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MeowOS

Meow OS
Privacy-First Linux Distribution

Zero telemetry Debian 12 stable system with KDE Plasma 5.27, Tor integration, VPN support, and development tools. Built for privacy-conscious users, developers, students, and remote workers. Optimized for virtual machines.
Download Meow OSDocumentationView on GitHub

Privacy-Focused Debian Linux

VM-optimized Debian 12 stable distribution with zero telemetry, Tor integration, security hardening, and essential development tools. Perfect for privacy-conscious users who value control over their data.
  • Privacy by Default
    Zero telemetry from Chrome, VS Code, and Firefox. Tor daemon on port 9050, OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN support, DNS-over-TLS with Cloudflare and Quad9. No data collection or tracking. Perfect for privacy enthusiasts, journalists, and researchers.
  • Security-First Design
    UFW firewall with default deny policy, Fail2ban auto-banning malicious IPs, automatic security updates enabled, kernel hardening via sysctl, AppArmor mandatory access control, and minimal services running. Professional pentesting tools coming in v2.0.
  • Developer-Ready Environment
    VS Code with telemetry completely removed, Python 3.11+, Node.js 18+ LTS, Git, GCC and build tools included. Access to 59,000 stable Debian packages via APT. Single KDE Plasma 5.27 desktop. Docker and Kubernetes available via separate apt install.
Privacy-Focused [Debian Linux]{.text-primary}

Current Features in Meow OS v1.0

Privacy-focused Debian 12 stable system with KDE Plasma 5.27, basic security hardening, and development tools. Optimized for virtual machine environments. Advanced pentesting and professional tooling planned for future releases.
  • Privacy Protection
    Tor daemon running on SOCKS5 port 9050 for anonymous browsing. OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN support ready (you provide your own config files). DNS-over-TLS configured with Cloudflare and Quad9. Zero telemetry from Chrome, VS Code, and Firefox. No data collection or tracking.
  • KDE Plasma 5.27 Desktop
    Single desktop environment KDE Plasma 5.27 running on X11 display server with SDDM login manager. Global dark theme enabled by default. Wayland session support coming in v1.1. Additional desktop environments (GNOME, XFCE, i3wm) available via apt install.
  • Debian 12 Stable Base
    Built on Debian 12 Bookworm stable release with Linux kernel 6.1 LTS. Standard Debian kernel configuration optimized for reliability. Not a rolling release - receives security updates and stable patches only. Rock-solid foundation for daily use.
  • Security Hardening
    UFW firewall with default deny policy active. Fail2ban intrusion detection protecting SSH and services. Automatic security updates enabled via unattended-upgrades. Kernel hardening applied through sysctl configuration. AppArmor mandatory access control enabled. Minimal attack surface.
  • Debian Package Repository
    Access to 59,000 packages in official Debian stable repositories via APT package manager. Install software with standard apt commands. No AUR, Flatpak, or Snap pre-configured (available if you install them). Reliable, tested, and stable packages only.
  • Virtual Machine Optimized
    Designed and optimized specifically for VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, and QEMU virtualization platforms. Virtual GPU support and guest additions configured. NOT optimized for bare metal hardware yet. No WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, or NVIDIA driver pre-installation.
  • Development Tools Included
    VS Code with all telemetry completely disabled. Python 3.11+ interpreter, Node.js 18+ LTS runtime, Git version control, GCC compiler, and build-essential tools. Clean development environment ready for coding. Docker and Kubernetes NOT pre-installed (install via apt if needed).
  • Standard Performance
    Standard Debian kernel 6.1 LTS with default configuration. NOT custom-tuned with low-latency scheduling or zRAM compression. Normal boot times and responsive desktop on 4GB+ RAM systems. Reliable and stable performance for daily computing tasks.
  • Containers Available via APT
    Docker, Podman, LXC, and container tools NOT pre-installed but available through standard Debian repositories. Install with apt install docker.io or apt install podman as needed. No Kubernetes pre-configured. Container support available when you need it.

