OS Glacier It is trying to carve out a niche among modern GNU/Linux distributions with a very clear proposal: High performance, a classic Unity environment, and a minimal but well-thought-out selection of applicationsIt doesn't aim to reinvent the wheel, but to refine it and offer it ready to use, without having to spend an entire afternoon configuring the system after installing it.
This distribution is presented as an ideal option for those who want an agile, aesthetically pleasing desktop system ready to work from the first boot, with special attention to developers and advanced users. Glacia OS is based on Ubuntu 25.04, adds the Unity 7 desktop environment, and cuts out everything it considers noise, bloat, or duplication.opting for a clean and straightforward experience.
What is Glacia OS and what makes it different?
Glacia OS is an open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu 25.04 that revives the veteran Unity 7 desktop, giving it a twist and adapting it to current needs. Its stated goal is to be a fast, secure, visually appealing distro and geared towards both developers and content creators and demanding users who do not want to sacrifice performance.
In its own words, Glacia OS defines itself as "An ultra-fast, secure, and beautifully designed Linux distribution, created for developers, creators, and everyday users who demand uncompromising performance."On paper, it doesn't stray far from what other distros have already promised, but the way it tries to achieve it is unique.
The project was also born from the hand of a developer who is studying at university and who admits to having just enough time, something that is also noticeable in some of the system's decisions. This isn't a corporate distro or a large professional team; it's a personal project that aims to fill the gap left by Ubuntu Unity. due to its maintenance and launch problems.
Relationship with Ubuntu Unity and the Unity 7 desktop
To fully understand Glacia OS, it's helpful to remember Unity's role in Ubuntu's history. Unity was the default desktop environment for Ubuntu between versions 11.04 and 17.04., marking a very recognizable stage with its side panel, the dash to search for and launch applications and a fairly unique integration compared to GNOME or KDE.
After Canonical abandoned the development of Unity, the desktop remained alive thanks to the work of the community, moving to the Ubuntu universe repositories. Later, Ubuntu Unity emerged as the official flavor that revived this classic desktop environment. for the nostalgic and those who still preferred their workflow.
However, the Ubuntu Unity maintenance It hasn't been easy. The main person responsible for the project She has had to prioritize her university studies and her personal lifeThis has led to delays and even skipped releases. The game failed to release an ISO of version 25.10 due to testing issues and, furthermore, has lost its chance to become an LTS release in the upcoming 26.04.
In that context, Glacia OS appears, presenting itself in a very pragmatic way as a sort of remix of Ubuntu with Unity 7, but with more aggressive productivity-oriented choicesIt is not intended to replace Ubuntu Unity as the official flavor, but rather to offer an alternative for those who want a more refined Unity for working and developing.
A “Clean. Complete. Ready.” experience.
Glacia OS's motto can be summarized in three ideas: clean, complete, and ready. This translates to The system comes with a very small set of applications, but enough to cover the basic needs of most users.avoiding the typical arsenal of redundant tools that many users end up uninstalling.
Instead of filling the menu with utilities that nobody uses, the distribution opts for a "less is more" approach. There is no trial software, no demo versions, and no duplicate programs for the same task.The essentials are installed, and if you need anything else, it is assumed that you will know how to find and install it using traditional Ubuntu tools.
This way, when you finish the installation you are not forced to spend hours adjusting the system, uninstalling bloatware or disabling services. The idea is that you can start working, programming, or browsing practically from minute one., with a reasonable predefined configuration.
Glacia OS default application selection
One of the points that most differentiates Glacia OS from other Ubuntu-based distros is its curated suite of applications. It does not aim to be exhaustive, but rather to offer a basic, modern, functional, and privacy-respecting environment.
Web browser: Brave by default
Instead of Firefox, Glacia OS uses Brave as its default browser. Brave is known for its focus on privacy, its built-in ad blocking, and its good integration with Chromium.This makes it compatible with almost any current website and most Chrome extensions.
