FAQ
Common questions about lensOS, Arch, the AUR, hardware and releases.
Is lensOS a fork of Arch?
No. lensOS uses the official Arch repositories directly and adds its own repos on top, the same way EndeavourOS or CachyOS do. Arch packages come straight from Arch.
Can I use the AUR?
Yes. The AUR works as normal, and the lens package manager will search it alongside the repos.
Does pacman still work?
Yes. lens is built on pacman’s library and sits on top of it. You can use either.
When can I download it?
The next milestone is the first nightly ISO, for testers. The first stable release, Aperture, comes after the installer and kernel work are done. Follow the roadmap and the news.
Why Openbox and not KDE or GNOME?
Because lensOS is meant to be light and beautiful at once. The Openbox desktop idles in under 800 MB of memory and about 1% of the processor, yet has the glass, motion and themes lensOS is about, and Settings covers what a big desktop’s control panel would. An earlier KDE edition was retired for this reason; see editions.
Will it run on my hardware?
lensOS targets 64-bit x86 PCs. It needs 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of disk at minimum, and is comfortable with 4 GB and 64 GB, so older machines run it well too. Full details are on the download page.
Does it support NVIDIA?
Yes. The installer detects NVIDIA GPUs and offers NVIDIA’s driver (the open kernel modules) for Turing (GTX 16 / RTX 20) and newer, and it’s on the ISO, so it installs without internet. Older cards use the open nouveau driver.
Is it good for gaming?
That’s a goal. The installer will offer an optional gaming bundle (Steam, Lutris, gamemode,
MangoHud), and the linux-lens kernel is tuned for responsiveness.
Discord doesn’t show my mouse pointer when I share my screen
That’s Discord’s own app on X11: it leaves the pointer out. Turn on Settings → Extras → Show my pointer in screen shares (or click the pointer widget, if you added it to the bar), and lensOS draws the pointer into the picture. Or install Discord (Vesktop) from Settings → Apps & tools, which shares the pointer and your sound.
Does it work on Macs?
Intel Macs work. Macs with the T2 chip (2018 to 2020) get t2linux’s drivers: keyboard, trackpad, Touch Bar, sound, fans, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (with Apple’s firmware, copied from macOS on the same Mac). Older MacBooks whose Broadcom Wi-Fi needs Broadcom’s own driver get it automatically. See installation (Macs with the T2 chip). Apple Silicon Macs aren’t supported.
Will my printer work?
Most likely. lensOS sets up printing (CUPS) and finds printers and scanners on your network and over USB by itself; most from the last ten years work without a driver (IPP Everywhere, AirPrint, eSCL), and Gutenprint, HP and Foomatic drivers cover many older ones.
Does Secure Boot work?
It will. The installer will enroll your own Secure Boot keys and sign the bootloader and kernel, so you don’t need to turn Secure Boot off.
Is it free?
Yes. Free of charge and open source, always.