{"id":18196,"date":"2026-07-29T11:03:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T18:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/?p=18196"},"modified":"2026-07-29T11:03:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T18:03:10","slug":"arch-the-easy-way-with-manjaro-26-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/29\/arch-the-easy-way-with-manjaro-26-0\/","title":{"rendered":"Arch the Easy Way, With Manjaro 26.0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(Headline review below) I run EndeavorOS<\/a>, which basically gives you stock Arch with some extra tools to help manage the system, an easy installer, and running on the desktop I’m currently using with Nvidia driver. But it’s cutting edge Arch, and with the previous kernel there was a dracut bug that broke my old Chromebook laptop because it uses an old eMMC drive soldered onto the motherboard. I could chroot in and fix it, but decided to try another distro since it’s been a while. I originally wanted to try Artix<\/a> with OpenRC init system (I want to get away from bloated Systemd), but it had touchpad issues when combined with a KDE bug where you can’t apply changes, so I put that on hold. Consequently, I settled on Manjaro which installed fine, but still having the KDE touchpad settings bug, so I had to brush off decades of rust on manually configuring the touchpad. With these two settings being what I needed in \/etc\/X11\/xorgconf.d\/30-touchpad.conf (in a couple weeks I’ll try Artix again).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option \"Tapping\" \"on\"\nOption \"AccelSpeed\" \"0.50\"<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
And worth noting, Manjaro like regular Arch, has a special repo<\/a> for switching to XLibre instead of X.Org (no SonicDE repo yet). This is important because Manjaro has a major difference over other Arch based distributions, in that it lags behind regular Arch with its own repos to make Arch more stable for enterprises, workers, and home users. They can still mistime updates that might break something, but regular Arch gets more testing before rolling out to users while also being on the last LTS kernel verses Arch being on the latest kernel (regular Arch rarely breaks anything these days having been years since I had to manually intervene). But you do end up with a fast Arch based install that works great, and you can still use the Arch AUR to load programs not in the repos, like my needed Mullvad VPN client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consequently, Manjaro had some internal conflict<\/a> that seemed to be heading to resolution by the last post on the linked thread, with a move to a non-profit organization to manage the distribution side. If you want a more current Arch they have three branches: Unstable (mainline Arch), Testing (next version of Manjaro software), and Stable. And the Manjaro Settings Manager lets you install other kernels pretty easily, having added the latest to my install. I have to say I still like Manjaro, and would be happy with it as a daily driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/fossforce.com\/2026\/01\/arch-the-easy-way-with-manjaro-26-0\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
By Larry Cafiero on January 22, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manjaro 26.0 aims to deliver Arch speed with fewer sharp edges; here\u2019s how it handles installation, performance, and everyday tasks.<\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Note the four virtual workspaces. They\u2019ll be on the test.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The FOSS Force Distro of the Week \u2014 Manjaro 26.0 \u201cAhn Linh\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As a New Year\u2019s gift to the Linuxsphere, Manjaro Linux<\/a> was kind enough to release Manjaro 26.0 \u201cAhn Linh\u201d \u2013 a code name which means \u201cnoble or sacred soul\u201d in Vietnamese \u2013 once all the celebrations over the holiday season were out of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Released on Jan. 4, Manjaro 26.0 is the latest snapshot of this rolling-release distro based on Arch which features, among other things, the Linux 6.18 LTS kernel, refreshed graphics stacks, and practical workflow improvements that address app startup speed, remote access, window behavior, and file management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The main menu on Manjaro 26.0 provides many options.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
As one of Distrowatch\u2019s top 10 distros \u2014 as of Tuesday, it\u2019s ranked eighth in page hits over the past six months \u2014 Manjaro 26.0 comes in three \u201cofficial\u201d desktop flavors: the distro\u2019s default desktop Xfce, as well as KDE Plasma and Gnome. There are also three additional versions maintained by Manjaro community members that feature the Cinnamon desktop environment, and i3 and Sway window managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The system requirements are fairly straightforward: a 1 GHz or faster x86 or x86_64 compatible processor, 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended), and 10 GB of free hard-disk space should be available before installing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With both of my testing laptops meeting the grade, without further adieu let\u2019s install Manjaro 26.0 Xfce and give it a test drive, shall we?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Installing Manjaro 26.0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The install of Manjaro 26.0 was fairly straightforward. After downloading a 5 GB ISO, a little heftier than the average, we transferred it onto a USB stick and were in business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The live version boot screen gives the user the option of running the distro with either open source drivers or proprietary drivers, mainly to let users choose whether to add nonfree software to the mix. If you\u2019re running Nvidia and need high\u2011end 3D workloads to operate properly, proprietary is often the practical choice. Free drivers are sufficient \u2014 maybe preferable \u2014 for users who just need a stable general\u2011purpose desktop, since they integrate smoothly with updates and provide all the functionality most non\u2011gaming users need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the computer finished booting and revealed a desktop, I clicked the Install icon which which brought up a Calamares installer modified for Manjaro. The installer is unique in one special way \u2013 it includes an option to choose between FreeOffice and LibreOffice for word processing. I chose the latter due to familiarity and was on my way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The welcome window greets each user after install in Manjaro 26.