This decision is certainly striking, because Ubuntu continues to bet on FirefoxBut the Glacia team is leaning towards a browser that comes standard with an ad and tracker blockerFor many users, this represents a direct improvement to their daily browsing experience, without having to install additional extensions.
Code editor: VS Code integrated from the start
With developers clearly in mind, Glacia OS includes Visual Studio Code as its text editor and working environment. VS Code has become one of the most popular editors thanks to its huge ecosystem of extensions, its debugging tools, and its integration with Git..
Its presence in the default installation makes the distro's orientation clear: It's not just another generic system, but a working environment ready for programming as soon as the installation is complete.You don't have to go to the package manager, search for it, or configure it from scratch; you simply open it and get to work.
Utilities and multimedia package
In addition to the browser and code editor, Glacia OS includes a small selection of applications to cover everyday tasks. Among them are:
- mailspring as a modern email client, with a polished interface and support for multiple accounts.
- VLC as a video player, widely known for its compatibility with virtually any audio and video format.
- Rhythmbox as a music player, integrating with the local library and offering simple functions for listening to your collection.
- Shotwell As a photo and image manager, it's useful for organizing and viewing your albums.
- Pluma as a lightweight text editor, ideal for quick notes or basic editing without needing to open VS Code.
This set covers the most common needs without overloading the system. There aren't two email clients, three media players, or an endless list of underused utilities.The selection has been made with certain criteria so that the user has something solid from the very beginning.
Glacia OS and its approach without Snap or Flatpak
One of the most controversial aspects—and one that will surely attract the attention of advanced users—is that Glacia OS completely dispenses with both Snap and Flatpak. The system does not integrate any self-contained package mechanism by default, and relies directly on traditional Ubuntu repositories and APT..
This has advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, The system remains lighter and avoids the performance and disk space issues associated with some Snap packages.It also simplifies software management somewhat and reduces duplication between different package formats.
On the other hand, especially in its current stage of development, Glacia OS doesn't even offer a graphical "Software Store" application or a visual update manager for novice users.The lack of graphical tools forces users to use the terminal to install, update, or remove programs, which may be jarring for those coming from standard Ubuntu or other more user-friendly distributions.
In practice, this means that, at least for now, The distro is clearly aimed at users with a certain level of experience, who have no problem handling APT and working from the command line.The team itself acknowledges that the project is still in an early stage, so it is possible that more amenities will be added in the future.
A more focused Unity: simplified application launcher in Glacia OS
One of the areas where the Glacia OS developer has invested the most effort is in the famous Unity "dash", that is, its launcher and content search engine. Instead of maintaining the original behavior of searching for files, documents, settings, and other items, it has been decided to narrow the scope of that search..
In Glacia OS, the dash has been fine-tuned for display and search exclusively for applications installed on the systemSearches for folders, local files, documents, or control panel entries are no longer possible. This transforms the launcher into a tool focused on what many users do most of the time: opening programs.
The idea behind this change is twofold: on the one hand, Simplify the interface so that irrelevant results do not appearOn the one hand, it improves desktop performance and responsiveness by eliminating the need to manage indexes or additional queries. This change will likely be very welcome to those who use the dash as a simple, quick launcher, similar to other minimalist menus.
Improvements to the Nemo file manager
The file manager is another key component in any desktop environment, and here Glacia OS opts for Nemo, a familiar name in the Linux world. The difference is that it doesn't just package Nemo as is, but introduces some improvements carefully designed for the developer workflow..
The first major new feature is the inclusion of a specific button for “Open in editor” opens the current folder directly in the user’s preferred code editorThis is usually VS Code, but it could also be IntelliJ or others. With a single click, you can convert the directory you're working in into an open project within the editor, without having to navigate back within the application itself.
This small detail greatly reduces friction when constantly switching between the file explorer and the development environment. If you spend many hours programming, it's appreciated not having to repeat steps over and over again to open projects. or specific directories.
In addition, Nemo integrates with new context menu options for Send and receive files via SSH using SFTPIn other words, you can upload or download files directly from the file manager using secure SSH connections, which is very common when working with remote servers, VPSs, or production machines.
