Freebyte's Guide to...
Free and non-free
Operating Systems
  Home   Search   Site map
 

 

TreePad X Enterprise
384 Gigabyte Personal Information Manager and Word Processor.
Intuitive and versatile, including Website Generator, spellchecker, thesaurus, attachments, search engine, recycle bin, and much more!
Click here to get the free evaluation version.
 
Contents
Introduction
Virtual Machines / Emulators
Free Linux Operating Systems
Linux/Windows combinations
Free BSD Operating Systems
Other Unix Operating Systems
Free Educational Operating Systems
More free Operating Systems
BeOS / Zeta
RiscOS
Commercial Operating Systems
Java Operating-systems
Windows
DOS and DOS clones
OS Projects
Operating System Development
Operating System-related sites
Related Freebyte pages
Information wanted!
About this page
 
The Freebyte menu is not visible?
Then use these links instead:
Home | Site Map | Search
 
Introduction
This page contains alternatives to Windows, free operating systems, interesting initiatives for new Operating Systems, commercial Operating Systems, Operating Systems-related sites, Virtual Machines (emulators) which can be used to run Operating Systems inside other Operating Systems and more.
 
Virtual Machines / Emulators
The software packages listed in this section are able to run one operating system inside another.
For instance, if you have a MAC, you can run Windows or Linux as a 'guest operating system' inside MacOS. In this case, MacOS is the 'host operating system', and Linux is the 'guest operating system'.
Alternatively, if you have a PC which has Windows installed, you can use e.g. Linux, FreeBSD or another edition of Windows as guest OS.
Or when you have Linux installed, you can run e.g. Windows as 'guest operating system'.
VirtualBoxFreeware, open-source virtual Machine for Windows, Linux, MAC. It supports a large number of guest operating systems including but not limited to Windows (NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista), DOS/Windows 3.x, Linux (2.4 and 2.6), and OpenBSD.
XenA free virtual machine for IA-32, x86-64, IA-64 and PowerPC. It supports various guest operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Solaris, BSD.
VMWare PlayerFreeware player which runs virtual machines created with VMWare Workstation (directly below). Many pre-built freeware virtual machines are available for download here.
Note from the editor: we found it very difficult to download almost any free appliance due to server-timeout and other connection problems.
VMWare for MACRuns Windows, Linux, FreeBSD or other x86 operating systems side-by-side with Intel-based Mac OS X. Not freeware.
VMWare WorkstationCommercial (non-freeware), high-quality PC emulator. Emulates a PC with Bios and hardware.
Virtual platform which enables running more than one operating system simultaneously on one xxx86 computer. Currently one can run DOS, Linux, Solaris, Free BSD, Windows 3/95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. Up to four virtual Ethernet cards (having different network addresses) can each be assigned to each running virtual machine.
Each operating system runs in its own protected sandbox. Each operating system is executed directly by the processor, which gives a fast performance. Three versions available of this VM, one which sits on top of Linux, one which runs on MAC, and one which runs on Windows. Solid and stable but pricy.
ParallelsLow-cost emulator for Windows and MAC. Supported guest operating systems: Linux, Windows, FreeBSD, OS/2, DOS. Price: $ 79.99.
Guest PCA low-cost emulator for MAC / Power-PC which allows you to install and run Windows inside your MAC. Intel-based MAC's are not yet supported. Price: $ 69.99.
WineFreeware. Wine is an emulator, running on Linux, allowing you to run Windows applications on Linux without the need to pay for a Windows license (legally).
BochsBochs is a highly portable open source IA-32 (x86) PC emulator written in C++, that runs on most popular platforms. It includes emulation of the Intel x86 CPU, common I/O devices, and a custom BIOS. Bochs is capable of running Linux, Windows, DOS and possibly other operating systems as well.
CP/M EmulatorFreeware application to emulate CP/M-80 ver2.2 on the Macintosh.
DosBoxAn open source DOS emulator. It emulates an Intel x86 PC, complete with sound, graphics, mouse, modem, etc., for running many old DOS games that are not compatible with modern Windows PC's.
DosEMUEmulates DOS on Linux. Freeware.
Emulators and MACEmulators for running Windows and other operating systems on MAC OS.
Plex86Very lightweight Virtual Machine (VM) for running Linux/x86. Rather than implement a full and heavyweight VM which can run all guest Operating Systems (OSes), the new approach is designed to run only Linux VMs, making the new plex86 architecture on the order of 10x or 100x more simplistic.
 
