In the realm of operating systems, alternatives to mainstream offerings are gaining traction, much like the Android variants that exist beyond Google’s reach. Among these alternatives, ReactOS stands out as a noteworthy open-source project dedicated to providing a free and compatible replacement for Windows. This initiative seeks to eliminate the unwanted features often associated with Microsoft’s OS, such as telemetry and advertisements.
Recent Developments in ReactOS
While ReactOS is still in its alpha phase and not yet polished enough for daily use, it has made significant strides. The latest update, ReactOS 0.4.15, marks a substantial milestone, being the first major release in over three years. This version brings a host of enhancements, including:
- Plug and Play fixes
- Audio improvements
- Memory management tweaks
- Registry healing
- Upgrades to essential accessories and system tools, such as Notepad, Paint, and RAPPS
- Improvements to the Input Method Editor and shell functionalities
This release is particularly notable, featuring nearly eight times the number of commits compared to its predecessor, 0.4.14. The team behind ReactOS is optimistic about the future, with plans for enhancements that include:
- UEFI support
- Symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)
- A new graphical installer
- A new NTFS filesystem driver
- Power management capabilities
- Support for newer applications
For those interested in exploring this innovative alternative, ReactOS 0.4.15 is available for download.
Image Credit: Yuri Arcurs / Dreamstime.com
