The developers make it easy to peal off the "Handy" layers to reveal a more standard Linux environment as users learn the system. Those who no longer need the IT tools included with the initial installation can remove them easily using the Handy2Debian application from the main menu.

That turns HandyLinux into a relatively standard Debian-based distribution running the lightweight and slightly remixed Xfce desktop environment. The remixed desktop is the distinguishing feature of this distro. It is built around HandyMenu, a custom start menu with applications and Internet bookmarks grouped in tabs.

When Linux newbies find their comfort zone, it is easy to switch to more standard Linux menus. Meanwhile, the Xfce software remains the same so the Linux newbie easily transitions into a more standard Linux environment.

As is typical for the Xfce desktop, HandyLinux lacks eye candy and graphics effects, but the Xfce settings tools make it easy to "remix" the desktop's appearance and functionality for more convenient options as the user gets more familiar with what Linux offers.

The latest version is a maintenance release that updates system tools and a few border and theme displays. Users of earlier versions do not have to reinstall or formally upgrade to the latest version through the package management repository. Earlier versions automatically switch to the new version during the system update process.

A Few Drawbacks

HandyLinux is a solid choice for users who want to learn Linux the easy way or just have a solid computing platform that does not require fussing. However the HandyLinux community needs to tidy up several pieces to make this distro friendlier to English language users.

The English language is an add-on to the original French release. Clearly, French language users are the intended user base. That is obvious throughout the website and with the distro's look and feel.

The landing page for the distro's website is in French, but there's a tab to select English under the banner display. Users also can get help from Google Translate with a browser that supports it.

Either way, the translations to English leave much to be desired, and some of the documentation and illustrations on the various pages do not display in English even with workarounds.

The same language issues show up within the menus and panel options in the English version of the OS. HandyLinux has only two language options -- French and English. The keyboard settings, however, give you a seemingly global list of layout options based on geographic locations.

Getting the ISO

The download link is easy to spot near the top of the home page, to the right of the embedded video about HandyLinux. The download page displays in French. You must click the English icon at the top of the page to see the English language display and access the mostly English version of HandyLinux.

Be careful when you select the option to download. HandyLinux comes in two flavors: 586 and 686-pae. The 586 version is for pre-2005 computers with processors that do not support the PAE memory-paging option. The 686 version is for all modern computers (32 bits or 64 bits) designed after 2005.

Newcomers to Linux will appreciate the simplified directions for burning the ISO to a bootable DVD or USB drive, but finding them on the sometimes language-limited website can be a problem.

Installing It

Unlike most live session ISOs, HandyLinux has two modes, so you have to pay attention to the screen when you boot up the computer to test HandyLinux.

All the options for running in full mode or safe mode default to French when the OS loads. Click on the very last booting option to run HandyLinux in English.

That gets you into the live session. Everything works. It is a pleasant user experience. However, there is no option to install HandyLinux while running the live session. To install it, you must reboot the computer and select the installation option from the booting menu.

The installation routine works effortlessly, but it does not have an automated disk partition feature, so newbies will find the entire hard drive overwritten.

To partition the hard drive to create a dual boot, for instance, you would need to use a partitioning program and maybe seek some advanced local tech help. Navigating around the Secure Boot and UEFI restrictions and the added Windows 10 lockdown of the hard drive can be daunting.

Running It

The Xfce desktop has a very simple user interface. Right-click the mouse anywhere on the desktop to get a menu. Numerous configuration panels make setting the look and feel as customized as you would like.

Newcomers to Linux will face a very slight learning curve. As with any operating system, new users just need to learn how to update system software, change settings, and settle into a computing routine. This distro uses Synaptic Package Manager to update core system files and add/remove new packages.

The documentation for HandyLinux is exceptional for Linux. The extensive wiki and easy start guides show detailed views of the kinds of things newcomers really need to know.

For example, there images of file manager windows and other system applications, but that's not all. Each one also has a numbered index listing that identifies each part.

Also handy as a learning tool are the built-in animations that run automatically to show how to perform basic functions within each window.

Bottom Line

HandyLinux is just that. It is a handy Linux distro that is very welcoming to Linux newbies. However, its dumbed-down handling of the Xfce desktop environment will leave more experienced Linux users craving for something a bit more advanced.