Testing Windows 11 Pro and KDE Plasma
Written on Jun 9, 2026 - Updated on Jun 11, 2026
I spent more hours testing Windows 11 Pro and KDE Plasma on various Linux distros last weekend than I care to admit. Downloading each of the ISO files I needed took the least amount of time. The installations seemed to take forever.
I wanted to experience the best way to get a debloated version of Windows 11 Pro set up and then I wanted to find out which Linux distro gave me the best experience with KDE Plasma.
Windows 11 Pro
There are two ways to get a debloated version of Windows 11 Pro set up. One is to install it and then use something to remove the bloat. The other is to download a stripped down version of Windows 11 Pro in the first place and then install it.
I've downloaded the ISO file from Microsoft multiple times. The most recent download was January 2026. I installed it with VirtualBox two times. The first time was a regular installation. The second time was with an "unattended installation", and it was much easier.
Each time, I debloated Windows 11 using a tool called "Winhance". By the time I was done, it was indeed debloated and smooth as silk. I was satisfied, but I needed to test another version, one that was stripped down before installing.
One developer created the "tiny11builder" script, which lets me build my own version of "Tiny11". Another developer automated it with the "tiny11-automated" script. The final "Tiny11" release appears at Sourceforge and can be downloaded from there.
I didn't have to use either script because someone else had already used the second one. All I had to do was go to Sourceforge, download it, and then install it. An unattended installation wasn't supported, so I only installed it once.
It ended up being leaner than what I did manually with Winhance, but not much. Unfortunately, certain things didn't work. For one, the start menu wouldn't open. Installing Windows 11 and using Winhance is a better idea.
I've never been able to get Microsoft to activate Windows 11 on a virtual machine, but there's a way to force activation, and it's called "Microsoft Activation Scripts". I've used it a few times and it works well.
KDE Plasma
I tested KDE Plasma with Debian stable and Debian testing. It seemed okay with testing, but it required numerous updates. I then tested Kubuntu for the second time in a month, this time without trying to remove the Snap software system developed by Canonical.
I actually like Kubuntu and since I probably wouldn't use many Snap applications anyway, it's a contender. Some people are vehemently against the Snap system, but not me. I also tested EndeavourOS and Manjaro. Both are Arch Linux-based, but I like Manjaro better.
Manjaro is another contender. I haven't tested KDE Plasma on other platforms like Fedora or OpenSUSE, or independent distros like KaOS or NixOS. Although I have nothing against them, I'll need a good reason to spend time testing them.
I don't know if I'll ever switch from the Cinnamon edition of Linux Mint, but if I do, it will be a distro with KDE Plasma as the desktop environment. What I'm using today does everything I need it to do.
Image by Pabitra Kaity from Pixabay