Manjaro Guide

Overview

Manjaro was founded in 2011 and has grown to become one of the most popular Arch-based distributions. It bridges the gap between Arch's power and Ubuntu's accessibility.

Quick Facts

Based On	Arch Linux
Package Manager	pacman / Pamac
Default Desktop	Xfce, KDE, or GNOME
Release Cycle	Rolling release
Support Period	Continuous (rolling)
Init System	systemd

Who Should Use Manjaro?

Arch-curious users - Easier introduction to Arch ecosystem
Rolling release fans - Latest software with stability testing
AUR enthusiasts - Full access to Arch User Repository
Desktop users - Polished desktop experience
Gamers - Good driver support and gaming optimizations

Tip

Manjaro is perfect if you want Arch's benefits (AUR, rolling release, pacman) without the manual installation process.

Installation

Manjaro uses the Calamares installer for a friendly installation experience:

Download your preferred edition from manjaro.org
Create bootable USB using Ventoy, Rufus, or Etcher
Boot into the live environment
Click "Install" to launch Calamares
Follow the graphical wizard to complete installation

bash

# Verify your download (check SHA256)
sha256sum manjaro-kde-24.0-x86_64.iso

# Compare with checksum from manjaro.org

Package Management

Manjaro uses pacman like Arch, plus Pamac for graphical package management:

bash

# Update system
sudo pacman -Syu

# Install a package
sudo pacman -S package-name

# Remove a package
sudo pacman -R package-name

# Search packages
pacman -Ss keyword

# Using Pamac CLI (Manjaro's tool)
pamac update
pamac install package-name
pamac build aur-package  # Install from AUR
pamac search keyword

# Enable AUR in Pamac (GUI)
# Preferences > Third Party > Enable AUR support

Info

Pamac provides a graphical interface and can build AUR packages directly. Enable AUR support in Pamac preferences for access to the Arch User Repository.

Key Features

Stable Rolling Release

Manjaro holds packages for testing before release, providing more stability than vanilla Arch while remaining current.

Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD)

Automatic hardware detection and driver installation, especially useful for graphics cards (NVIDIA, AMD).

Manjaro Settings Manager

GUI tool for managing kernels, languages, drivers, and system settings.

Multiple Kernels

Easily install and switch between multiple Linux kernel versions.

Editions

Official Editions

Xfce	Lightweight and traditional (flagship)
KDE Plasma	Feature-rich and modern
GNOME	Clean and streamlined

Community Editions

Community-maintained editions include Budgie, Cinnamon, i3, and Sway for various preferences.

FAQ

Is Manjaro compatible with Arch?

Manjaro uses Arch's repositories but with delayed updates. Most Arch documentation and AUR packages work, but some edge cases may differ.

Why does Manjaro hold back packages?

Packages are tested in unstable → testing → stable branches. This adds a 1-2 week delay but catches issues before they reach users.

Can I use the Arch Wiki with Manjaro?

Yes! The Arch Wiki is an invaluable resource for Manjaro users. Most guides apply directly, with minor differences in package versions.

Summary

Manjaro makes Arch Linux accessible while retaining its powerful features. Key takeaways:

User-friendly Arch-based distribution
Rolling release with stability testing
Full AUR access via Pamac
Excellent hardware detection (MHWD)
Multiple desktop editions available