List of live CDs

A live CD or live DVD is a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM containing a bootable computer operating system. Live CDs are unique in that they have the ability to run a complete, modern operating system on a computer lacking mutable secondary storage, such as a hard disk drive.

Rescue and repair

• Inquisitor – Linux kernel-based hardware diagnostics, stress testing and benchmarking live CD
• Parted Magic – Entirely based on the 2.6 or newer Linux kernels
• System Folder of classic Mac OS on a CD or on a floppy disk – Works on any media readable by 68k or PowerPC Macintosh computers
• SystemRescueCD – A Linux kernel-based CD with tools for Windows and Linux repairs

BSD-based

FreeBSD based

• DesktopBSD (discontinued) – as of 1.6RC1 FreeBSD and FreeSBIE based
• FreeBSD – has supported use of a "fixit" CD for diagnostics since 1996
• FreeNAS – m0n0wall-based
• FreeSBIE (discontinued) – FreeBSD-based
• Ging – Debian GNU/kFreeBSD-based
• GhostBSD – FreeBSD based with gnome GUI, installable to HDD
• m0n0wall (discontinued) – FreeBSD-based
• NomadBSD
• pfSense – m0n0wall-based
• TrueOS – FreeBSD-based

Other BSDs

• DragonFly BSD

Linux kernel-based

Arch Linux based

• Artix – LXQt preconfigured and OpenRC-oriented live CD and distribution
• Archie – live CD version of Arch Linux.
• Antergos (discontinued, succeeded by endeavourOS)
• Chakra (discontinued)
• Manjaro – primarily free software operating system for personal computers aimed at ease of use.
• Parabola GNU/Linux-libre - distro endorsed by the Free Software Foundation
• SystemRescue

Debian-based

These are directly based on Debian:

• antiX – A light-weight edition based on Debian
• Debian Live – Official live CD version of Debian
• Devuan - A fork of the Debian Linux distribution that uses sysvinit, runit or OpenRC instead of systemd.
• Finnix – A small system administration live CD, based on Debian testing, and available for x86 and PowerPC architectures
• grml – Installable live CD for sysadmins and text tool users
• HandyLinux – A French/English Linux distribution derived from Debian designed for inexperienced computer users
• Instant WebKiosk – Live, browser only operating system for use in web kiosks and digital signage deployments
• Kali Linux – The most advanced penetration testing distribution
• Knoppix – The "original" Debian-based live CD
• MX Linux – Live based on Debian stable
• Parrot OS – a distribution with a focus on security, privacy, and development
• Tails – An Amnesic OS based on anonymity and Tor
• Slax – (formerly based on Slackware) modular and very easy to remaster
• Webconverger – Kiosk software that boots live in order to turn PC into temporary Web kiosk

Knoppix-based

A large number of live CDs are based on Knoppix. The list of those is in the derivatives section of the Knoppix article.

Ubuntu-based

These are based at least partially on Ubuntu, which is based on Debian: