NeelaOS, the free Linux desktop for Computer Science studentsFeelslikeWindows. RunslikeLinux.
A free, Windows-familiar Linux desktop for Computer Science students, with every coding tool ready from the very first boot. Built on Fedora 44 and KDE Plasma 6.
Free and open source3.9 GB ISOInstalls from a USB stick in about 10 minutes
Based on Fedora 44
KDE Plasma 6
64-bit Intel / AMD
Built for CS undergrads
Secure Boot ready
Why NeelaOS?
Most students learn to code on Windows, then spend their first weeks fighting setup.
The course says “install gcc”, “set up Python”, “use Git”. On Windows that means installers, PATH variables, MinGW, WSL and tutorials written for a different version of everything. Linux solves most of this, but it can feel unfamiliar to someone who has only ever used Windows.
NeelaOS closes that gap: a familiar Windows-like desktop paired with every development tool already installed.
Install NeelaOS and start learning to code the same day, without fighting your computer first.
first-semester-setup.txt
On Windows · week one
Download the MinGW installer
Fix your PATH variables
Set up WSL
Debug a broken compiler
Find a tutorial for your version
…finally write “Hello, world”
On NeelaOS · day one
gcc, g++, gdb & make ready
Python, Java, Node.js ready
VS Code set up on first boot
Git + rgit ready
Ubuntu-style apt commands
Write “Hello, world”
Feels like Windows
Start button, taskbar, desktop icons, Win key shortcuts and a Files app laid out like File Explorer.
Ready to code
C/C++, Python, Java, Node.js, Git, VS Code, Podman and Ubuntu-style sudo apt install.
Safe to experiment
Automatic restore points before every update and once a day, like Windows System Restore.
Made to look good
Neela Dark and Light themes, six wallpapers, a custom boot splash, login screen and the Digital Dawn startup sound.
What's inside
Everything a CS student needs. Nothing to set up.
Each window below is a real part of NeelaOS. Go ahead and try them.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Feels like Windows, from the first click
Taskbar with a Start button, pinned apps, system tray and clock. Desktop icons, double-click to open, minimize/maximize/close on the right, and the shortcuts you already know.
Click a shortcut to see it in action.
Developer Tools
Ready to code on day one
Compilers, languages and VS Code with C/C++, Python, Java, Jupyter and web extensions in NeelaOS colours. A Git-aware prompt, tldr and right-click “Create New” templates too.
Brave with a NeelaOS start page, LibreOffice with an Office-style ribbon that saves .docx, .xlsx and .pptx, plus fonts that match Calibri, Arial and Times New Roman.
BrBrave
LoLibreOffice
TbThunderbird
PhPhotos
MuMusic
ViVideos
CaCamera
PaPaint
PDFNeelaPDF
ZipNeelaZip
NCNeelaConnect
StNeela Store
System — Security
Safe and easy to maintain
A Fedora Remix using Fedora's packages and security updates.
Secure Boot via Fedora's signed boot chain
NVIDIA drivers set up automatically
Fedora, NeelaOS, Brave and VS Code updates in one place
Wallpapers
Six original wallpapers. Try them on this page.
Pick one and it becomes this website's wallpaper, just like on your NeelaOS desktop. Crystal is the default.
Settings — Wallpaper
Crystal
navy #222B56blue #0B4683teal #1A9695gold #D69510light gold #F2D678
Switch between Neela Dark and Neela Light in the Welcome app.
At a glance
The essentials, in one window.
About This System
NeelaOS 1.2.3OS, for the love of wind
Operating system
NeelaOS 1.2.3
Based on
Fedora 44 (a Fedora Remix)
Desktop
KDE Plasma 6, Windows-familiar layout
Architecture
64-bit Intel / AMD (x86_64)
Download
NeelaOS-x86_64.iso · 3.9 GB
Price
Free. No licence, no subscription, no ads
Updates
Neela Store → Updates, or sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Attach the ISO and start. After installing, remove the ISO and restart.
The journey
From download to your first line of code
Step 1
Download
Get NeelaOS-x86_64.iso (3.9 GB) and NeelaOS-x86_64.iso.sha256 with the Download button above.
Step 2
Verify the download
Make sure the file arrived intact by comparing it with the .sha256 file:
WindowsGet-FileHash NeelaOS-x86_64.iso
Linuxsha256sum -c NeelaOS-x86_64.iso.sha256
Step 3
Write it to a USB stick
Use an 8 GB+ stick (it will be erased) with Rufus in DD image mode, Fedora Media Writer or balenaEtcher.
Step 4
Boot from the USB
Restart, open the boot menu (usually F12F11F9Esc or F2), pick the USB stick and choose Start NeelaOS.
Step 5
Try it, then install
NeelaOS runs live without changing anything. Click Install NeelaOS and Neela Setup asks for language, keyboard, disk and account. Install alongside Windows or use the whole disk, and keep the default Btrfs layout for restore points.
