Linux desktop environments on Windows platforms
Linux desktop environments on Windows platforms
You're exploring options for replacing Windows Explorer with a native interface on Linux systems that use xfce, specifically mentioning the sawn port. There are indeed community efforts and projects focused on porting desktop environments to Windows natively, aiming for a seamless experience without relying on subsystems or emulators. These initiatives often target improving usability and performance for users transitioning between platforms.
I’m not familiar with anything comparable. A KDE setup for Windows would be interesting since I use one on Manjaro. I wasn’t aware of Swan, but it looks intriguing—I might want to explore it further.
I own virtual machines for executing Linux applications and other tasks. I’m looking to swap the default explorer shell to something lighter on resources and more visually appealing. Back in the day, I used LightStep on Windows 2000 with just 64 MB of RAM—it really boosted performance.
KDE and GNOME (CyGNOME) have been adapted for Windows before. Previously, switching to KDE 3 was straightforward without needing Explorer, thanks to a registry tweak in Windows 95 and later. I don’t have the latest details on their current status, but the KDE group still keeps a Windows project active.