Free Linux Operating Systems
Linux is a popular free Unix version, initially for the Intel xx86 set of platforms, but now also for other processors: Alpha, ARM, Motorola 680x0, PowerPC, SPARC.
In the server area it has become one of the most popular operating systems. Support for desktop systems is increasing and it has now become a viable Windows alternative.
A variety of Linux distributions are available: one can download several Linux versions for free, or order CD-versions at a small price.
DebianDownload Debian for free or Purchase the complete set of Debian CDs from your local Debian dealer
Free Linux ProgrammingFree programming tools for Linux, Windows and other Operating Systems.
FreespireDebian-based Linux distribution with support for MP3, DVD, Windows Media, QuickTime, Java, Flash, Real, ATI drivers, nVidia drivers, Adobe Acrobat Reader, proprietary WiFi drivers, fonts, and more.
KnoppixRecommended! You don't have to be a Linux expert to install Knoppix; in our experience this is absolutely the most configuration-free Linux distribution, which runs OK on the majority of computers (including many Laptops).
Knoppix starts directly from CD-Rom , but you can also install it on your harddisk.
The fact that it runs directly from CD-Rom allows you to try it out before actually installing it.
You can download Knoppix here.
Read more in this article on Knoppix.
Linux DesktopsKDE, stable graphical user-interface included in most Linux distributions.
Gnome, free desktop environment competing with KDE, included in most Linux distributions.
ICEWM, is a free window manager, its goal being speed and simplicity.
XPde, a desktop environment(XPde) and a window manager(XPwm) for Linux. It tries to recreate the Windows XP interface to-the-pixel point.
Linux ISO imagesLinuxIso.org
LinuxHelp
LinuxLookup.com
Knoppix mirrors
DemoLinux downloads

These sites offer free Linux ISO-images for download. An ISO is an exact image of a CD, that can be burned again into a disc to create an exact copy of the original CD.
See also:
Some facts about downloading Linux.
Burning a CD from an ISO image.

Linux JournalMonthly magazine of the Linux community since 1994.
Linux News and forumsJustLinux (forums)
Learn about Linux (forums & news)
LinuxHotBox.com (news)
Fresh Meat (news)
Linux Journal (news)
Desktop Linux (news)
Linux Standard BaseOrganization devoted to keeping all distributions compatible, so that software which runs on one distribution, also runs on the other. These companies are supporting the initiative: Compaq, Caldera, Coral, Debian, LinuxCare, Mandrake, TurboLinux, Read Hat, Suse, VA Linux, HP, IBM, Intel.
Linux-Laptop.netRunning Linux on Laptops.
Linux.orgHomepage of Linux.
LinuxArchives.comLinux software downloads.
LinuxQuestions.orgLinux support forums where Linux newbies can ask questions and Linux experts can offer advice. Topics include security, installation, networking and much more.
Mandriva LinuxA Linux distribution that is available for 32bit PC, PowerPC (MAC), and 64 bit processors such as Intel Itanium and AMD Opteron. It includes many graphical administration assistants & wizards that make it intuitive and fun to use while providing all the power and robustness of other Linux systems.
Migrating to
desktop Linux
Free eBook in PDF format aimed at assisting those interested in migrating desktop PCs to Linux.
The goal of this eBook is to provide a technical planning reference for IT organizations large or small that are now considering a migration to Linux-based personal computers.
PardusLinux-based operating system developed by the Turkey Scientific and Techical Research Assocation. You can use it both in Turkish and English.
Peanut LinuxSmall but packed and nice looking Linux distribution, only 210 Mb download installs to 600 Mb on your harddisk.
Puppy LinuxSmall Linux distribution, only 60mb in size. Can boot from CD, USB disk and run inside Windows or standalone.
RedHatNon-free Linux editions for server computers, sold by annual subscription.
SlackWareDownload Slackware for free or order the CD-Rom set from the Slackware store.
A special edition of Slackware Linux, called ZipSlack can be installed on the same drive (or partition) as Windows. It just needs a FAT (or FAT32) harddisk with about 100 MB of extra free disk space.
BigSlack is more complete than ZipSlack, and can also be installed on a FAT (or FAT32) harddisk. BigSlack needs about 850 Mb of extra free disk space.
Sub300.com"Anything but Microsoft Retail Store" (USA), offering low-cost Linux computers which are devoid of any Microsoft software (the fact that it has become almost impossible to buy a computer without Windows pre-installed is commonly known as "the Microsoft tax").
SuseNon-free Linux editions including support by phone.
Tiny LinuxTiny Linux is a small Linux distribution designed especially for old recycled computers.
Ubuntu"Linux for Human Beings" for PC (Intel x86), 64-bit PC (AMD64) and PowerPC.
United LinuxJoined Linux initiative from Caldera (SCO), SuSE, Connectiva and TurboLinux. Free single-CD versions for download, or non-free multiple-CD versions to be sent by postal mail.
XandrosNon-free Linux distribution which offers Windows-compatibility.
 
