How to Download AR OS: A Free and Open-Source Operating System
Are you looking for a lightweight, efficient, and flexible operating system that can run on your old or new computer? Do you want to experience the nostalgia and functionality of AmigaOS without spending a fortune? If so, you might want to try AR OS, a free and open-source operating system that is compatible with AmigaOS at the API level.
download ar os
What is AR OS?
AR OS stands for AROS Research Operating System. It is an independent, portable, and free project that aims at being compatible with AmigaOS at the API level (like Wine, unlike UAE), while improving on it in many areas.
AmigaOS was a popular operating system for personal computers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was known for its graphical user interface, multitasking capabilities, multimedia features, and custom hardware. However, due to various legal and financial issues, AmigaOS development slowed down and eventually stopped.
AR OS was started in 1995 by a group of Amiga enthusiasts who wanted to revive and modernize AmigaOS. Over the years, it has become an almost "feature complete" implementation of AmigaOS 3.1 APIs, which means that most applications written for AmigaOS can run on AR OS without any modifications.
AR OS is designed to be portable and flexible. It can run on various platforms, such as x86, x86-64, PowerPC, m68k, and ARM. It can also run natively or hosted on another operating system, such as Linux or Windows.
Why use AR OS?
There are many benefits of using AR OS over other operating systems. Here are some of them:
It is free and open-source. You can download, use, modify, and distribute AR OS without any restrictions or fees.
It is compatible with AmigaOS. You can run thousands of applications written for AmigaOS on AR OS without any emulation or virtualization.
It is lightweight and efficient. It does not require a lot of resources or disk space to run smoothly.
It is flexible and customizable. You can choose from different distributions, themes, settings, and applications to suit your needs and preferences.
It is fun and nostalgic. You can relive the glory days of Amiga computing with AR OS's graphical user interface, sound effects, games, and demos.
What do you need to run AR OS?
The requirements for running AR OS depend on the platform and the mode you choose. Here is a table of minimum and recommended hardware and software requirements for different platforms:
How to download AROS Research Operating System
AROS desktop operating system free download
Download AROS for x86 based PC's
AROS compatible with AmigaOS 3.1
Download AROS distributions for different platforms
AROS nightly builds download link
AROS source code download from GitHub
Download Icaros Desktop LIVE! distribution of AROS
Download AspireOS distribution of AROS for netbooks
Download AROS Broadway distribution of AROS for ARES computers
Download AROS Vision distribution of AROS for M68k Amigas
Download AROS One distribution of AROS based on Deadwood's ABI v0 release
Download AROS SMP experimental version for x86_64
Download AROS for Vampire turbo cards
Download AROS graphics drivers and screen composition
Download AROS applications from The AROS Archives or Aminet
Download AROS manuals and quick reference guide
Download AROS installation and using guides
Download AROS shell and command reference
Download AROS development tools and documentation
How to install AROS on hard drive or virtual machine
How to boot AROS from live DVD-ROM or CD-ROM
How to update AROS core system components
How to configure AROS settings and preferences
How to use AROS Zune graphical user interface
How to run AmigaOS software on AROS
How to run Linux software on AROS using HostBridge
How to run Windows software on AROS using Janus-UAE
How to run DOS software on AROS using DOSBox or PCx86 emulator
How to run Atari ST software on AROS using Hatari emulator
How to run Commodore 64 software on AROS using VICE emulator
How to run ZX Spectrum software on AROS using Fuse emulator
How to run Nintendo software on AROS using FCEU or Nestopia emulator
How to run Sega software on AROS using Genesis Plus or SMS Plus emulator
How to run PlayStation software on AROS using PCSX emulator
How to run arcade games on AROS using MAME emulator
How to use AROS Wanderer file manager and desktop environment
How to use AROS DOpus file manager and application launcher
How to use AROS OWB web browser and email client
How to use AROS MPlayer media player and codecs
How to use AROS AmiCloud cloud storage service and IndieGO app store
How to use AROS AmiTwitter social media client and AmiVNC remote desktop client
How to use AROS AmiPDF PDF viewer and Scribble text editor
How to use AROS Murks! IDE and FreePascal compiler for development
How to use AROS Blender 3D modeling and animation software and GIMP image editor
How to use AROS MilkyTracker music tracker and Audacity audio editor
How to use AROS RDesktop remote desktop client and PuTTY SSH client
How to use AROS SimpleMail email client and YAM email client
How to use AROS AmIRC IRC client and WookieChat IRC client
How to use AROS AmiTradeCenter FTP client and FileZilla FTP client
Platform
Mode
CPU
RAM
Disk Space
Other Requirements
x86
Native
32 MB
50 MB
VGA graphics card, CD-ROM drive or network card
x86-64
Native
AMD Athlon 64 or newer
64 MB
50 MB
VGA graphics card, CD-ROM drive or network card
PowerPC
Native
PowerPC 603e or newer
64 MB
50 MB
VGA graphics card, CD-ROM drive or network card
m68k
Native
Motorola 68020 or newer
2 MB (chip) + 4 MB (fast)
50 MB
Kickstart 3.1 ROM, AGA chipset or graphics card, CD-ROM drive or network card
ARM
Native
ARMv7 or newer
128 MB
50 MB
VGA graphics card, CD-ROM drive or network card
x86/x86-64/PowerPC/m68k/ARM
Hosted on Linux
Same as the host system
Same as the host system + 32 MB for AR OS
Same as the host system + 50 MB for AR OS
A Linux distribution with X11 and SDL libraries installed, a network connection between the host and AR OS (optional)
x86/x86-64/PowerPC/m68k/ARM
Hosted on Windows
Same as the host system
Same as the host system + 32 MB for AR OS<
Same as the host system + 50 MB for AR OS
A Windows version with DirectX and SDL libraries installed, a network connection between the host and AR OS (optional)
Where can you get AR OS?
