Best Windows Alternatives: Find Your Perfect OS

Whether you're tired of Windows, Linux, or macOS, or just want to try something new, you can always try it. There are a lot of great desktop operating systems here that are worth checking out. In this post, we've compiled some of them, systems that don't have clear specifications due to their different uses. Aside from the common systems, there are also some systems that even allow you to build free operating systems from scratch, and you can test everything on a virtual machine, so read on to follow along and try it out if you're interested in something.

Windows Alternative 1: ArcaOS

ArcaOS is an operating system based on OS/2 that was recently launched by IBM, although OS/2 will still be alive as an address system even after expanding to eComStation. For some time, ArcaOs 5.1 has still been intensively developed. The English version will be first published then published in Spanish, German and other languages. ArcaOS consists of powerful Unix-compatible subsystems that have portable Linux applications and some drivers, but still have OS/2 Workplace Shell.

ArcaOS is a 32-bit operating system that runs on an x86 processor architecture, so it is compatible with very old PCs, which means it can run 16 bit and 32 bit OS/2 applications as well as some 32 bit Windows apps. It can also run most DOS programs, including games, although its original file system is JFS, but also drivers for FAT32 file system.

There are two models to choose from: the personal license is priced at $129 per license, and the commercial license costs $229, but there are also numerous discounts. The personal version includes 6 months of support and maintenance and a commercial version including one year of priority support & maintenance.

Windows Alternative 2: ReactOS

It is well known that Linux is a reinterpretation of Unix. ReactOS is a new interpretation of the Windows NT architecture. While all the modern versions of Windows have been developed on the basis of Windows NT, reactOS has been designed to be compatible with Windows drivers and applications (in some cases available).

You may have different opinions - it can't be compatible well with advanced games or software, and ReactOS hasn't reached the level of Windows 11. Current purpose is to be fully compatible with Windows Server 2003.

So it's obviously a delay in the age, but ReactOS is definitely useful to incorporate some of the functions of the well-known Windows emulator. The latest version of Wine (0.4.14) also simulates the NEC PC-9800 series in Japan.

It can easily run software such as LibreOffice, Firefox, Opera, and can handle older versions of popular commercial applications such as Adobe Photoshop. Moreover, ReactOS is supported by more file systems than all Windows versions, for example, it can run 64-bit Linux systems with the "Feloader" tool.

As it is absolutely free, it is worth trying to see if your older version of critical binding applications are compatible - creating a station that runs without a Windows license is an interesting trend, even though we can't guarantee attack resistance.

Windows Alternative 3: KolibriOS

KolibriOS is written using the FASM compilation language. It is based on the original code of the operating system. MenuetOS can be started instantly and allows you access to many useful applications even though it does not require installation. However, you need to make sure that you select options for changes made during saving sessions when closing the system.

The operating system supports FAT32 and NTFS file systems, along with drivers for commonly used audio, video and Ethernet hardware. Desktop operations are easy and new users will not be interrupted by exploring desktops and applications.

KolibriOS has more than 200 applications, but the powerful apps are not perfect enough to meet the needs of everyday use. The lack of a software package manager is not useful for use. On the other hand, if you like retro games, there is no better operating system than KolibryOS, since the supported games include Russian square, jumping box games and a good clone version of Space Invaders.

Create a Windows To Go USB as a backup

If you regret using Windows alternative but don't want to back to the previous operating system,  you can create a Windows To Go USB with AOMEI Partition Assistant. It is a renowned disk partition management software that can be compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7. In addition to Windows 11, it can also create a bootable USB for other Windows OS, and the operation methods are the same. More importantly, it also supports to resize the size of your partition, Wipe hard drive, etc. If you want to know more practical functions, you can directly go to this part.

Please note: Windows 11 only supports UEFI boot mode. If you want to install Windows 11 directly on your computer, please make sure your system disk is GPT disk, otherwise please convert MBR to GPT without data loss.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a Windows 10 install USB :

Requirements:

• A USB flash drive: At least 13GB in size, and 16GB or larger is recommended to ensure enough space for future updates.
• Windows OS ISO file: This is a disk image file that contains the entire contents of the Windows 10 installation media. You can download the Windows 10 ISO file directly from Microsoft's website.
• A software tool to create the bootable drive: Microsoft's Media Creation Tool is the most straightforward option for downloading the ISO and creating a bootable USB on Windows systems. For users on other operating systems or preferring an alternative, AOMEI Partition Assistant is a popular choice.
• Download the Media Creation Tool From the Official Microsoft Website.
• Follow the instructions to burn the installation media into the USB.