Linux/Windows combinations
Cooperative LinuxFreeware and open-source method for optimally running Linux on Microsoft Windows natively. coLinux is a port of the Linux kernel that allows it to run cooperatively alongside another operating system on a single machine. For instance, it allows one to freely run Linux on Windows 2000/XP, without using a commercial PC virtualization software such as VMware, in a way which is much more optimal than using any general purpose PC virtualization software.
LinspireNon-free operating system, based on Linux, and capable of running Windows software through emulation (Wine). Hence its previous name 'Lindows'. Because Microsoft did not like the name 'Lindows' it has now been renamed 'LinSpire'.
Price: $ 89.95.
WinLinux 2003Linux which installs inside Windows 95 or 98. This means that you can run Linux as an application on Windows 95/98. Not free, but only $ 29.95.
 
TreePad X Enterprise
384 Gigabyte Personal Information Manager and Word Processor.
Intuitive and versatile, including Website Generator, spellchecker, thesaurus, attachments, search engine, recycle bin, and much more!
Click here to get the free evaluation version.
 
Free BSD Operating Systems
PC-BSDFree user-friendly desktop-oriented BSD-edition. It is striving towards being one of the easiest OS's to install.
BSD home pageBSD, like Linux is based on Unix. A variety of resources for users of the various commercial and freely-available bsd Operating Systems, like FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD.
FreeBSDFreeBSD is an advanced free and open-source Operating System for Intel ia32 compatible, DEC Alpha, and PC-98 architectures. It is derived from BSD UNIX, the version of UNIX developed at the University of California, Berkeley. It is developed and maintained by a large team of individuals. Very popular Operating Systems for servers.
OpenBSD OpenBSD is a free, open-source, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like Operating System. OpenBSD supports binary emulation of most programs from SVR4 (Solaris), FreeBSD, Linux, BSDI, SunOS, and HPUX.
Net BSDNetBSD is a free, open-source, secure, and highly portable UNIX-like Operating System available for many platforms, from 64-bit AlphaServers and desktop systems to handheld and embedded devices.
BSD-related newsDaemon News
 
Other Unix Operating Systems
MinixAn open-source, small, reliable and self-healing operating system designed for smaller computers, embedded systems, and applications where high reliability and self-repair are important. Minix was designed initially for educational purposes by Andy TanenBaum.
SolarisOpen-source operating system by Sun, freeware for commercial and non-commercial use. Intel and Sparc versions are available. You can order this OS on CD by Sun by paying only media, shipping and handling costs. Alternatively, to educators, students, and researchers the Aachen University will send a full copy on CD for $20-$30.
GNU HurdOpen-source (GNU) Replacement for the Unix kernel. The Hurd is a collection of servers that run on the Mach microkernel to implement file systems, network protocols, file access control, and other features that are implemented by the Unix kernel or similar kernels (such as Linux). Currently only available for x86 machines, but will be ported to other platforms. Advantages: free, object-oriented, scalable, compatible.
 