Step 6
First boot: update
Remove the USB stick, log in and stay online while the Welcome app sets up VS Code, Brave and codecs. Then run the four update commands.
Finish
You’re good to go
Open VS Code, the Terminal or the Welcome app and start building. Restore points have your back.
After the first boot
Four commands, then you’re good to go.
Once NeelaOS is installed and you’ve logged in, connect to the internet, open Terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and bring everything up to date.
Terminal — first boot
bash
sudo apt update
Checking for updates … done
sudo apt upgrade
Installing the latest updates … done
sudo apt upgrade neelaos
NeelaOS is up to date
reboot
Restarting into your updated NeelaOS …
Copies all four commands. Paste in the Terminal with Ctrl+Shift+V.
1
sudo apt update
Refreshes the list of available updates.
2
sudo apt upgrade
Installs the newest Fedora, app and security updates.
3
sudo apt upgrade neelaos
Makes sure the NeelaOS packages (apps, themes and settings) are the latest.
4
reboot
Restarts the PC into the fully updated system.
That’s it, you’re good to go! NeelaOS is fully up to date. Later updates arrive in Neela Store, and a restore point is taken before each one.
After you install
Staying up to date, and good to know.
Neela Store — Updates
One place for every update
Fedora updates and NeelaOS improvements arrive together. Install them from Neela Store → Updates, or in the Terminal:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
A restore point is created automatically before every update, so you can always roll back.
Good to know
Windows-only apps (Microsoft Office desktop, Adobe, anti-cheat games) don't run. Use LibreOffice or Office online; many games work through Steam's Proton, and the Run Windows Programs pack handles simple .exe files.
Ubuntu .deb files can't be installed. Use Neela Store (Flatpak) or the app's .rpm version.
Brave installs on first boot, so the live USB has no visible browser yet.
In the Terminal, copy and paste are Ctrl+Shift+C / V. Ctrl+C stops a running program.
About
About NeelaOS and its creator.
An independent project, created and owned by Ettisaf Rup.
README.md
Feels like Windows. Runs like Linux. Made for students.
NeelaOS is a Fedora Remix: Fedora's packages and security updates, with NeelaOS's own look, apps, setup and defaults on top. Everything is free.
Why “Neela”?
Neela means blue, the colour at the heart of the NeelaOS look, from navy and sea blue to teal.
Free to use, owned by its creator
NeelaOS is free to download and use: no licence, no subscription, no ads. The NeelaOS project, its name, logo, artwork and design system are created and strictly owned by Ettisaf Rup.
About the creator
Ettisaf Rup
Creator & owner of NeelaOS
Ettisaf Rup designed, built and owns NeelaOS. He created it so Computer Science students can start learning to code on day one, instead of spending their first weeks fighting setup.
He also wrote rgit, the friendly Git companion that ships with NeelaOS.
Yes, completely: no licence, no subscription, no ads.
Where do I download NeelaOS?
Download the NeelaOS-x86_64.iso file and its .sha256 checksum from the official GitHub Releases page at github.com/NeelaOS/NeelaOS/releases, or use the Download NeelaOS button on neelaos.github.io.
Is it Windows?
No. NeelaOS is Linux (a Fedora Remix built on Fedora 44 and KDE Plasma 6) designed to feel familiar to Windows users. Windows programs don't run natively.
Can I still use Microsoft Office?
Office in the browser works, and LibreOffice comes with an Office-style ribbon and saves to .docx, .xlsx and .pptx by default. The desktop version of Microsoft Office doesn't run.
Can I play games?
Many Windows games run through Steam's Proton (available as a Dev pack). Games with anti-cheat systems usually don't.
Can I keep Windows?
Yes. Neela Setup can install NeelaOS alongside Windows, and you choose which one to start each time.
Will it run on my laptop?
Most 64-bit Intel or AMD laptops and desktops from the last ten years run NeelaOS well. Try it live from the USB first; nothing changes on your PC until you install.
How do I update NeelaOS?
Open Neela Store → Updates, or run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade in the Terminal. Fedora, NeelaOS, Brave and VS Code updates arrive together, and a restore point is taken before every update.
What if I break something?
Open Restore Points and go back to a moment before the problem, like Windows System Restore. Your personal files are kept.
Can I install Ubuntu .deb files?
No. Use Neela Store (Flatpak) or the app's .rpm version instead. Ubuntu-style commands like sudo apt install build-essential do work.
Is it safe?
NeelaOS uses Fedora's packages, security updates and signed boot chain, so Secure Boot works out of the box, and it only installs software from official sources.
Why "Neela"?
Neela means blue, the colour at the heart of the NeelaOS look, from navy and sea blue to teal.
Free, for everyone
Stop fighting your computer. Start building.
A familiar desktop and a complete coding setup in about ten minutes. Free, for everyone.
first-semester-setup.txt
NeelaOS 1.2.3
OS, for the love of wind
