Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
Microsoft

Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

By Nick Heath April 16, 2018, 8:03 AM PDT

Image
1
of 10

balloon.png
balloon.png
Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

Open-source Windows alternative

Open-source Windows alternative

ReactOS is a free and open-source, Windows-compatible OS that looks similar to Windows XP.

Designed to be a Windows replacement that behaves just like Microsoft’s flagship OS, the operating system has just been updated to lay the groundwork for running Windows Vista/8/10 software.

Read more about what ReactOS can do, and check out this visual guide to what ReactOS looks like and the apps it can run.

Here you can see balloon notifications on the ReactOS desktop, a feature that has been fixed with the latest update. Be warned, however, that ReactOS is alpha software, so expect a lot of bugs and missing functionality.

autohide.png
autohide.png
Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

Taskbar

Taskbar

The new Taskbar settings feature in the latest release.

drwatson.png
drwatson.png
Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

New crash tool

New crash tool

The new DrWatson32-style crash-reporting software.

ram.jpg
ram.jpg
Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

Light footprint

Light footprint

The lightweight OS uses just 96MB of RAM.

quicktime.gif
quicktime.gif
Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

Apple QuickTime Player

Apple QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player for Vista and Windows 7 running on ReactOS.

excelvw.jpg
excelvw.jpg
Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

Excel viewer

Excel viewer

Read spreasheets with Excel Viewer.

hxd.png
hxd.png
Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

HxD

HxD

You can check out hex dumps using the HxD tool.

opera.jpg
opera.jpg
Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

Opera

Opera

The OS runs the Opera web browser.

Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

Adobe Photoshop CS2

Adobe Photoshop CS2

The photo-editing software running on ReactOS.

librewriter.png
librewriter.png
Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice Writer

The popular open-source document-editing software.

  • Microsoft
  • Open source
  • Software
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS

    Your email has been sent

Share: Windows with an open-source core: Check out ReactOS
Image of Nick Heath
By Nick Heath
Nick Heath is a computer science student and was formerly a journalist at TechRepublic and ZDNet.
  • Account Information

    Contact Nick Heath

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Nick's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Google Docs tips for advanced users

    None of these tips from TechRepublic Premium require a paid Google Workspace account, so anyone should be able to make use of them. You do, of course, need to have a Google account. From the guide: HOW TO PASTE WITHOUT FORMATTING I use this tip all the time. When you copy and paste text into ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 8, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 9, 2023, 8:04 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Google Chrome: Security and UI tips you need to know

    Google’s Chrome web browser held a 64.92% command of the global browser market share in April 2023. That means more users are working with Chrome in significantly more use cases: mobile, desktop and even business. Because of that, users of all types must employ Chrome with a measure of caution and intelligence. After all, most ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 8, 2023, 9:12 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Ergonomics policy

    A safe and healthy work environment provides the foundation for all employees to be at their most productive. Not only does it promote productivity in the workforce, but it also helps prevent accidents, lawsuits and, in extreme cases, serious injury and loss of life. A clear and robust ergonomic policy, like this one from TechRepublic ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 8, 2023, 7:58 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Enterprise IoT calculator: TCO and ROI

    Internet of Things devices serve a number of useful applications, such as environmental, asset or inventory monitoring/control, security functions, fitness devices and smartwatches. There is an array of IoT functions for both consumer and business purposes, but determining the total cost of ownership and the return on your enterprise investment in a widespread or large-scale ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 6, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 7, 2023, 9:15 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice