Is it worth switching to ReactOS now that Windows 10 is being abandoned?

As everyone knows, the Windows 10 end of support is coming to an end. Therefore, many users are seriously considering switch to ReactOSA way to free yourself from Windows without giving up your programs. Worth?

ReactOS is the promising alternative replicate much of the appearance and compatibility of Microsoft Windows, but under the premises of free softwareAlthough many users are still unfamiliar with it or doubt its maturity, curiosity is growing as to whether it's worth the upgrade to ReactOS. That's precisely what this article is about.

What exactly is ReactOS?

ReactOS It is an open source operating system that seeks to be binary compatible with Windows applications and drivers. That is, its objective is to run Windows programs and drivers without the user having to perform complicated configurations or resort to compatibility layers.

It is a project that takes more than two decades in development and part of the dissatisfaction that many experienced with Microsoft's monopoly in the 90s. It was originally created to be compatible with Windows 95 (under the name FreeWin95), but later changed course and began to clone the behavior of Windows NT, which is the core on which all modern versions of Windows have been based, from Windows XP onwards.

It should be noted that ReactOS It is not a Linux that looks like Windows, but a completely different operating system.

Main technical features of ReactOS

This system has been working hard for years to replicate the APIs and design of Windows to the point of allowing you to run many native Windows XP and higher versions applications and games.

How did he achieve this? Mainly by imitating typical Windows interfaces and utilities, the use of Wine pieces (the well-known software for running Windows applications on Linux), the reusing parts of FreeBSD and support for multiple architectures.

These are the minimum hardware requirements that you must comply with if you are thinking of switching to ReactOS:

• x86 or x86-64 Pentium type processor or higher.
• 64 MB of RAM (although 256 MB is recommended to be comfortable).
• IDE/SATA hard drive of at least 350 MB.
• Partition in FAT16/FAT32 (although you can try NTFS in newer versions).
• Compatible 2MB VGA card (VESA BIOS 2.0 or higher).
• CD drive or ability to boot from USB.
• Standard PC keyboard and mouse.

ReactOS is an incredibly lightweight operating system. Once installed, It only takes up about 100 MB, a figure far removed from that of current operating systems. This makes it an attractive option for older or virtualized computers.

Current advantages and limitations of ReactOS

The main advantage of ReactOS is the ability to run Windows applications and drivers without relying on a Microsoft license or having to pay for the operating system. Additionally, its open source nature allows you to learn about how Windows works internally and, for developers, to experiment with its source code.

However, before switching to ReactOS you should know what it entails some limitations:

• It is not recommended for use in production environments or as a primary system. It is officially in phase Alpha, which means frequent bugs, crashes, and significant hardware compatibility gaps.
• The user experience is archaic, reminiscent of Windows NT/XP.
• Installation is more complicated than any modern Linux distro.
• Sound, network and graphics support is limited.
• The default browser is an older version of Firefox., which makes browsing unsafe and ineffective for today's web.
• The pace of development is very slow, due to a lack of resources, funding, and developers involved in the project.
• Legal doubts persist —at least from Microsoft's perspective— about whether some of the code is derived from kernel leaks, although there has never been any firm legal action and the project continues.

For all this, ReactOS cannot yet be considered a real alternative for most users. However, it's still interesting for experimentation, learning about operating systems, or running very specific Windows software on very old or virtualized computers.

Install ReactOS step by step

Installing ReactOS is straightforward if you have prior experience with older Windows systems, although it may be a bit unintuitive for the average user. Here's a rundown of the steps to follow:

1. Download the ReactOS ISO from its official website (reactos.org/download). There are usually two options: BootCD (for installation) and LiveCD (for testing without changes).
2. Prepare a USB or CD with the ISO image using tools like Rufus or Etcher.
3. Make sure your computer boots from the USB or CD first.On some computers you will have to press a specific key when turning on (F2, Del, F12, etc.).
4. Select the language in the installer. Choose the disk or partition where you will install (recommended on computers without another operating system or, better yet, in a virtual machine).
5. Choose the file systemAlthough ReactOS can work with both FAT32 and NTFS, NTFS support has improved in recent releases. FAT32 may be the easiest option to avoid issues.
6. Configure time zone, keyboard and network in the following steps. Don't forget to create your username and assign a secure password.
7. Click install and wait. It usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes depending on the computer or virtual machine.
8. Reboot when prompted and remove the installation media (USB/CD) to boot the system from the hard drive.

After the reboot, ReactOS will guide you through configure the drivers, although keep in mind that many modern peripherals may not be recognized. The appearance will be completely familiar if you've used older versions of Windows.

Is it worth switching to ReactOS?

The million-dollar question: Is it worth switching to ReactOS? If you are looking for a free and open source alternative to Windows for everyday use and need full compatibility with current software and hardware, the answer is that not yetThe system is still in Alpha phase and its primary use is for experimentation and learning.

However, if you have very specific needs, use old software, want to revive old equipment, or want to play around with unconventional operating systems, switch to ReactOS It can be an interesting experience. Plus, if you're technically inclined, participating in its development can give you a wealth of insight into how Windows works from the inside out.

The growth of ReactOS, which embodies the spirit of open source software: learning, sharing, and experimenting without strings attached, depends largely on more people getting involved and supporting the project. Although for now Its future is uncertain and its development is slow, is still the only system that, at least on paper, could stand up to Windows on its own ground.