Difference between revisions of "Installing ReactOS"
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{{Warning|Please bear in mind that ReactOS is still in '''alpha stage''', meaning it is not stable or feature-complete and is not recommended for everyday use. Operating system bugs can and do result in corrupted file systems, overwritten partitions, and more. Do not install ReactOS on any computer containing important data without '''using a virtual machine''' or '''making full backups first'''.}} | {{Warning|Please bear in mind that ReactOS is still in '''alpha stage''', meaning it is not stable or feature-complete and is not recommended for everyday use. Operating system bugs can and do result in corrupted file systems, overwritten partitions, and more. Do not install ReactOS on any computer containing important data without '''using a virtual machine''' or '''making full backups first'''.}} | ||
| − | + | = Before installing = | |
There are several things to be made aware of before installing ReactOS, or even obtaining the installation media. These include how ReactOS will be installed, limitations of the installation, and backing up existing data. | There are several things to be made aware of before installing ReactOS, or even obtaining the installation media. These include how ReactOS will be installed, limitations of the installation, and backing up existing data. | ||
| − | + | == Limitations == | |
ReactOS is '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#Alpha alpha]''' level (or alpha phase) software. It is not yet [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feature_complete feature complete]. <br> | ReactOS is '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#Alpha alpha]''' level (or alpha phase) software. It is not yet [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feature_complete feature complete]. <br> | ||
Some major bugs remain to be corrected. For the details see [[Known Issues]]. | Some major bugs remain to be corrected. For the details see [[Known Issues]]. | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
| − | The ReactOS itself, setup utility and [[FreeLoader|boot loader]] have a number of limitations. The most prominent are: | + | The ReactOS itself, setup utility, and [[FreeLoader|boot loader]] have a number of limitations. The most prominent are: |
| − | |||
* the setup utility does not prevent users from performing dangerous and potentially destructive operations. | * the setup utility does not prevent users from performing dangerous and potentially destructive operations. | ||
| + | * UEFI system firmware is not supported by ReactOS yet, you have to use legacy BIOS mode. | ||
* some SATA controllers may not work with ReactOS. | * some SATA controllers may not work with ReactOS. | ||
| − | * the boot partition is highly recommended be the first | + | * the boot partition is highly recommended to be the first partition on the first (or even better - single) disk in the system. |
* the setup utility can check the integrity of ONLY FAT16 and FAT32 file systems. | * the setup utility can check the integrity of ONLY FAT16 and FAT32 file systems. | ||
| − | * HD Audio or use of multiple audio cards at the same time are not yet supported | + | * HD Audio or use of multiple audio cards at the same time are not yet supported, ReactOS versions and builds prior to 0.4.12 will not boot after setup with this configuration. |
| − | + | = System requirements = | |
| − | + | == Hardware support == | |
ReactOS has '''limited''' hardware support. Lists of particular hardware that have been tested can be found on the page '''[[Supported Hardware]]'''. | ReactOS has '''limited''' hardware support. Lists of particular hardware that have been tested can be found on the page '''[[Supported Hardware]]'''. | ||
| − | + | == Minimum hardware requirements == | |
The minimum requirements to install ReactOS are: | The minimum requirements to install ReactOS are: | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
* '''Video:''' VGA compatible video card (VESA BIOS version 2.0 or later). | * '''Video:''' VGA compatible video card (VESA BIOS version 2.0 or later). | ||
| − | + | = Getting ReactOS = | |
Due to the current state of the project, the ReactOS Foundation does not offer official installation media for distribution. Installation CD-ROMs must be created by the user by writing an available image file to a CD-ROM. | Due to the current state of the project, the ReactOS Foundation does not offer official installation media for distribution. Installation CD-ROMs must be created by the user by writing an available image file to a CD-ROM. | ||
| − | + | == Downloading the image file == | |
Official ISO image files can be downloaded at one of the following locations: | Official ISO image files can be downloaded at one of the following locations: | ||
| − | * The official [ | + | * The official [https://reactos.org/download Download] page. |
| − | * ReactOS [ | + | * ReactOS [https://reactos.org/getbuilds daily builds] |
| − | * ReactOS at [ | + | * ReactOS at [https://sourceforge.net/projects/reactos/files/ReactOS SourceForge] (ReactOS-{{ReactOS-Curr-Version}}-REL-iso.zip) |
WARNING: Some anti-malware programs will detect false positives in ReactOS files. | WARNING: Some anti-malware programs will detect false positives in ReactOS files. | ||
