Nobara Linux is a Linux distribution based on Fedora Linux. It is developed by Thomas Crider, otherwise more colloquially referred to as "Glorious Eggroll", who is also known for developing Proton-GE, a modification of Valve Corporation's compatibility layer, widely used for running Windows games on Linux.
Contents
History
Nobara Linux was first released on July 10, 2022. It was developed and maintained by Thomas Crider, previously employed as a software maintenance engineer at Red Hat, working in Denver, Colorado, United States. According to Crider in a YouTube interview, the idea for Nobara Linux originated from his efforts to fix the gaming issues his father encountered on Windows. Frustrated with the recurring problems and attempts to resolve them manually, Crider decided to create a Linux-based environment preconfigured for gaming, including compatibility lists and automated setups, leading to the development of Nobara Linux.
On May 13, 2025, version 42 was released and version 41 received these updates as rolling release updates making Nobara Linux officially a rolling release distribution. Brave replaced Firefox as the default browser.
The latest version, 43, was released on December 27, 2025, continuing the rolling release model and providing ISO images for all main editions (Official, GNOME, KDE, Steam-HTPC, Steam-Handheld).
Features
Nobara Linux aims to provide users who are less technologically skilled with commonly used packages, due to the original Fedora Linux missing 3rd party and/or proprietary packages and tools, as stated on the official website: "anything involving any kind of 3rd party or proprietary packages is usually absent from a fresh install."
Nobara developers assert that "point and click users" who rely heavily on graphical user interface installation processes and activities may struggle with such tasks. Packages commonly used by gamers or in gaming-related activities are installed by default. These include:
Steam and Lutris for game management
WINE and Proton-GE for running Windows games
OBS Studio, Blender, Kdenlive for content creation
Third-party codecs (GStreamer, H.264, H.265)
Proprietary drivers (NVIDIA, AMD) preinstalled
Enabled RPMFusion Free & Nonfree, Flatpak / Flathub repositories
Utilities include:
Nobara Tweak Tool for system adjustments
Post-Installation Wizard for easy setup
Performance optimizations (kernel tweaks, Mesa/Vulkan drivers)
Hardware compatibility fixes (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, graphics drivers)
The distribution provides five desktop editions: Official (custom KDE), GNOME, KDE, Steam-HTPC, and Steam-Handheld.
Installation
The official Nobara Linux site supplies ISO images that can be run using a bootable USB device. The site recommends using Ventoy to create a bootable USB device.
Secure boot must be disabled in UEFI on the computer, as Nobara does not support it.