KDE Plasma 5.27 Desktop

Meow OS ships with KDE Plasma 5.27 on X11 with SDDM display manager. Global dark theme enabled by default. Privacy enhancements include disabled KDE User Feedback, no crash reporting, and zero telemetry. Performance optimized for virtual machines with 800 MB RAM idle usage.
    Desktop Environment Specifications
    Desktop Environment SpecificationsKDE Plasma 5.27 stable running on X11 display server with Qt5 framework. SDDM display manager provides secure login. Wayland session ready for v1.1 release. High-DPI support enabled for 4K displays. Global dark theme applied system-wide by default for reduced eye strain.
    Pre-installed KDE Applications
    Pre-installed KDE ApplicationsComplete KDE software suite including Dolphin file manager, Konsole terminal emulator, Kate advanced text editor, KWrite simple editor, System Settings, KSysGuard system monitor, Gwenview image viewer, Okular PDF reader, and Spectacle screenshot tool. Everything configured and ready to use.
    Additional Software Included
    Additional Software IncludedFirefox with privacy hardening, Chromium with tracking removed, VS Code with telemetry completely disabled, LibreOffice suite for documents, GIMP for image editing, and VLC media player. All applications configured for maximum privacy and zero data collection.
    Privacy vs Stock KDE
    Privacy vs Stock KDEMeow OS disables KDE User Feedback system, removes all crash reporting, eliminates analytics and telemetry, and configures privacy-first defaults. Stock KDE includes telemetry and crash reports enabled by default. Our configuration ensures zero data leaves your system.
    Performance Metrics
    Performance MetricsMemory usage approximately 800 MB at idle with KDE Plasma running. Runs smoothly on systems with 4GB RAM minimum. Fast boot times optimized for virtual machine environments. Responsive desktop experience even on modest hardware. Low CPU usage during normal operations.
    Customization Options
    Customization OptionsFully customize panels, widgets, and themes to match your workflow. Configure window behavior, desktop effects, and keyboard shortcuts. Multiple virtual desktops with Activities support. Save and load custom desktop layouts. Extensive appearance settings for personalization.

Built for Privacy and Development

Privacy-first Linux distribution with zero telemetry, secure development environment, and hardened security. Perfect for privacy-conscious users, developers, students, and remote workers.
Privacy Conscious+Developers

Zero telemetry. Clean development environment. Security hardened by default.

Privacy First
Zero telemetry collection from any application. Browse, code, and work without being tracked or monitored.
  • Telemetry removed from Chrome, VS Code, and Firefox
  • Tor daemon pre-configured on SOCKS5 port 9050
  • OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN support ready to use
  • DNS-over-TLS with Cloudflare and Quad9 configured
Developer Ready
Clean development environment with modern tools and zero tracking. Perfect for web development and learning.
  • VS Code with all telemetry completely disabled
  • Python 3.11+, Node.js 18+ LTS, Git pre-installed
  • GCC, build-essential, SSH, curl, wget included
  • Clean Debian 12 base with full package access
Security Hardened
Defense-in-depth security with firewall, intrusion detection, and automatic updates enabled by default.
  • UFW firewall with default deny incoming policy
  • Fail2ban intrusion detection protecting SSH and services
  • Automatic security updates with unattended-upgrades
  • Kernel hardening via sysctl and AppArmor enabled
Perfect For
Ideal for privacy enthusiasts, web developers, students learning Linux, and remote workers needing secure environment.
  • Privacy-conscious users who want zero tracking
  • Web developers building apps and websites
  • Students learning Linux and open source
  • Remote workers needing secure work environment

Coming in Future Releases

Advanced features planned for v1.1 and v2.0 include Docker/Podman pre-installed, penetration testing toolkit, forensics tools, container orchestration, and specialized security workflows. Current version focuses on privacy-first general-purpose computing with clean development environment.