| − | + | == Creating the Installation CD == | |
The downloaded file is a compressed archive in ZIP format, containing a single file named "ReactOS.iso". The ISO image contains everything needed to create the CD. | The downloaded file is a compressed archive in ZIP format, containing a single file named "ReactOS.iso". The ISO image contains everything needed to create the CD. | ||
* Extract the image file from the archive into a temporary directory. | * Extract the image file from the archive into a temporary directory. | ||
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When burning the ISO to disc, be sure it is written as an image file. Writing to the disc as another type of data will not work and render the Installation CD unbootable. Look for an option similar to "Burn from ISO" or "Write disk image". | When burning the ISO to disc, be sure it is written as an image file. Writing to the disc as another type of data will not work and render the Installation CD unbootable. Look for an option similar to "Burn from ISO" or "Write disk image". | ||
| − | + | = Installing ReactOS = | |
Please consider '''making full backups''' of any sensitive data before you start any experiments with ReactOS in the production environment! | Please consider '''making full backups''' of any sensitive data before you start any experiments with ReactOS in the production environment! | ||
| − | + | == Installation strategy == | |
The first consideration to make is whether to install ReactOS on a dedicated testing machine or in a contained environment, such as running on an emulator without direct disk access. The use of an emulator is preferable if the machine on which you will run ReactOS is your primary computer or if you have important data on the computer which you cannot afford to lose. | The first consideration to make is whether to install ReactOS on a dedicated testing machine or in a contained environment, such as running on an emulator without direct disk access. The use of an emulator is preferable if the machine on which you will run ReactOS is your primary computer or if you have important data on the computer which you cannot afford to lose. | ||
If you decide to install ReactOS on a disk drive that contains an existing operating system (such as Microsoft Windows XP), you should ensure that the drive is formatted with a file system ReactOS can access and write to (now, primary FAT32/FAT16 partition) and that there is sufficient free space on the drive such that ReactOS can be installed (now, >=450 MB). | If you decide to install ReactOS on a disk drive that contains an existing operating system (such as Microsoft Windows XP), you should ensure that the drive is formatted with a file system ReactOS can access and write to (now, primary FAT32/FAT16 partition) and that there is sufficient free space on the drive such that ReactOS can be installed (now, >=450 MB). | ||
| − | Furthermore, the current hardware limitations to which ReactOS is constrained must be identified and compared to the target computer system (e.g. that ReactOS has only basic audio support as of [[0.4. | + | Furthermore, the current hardware limitations to which ReactOS is constrained must be identified and compared to the target computer system (e.g. that ReactOS has only basic audio support as of [[0.4.13]] release). |
| − | Once the available hardware and software situation is determined the installation media can be selected. | + | Once the available hardware and software situation is determined the installation media can be selected. In most cases, USB-RAM boot should be enough (or CD-ROM boot for virtual machines). But sometimes it may either not work or be not available for the particular system. Then you can use other available options as well. |
ReactOS goes through three stages during setup. The first two stages deal with the installation of the system, while the third stage is the first usable boot by the user. | ReactOS goes through three stages during setup. The first two stages deal with the installation of the system, while the third stage is the first usable boot by the user. | ||
* First stage – Text mode setup, started when booting from a ReactOS CD-ROM. | * First stage – Text mode setup, started when booting from a ReactOS CD-ROM. | ||
| − | * Second stage – Booting to GUI installer. | + | * Second stage – Booting to GUI installer. The input of user information and registering of files. |
* Third stage – Booting to desktop, user configurations. | * Third stage – Booting to desktop, user configurations. | ||
| − | If you '''encounter problems''', disable all secondary or unnecessary devices, especially '''USB'''-cameras and '''sound cards''' of any type. | + | If you '''encounter problems''', it is recommended to disable or physically remove all secondary or unnecessary devices, especially '''USB'''-cameras and '''sound cards''' of any type. |
| − | + | == Virtual Machines == | |
A Virtual Machine is a software program that provides a virtual hardware platform. Software instructions that would be run on hardware are now interpreted by the emulator software. This allows you to "run" a different kind of computer hardware and its software in a window on your computer. | A Virtual Machine is a software program that provides a virtual hardware platform. Software instructions that would be run on hardware are now interpreted by the emulator software. This allows you to "run" a different kind of computer hardware and its software in a window on your computer. | ||