This integration turns the browser itself into a kind of lightweight SFTP client, eliminating the need to install external tools for simple tasks. For system administrators, web developers, or any user who interacts with remote servers, this feature can be especially useful..
New control panel: centralized settings and customization in Glacia OS
Another interesting design decision in Glacia OS has been the unification of the configuration tools. Instead of keeping the classic ones separate, they are now integrated. Unity Tweak Tool and the application of system settings, A new Control Center has been created that merges both functions.
This revamped panel makes it easy to find both typical system options (network, sound, display, power, users, etc.) and specific Unity customization options (themes, launcher behavior, effects, appearance) in an organized way. The goal is to prevent the user from having to jump between various configuration applications to customize their desktop..
In addition, specific reviews have been carried out on some indicators of the top panel, such as those of Bluetooth, date and time, and session managementThese small adjustments help to refine the overall experience, making the desktop feel more cohesive.
Glacia OS project status and target audience
It is important to keep in mind that Glacia OS is still in an early stage of development. The creator himself has explained that he combines the project with his university studies.Therefore, the pace of updates and the incorporation of new features may be slower than in distros with large teams behind them.
This is noticeable, for example, in the absence of a graphical application store, the reliance on APT as the main way to manage software, and the lack of certain conveniences designed for users without technical experience. The distro is clearly aimed at advanced users and developerswho value a lightweight and streamlined system over the aesthetics of app stores or setup wizards.
Regarding the community, the author of Glacia OS has explicitly encouraged people to try the distribution and send suggestions or constructive criticism. This is a project that is still finding its footing, receiving feedback to refine details of the desktop, the dash, and the suite of applications.If you enjoy trying out new distributions, this is a good time to influence their development.
Minimum hardware requirements to install Glacia OS
Despite its focus on performance and lightness, Glacia OS is not intended for extremely old computers, but it is quite modest in resources. The recommended requirements for using it without problems are the following:
- Processor: 64-bit CPU, either AMD or Intel.
- RAM: at least 2 GB, although for development and multitasking it is highly recommended to have more.
- Storage20 GB of free disk space for basic installation and some margin for applications and data.
A modest machine from a few years ago should be enough to run Glacia OS smoothly. Obviously, if your plan is to use heavy development tools, virtual machines, or editors loaded with extensions, more memory and a better processor will make all the difference..
Where to get Glacia OS and how to try it
If you're interested in taking a look, the easiest way is to download the ISO image from the project's official website. From there you can get the version based on Ubuntu 25.04 with Unity 7 and all the modifications specific to GlaciaOnce downloaded, you can burn it to a bootable USB drive and try it as a live system, or install it on your computer or in a virtual machine.
Since the project is constantly evolving, it's a good idea to check the developer's page or their communication channels to stay informed. New versions, bug fixes, and changes to the application selectionIt is also the right place to send comments and suggestions, something the author openly welcomes.
Glacia OS in the advanced distro ecosystem
In many compilations of interesting distributions for advanced users or developers, Glacia OS begins to appear as that curious option based on Ubuntu Unity with some unusual decisions. It has been named a “distro of the week” for those who want a classic but slightly modernized desktop environment.
Her choice of Brave as her default browser, her focus on tools like VS Code, and her decision to abandon Snap and Flatpak make her stand out in a landscape where most projects tend to add layers and formats. Instead of adding more features, Glacia OS cuts them back to leave a system more focused on work..
Although it won't compete head-to-head with established giants, it could become an attractive option for those who miss classic Unity with some tweaks or are looking for a straightforward development environment without many frills. The key will be how the project evolves and whether it manages to maintain a reasonable pace of updates..
In short, Glacia OS proposes a rather unique combination: A polished Unity 7, a simplified application launcher, a souped-up Nemo for programmers, a unified control center, and a minimal selection of software heavily focused on productivity.It's not the ideal distro for those starting from scratch with Linux, but it can be a great fit for users who already master the terminal and want a clean and fast working environment based on Ubuntu.