This open-source Windows alternative looks like XP, and it just got a huge update

Published Aug 30, 2026, 12:00 AM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary ReactOS is an open-source, Windows-like OS with its own kernel (neither Windows nor Linux). v0.4.16 adds a graphical installer and a single boot/live image so you can test and install from one medium. It's still in alpha, but 0.4.16 packs many bug fixes: video/audio fixes, an INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE storage fix, and improved network drivers are included with this update. Usually, when picking an operating system, you have a choice: you can either install something that's open-source, or you can use Windows apps natively. But what if you wanted both? Well, that's what ReactOS is aiming to do. It's an operating system that's based on its own kernel, making it neither Windows nor Linux, but features the compatibility of the former with the open-source codebase of the latter. And it just received its big 0.4.16 update, which is well worth checking out. ReactOS 0.4.16 has been released for all to try It's still in an alpha state, though Credit: ReactOS Over on the ReactOS website, the team shares what's new with version 0.4.16. As you might imagine with a version number like that, ReactOS is still in alpha, and it will likely be that way for a while. However, it's still a cool project you can tinker with if the idea of an open source Windows XP-like OS sounds like something you'd enjoy. The star of the show for ReactOS 0.4.16 is a new way to install it from media: Historically, ReactOS offered two images for download, a livecd which let you test ReactOS in a read-only environment, and a bootcd which let you install ReactOS to your hard disk using a text-based installer. Thanks to the efforts of Hermès Bélusca-Maïto (hbelusca), ReactOS 0.4.16 has a new graphical installer and a combined bootcd and livecd. Now you can test and install ReactOS using the same image. Other than that, ReactOS 0.4.16 features a ton of bug fixes. This includes fixing issues with video and audio, a solution for the INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error when using the storage driver, and more support for network drivers. If that sounds like something you'd like to try, head over to the ReactOS download page and give 0.4.16 a try.