antiX (/ˈæntɪks/) is a Linux distribution, originally based on MEPIS, which itself is based on the Debian Stable distribution. antiX initially replaced the MEPIS KDE desktop environment with the Fluxbox and IceWM window managers, making it suitable for older, less powerful x86-based systems. Unlike Debian, antiX does not use the systemdinit system; instead, it provides an ISO image in which Runit is set as the default init system. The declared goal of the developers is to significantly extend the useful life of existing old & new computers by specifically selecting efficient software and operating system components.
antiX reflects technical influences from distributions such as sidux, TinyMe, Puppy, Absolute, and SliTaz. These influences are incorporated into current versions of the operating system.
Distribution motto
The motto of the antiX distribution is "proudly anti-fascist". The distro's creator is Paul "anticapitalista" Banham from Thessaloniki, Greece, who describes himself as a type of Marxist.
The distribution is lightweight and designed for older PCs, including a 'Legacy' 5.10 kernel for older computers and a 'Modern' 6.1 kernel which provides better hardware support for more recent PCs. It has a large app selection from both Debian and antiX repositories, and does not use the controversial systemd or elogind.
Starting with version 19, antiX offers sysVinit and runit as a choice for the init system.
Starting with version 22, antiX is offered elogind-free for both 32-bit and 64-bit architecture.
Starting with version 23.1, antiX has new apps: antiX TV, antiX Radio, Finder, antiX SAMBA manager, and several others.
Starting with version 23.2, antiX Full comes with two kernels: Legacy 5.10 and Modern 6.1.
antiX has extensive support for "live CD" and "live USB" modes, booting quickly and running independently of the system's disk.
Window managers
antiX comes with a default desktop built on top of the ROX or Zzzfm file managers, with the GTK library and using IceWM as the window manager. antiX-full and antiX-base include these stacking window managers:
Lightweight: Rox-IceWM (default), IceWM and ZzzFM-IceWM
Minimalist: Rox-Fluxbox, Fluxbox and ZzzFM-Fluxbox
Very minimalist: Rox-JWM, JWM and ZzzFM-JWM
Running the ROX or Zzzfm variants provides desktop icons and a drag-and-drop function. Conky provides system monitor availability.
Flavors
antiX, starting with release 26 is a multi-init system that is provided with 5 init systems. Runit (the default) and SysVinit, which had previously been provided in separate ISO files are now supplemented by dinit, S6-RC, and S6-66.
They are merged into a single ISO where, at startup, the desired init system can be selected. The antiX Control Center offers the possibility to define one of these init systems is set as the standard, which antiX automatically boots from thereafter.
antiX 26 is available for IA-32 (32-bit) and x86-64 (64-bit) architectures, and comes in two flavours:
Full, Includes X, four window managers, LibreOffice suite, and a 'Package Installer' which allows installation of a full range of applications (2.0 Gb)
Core, no gui environment, but should support most wireless, command-line installer without encryption, enables the user to have total control over the install (660 Mb).
antiX23 was offered with two additional flavours:
Base, Includes X, four window managers and a 'Package Installer' which allows the user to choose their own application suite (1 GB). Available in antiX 23 and older.
net, No gui environment, command-line installer without encryption, enables the user to have total control, no desktop environment by default (220 MB). Available in antiX 23 and older.
antiX versions were joined by MEPIS in 2014, developed in cooperation with the MEPIS community to form MX Linux. MX Linux uses Xfce as the default desktop environment, is based directly on Debian Stable, and gives solid performance from a medium-sized footprint. Since November 2016, MX Linux is listed as a separate distro on DistroWatch.
12anticapitalista (10 May 2010). "History of antiX". antiX-forum. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
↑Hackmann, Joachim (25 November 2008). "Mini operating systems: Six Linux variants for special use". Computer Week (in German). IDG. Archived from the original on 17 November 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2026. Behind antiX is the MEPIS fighter Paul Banham, also known in the Linux community under the codename 'anticapitalista'.