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Kicking the Tires<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Manjaro 26.0 presents users with a Welcome screen with various options to help them get started. They include Documentation, Support, and Project, the latter being suggestions on how to get involved with the Manjaro project. At the bottom of the window is an Applications button which brings up a window that\u2019s broken down into software categories, what is currently downloaded, and what is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While I normally use the stock download and go from there, I decided to throw caution to the wind and change the desktop a bit. I included four \u2014 count \u2019em, four \u2014 desktop workspaces, like distros used to provide by default, long ago in a galaxy far, far away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After my customary post-install update, I found that Manjaro 26.0 comes with a hefty amount of software already installed. In addition to the already mentioned LibreOffice, Manjaro \u2014 as if it had a sixth sense about these things \u2013 included most of the software that I use, but which normally I would have to install later from the distro\u2019s app store. By default, Manjaro includes the Firefox web browser and Thunderbird e-mail client, along with programs like the GIMP image editor<\/a>, the Audacious audio app, the GParted disk partition editor, and the Timeshift system restore software, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Getting in a little Carlos Santana during my daily use of Manjaro 26.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
This left me only having to add the VLC media player<\/a> and we were good to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In its latest version, Manjaro 26.0 includes the Xfce 4.20 desktop and focuses on practical improvements. Thunar gains recursive search and new file highlighting options that make it easier to spot specific files in crowded directories. Panel behavior has also changed, with panel length now set in pixels rather than in percentages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The performance of Manjaro 26.0 is way above average, thanks to its Arch Linux base. Boot times are quick and software use under multitasking conditions is nothing short of robust. Even while running several software programs simultaneously, the memory use rarely went past 2.5 GB at its highest. Manjaro also plays well with cloud-based software as well, and using Google Docs and Google Drive were a proverbial piece of cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, when listening to Santana on VLC while reading e-mail between playing a game or two on Facebook\u2026 Manjaro 26.0 handled it all with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I wrote this back in July in a \u201cDistro of the Week\u201d review of another Arch-based distro:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cPermit me a personal observation: Where once I would run for the hills at the mere thought of running a distro based on Arch, today I would willingly embrace the opportunity, if for no other reason than the power and speed involved in running an Arch-based distro.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Believe it or not, I still stand by this statement. Arch purists \u2014 and you know who you are \u2014 should get used to other Arch-based distros that are\u2026 well, better \u2014 and more importantly, way easier to use \u2014 than stock Arch Linux. Welcome to the new world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Task Manager in Manjaro 26.0 shows an average of 2.2 GB of use.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Of all the Arch-based distros I\u2019ve tried, Manjaro 26.0 stands out, front and center, as a strong contender across the Linux distribution landscape, appealing to a wide range of users with its blend of modern features and community-driven support. One highlight \u2014 maybe the most important highlight \u2014 is in how it strikes a balance between being cutting-edge and stable, making it suitable for both beginning users and experienced Linux greybeards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, Manjaro 26.0 is a strong statement from a distribution that understands its audience. The distro delivers modernness without unnecessary turmoil, and makes the everyday user experience reliable and pleasant. In that complex endeavor, it succeeds with flying colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manjaro is unequivocally worth a look, if not an actual test-drive. To give it a try, download ISOs for a variety of flavors from the projects downloads page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you have a distro you think would make a great feature for FOSS Force\u2019s Distro of the Week? Don\u2019t be shy\u2014let us know! Offer your suggestions in the comments below (or use the \u201ccontact us\u201d link<\/a> under our masthead) and we\u2019ll make an effort to make it so\u2026 No suggestion is too mainstream or too niche\u2014let us know what you\u2019d like to see!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The update window on Manjaro 26.0 shows that everything is up to date.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Things I like about Manjaro 26.0 “Ahn Linh”\u2026<\/th>Things I don\u2019t like about Manjaro 26.0 “Ahn Linh”\u2026<\/th><\/tr>
Based on Arch Linux<\/strong> Option of office suite in install<\/strong> Install includes a wide range of software<\/strong> Quick and robust nature of Arch<\/strong> Multitasking a breeze<\/strong><\/td>Wayland as default, completely bypassing X11 in Gnome and KDE versions<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(Headline review below) I run EndeavorOS, which basically gives you stock Arch with some extra tools to help manage the system, an easy installer, and running on the desktop I’m currently using with Nvidia driver. But it’s cutting edge Arch, and with the previous kernel there was a dracut bug that broke my old Chromebook […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tech"],"blocksy_meta":[],"featured_image_src":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Jason","author_link":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/author\/jturning\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18196"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18196\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18214,"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18196\/revisions\/18214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jasonsblog.ddns.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}