How to read the T2 download table
The official download page is one big table of files, and only a computer guru could tell at a glance which one to grab. Here's what every column means — and the exact row you want — so you arrive knowing precisely what to click.
The file you're after
You came from “A normal PC or laptop (since ~2010)” — so your goal is to run t2 on a normal 64-bit intel or amd computer. Keep this in mind on the next page:
Find the row where Architecture is x86-64 and Libc is Glibc, then click Desktop. (x86-64 appears twice — you want the Glibc one, not Musl.)
What the table looks like
This is a preview — the real, clickable one is a single tap away at the bottom. Your row is highlighted here so you know what to look for.
| Architecture | Libc | Compiler | Optimization | Version | Size | Download | Checksum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x86-64 | Glibc 2.43 | GCC 16.1 | nocona | 26.6 | 3606 MB | Desktop | SHA256 |
| x86-64 | Musl 1.2.6 | Clang 22.1.6 | nocona | 26.6 | 2936 MB | Desktop | SHA256 |
| arm64 | Glibc 2.43 | GCC 16.1 | — | 26.6 | 3341 MB | Desktop | SHA256 |
| i586 | Glibc 2.43 | GCC 16.1 | i586 | 26.6 | 3108 MB | Desktop | SHA256 |
| ppc | Glibc 2.43 | GCC 16.1 | — | 26.6 | 3010 MB | Desktop | SHA256 |
| ppc64 | Glibc 2.43 | GCC 16.1 | — | 26.6 | 3170 MB | Desktop | SHA256 |
| ppc64le | Glibc 2.43 | GCC 16.1 | power8 | 26.6 | 3223 MB | Desktop | SHA256 |
| riscv64 | Glibc 2.43 | GCC 16.1 | — | 26.6 | 3284 MB | Desktop | SHA256 |
The real page lists a dozen-plus more architectures below these — almost all of them for vintage or exotic machines. If your row isn't one of the common ones above, the build finder will point you to it.
Every column, in plain English
Eight columns look like a lot, but only two really decide your file — Architecture and Libc. Here's all of them.
Architecture
Which kind of chip the image is built for.
This is the one that really matters. It has to match your computer's processor family — pick the wrong architecture and the image simply won't boot.
For most people: A normal laptop or desktop from the last ~15 years → x86-64. Raspberry Pi or a newer ARM machine → arm64. A genuinely ancient 32-bit PC → i586. Everything else (ppc64le, riscv64, sparc64, alpha, mips64…) is for vintage or exotic hardware.
Libc
The core system library the whole OS is built on.
This is why you'll spot x86-64 listed twice — once with Glibc and once with Musl. The Libc is the only real difference between those two rows.
For most people: Pick Glibc. It's the standard, most-compatible choice. Musl is leaner and more modern, but more adventurous — some machines that happily boot the Glibc image won't boot the Musl one.
Compiler
Which compiler was used to build the image (GCC or Clang).
Purely how the image was assembled under the hood. It doesn't change how you use T2 day to day at all.
For most people: It simply tracks the Libc choice: the Glibc row is GCC, the Musl row is Clang. Choose the Glibc + GCC row and you never have to think about this column.
Optimization
The oldest CPU generation the image is tuned for.
Names like nocona, power8 or ev56 are CPU code-names. A lower/older name means the image is built to run on a wider range of chips.
For most people: For x86-64 this is usually "nocona" — maximum compatibility, runs on basically any 64-bit PC. Leave it on the default; it's a good thing, not a warning.
Version
Which release it is, written as year.month.
26.6 means the June 2026 build. T2 is famously fresh, so new versions land often.
For most people: Take the newest number. Bigger = fresher.
Size
How big the download is.
The x86-64 desktop image is roughly 3.6 GB — it's a complete desktop, so it's a chunky file.
For most people: Make sure you have the space and a stable connection. On a flaky link, verifying the checksum afterwards (last column) is well worth it.
Download
The actual link to the file — labelled "Desktop."
"Desktop" is the edition: a full, ready-to-use KDE Plasma desktop. Clicking it starts the .iso download.
For most people: This is the button you came for. Click Desktop on the row you picked above — nothing else.
Checksum
A fingerprint that proves your download is intact.
A SHA-256 checksum is a long code unique to that exact file. After downloading you can compute your file's checksum and compare it to this one.
For most people: Optional, but it's the real answer to "how do I know it downloaded cleanly and wasn't tampered with." If the two codes match, you're good.
x86-64 appears twice
Two rows say x86-64 — one is Glibc + GCC, the other Musl + Clang. They're the same architecture; the Libc is the only difference. Take Glibc unless you specifically know you want Musl.
It's a genuine, safe download
Files are hosted on the official project site, t2sde.org. Every row publishes a SHA-256 checksum so you can confirm your download arrived clean and untampered — optional, but it's the real proof.
Got your file — now what?
The plain-English guide walks the rest: making a bootable USB stick, booting from it, and installing — no jargon.
Ready? Here's the download page.
You know your row: x86-64 · Glibc · click Desktop. Opens the official T2 site in a new tab.
I'm ready — take me to the download page