Free Educational Operating Systems
JunixA Unix command-line emulator written in JavaScript.
XinuXinu was originally designed as a vehicle for teaching Operating System design concepts and is used by many educational institutions for this purpose.
Xinu is also well-suited for teaching advanced programming concepts such as Concurrent Processing, I/O, IPC and Client-Server Interaction. Major advantages of Xinu are its (relative) simplicity, and that the source code can be modified as needed.
NachosNachos is an educational operating system simulator used for undergraduate, and potentially graduate, level operating systems courses.
Runs on DEC MIPS, running Ultrix, SUN SPARCstations, HP PA-RISC, running HP-UX, 386 boxes, running 386BSD UNIX.
Does not run on Windows, MAC.
 
More free Operating Systems
Amiga.orgSite for Amiga-enthousiasts.
ArosAROS is a portable and free and open-source desktop operating system aiming at being compatible with AmigaOS 3.1, while improving on it in many areas.
Atari.orgAtari.org is a non-commercial service dedicated to the Atari home- and personal-computer users as well as the Classic Video Game enthusiasts all over the world. Also: the most up-to-date news, forums to exchange opinions, hints and support, a comprehensive search engine, web-hosting for Atari computer or video-game related pages as well as subdomains and email-forwarding.
BOSBOS is a 32-bit Operating System where everything has full hardware access and no protection, no multitasking, no paging, etc. It's meant to be like a modern DOS, useful for development of small games or apps that requires hardware control.
BRiXAn open-source operating system project featuring: SMP, preemptive multi-threading, virtual memory, a secure multi-user environment and an easy to use graphical interface.
Dex4uA fast and free operating system for the PC (Intel, AMD, etc.). Everything in this operating system is focused on speed: the architecture, it's avoidance of virtualization, and it is completely written in assembly.
EROS'The Extremely Reliable Operating System', originally implemented at the University of Pennsylvania, but now migrated to Johns Hopkins University. The result is a small, secure, real-time operating system that provides orthogonal persistence.
JazmynA freeware open-source 32-bit, protected-mode, multitasking, single-user, operating system which runs on i386 CPU's. Written in C++ and Assembly.
Menuet OSMenuet is a fully 32 bit assembly written, graphical RTOS for assembly programming & distributed under GPL with the following features:
* pre-emptive multitasking, multithreading, ipc
* graphical UI with 16 M colours up to 1280x1024
* ide: editor/compiler for applications and kernel
* kernel and application sources included (GPL)
* ethernet: tcp/udp/icmp/ip
* http/mp3 servers, 3D maze
* free-form, skinnable application windows
* hard real-time data fetch
* fits in a single floppy
Since Menuet fits to a single floppy, you only need one blank 1.44 M diskette to install it. Your hard disks are not affected in any way.
MonaOSA free operating system for Intel processors with a small micro kernel (98 Kb). It is neither a POSIX nor a Windows clone and has been written in C++.
OberonOberon is the name of a modern integrated software environment. It is a single-user, multi-tasking system that runs on bare hardware or on top of a host operating system. Oberon is also the name of a programming language in the Pascal/Modula tradition. The Oberon project was launched in 1985 by Niklaus Wirth and Jürg Gutknecht. Although the project was originally targeted towards in-house hardware, the language and system have now been ported to many computer platforms and multiple CPU's.
Freeware, Open Source.
SyllableA GPL-licensed open source desktop operating system with modest hardware requirements, a 64-bit journaling file system, network support and a GUI.
TAJFreeware multi-threaded, multi-user and multi-tasking operating system by Viral Patel (India).
VisopsysFreeware, open-source operating system for PC's. It is small, fast, has a GUI, real preemptive multitasking, and virtual memory.
 
