Innovative Developments in ReactOS ARM64
A significant advancement has emerged from the ReactOS development community, particularly through the efforts of Ahmed Arif, known in the tech world as “SidiHmeed.” This open-source operating system project, which aims to achieve binary compatibility with Windows drivers and applications, has reached a remarkable milestone with its experimental ARM64 build. This version is designed to run on 64-bit ARM hardware, including popular single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi.
In a groundbreaking move, Ahmed has successfully integrated the FEX emulator with ReactOS ARM64, enabling the execution of Windows x64 games and applications directly on ARM hardware. This innovative combination allows users to experience a semblance of the Windows environment while leveraging the efficiency of ARM architecture.
Since the beginning of the year, ReactOS has been operational on actual ARM64 hardware, albeit in an experimental phase. The latest developments indicate a promising trajectory, with Ahmed’s recent work focusing on getting FEX up and running on ReactOS ARM64. The ReactOS project recently celebrated this achievement, highlighting it as a “massive milestone” for the platform. A demonstration featuring the classic game Super Mario 64 was shared in a video on X, showcasing the potential of this new setup.
The progress in ARM64 support is noteworthy, with the latest development code reflecting significant improvements. Ahmed’s recent accomplishments extend beyond just the Raspberry Pi 5; he has also managed to run ReactOS on the older Raspberry Pi 3, complete with custom Ethernet and WiFi drivers. This dual focus on both newer and older hardware illustrates the project’s commitment to accessibility and versatility within the open-source community.