Download Meow OS v1.0

Currently available as virtual machine images only. Download pre-built VM images for VirtualBox, VMware, or QEMU. ISO downloads and bare metal support coming in future releases.
VirtualBox Edition (VDI)
Pre-configured VM image for Oracle VirtualBox. Includes KDE Plasma 5.27, privacy tools, development environment, and security hardening. Login with root/meow and change password immediately.
Free
Latest Releasev1.0 - January 2026
  • VDI format for VirtualBox 6.1+
  • File size 8.5 GB (compressed)
  • KDE Plasma 5.27 Desktop
  • Minimum 4GB RAM, 2 CPU cores, 20GB disk
  • Tor, VPN, DNS-over-TLS pre-configured
  • Telemetry-free Chrome, VS Code, Firefox
  • Python, Node.js, Git, Docker included
  • UFW firewall, Fail2ban, auto-updates enabled
  • SHA256 checksum verification required
Download VDI
VMware Edition (VMDK)
VM image optimized for VMware Workstation and VMware Player. Same features as VDI edition with VMware-specific optimizations. Verify SHA256 checksum after download.
Free
Latest Releasev1.0 - January 2026
  • VMDK format for VMware 15+
  • File size 8.2 GB (compressed)
  • KDE Plasma 5.27 Desktop
  • Recommended 8GB RAM, 4 CPU cores, 50GB disk
  • Full Debian 12 base system
  • Security toolkit pre-installed
  • Development tools included
  • Privacy-first configuration
  • Debian package repositories access
Download VMDK
QEMU Edition (QCOW2)
VM image for QEMU/KVM virtualization. Professional choice for Linux hosts. Smaller file size with QCOW2 compression. Build from source also available on GitHub.
Free
Latest Releasev1.0 - January 2026
  • QCOW2 format for QEMU 5.0+
  • File size 7.8 GB (compressed)
  • Same features as other editions
  • Best for Linux host systems
  • Build from source option available
  • Complete build documentation
  • GPL-3.0 licensed source code
  • Community support on Discord
  • Coming soon ISO downloads (Q2 2026)
Download QCOW2

Getting Started with Meow OS

Currently available as virtual machine images for VirtualBox, VMware, and QEMU. ISO downloads and bare metal installation coming in future releases.
  • Step 1 • Download
    Download your preferred VM image format from GitHub releases - VDI for VirtualBox (8.5 GB), VMDK for VMware (8.2 GB), or QCOW2 for QEMU (7.8 GB). Always verify the SHA-256 checksum after download.
  • Step 2 • Import
    Import the image into your virtualization platform. Allocate 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended), assign 2 CPU cores (4 recommended), enable hardware virtualization (VT-x/AMD-V), and enable 3D acceleration for best performance.
  • Step 3 • Launch
    Start the VM and login using default credentials (root / meow). Immediately run 'passwd' to change password, then execute 'sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y' to update all packages to latest versions.
  • System Requirements
    Minimum 4 GB RAM, 2 CPU cores, 20 GB free disk space, hardware virtualization enabled in BIOS. Recommended 8 GB RAM, 4 cores, 50 GB disk for comfortable experience. Requires VirtualBox 6.1+, VMware Workstation 15+, or QEMU 5.0+.
  • Roadmap • Version 1.1 (Q2 2026)
    ISO downloads available, USB bootable images with live environment, full-disk encryption support, Tor Browser Bundle pre-installed, enhanced VPN configuration interface, improved hardware detection for ARM devices.
  • Roadmap • Version 2.0 (Q4 2026)
    Graphical installation wizard, official bare metal support, automatic hardware detection and driver installation, dual boot capability with Windows/Linux, USB live images with persistent storage, official Raspberry Pi 4/5 ARM builds.

Open Source GitHub Community

Meow OS is completely open source and community-driven. Join our GitHub organization to contribute, collaborate, and help build the future of privacy-focused Linux.
GitHub

Meow OS is completely open source under GPL-3.0 license with full transparency in every line of code. Join our GitHub organization to explore the source code, fork repositories, submit pull requests, report bugs, participate in discussions, improve documentation, or simply star our repositories to show support. Whether you're contributing code, reporting issues, writing tutorials, or helping other users, every contribution makes Meow OS better for everyone. Be part of building a privacy-focused Linux distribution that puts users first.

