Give the machine a name (ReactOS, for example) and select Windows XP (32-bit) from the Version drop-down menu. We've detailed how to use VirtualBox in previous issues, but there are a few odd settings when creating your virtual machine.Ī great way to test any new OS is to run it on a virtual machine using the free VirtualBox applicationĭownload and install VirtualBox from and click New to start creating your virtual machine. A virtual machine is essentially a fake computer run entirely in software on your main PC, borrowing some of that 'host' PC's hardware. We'll first take you through creating a virtual machine to test ReactOS, then discuss how to install ReactOS for real on an actual computer. Currently, the Live CD version doesn't have the ability to actually install ReactOS, so we would instead suggest installing the Boot CD version on a virtual machine rather than using the Live CD. However, running any OS from a CD makes it rather sluggish. The Boot CD, meanwhile, will wipe your hard disk to install ReactOS. Even worse, we found that version 0.4.9 doesn't have the required SSL certificate to allow it to access its own 'Applications Manager' app store.īorrowing from Linux habits, there is a Live CD version of ReactOS which runs the OS from a CD, allowing you to test the look and feel of ReactOS without risking your data. As such, the list of compatible hardware is limited, the installation options are fairly specific and some features may not work. Obviously, that's a pain, so here's an alternative: Reactos.Īt the time of writing, the latest stable release of ReactOS is 0.4.9, which tells you something quite important about its current state: this is alpha software.

XP is, therefore, a sitting duck for hackers, leading to many XP users running their PCs in total isolation - no internet, no USB drives, no chance of ingress for any malicious software. Whichever camp you're in, there is one significant flaw: Windows XP no longer receives security updates. Some people just need to use XP because a vital or favourite piece of software was never updated to run on anything else, and even the Compatibility Modes of later Windows versions couldn't help. Many people still view Windows XP as Microsoft's crowning glory, the pinnacle of PC operating systems, the perfect balance between simplicity, reliability and flexibility.

Windows xp emulator windows 10