| − | See | + | See [[Virtualization software]] for well-known configurations for popular VM software. |
| − | == | + | == Hardware == |
| − | + | Generally speaking, PCs from Windows 2000-XP era should work with ReactOS, the details depend on your particular hardware configuration. Check our [[Supported_Hardware|supported hardware]] and [[PC ROS Rigs|notebook models]] pages for more info. | |
| − | + | {{Warning|Although work on the UEFI Boot is [https://reactos.org/blogs/newsletter-103/ in progress], ReactOS does not support UEFI booting yet, you need to enable legacy BIOS mode on UEFI systems}} | |
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| − | + | == Install from a CD-ROM == | |
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* Make sure your BIOS is configured to boot from the CD-ROM first. | * Make sure your BIOS is configured to boot from the CD-ROM first. | ||
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* After the installation has finished, remove the setup CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive and press ''Enter'' to reboot your computer. You can now start ReactOS by selecting it from the boot menu. | * After the installation has finished, remove the setup CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive and press ''Enter'' to reboot your computer. You can now start ReactOS by selecting it from the boot menu. | ||
| − | == | + | == Install from a USB media == |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | See article [[LiveUSB]] about how to prepare a USB boot media. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | == Network boot or installation via PXE == | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | See article [[Building PXE-ready ReactOS]]. | |
| − | See article [[Building PXE-ready ReactOS]] | ||
| − | ==== | + | == Installing from internal drive == |
| − | + | See article [[User:Minecraftchest1/installing/installing-from-harddrive]] | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | = Installing drivers = | |
| − | You may also | + | You may be also interested to know how to install a driver for a device in ReactOS. If so, see [[Install a driver]] article. |
| − | + | = Unattended Installation = | |
| − | You may also | + | You may be also interested to know how to install ReactOS in the automatic (non-interactive) mode. If so, see [[Create an unattended Installation CD]] article. |
| − | + | = See also = | |
| − | * [ | + | * [https://www.virtualbox.org/ VirtualBox] – a free virtualization software for Windows, Linux and Mac ([[VirtualBox|HOWTO]]) |
| − | * [ | + | * [https://wiki.qemu.org/Main_Page QEMU] – an open source machine emulator |
* [[Boot options]] for FreeLoader | * [[Boot options]] for FreeLoader | ||
Latest revision as of 04:54, 12 November 2023
Warning: Please bear in mind that ReactOS is still in alpha stage, meaning it is not stable or feature-complete and is not recommended for everyday use. Operating system bugs can and do result in corrupted file systems, overwritten partitions, and more. Do not install ReactOS on any computer containing important data without using a virtual machine or making full backups first.
Contents
Before installing
There are several things to be made aware of before installing ReactOS, or even obtaining the installation media. These include how ReactOS will be installed, limitations of the installation, and backing up existing data.
Limitations
ReactOS is alpha level (or alpha phase) software. It is not yet feature complete.
Some major bugs remain to be corrected. For the details see Known Issues.
Bear in mind that this is not a complete list of known issues. See also Missing ReactOS Functionality.
The ReactOS itself, setup utility, and boot loader have a number of limitations. The most prominent are:
- the setup utility does not prevent users from performing dangerous and potentially destructive operations.
- UEFI system firmware is not supported by ReactOS yet, you have to use legacy BIOS mode.
- some SATA controllers may not work with ReactOS.
- the boot partition is highly recommended to be the first partition on the first (or even better - single) disk in the system.
- the setup utility can check the integrity of ONLY FAT16 and FAT32 file systems.
- HD Audio or use of multiple audio cards at the same time are not yet supported, ReactOS versions and builds prior to 0.4.12 will not boot after setup with this configuration.
System requirements
Hardware support
ReactOS has limited hardware support. Lists of particular hardware that have been tested can be found on the page Supported Hardware.
Minimum hardware requirements
The minimum requirements to install ReactOS are:
- RAM: at least 64 MB, recommended 256 MB, and even 2048 MB if you want to test large software suites or bundles.
- Processor: x86 or x64 architecture, Pentium or later and compatibles; for more information see ReactOS ports.
- HDD: IDE/SATA with minimum 450 MB of free space on the primary partition (please note that some SATA controllers may not work with ReactOS):
- FAT16/FAT32 primary boot partition.