Steps to Download Windows 10 ISO

It's easy for users to get the latest version of Microsoft's popular operating system by downloading the Windows 10 ISO file. If you do these simple things, you'll be able to get a free copy of Windows 10 ISO and make sure that all of your devices have the latest and safest version. Before you start downloading Windows 10 ISO files, please check the Microsoft website to make sure it is a safe source.

After that, pick the version and language of Windows 10 that works best for you. Along with that, you ca000

n pick a 32-bit or 64-bit architecture based on how fast your computer is. You can start downloading after making all of these choices. This will let you make the ISO file that your USB or DVD needs to start up. 

Now that you have Windows 10, you still need to do the following to make sure everything goes well: Before you download, please make sure that your device meets the requirements that Microsoft has set for Windows 10. Also, please only get Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft's official website to make sure everything works right. If you use any other source, your files could be stolen or hacked.

Steps to Create a Bootable USB

1. Open AOMEI Partition Assistant: Start the program on your computer.
2. Insert Your USB Drive: Make sure it’s empty or backed up, as it will be formatted.
3. Launch 'Windows To Go Creator': Find this option in the main interface and click it.
4. Select 'Create Windows To Go with system disc/ISO': Click “Next.”
5. Choose Your ISO File: Click “Browse” to locate and select your Windows 10 ISO file and choose the right drive from the list.
6. Start the Process and Wait the Completion: Click “Proceed” and confirm that you understand all data on the USB will be erased. Then wait patiently.

Using the Bootable USB

• Insert the USB into the PC where you want to install Windows.
• Restart the PC and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, Del, or Esc at startup).
• Set the USB as the primary boot device, save the settings, and exit.
• Follow on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.

Apart from creating a Windows 10 install USB, AOMEI Partition Assistant also has these benefits for you to better management. It offers easy disk management tools for separating, merging, formatting, splitting, extending, and merging partitions. 

Conclusion

Whether you're bored with Windows, Linux or macOS or just want to try something new, there are many alternative operating systems worth exploring for these alternatives, including ArcaOS, ReactOS, and KolibriOS, each of which has unique compatibility features and options.ArcaOS supports some OS/2 and Windows and DOS applications.The purpose of ReactOS is to work with Windows Server 2003 and use various applications and drivers.KolibriOS provides a lightweight experience and supports basic gaming and applications.

For those who may regret changing or want to back up Windows To Go USB creation with AOMEI, the Partition Assistant can provide a portable Windows environment with a tool that is compatible with multiple versions of Windows, helping to manage disk partitions efficiently.Exploring these options and backup solutions can lead to a more customized and flexible computing experience.

FAQs

1. What is ArcaOS and what does it support? ArcaOS is an operating system based on OS/2, compatible with x86 architecture. It supports 16-bit and 32-bit OS/2 applications, some Windows applications, and most DOS programs. It also supports FAT32 and JFS file systems.

2. How is ReactOS different from other Windows alternatives? ReactOS is designed to be compatible with Windows NT architecture, aiming to run Windows drivers and applications, particularly those compatible with Windows Server 2003. It supports software like LibreOffice and Firefox but may not handle advanced games or newer software as effectively as modern Windows versions.

3. What are the features of KolibriOS? KolibriOS is a lightweight operating system that starts instantly and supports FAT32 and NTFS file systems. It includes over 200 applications and drivers for audio, video, and Ethernet hardware, making it suitable for retro gaming and basic desktop operations.

4. How can I create a Windows To Go USB? Using AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can create a portable Windows USB drive. The process involves selecting the Windows ISO file, choosing the USB drive, and following on-screen instructions to create the bootable USB, which can then be used to run Windows on any compatible device.

5. What should I consider before downloading a Windows 10 ISO file? Ensure your device meets Microsoft's system requirements for Windows 10. Download the ISO file only from Microsoft's official website to avoid security risks. Choose the correct version and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) based on your computer's specifications.