In short, Linux is the number one free alternative to Window for the simple reason that it is amazing. In some ways this is another obvious choice. Chromium OS is the operating system that Google's Chrome OS is based on and is available to download free. It's also suitable for installing on aging hardware. Lightweight and with a focus on cloud computing, Chrome OS is one of the most well-known alternatives to Windows. Chromium OS has everything you would find on a Chromebook, making it great for web browsing, social networking, and word processing. However, it is less accomplished at media playback, and meaningful media editing is beyond its capabilities. If you're looking for something that is easy to use, Chromium OS is a good free OS for PCs.

It is available to build from source, or as a ready to install disk image from ArnoldTheBat. Download : Chromium OS Source Disk Image. Related: Turn Your PC or Laptop into a Chromebook. Many think that FreeBSD is just another Linux distribution. While sharing the Unix-like roots of Linux, FreeBSD is the modern, open source version of the Berkeley Software Distribution BSD. FreeBSD can be considered a relative of Linux and its code can be found in many places. These include Apple's macOS and Sony's PlayStation 4 operating systems. Related: The Differences Between Linux and FreeBSD. Overall, FreeBSD is a reliable alternative operating system for servers and desktops alike. While it doesn't ship with a desktop environment by default, there is support for GNOME, KDE and Xfce desktops. FreeBSD is of interest to those with security and privacy concerns, offering enhancements developed by the TrustedBSD project. This has the support of McAfee, DARPA, Google, University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, Apple, and many more.

Download : FreeBSD. Most modern operating systems are built around the concept of multitasking. FreeDOS is different. This DOS-compatible OS is as different from Windows as it's possible to getFreeDOS is based on Windows' predecessor, MS-DOS. A free operating system with support for older games and applications, FreeDOS can be easily connected to your network. In addition, various software packages can be installed, from tools to enhance the classic DOS experience, to apps and games. It doesn't matter if you own a modern desktop, an older rig, or you're running it in a virtual machine. Download : FreeDOS. Another UNIX-based free Windows alternative OS, illumos is based on OpenSolaris, an operating system abandoned by Oracle in Based on BSD and System V Release 4 SVR4 , the illumos core is the heart of many OpenSolaris forks. This is not unlike the way in which the Linux kernel is found in every Linux distribution.

As a result, many illumos distributions are available. The most popular is probably OpenIndiana, which features in the accompanying video. Download : illumos. Windows 10 Update l Version 22H2 The Update Assistant can help you update to the latest version of Windows To get started, click Update now. Update now Privacy. Create Windows 10 installation media To get started, you will first need to have a licence to install Windows Download tool now Privacy. Select Download tool , and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool. On the License terms page, if you accept the license terms, select Accept. On the What do you want to do?

page, select Upgrade this PC now , and then select Next. After downloading and installing, the tool will walk you through how to set up Windows 10 on your PC. All Windows 10 editions are available when you select Windows 10, except for Enterprise edition. For more information on Enterprise edition, go to the Volume Licensing Service Center. Your copy of Windows 10 will automatically activate later using your digital license. Select Change what to keep to set whether you would like to Keep personal files and apps , or Keep personal files only , or choose to keep Nothing during the upgrade. It might take some time to install Windows 10, and your PC will restart a few times. Before you download the tool make sure you have: An internet connection internet service provider fees may apply. Sufficient data storage available on a computer, USB or external drive for the download.

A blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space or blank DVD and DVD burner if you want to create media. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted. When burning a DVD from an ISO file, if you are told the disc image file is too large you will need to use Dual Layer DL DVD Media. Check a few things on the PC where you want to install Windows bit or bit processor CPU. To check this on your PC, go to PC info in PC settings or System in Control Panel, and look for System type.

System requirements. Make sure the PC meets the system requirements for Windows We also recommend going to the PC manufacturer's website for additional info about updated drivers and hardware compatibility. Language in Windows. You'll need to choose the same language when you install Windows To see what language you're currently using, go to Time and language in PC settings or Region in Control Panel. Edition of Windows. We created the Endless OS Foundation in April so that we could dedicate all of our resources and work across for-profit and non-profit partners to bring our solutions to as many people as possible. Thanks for subscribing! Endless OS. Unlock safe access to education and technology with expansive offline-capable autonomous learning materials, powerful creativity tools, games, and more. Download Endless OS for free. Try Endless OS. Start here. What is Endless OS?

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These days most desktops or laptops users expect to have Microsoft Windows or macOS as their operating system, depending on the make of their device. But Ubuntu itself also derives from Debian. We can say the following are advantages of most distributions that use the. It incorporates newer changes and faster releases than the more conservative business version. In either case, Linux is your best bet for productivity and entertainment among alternate OSes. While Linux has been around for a long time, the Berkeley Software Distribution BSD has been around for longer. If you're interested in trying one out give FreeBSD a shot, as it's a generalist OS suitable for both desktop and server. If you're someone who does just fine working on your phone, and your phone happens to be an Android, here's some good news: you can create your own Android PC.

Like Chrome OS, Android is an open source project, and as such developers have been able to take its code and port it to the PC platform. This means you can use all the same apps sitting at home on a laptop or desktop that you use on the go. If you spend most of your time surfing the web or watching videos online, a Chromebook is an excellent choice for you. This means you should be able to take any. EXE program file , install it on ReactOS, and expect it to work at least as well as on Windows. If your tastes run a little more retro, you may be interested in the FreeDOS project.

The project has been around for over 25 years, and is still active today. FreeDOS is an especially great choice for running your old games. It's a slick OS that provides a view into what your computing life might have become. The Amiga system goes back even further than BeOS, and was an alternative to Windows 1. Like FreeDOS, this will appeal to those who have used the system in the past, but as with Haiku it's also a great history lesson. Before there was Linux, there was UNIX, and Solaris from Sun Microsystems was one of the longest-lived commercial UNIX systems. Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day.

By Aaron Peters. Aaron Peters. His work appears in Linux Journal, MakeUseOf, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines. Tweet Share Email. Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide. What We Like. What We Don't Like. Download Ubuntu. Download FreeBSD. Download Android-x Download CloudReady. Download ReactOS. Download FreeDOS. Download Haiku. Download Icaros Desktop. Download OpenIndiana. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe. Tell us why!

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The OS is fully equipped with essential apps to learn, play, work and connect in System requirements. Even so, this makes for an interesting alternative to Windows. Download Ubuntu. Active Boot Disk Select Download tool , and select Run. For more information on Enterprise edition, go to the Volume Licensing Service Center.

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