reasons [TROMjaro wiki]

BIG Security Update, MANY Changes (January, 2026)
We have updated our release notes on https://forum.tromjaro.com/c/releases/5 to reflect the latest additions and changes:
2026 brings something new but also old to TROMjaro: The Unity Layout style is back because we managed to fix an annoying thing with it.
The usual Manjaro Stable updates plus an updated Theme Switcher and fixing our TROM Search redirections.
Now we customize Calamares via a simple config file, the way Calamares suggest that you do the customizations, and Calamares is now respecting the system’s theme too. No more old packages and rusty code.
Beaver Notes, our default notes app, moved from beaver-notes-bin to beaver-notes. We recommend that you remove the bin version and install the non-bin one from the repos.
We had to remove some of the themes from our TROMjaro Theme Switcher app because they were not playing well with the QT apps, so if you’re wondering why there aren’t as many themes as before this is why. Those people who like to have more customization options don’t worry you can still access all of those themes from the XFCE Appearance settings, just be aware that some of the themes may not play well with QT apps like mentioned before.
Changed the default layout to Windows-like, added custom GTK CSS, made the HUD wider, option to have a Virtual Keyboard toggle, switched to list view for the Appfinder, implemented a new Theme Switcher and the Flatpak fix using a new Colloid theme, improved the script for syncing the themes, better HiDPI support with automatic fixes for scaling, TROMjaro Welcome app.
Added the system-wide ad and tracker blocker (Internet Content Blocker) next to WebDAV support for Thunar and fingerprint reader support. Have a look!
Basically TROMjaro uses the latest Xfce and provides these from the get-go:
the Layout Switcher app with 6 customized layouts to make it easier to use and more functional (it can replicate most of the well known OS layouts out there: Windows, MX, Unity, MacOS, GNOME, TopX)
the new Theme Switcher app with dark/light themes and 10 color pairs to choose from (works with gtk, qt, even libadwaita, even with flatpacks!! - the ones that accept system theming)
tens of high quality flat-wallpapers that are hand-picked
a custom icon theme
the new system theme that has 10 color variations & is integrated very well into the entire system, supporting both GTK and QT apps
makes the terminal super cool, switching from bash to zsh
enables mouse and trackpad gestures via 2 separate apps (very powerful apps)
allows to control of RGB lights for the keyboard
automated system backups & a file-system backup app
apps to open or edit most known audio, image, documents or torrent files
a customized Firefox that removes the BS, the trackers, ads, sponsored content, and a lot more
you can even download media files from the browser itself, from most websites, or access scientific papers for free
basic apps to record your desktop, voice, webcam app, notes app
app to share unlimited amount of files
app to communicate with anyone without any server involved (text, video or audio)
a trade-free VPN to protect your internet usage
a powerful password manager that's integrated with the browser
a great RSS reader
a map explorer
and hundreds of trade-free hand curated apps that you can install from the website directly
Take advantage of it!