BeOS / Zeta
BeOS / Zeta is a very fast, reliable operating system, designed from the ground up for multi-media performance.
For example, it boots under 15 seconds. It can run 10 full-screen MPEG videos simultaneously without any problems. Don't try that on Windows!
ZetaNon-free operating system based on BeOS. It doesn't intend to compete with Windows, but wants to be an alternative for those wanting to run a second operating system - or those and who find Linux too complicated. Zeta is easily installed, and perhaps even easier to use.
BeBits.comTons of freeware and shareware programs running on BeOS / Zeta.
HaikuAn open-source effort to first recreate and then extend a most excellent, once-commercially-supported, closed-source, media-oriented desktop computer operating system called the Be operating system (BeOS).
 
RiscOS
RiscOSHomepage of the RiscOS operating system which was originally created by Acorn Computers in 1988. RiscOS runs on ARM-based processors.
RiscOS 5 OverviewUnlike earlier versions, RISC OS 5 runs entirely in the ARM's 32-bit mode making it suitable for the latest ARM processors such as Intel XScale, ARM9 and ARM10 based devices.
IYONIX PCA complete and fast desktop computer with ARM processor running RiscOS.
More RiscOS computers can be found here.
RiscOS Solo:
the Green computer
A rugged RISCOS computer, which can run on Solar energy. Intended for use within Third-world countries where its ultra-low-power design enables it to be used far away from sources of mains electricity.
Virtual AcornYou can also run RiscOS on a regular Windows PC using this Acorn emulator.
RiscOS Software
Directory
Large RiscOS software archive.
RiscOS Hardware
Manufacturers
A list of companies which create RiscOS computers and related hardware.
 
Commercial Operating Systems
MAC OSThe Operating System for the iMac and other Apple computers.
A site with lots of good Mac related links is The Page.
OS/2Operating system for Intel-based PC's.
OS/2 related sites.
PetrosPetros is a new 32-bit operating system for the PC platform released by Trumpet Software. Non-bloatware approach (KISS), small in size, modular, based on Object Pascal, and only $ 50 USD.
Petros is a system that is intended to co-exist with and complement the existing platforms rather than supplant them.
QNXReal-time operating system with UNIX-like functionality.
SkyOSSkyOS is an operating system written from scratch for x86 PC's. As required for a modern operating system, it supports features such as multiprocessor support (SMP), 64-bit journaled filesystem, virtual memory, memory protection, multitasking and threading etc. Additionally, SkyOS has a built-in GUI system named SkyGI.
VAX and AlphaAn interesting initiative is the "OpenVMS and the OpenVMS hobbyist licensing Program". For a few hundreds of dollars you can now own your own (secondhand) VAX or Alpha computer!
 
Java Operating-systems
JnodeFreeware, open-source Java operating system with JIT compiler. Also: AWT, Swing, ISO9660, JIFS, etc.
 
Windows
Although not abundantly fast, stable, and cost-effective, Windows is by far the most wide-spread Operating System for Desktop PCs.
WineFreeware. Wine is an emulator, running on Linux, allowing you to run Windows applications on Linux without the need to pay for a Windows license (legally).
litePC.comProducts for customizing, optimizing Windows operating systems. By removing or replacing certain Windows components, performance and stability can be improved.
ReactOSReactOS is an Open Source effort to develop a quality operating system that is compatible with Windows NT applications and drivers.
 
TreePad X Enterprise
384 Gigabyte Personal Information Manager and Word Processor.
Intuitive and versatile, including Website Generator, spellchecker, thesaurus, attachments, search engine, recycle bin, and much more!
Click here to get the free evaluation version.
 