Visit GitHub Organization

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Meow OS, from installation and setup to privacy features and technical specifications.
  • Is Meow OS completely free?
    Yes, absolutely. Meow OS is 100% free and open source under GPL-3.0 license. No hidden costs, subscriptions, or fees. Download, use, modify, and distribute freely.
  • Can I use Meow OS as my daily driver?
    Yes, Meow OS is a complete Debian-based distribution capable of serving as your primary OS for daily computing, including web browsing, email, documents, multimedia, and development work.
  • How is Meow OS different from Ubuntu or Linux Mint?
    Meow OS prioritizes privacy and security as primary design goals with zero telemetry, pre-configured Tor access, VPN support, DNS-over-TLS, and security hardening throughout the system.
  • What are the actual system requirements?
    Minimum 2 CPU cores, 4GB RAM, 20GB storage for basic use. Recommended 4+ cores, 8GB+ RAM, 50GB+ storage for comfortable daily use. Professional workstations benefit from 8 cores, 16GB RAM, 100GB storage.
  • Can I install Meow OS on my computer's hard drive?
    While technically possible, bare metal installation is not officially supported in current versions. Running Meow OS in VirtualBox or VMware provides the best experience. Official bare metal support planned for version 2.0.
  • How do I install additional software?
    Use apt, the standard Debian package manager. Install with 'sudo apt install package-name', search with 'apt search keyword'. Access to tens of thousands of packages in Debian repositories.
  • Does Meow OS collect any data?
    No. Meow OS collects absolutely zero data. No telemetry, analytics, crash reports, usage statistics, or phone-home mechanisms. The OS operates entirely locally with no data collection connections.
  • Does using Meow OS make me anonymous online?
    No single tool makes you completely anonymous. Meow OS provides powerful anonymity tools including Tor, VPN, and DNS-over-TLS, but anonymity depends on how you use these tools and following proper operational security practices.
  • Should I use VPN and Tor together?
    Yes, using VPN and Tor together provides layered anonymity protection. Connect to VPN first, then route traffic through Tor. Your ISP sees VPN, VPN sees no destinations (Tor encrypted), websites see Tor exit node.
  • What desktop environment does Meow OS use?
    Meow OS uses KDE Plasma 5.27 for its powerful features, extensive customization, and reasonable resource requirements. You can install alternative desktops like GNOME, XFCE, or i3 if preferred.
  • Does Meow OS support Wayland?
    Yes, KDE Plasma supports both Wayland and X11. X11 is default for compatibility. Wayland is available for better security, smoother animations, and improved high-DPI support. Switch at login screen.
  • Does Meow OS work on ARM processors like Raspberry Pi?
    Not yet, but ARM support is actively under development. Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 support is planned for Q2 2026. Follow GitHub and Discord for development updates and early testing opportunities.
  • Why is Meow OS running slowly in my VM?
    Enable hardware virtualization in BIOS (Intel VT-x or AMD-V), allocate at least 4GB RAM (8GB recommended), assign 2+ CPU cores, enable 3D acceleration, use SSD storage if possible, and close unnecessary host applications.
  • My network connection isn't working, how do I fix it?
    Verify VM network adapter settings (NAT or Bridged), restart NetworkManager with 'sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager', check 'ip link show', verify DNS with 'nslookup google.com', check logs with 'journalctl -u NetworkManager'.
  • I can't connect to Tor, what's wrong?
    Verify Tor service is running with 'sudo systemctl status tor', start with 'sudo systemctl start tor', check firewall allows port 9050, verify system time is correct, configure Tor bridges if your network blocks Tor.
  • How can I contribute to Meow OS development?
    Fork the GitHub repository, create feature branches, implement improvements or fixes, and submit pull requests. Contributions welcome for code, documentation, testing, translations, and community support at all skill levels.
  • Can I fork Meow OS and create my own distribution?
    Yes, absolutely. The GPL-3.0 license grants you the right to fork, modify, and distribute Meow OS. You must provide source code, maintain GPL licensing, and credit the original project.
  • What new features are planned for upcoming versions?
    Version 1.1 (mid-2026) includes full-disk encryption, Wayland default, Tor Browser Bundle, enhanced VPN interfaces. Version 2.0 (late 2026) adds comprehensive bare metal support, hardware detection, installation wizard, and official USB live images.
  • Can Meow OS run on servers without a GUI?
    Yes, Meow OS works excellently as a server OS. Remove graphical environment with 'sudo apt remove kde-plasma-desktop', disable display manager. Perfect for web hosting, VPN servers, Tor relays, or privacy-focused infrastructure.
  • Where can I get additional help?
    Join our Discord server for real-time support, visit our Reddit community for discussions, check GitHub Issues for bug reports, or explore our comprehensive documentation. The community is friendly and helpful for all experience levels.

Ready to Experience the Power of Meow OS?

Join thousands of users worldwide who trust Meow OS for their daily computing. Download now and discover why it's the purr-fect Linux distribution.
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