Overview
Release Highlights
Getting and Installing Deepin 25
Conclusion
Deepin 25 marks a significant leap for one of the most visually arresting Linux distributions on the scene. Born from a lineage that began as Hiweed Linux in 2004 and rebranded to Deepin in 2008, this distribution has steadily evolved its aesthetics and feature set to meet the demands of modern desktop users. Deepin Technology Co., Ltd, the driving force behind the project, joined the Linux Foundation in 2015 and has since expanded its ecosystem, integrating its own Deepin Desktop Environment (DDE) with proprietary refinements that set it apart. Over the years, Deepin has garnered praise for its intuitive interface, earning accolades such as being “the single most beautiful desktop on the market”.
Overview
In keeping with its ethos of blending form and function, Deepin 25 arrives under the banner “All Advancing, All Renewed,” offering four hallmark innovations alongside over 1,000 optimisations and fixes. This release promises heightened stability, a sleeker user experience and deeper integration of artificial intelligence across everyday workflows, positioning Deepin 25 as a compelling choice for both newcomers and seasoned Linux veterans.
Historically, Deepin has been lauded for its native applications—ranging from the elegant Deepin File Manager to its multimedia suite—and for pioneering features like its own window manager, dde-kwin. In 2022, Deepin introduced “linglong,” a bespoke package manager that streamlined software delivery, underscoring the project’s commitment to managing complexity under the hood. More recently, in mid‑2024, the distro embedded AI capabilities directly into its IDE, photo editor and system search (now “Grand Search”), alongside two dedicated chatbot assistants—an early indication of the AI integration that has reached maturity in Deepin 25.
Release Highlights
Deepin Desktop Environment (DDE)
The cornerstone of Deepin 25 is a thorough refactoring of the Desktop Environment, with QML‑based enhancements to the Control Centre and Notification Centre delivering a consistent visual language and smoother interactions (deepin.org). Key UX additions include:
Tiered window effects, translucent window‑movement toggles and taskbar locking
Custom three‑ and four‑finger touchpad gestures
Channel merging in sound settings and solid‑colour wallpaper support
Integrated backup/restore operations and log export features in system updates
These refinements yield a GUI that feels both familiar and fresh, with unified controls across the desktop and optimised notification handling (multi‑line text, images) ensuring a polished daily experience.
UOS AI Integration
Deepin 25’s UOS AI subsystem represents a step change, transforming passive tools into proactive assistants. Powered by a spectrum of large language models—DeepSeek, Baidu Qianfan, iFlytek Spark, 360 ZhiNao, Zhipu and even ChatGPT—this framework anticipates user needs in writing, translation and meetings. Highlights include:
An AI dock on the taskbar for drag‑and‑drop file analysis
A unified AI Assistant panel to manage models, agents and configurations
An Agent Store to easily expand AI capabilities
“FollowAlong” natural‑language search within text selections
Local model updates via over‑the‑air (OTA) channels
By embedding AI at the OS level, Deepin 25 reduces friction between intent and action, creating a more intelligent working environment.
Solid: Immutable Core System
Security and reliability receive a boost with the new “Solid” architecture, which mounts core directories as read‑only to guard against unauthorised modifications. Its atomic update mechanism offers:
Incremental data processing for smaller, faster downloads
Automatic rollback on update failures
Snapshot‑based backups and instant system restoration on reboot
This design minimises downtime and maximises confidence in system integrity, marrying the flexibility of Linux with the predictability of enterprise-grade platforms.
Linyaps: Cross‑Distro Compatibility
Linyaps delivers a unified compatibility layer, tackling dependency conflicts to ensure stable application performance across diverse Linux bases. For end‑users, it provides:
Full support for AMD64, ARM64 and LoongArch
Pre‑built packages for Debian, Ubuntu, Arch, Fedora and openEuler
Access to over 5,000 software packages
Developers benefit from web‑based visual packaging tools, automated testing and multi‑format support (Deb, AppImage, Flatpak), simplifying distribution across ecosystems.
Additional Innovations
Deepin 25 also unveils a Distrobox subsystem for one‑click installation of environments like Debian 12, Ubuntu (20.04/24.04), Arch and Fedora (41/42), plus a preview of the Treeland Window Compositor promising 40% smoother animations and UI responsiveness. Minor yet impactful tweaks span installer localisation (17 languages), AES‑based encryption, enhanced file‑manager search and keyword highlighting, voice dictation in the Notepad and finer App Store filtering.
Getting and Installing Deepin 25
Installing Deepin 25 follows the same intuitive process as its predecessors. First, visit the official download page and choose a mirror or torrent to fetch the ISO image. For best results on USB drives, tools like Ventoy are recommended, ensuring a plug‑and‑play setup without repeatedly re‑formatting.
System Requirements
64‑bit multi‑core processor
Minimum 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
At least 64 GB of storage (SSD preferred)
Display capable of 1920×1080 resolution.
Installation Steps
Create a bootable USB: Use Ventoy or Rufus to write the Deepin ISO to a USB stick.
Boot in UEFI/Legacy mode: Access BIOS/UEFI settings to select the USB drive as the boot device.
Choose installation type: Full‑disk install for a clean slate, or custom partitioning for dual‑boot setups alongside Windows.
Follow the on‑screen wizard: Set time zone, keyboard layout and user credentials, then proceed to install.
A complete, illustrated guide is available on the Deepin Wiki, covering dual‑boot nuances and advanced partitioning options.
Support and Community
Deepin’s friendly, globally dispersed community can be reached via the official forum (bbs.deepin.org) and the Deepin Wiki, offering troubleshooting tips, tutorials and platform‑specific advice. For real‑time assistance, the Deepin Telegram and Matrix channels are bustling with contributors and maintainers ready to help. Enterprise users may opt for paid support from Deepin Technology Co., Ltd, ensuring SLA‑driven response times and tailored consultancy.
Conclusion
Deepin 25 stands out as a polished, forward‑looking Linux distribution that does not compromise on style or substance. Its core innovations—refined desktop environment, built-in AI, immutable system architecture and cross‑distro compatibility—collectively deliver one of the most compelling open‑source experiences available today. Whether you’re a creative professional seeking an elegant workspace, a developer craving AI‑powered tools or an enterprise user demanding rock‑solid stability, Deepin 25 has something to offer.
Disclaimer: All product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Users are advised to evaluate open‑source software features and risks in a controlled environment and to back up critical data before installing or upgrading any operating system.
References
Deepin 25 Release Note – Deepin Technology Community
Deepin – Wikipedia
deepin 23 Installation Guide – Deepin Technology Community
Deepin Download Page – Deepin Technology Community
DistroWatch.com: deepin
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