DOS and DOS clones
FreeDOSFreeware DOS clone, Y2K compliant.
OpenGEMAn opensource graphical user interface for DOS
PTSRussian MS-DOS clone.
RDOSOpen source DOS clone, free for non-commercial use.
SealOpen source GUI for DOS.
The DOS IndexCommand reference for DOS/Win3.11/95/98/NT/ME/XP/2000
 
OS Projects
Mega OSA project to create a new POSIX compliant Unix clone (gnu gpl). The goals are to be as stable, secure, and easy to use as possible,
E/OS LXOpen-source project to construct a free operating system which is able to run Windows and DOS programs, MAC programs, Linux programs and OS/2 programs.
 
Operating System Development
OSKitA framework and set of 34 component libraries intended to facilitate the development of new operating systems, or to enhance and extend existing ones. Open source.
ExOS libraryMIT Exokernel Operating System library.
OSDev.org"The place to start for OS developers": newsgroups, message board, links, OSDev ring.
 
Operating System-related sites
ExtremeTechDeep technology for enthousiasts and professionals.
FreeOS.comForums, articles and opinions related to free operating systems.
Operating System
Documentation Project
History of and information on a large number of operating systems.
OS NewsDaily news on Operating Systems.
OS News
discussion forum
Discussions on Operating Systems related subjects.
OS OpinionArticles and columns on technical- and Operating Systems-related matters.
Review of
Operating Systems
One of the largest lists of Operating Systems, related projects, etc. on the Net.
 
Related Freebyte pages
Free C++ (and C)
Programming
Free C++ IDE's, compilers, libraries, tools, resources and tutorials for Linux/Unix, Windows, MAC, etc.
Free Cross-Platform
Programming Tools
Free programming tools, interpreters and frameworks following the principle 'create once, compile anywhere' or 'create once, run anywhere'. This means that once you have created your program using one of the tools listed on this page, you can compile or run it on multiple platforms without much (if any) adaptation.
Free Programming ToolsFree programming tools for Windows, Linux, etc. Free C++, C, Delphi, Basic, Assembler, Cobol, Pascal, Java, SQL, Databases; links to free compilers, databases, interpreters, IDE's, installers, components, libraries, languages, helpfile generators and more.
Free Anti-Virus SoftwareFree and non-free anti-virus software, free firewalls, free email protection software, free virus prevention software, tests of anti-virus programs, links to specialized anti-virus sites, information about virus prevention, useful evaluation versions of anti-virus software, etc..
Free Anti-SpywareFree utilities to detect and remove spyware.
Free Business
and Office Software
Free office suites, word processors, text editors, personal databases, currency converters, accounting software, calculators, document viewers, PDF utilities, etc.
Free ComputersFree used and recycled computers, mostly for schools, non-profit organisations and disadvantaged individuals.
Free File and Disk utilitiesVarious file and disk utilities.
Free PSION softwareFree software for the small PSION handheld computers.
Free Software
created by Freebyte
Free Personal Information Managers, free File and Disk Utilities, free Address Books, free eBook Software and more. All created by Freebyte.com.
Free System and
Administrator utilities
Free process viewers, system analysis tools, network monitoring tools, registry tools, task schedulers.
Free Technical SupportFree technical support for all computer-related issues: Hardware, software, PC, Windows, MAC, PDAs, Linux, drivers, Modems, dll's, virus.
 
Also check out these freeware programs!
TreePad LiteFree organizer/information manager
exe-eBook CreatorFree eBook compiler
Freebyte BackupFree backup program
Fast File RenamerFree multiple file renaming tool
Custom Addressbook LiteFree addressbook
DisktectiveFree Disk-space reporting tool
Harddisk Search and StatsFree search engine for your harddisk
Freebyte ZIPFree zip/unzip program
 
Information wanted!
If you know of any good free and/or interesting Operating Systems,
which are not listed here, please let us know!
 
About this page
Last updated on October 25, 2008

Copyright: Freebyte.com
Almere, the Netherlands

If you have any comments about this page,
please mail us here


Copyright ©  1995-2008 Freebyte.com.
All rights reserved.
Freebyte.com is hosted by Godaddy.com