ReactOS
ReactOS is an alternative to Windows operating systems, it is open source and fully compatible with Windows programs and with a very similar look and feel. You can try the live ISO or download the installation CD and install ReactOS to a hard disk drive.
Download ISO image:
https://reactos.org/getbuilds/
Download ISO image:
https://reactos.org/getbuilds/
Installation
Download the ISO from here if you want to install to a virtual hard drive. Make sure it is the Boot ISO though if you just want to try it in Limbo without installation you can download the live CD and boot that instead. Also make sure this is version 4.
You can install ReactOS in to a virtual hard disk via QEMU for desktop which make things a lot faster, to learn more about QEMU visit our Downloads page and scroll to the bottom.
Limbo Configuration
Create the virtual disk image with QEMU:
"c:\Program Files\qemu\qemu-img" create -f qcow2 reactos.qcow2 10G
Start the virtual machine with QEMU:
On a Windows Desktop:
"c:\Program Files\qemu\qemu-system-x86_64" -M pc -m 1024 -cdrom reactos.iso -hda reactos.qcow2 -vga std -soundhw ac97 -net user -net nic,model=e1000 -accel hax
On a Linux Desktop:
qemu-system-x86_64 -M pc -m 1024 -cdrom reactos.iso -hda reactos.qcow2 -vga std -soundhw ac97 -net user -net nic,model=e1000 -accel kvm
Installation Steps:
Select your preferred language and press Enter to install.
If you use an Android Tablet you might want to increase the resolution since your Tablet should have enough space to display small fonts and such.
When you're ready highlight the Accept these device settings and press Enter.
You should now see the hard disk drive partition you just created there should be only on entry so press enter to utilize the whole space which doesn't matter since
we are using a growable image.
You can now select the filesystem format, for recent versions of ReactOS there should be an option for btrfs along with the FAT. You can choose which better suits you, for example if you use a small hard disk drive for performance you could select the FAT filesystem and if you use a large disk drive and for reliability it's better to choose btrfs. If you're not sure choose btrfs with quick format.
If it's a new hard disk drive select (quick format) and press Enter.
Now you will be presented with the path where ReactOS will be installed press enter to accept the default.
Choose where the bootloader will be installed, the recommended should be the first option (MBR and VBR).
Now use the Drive manager to eject the CD by choosing "None" and reboot the virtual machine.
Once the system reboot you will be prompted to install the devices follow the instructions.
Click ok on the acknowledgement and select the region, name and organization, the name for the computer, and optionally an administration password.
Choose the date and time settings, and the theme you want to use it's up to you.
For network settings choose typical settings.
Then choose "this computer will be part of a workgroup".
If you are asked to install Wine Gecko Package then accept it otherwise you won't be able to run certain executables.
You can install ReactOS in to a virtual hard disk via QEMU for desktop which make things a lot faster, to learn more about QEMU visit our Downloads page and scroll to the bottom.
Limbo Configuration
- CPU: Default
- RAM Memory: 1024 MB
- Mouse: usb-tablet
- Graphics: std
- Audio: ac97
- Network: user
- Network Card: e1000
Create the virtual disk image with QEMU:
"c:\Program Files\qemu\qemu-img" create -f qcow2 reactos.qcow2 10G
Start the virtual machine with QEMU:
On a Windows Desktop:
"c:\Program Files\qemu\qemu-system-x86_64" -M pc -m 1024 -cdrom reactos.iso -hda reactos.qcow2 -vga std -soundhw ac97 -net user -net nic,model=e1000 -accel hax
On a Linux Desktop:
qemu-system-x86_64 -M pc -m 1024 -cdrom reactos.iso -hda reactos.qcow2 -vga std -soundhw ac97 -net user -net nic,model=e1000 -accel kvm
Installation Steps:
Select your preferred language and press Enter to install.
If you use an Android Tablet you might want to increase the resolution since your Tablet should have enough space to display small fonts and such.
When you're ready highlight the Accept these device settings and press Enter.
You should now see the hard disk drive partition you just created there should be only on entry so press enter to utilize the whole space which doesn't matter since
we are using a growable image.
You can now select the filesystem format, for recent versions of ReactOS there should be an option for btrfs along with the FAT. You can choose which better suits you, for example if you use a small hard disk drive for performance you could select the FAT filesystem and if you use a large disk drive and for reliability it's better to choose btrfs. If you're not sure choose btrfs with quick format.
If it's a new hard disk drive select (quick format) and press Enter.
Now you will be presented with the path where ReactOS will be installed press enter to accept the default.
Choose where the bootloader will be installed, the recommended should be the first option (MBR and VBR).
Now use the Drive manager to eject the CD by choosing "None" and reboot the virtual machine.
Once the system reboot you will be prompted to install the devices follow the instructions.
Click ok on the acknowledgement and select the region, name and organization, the name for the computer, and optionally an administration password.
Choose the date and time settings, and the theme you want to use it's up to you.
For network settings choose typical settings.
Then choose "this computer will be part of a workgroup".
If you are asked to install Wine Gecko Package then accept it otherwise you won't be able to run certain executables.
Devices
During installation your device will reboot couple of times installing drivers and other components. During this time the installation and post installation will prompt you for installing the ACPI drivers which might not be available. You can ignore the installation for now and on the next reboot disable ACPI option in Limbo.
Also make sure you go to Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager and inspect if all devices are installed correctly.
Check to see if your network card is installed.
Also make sure you go to Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager and inspect if all devices are installed correctly.
Check to see if your network card is installed.
Audio
To install the drivers for the AC97 card use the ReactOS Application Manager and locate the AC97 drivers under the Drivers option on the left frame. Select the checkbox and click on the install icon on the bar at the top of the Application Manager. The manager will prompt you to select a folder to save the driver, don't forget the location because you will need it in the next step.
You can now install the driver by going to Start Menu -> Control Panel -> System and click on the Hardware Tab. Then click on the Device Manager button and find the entry for the Multimedia Audio Controller. Double click on the driver tab and then click on the Update Driver button. Choose Install driver from specific location and browse to the inf folder under the location you download the AC97 driver in the previous step. The device manager will find the driver and install it, you should now have audio supported. You should now reboot the virtual machine so the ReactOS audio mixer can load successfully.
You can now install the driver by going to Start Menu -> Control Panel -> System and click on the Hardware Tab. Then click on the Device Manager button and find the entry for the Multimedia Audio Controller. Double click on the driver tab and then click on the Update Driver button. Choose Install driver from specific location and browse to the inf folder under the location you download the AC97 driver in the previous step. The device manager will find the driver and install it, you should now have audio supported. You should now reboot the virtual machine so the ReactOS audio mixer can load successfully.
Programs
If you need a web browser you can use k-meleon which is a very light weight web browser for Windows but it should also be compatible with ReactOS. If you install K-Meleon from a CD ROM make sure you copy the setup executable file to your local hard disk first and then double click to start the installation. If you want to unzip archives you can download and install 7zip for windows which should work fine for ReactOS.
You can also find other application via the ReactOS Application Manager where you can search and download software. There are internet utilities, graphics, and even development packages you can install python and other languages to play around.
You can also find other application via the ReactOS Application Manager where you can search and download software. There are internet utilities, graphics, and even development packages you can install python and other languages to play around.