There are still distros that support 32-bit hardware and receive security updates (Debian being one). Most of the others that support 32-bit still will receive updates until at least April 2023, if you're going to replace your system before then.
https://www.makeuseof.com/linux-distros-with-32-bit-support/
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I'm hoping I'll be able to change it by then (even if it's secondary use)
Can I ask how this support but no updates work? with no updates what do they support exactly?
Edit: From Linux Discord I got a reply for Debian 11. In theory it supports 32 bit. I'll go check and I'm hoping I'll understand something xD So far Debian site was the hardest to navigate
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They will get updates, I'm not sure where you heard they wouldn't. Some will only get the updates until April 2023, but others like Debian probably much longer.
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"Google" :D Whiiich is why I'm asking real people.. It gives results sure.. Doesn't mean they are always correct or what you need :P
I'm looking at Debian 11 now (that's the latest) because it's the only one having 32 bit downloadable files to the latest version but I'm not sure it's the right move. I'll be pretty much copy-pasting lines of code I don't understand to configure even the most basic functions.. Not really sure it's the right move.
Also, atleast from typical understanding, an older version isn't "always" weaker? I mean.. They get updated to newer versions for something.. And it's not just new features. In theory wouldn't older linux versions be less safe than their latest?
For example mint 19.2 or ubuntu 18 shouldn't be as "safe" as debian 11, ubuntu 20.4 or mint 20 something right?
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all active Distros (version of linux) are updated regularly, and almost all lightweight focused one have 32-bit, im actually surprised Mint stopped supporting x32!
i got into linux to get lighter OS for my netbook and that was <1GB ram system
i used http://www.puppylinux.com/ back then, still have it on USB for personal boot in public systems
also check https://antixlinux.com/ and https://mxlinux.org/
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use cloud\stream services\browsers so,nothing can happen because they will only send video signal to you,it is not matter if is linux or windows,you can try to cheat geforcenow in a way to enable you to surf with it,or try services as puffin or shadows or something like that
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Can you simplify this for me a bit?
From what I understand at least this won't help in my case. It still needs to originate somehow from the pc or connect to it so it's still gonna be connected to a network.
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i mean is,you can install linux or windows,after you can use cloud services for browsing,so pages execute in server of company,not in your pc,but yes hhmm it depend what you need.. if you need to install not common apps etc then is not help you
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It would still connect with my pc but yeah I understand what you mean.
On this potato pc I don't need much if anything other than opening a site or 2 maybe even viewing 1-2 files.
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i have only 1 pc,and cpu is 10 years old , so i understand you very well hahaha
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If you are really just looking for a web browser experience, you could try Cloudready. It allows you to install ChromeOS on older PCs, should cover 32-bit. You wouldn't have as many software options but there are things you can install via the Google Web Store to beef it up a bit if you need a couple smaller items beyond just Chrome to surf the web.
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I'd have to search this to be sure but I doubt it's even remotely close to as secure the other 2 are. It's limiting so not many might take a closer look at it but it's also much much simpler and I'm guessing (I have to look it up) it has "lighter" security - I can't phrase this properly but I hope I make sense
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Personally I'd go with openSUSE Tumbleweed since it's rolling release but Crunchbang++ (and maybe Bunsenlabs) should suffice. If being cutting-edge is imported openSUSE is the obvious choice here. Note that Crunchbang++ or Bunsenlabs should be more stable than openSUSE since they're Debian-based and not rolling-release.
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I can try to read up on all those but I doubt I'll understand a single thing.
My knowledge of this is pretty much close to 0. Even debian basic customisation would be a huge task for me as I would be running blindly commands that I barely understand using not knowledge but basic reasoning and reading skills..
So even older versions still beat win 10 security?
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If configuring Debian would be hard, then these are actually what you're looking for. I especially recommended something with Openbox because of the old hardware. Standard Debian has Gnome and I don't think you'll get a decent performance with it. You don't have to change anything from Crunchbang++ configuration. Just open the menu with right-click and it's all there. Installation is also as easy as Ubuntu.
For old distros, I don't think they would be more secure than Windows 10. If you're gonna connect to internet, you better use somewhat up-to-date software.
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Wow, even my old Pentium 4 supported 64-bits... must be a really old machine, I am surprised windows 10 even works. :)
Anyway I would also vote for Debian. But if you really just want a web browser, try a Live CD version. Anything gets messed up, just reboot and it's back to new again. Debian Live has current i386 images you can burn to disc or write to USB flash drive
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If I can manage to learn how to customise it and use it..
Old potato pc died.. This "potato" pc replaced the other one :P It's old for sure (vista time) but hasn't been used almost at all. Then again it's resides in the kitchen mainly for chatting, 2-3 basic works/house/bill things and checking a few offers, e-shops, etc.
I yolo tried bioshock 1 on it though.. I was very surprised to find out it could run the old one on max :o
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You probably can't go wrong with any sufficiently major Linux distro that currently supports x86-32 and has not announced plans to discontinue support, which means almost every major distro, especially those catering to systems that must remain stable for many years, which is Debian's element. Debian is also a particularly solid choice for your use case because you'll probably get updates (the Debian way) for many years, and because running Debian largely means running slightly older versions of software but with the newest security patches, I would imagine the resource gains from not having the latest versions is probably another point in its favor in this particular case. I'd say Debian's your best bet.
For a machine that old, I'd also recommend choosing a lightweight desktop environment such as LXQt or Xfce (and definitely not KDE or GNOME), since you don't really want the bells and whistles to consume resources better spent on keeping your stuff running properly.
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"currently supports x86-32 and has not announced plans to discontinue support" only debian currently supports it. All have announced end of support on max April 2023 (some have dropped it already)
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I opened this thread exactly because of this :P And it's the reason I'm asking for older version vs win 10 :P In the meantime I found out about Debian.. But I think the point is for me to able to do something on the pc not just to look at it xD
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Fair point. :D
I think you'll find that Debian will serve your needs just fine -- at least after you figure out your way around it, which may be difficult at first. Debian's way is basically "stable in the extreme for many years" and this includes hardware support, so I expect that, when they finally decide to drop support for x86-32, they'll announce it years ahead of actually doing it, so even then you'll still have support for quite a while, probably considerably longer than Windows 10, and 11 already dropped support for x86-32 entirely, so I think Debian will support x86-32 the longest out of all the options.
Oh, and if you don't want the severely outdated (but still patched for security) software and want more up to date versions (which may be necessary due to the current browser arms race), you can use the "testing" repositories instead of the "stable" ones, or even the "unstable" ones, or whatever the names are. Not that the so-called "unstable" software is actually unstable -- it's just that Debian hasn't tested it, but it's been officially released and everyone on Arch is already using it. :)
If anything, I think your biggest issue may be software dropping support for 32-bit OSes entirely, but you can't avoid that no matter which OS you're on, and maybe Debian even has that covered by making its own 32-bit builds. I wouldn't know, though; I don't use Debian myself.
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So I'm unable to find ANY linux with updates for it.
Debian fully support x32 architecture. And it's better in terms of stability than debian or mint (which are derivatives from debian). I've had it even on VERY old laptop, so no chance that it won't work on a PC where you can install Win 10.
Older version of linux or windows 10? What would have less vulnerabilities and security risks?
That's somehow complex question, that can't easily be answered, since there are many parameters to it (like, for example, different linux distros and versions may vary security-wise). But I would still bet on linux, just because there is much more malware for windows. You know, when only 2% or about it use some system - attackers would rarely want to choose it as a target.
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is there something in Debian to make it more user friendly after initial setup? The more I read about Debian the more %$#&^ I feel :P
On Ubuntu I was able to navigate fine. On ready made kubuntu (my cousin's system) also but I never had to "fix" anything on it.
Mint and a few more I also found ok for ^%^%#$ like myself :P
Debian though.. I hav a feeling I need to understand how "coding" works and exactly what I'm doing.. And human error is an equal factor for safety I think
Last supported 32 bit version was mint 19.2 tina and ubuntu I forget.. 18.something
"attackers would rarely want to choose it as a target" well this is what I'm hoping for buuut doesn't seem that's the case.
I'm having some sort of triple effect mainly with phone + this potato pc (gaming laptop is fine) and maaaybe router (this is gonna be reset but as a safety measure, it doesn't look like a net attack).
It's either somebody very good on networks, site vulnerabilities, connections and exploits or it's this + hardware knowledge.
I doubt just because few use it will stop it. But I'm hoping he has less experience in this and it will slow him down
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Debian to make it more user friendly after initial setup?
Debian is as friendly as ubuntu/mint, since, like I said, latter use it as it's base. You don't need to understand how "coding" works to use it. And, depending on hardware, it may work out of the box without need for configuration; If it does not - well, ubuntu/mint won't work there too, so no difference in that.
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even if you probable solved the issue by updating the cpu, I just wanted to point out that netbsd will probably support 32 bit x86 for the longest. if you don't know that os, it is specialized to keep supporting old platforms in a modern and secure way. not saying it would necessary be user friendly though.
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Taking as a factor ONLY safety (vs intrusions, attacks, hijacking, whatever) what would be better? An older version of some linux distributor or windows 10?
No, I'm not asking out of curiosity :P The computer I need this for is 32 bit............... (I can't replace it atm) So I'm unable to find ANY linux with updates for it. All I can find is some older versions that still have support (but no updates or patches or anything) for about max 1 more year (iirc ubuntu 18.something and mint 19.2 tina -> top candidates).
So.. now what? Obviously I have no idea of programming so even the terminal took a lot of getting used to when I was using Ubuntu 14? Ubuntu 16? I forgot.. It's been close to 10 years.
Again.. Take as a factor ONLY safety. I have 0 requirements from it other than to open a browser
Older version of linux or windows 10? What would have less vulnerabilities and security risks?
Change of plans -> a friend is upgrading his pc so I'm changing processor all together. So.. back to 64-bit and this problem is solved xD
Thanks for the answers! (In the mean time I learned a few more new things that will help transitioning back to linux even if it's for "simpler" in use distributors. I'll probably go with Mint latest as it's something I haven't used before (unlike ubuntu)
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