Enlightenment is a window manager compatible with the X Window System (X11) and many Linux operating systems. Some will prefer to call it a desktop environment. While Enlightenment is one of those lightweight desktop environments for Linux/UNIX systems, it brings modern features, eye-candy components, and futuristic elements.

It combines the best features from KDE, GNOME, Openbox, Xfce, and many other open source desktop environments and window managers. Enlightenment is often dubbed E17 and E18 on various Linux operating systems. It can be easily installed from the default software repositories of your current Linux distribution.

Although it can be used as a replacement for any other desktop environment, some of you might find Enlightenment weird, especially because of its overall functionality. It features a dock that gives users quick access to all four virtual desktops, and a left click main menu from where you can easily access your installed apps, navigate the Desktop and Home folders, as well as the entire root filesystem.

Linux users can use Enlightenment on a daily basis, for any type of activity. It’s configuration is quite simple, it is constantly updated with new features and functionality, and supported by an entire community of loyal, dedicated and passionate users. Another interesting feature is the ability to navigate the virtual desktop using mouse gestures, which might come in handy for some of you, but very annoying for other Linux users who are not used with this type of functionality.

Nowadays, many popular Linux distributions have dedicated editions build around the Enlightenment desktop environment, such as Manjaro Linux, Bodhi Linux, Hybryde Linux, Pentoo, Macpup, and Sabayon Linux. However, if you want to taste a pure, untouched version of the Enlightenment desktop environment, you should definitely download and install the Elive Linux operating system.

Overall, Enlightenment is a good alternative for GNOME, Xfce, KDE or Openbox desktop environment, especially if you own a low-end computer.