- Video: VGA compatible video card (VESA BIOS version 2.0 or later).
Getting ReactOS
Due to the current state of the project, the ReactOS Foundation does not offer official installation media for distribution. Installation CD-ROMs must be created by the user by writing an available image file to a CD-ROM.
Downloading the image file
Official ISO image files can be downloaded at one of the following locations:
- The official Download page.
- ReactOS daily builds
- ReactOS at SourceForge (ReactOS-0.4.14-REL-iso.zip)
WARNING: Some anti-malware programs will detect false positives in ReactOS files.
Creating the Installation CD
The downloaded file is a compressed archive in ZIP format, containing a single file named "ReactOS.iso". The ISO image contains everything needed to create the CD.
- Extract the image file from the archive into a temporary directory.
- Burn the ISO image to a CD-R or CD-RW using any software of your choice.
When burning the ISO to disc, be sure it is written as an image file. Writing to the disc as another type of data will not work and render the Installation CD unbootable. Look for an option similar to "Burn from ISO" or "Write disk image".
Installing ReactOS
Please consider making full backups of any sensitive data before you start any experiments with ReactOS in the production environment!
Installation strategy
The first consideration to make is whether to install ReactOS on a dedicated testing machine or in a contained environment, such as running on an emulator without direct disk access. The use of an emulator is preferable if the machine on which you will run ReactOS is your primary computer or if you have important data on the computer which you cannot afford to lose.
If you decide to install ReactOS on a disk drive that contains an existing operating system (such as Microsoft Windows XP), you should ensure that the drive is formatted with a file system ReactOS can access and write to (now, primary FAT32/FAT16 partition) and that there is sufficient free space on the drive such that ReactOS can be installed (now, >=450 MB). Furthermore, the current hardware limitations to which ReactOS is constrained must be identified and compared to the target computer system (e.g. that ReactOS has only basic audio support as of 0.4.13 release).
Once the available hardware and software situation is determined the installation media can be selected. In most cases, USB-RAM boot should be enough (or CD-ROM boot for virtual machines). But sometimes it may either not work or be not available for the particular system. Then you can use other available options as well.
ReactOS goes through three stages during setup. The first two stages deal with the installation of the system, while the third stage is the first usable boot by the user.
- First stage – Text mode setup, started when booting from a ReactOS CD-ROM.
- Second stage – Booting to GUI installer. The input of user information and registering of files.
- Third stage – Booting to desktop, user configurations.
If you encounter problems, it is recommended to disable or physically remove all secondary or unnecessary devices, especially USB-cameras and sound cards of any type.
Virtual Machines
A Virtual Machine is a software program that provides a virtual hardware platform. Software instructions that would be run on hardware are now interpreted by the emulator software. This allows you to "run" a different kind of computer hardware and its software in a window on your computer.
See Virtualization software for well-known configurations for popular VM software.
Hardware
Generally speaking, PCs from Windows 2000-XP era should work with ReactOS, the details depend on your particular hardware configuration. Check our supported hardware and notebook models pages for more info.
Warning: Although work on the UEFI Boot is in progress, ReactOS does not support UEFI booting yet, you need to enable legacy BIOS mode on UEFI systems
Install from a CD-ROM
- Make sure your BIOS is configured to boot from the CD-ROM first.
- Insert the ReactOS setup CD-ROM into a CD-ROM drive and reboot your computer. On the next boot, the ReactOS setup utility will start.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to install ReactOS on your computer.
- After the installation has finished, remove the setup CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive and press Enter to reboot your computer. You can now start ReactOS by selecting it from the boot menu.
Install from a USB media
See article LiveUSB about how to prepare a USB boot media.
Network boot or installation via PXE
See article Building PXE-ready ReactOS.
Installing from internal drive
See article User:Minecraftchest1/installing/installing-from-harddrive
Installing drivers
You may be also interested to know how to install a driver for a device in ReactOS. If so, see Install a driver article.
Unattended Installation
You may be also interested to know how to install ReactOS in the automatic (non-interactive) mode. If so, see Create an unattended Installation CD article.
See also
- VirtualBox – a free virtualization software for Windows, Linux and Mac (HOWTO)
- QEMU – an open source machine emulator
- Boot options for FreeLoader
- Boot FreeLoader from GRUB – How to boot ReactOS from GRUB
- Install a driver in ReactOS
