Fi, sound, Bluetooth, touchpad, and suspend/sleep.

Search the databases

If you don’t have a USB drive handy, you can look up your computer in community-maintained databases.

Ubuntu Certified Hardware: If your laptop model (e.g., “Lenovo ThinkPad X1”) is on this list, it is officially guaranteed to work.
Linux-Hardware.org: A massive database of user-submitted reports. You can search for your specific laptop model or component to see if others have had success.
The Arch Wiki: Even if you aren’t using Arch Linux, searching “Arch Wiki [Your Laptop Model]” (e.g., “Arch Wiki Dell XPS 15”) often yields the most detailed technical notes on what works and what doesn’t.

Identify potential “red flags”

Three specific components historically cause the most headaches. Open Device Manager and look for these specific categories:

Component	What to look for	The Linux outlook
Wi-Fi Card	Network Adapters	Intel cards are excellent. Realtek and Broadcom cards usually work but occasionally require manual driver installation.
Graphics (GPU)	Display Adapters	Intel and AMD graphics work out of the box. NVIDIA cards work well, but you often must select “Install third-party drivers” during the installation process to get good performance.
Biometrics	Biometric Devices	Fingerprint readers are the most likely component to not work. Many manufacturers do not release Linux drivers for these sensors.

Special note on peripherals

Printers: HP and Brother generally have the best Linux support. Canon and Epson can be hit-or-miss.
Gaming gear: Mice and keyboards (Logitech, Razer) will work as basic input devices, but you may lose the ability to customize RGB lighting or macros unless you use community tools (like OpenRazer).

Will Microsoft Office run on GNU/Linux?

It depends on how you use it.

The desktop applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

No. Microsoft does not release a native version of the installed Office suite for GNU/Linux. While there are technical workarounds (like Wine), they are often buggy and unreliable for daily use.

Microsoft 365 (the web version)

Yes. You can use the web-based versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint inside any modern GNU/Linux web browser (like Firefox, Chrome, or Edge). This is officially supported by Microsoft and works exactly like it does on Windows.

Native desktop alternatives

For a traditional desktop experience, you have two excellent open-source choices:

Most GNU/Linux distributions come pre-installed with LibreOffice. It defaults to the OpenDocument Format (.odt), a truly open standard used by governments worldwide. It is feature-rich and powerful, while still fully capable of opening and saving Microsoft Office files (like .docx, .xlsx, .pptx).
If strict visual compatibility is your priority, OnlyOffice is a strong alternative. It handles Microsoft formats natively and uses a familiar “Ribbon” interface, often preserving complex layouts better than LibreOffice when sharing files with Windows users.

Can I play my DVDs, Blu-rays, and MP3s under GNU/Linux?

Yes.

Music and MP3s

This is no longer an issue. The patents for MP3 expired years ago, so modern GNU/Linux distributions play MP3s out of the box without any special setup. Streaming services like Spotify and YouTube also work immediately in your web browser.

DVDs and Blu-rays

This is slightly more complex due to copy protection restrictions.

Encrypted DVDs: Most commercial DVDs use an encryption system called “CSS”. To play them, you need a software library called libdvdcss. While most distributions make this easy to install (often via a “Restricted Extras” package or a simple terminal command), the act of bypassing this encryption is technically a legal grey area in some countries.
Blu-rays: Playing commercial Blu-ray discs is significantly harder. Unlike DVDs, Blu-rays use a more complex encryption system (AACS) that requires updated “keys” to play newer movies. While you can install software to play them (like VLC with libaacs), you often have to manually find and update a key database file yourself. Because of this hassle, many GNU/Linux users prefer to “rip” their Blu-rays using software like MakeMKV rather than playing the disc directly.
Home videos: Non-encrypted discs (like home-made DVDs) play perfectly well out of the box using only free software.

Frequently asked questions

General Questions

Understanding free software

Installing GNU/Linux

Using GNU/Linux

More questions?