There are several ways to get AR OS. You can choose from different distributions, which are pre-packaged versions of AR OS with various settings and applications. Some of the most popular distributions are:
Icaros Desktop. This is a complete distribution of AR OS for x86 and x86-64 platforms. It includes a graphical installer, a desktop environment, a web browser, an office suite, a media player, and many other applications. It also supports hosting on Linux and Windows.
AROS Vision. This is a distribution of AR OS for m68k platforms. It is compatible with classic Amiga hardware and emulators. It includes a desktop environment, a web browser, an office suite, a media player, and many other applications.
AspireOS. This is a distribution of AR OS for x86 platforms. It is optimized for low-end hardware and netbooks. It includes a desktop environment, a web browser, an office suite, a media player, and many other applications.
Broadway. This is a distribution of AR OS for x86-64 platforms. It is designed for modern hardware and laptops. It includes a desktop environment, a web browser, an office suite, a media player, and many other applications.
AROS One. This is a distribution of AR OS for x86 and x86-64 platforms. It is inspired by AmigaOS 4 and MorphOS. It includes a desktop environment, a web browser, an office suite, a media player, and many other applications.
You can download these distributions from their official websites or from third-party mirrors. You can also download the nightly builds of AR OS from the official website, which are updated versions of AR OS with the latest features and bug fixes. However, these builds are not stable and may contain errors or glitches.
How can you install AR OS?
The installation process of AR OS depends on the platform and the mode you choose. Here is a general guide on how to install AR OS on various devices:
Installing AR OS natively
If you want to install AR OS natively on your computer, you will need to create a bootable CD-ROM or USB drive with the distribution of your choice. You can use tools like Rufus or Etcher to create the bootable media.
Once you have the bootable media ready, you will need to boot your computer from it. You may need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings to do so.
After booting from the bootable media, you will see the AR OS installer or desktop environment. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
Installing AR OS hosted on Linux
If you want to install AR OS hosted on Linux, you will need to download the Linux-hosted version of AR OS from the official website or from a distribution website.
Once you have downloaded the Linux-hosted version of AR OS, you will need to extract it to a folder on your Linux system.
Then, you will need to run the AROSBootstrap script from the terminal with root privileges. This script will launch AR OS in a window on your Linux desktop.
You can also create a shortcut or a menu entry for AROSBootstrap to launch AR OS more easily.
Installing AR OS hosted on Windows
If you want to install AR OS hosted on Windows, you will need to download the Windows-hosted version of AR OS from the official website or from a distribution website.
Once you have downloaded the Windows-hosted version of AR OS, you will need to extract it to a folder on your Windows system.
Then, you will need to run the AROSBootstrap.exe file from the folder with administrator privileges. This file will launch AR OS in a window on your Windows desktop.
You can also create a shortcut or a menu entry for AROSBootstrap.exe to launch AR OS more easily.
What are you waiting for?
use it, what you need to run it, where you can get it, and how you can install it. Now, you are ready to download AR OS and enjoy its features and applications.
AR OS is a free and open-source operating system that is compatible with AmigaOS at the API level. It is lightweight, efficient, flexible, and customizable. It can run on various platforms, natively or hosted on another operating system. It can run thousands of applications written for AmigaOS without any emulation or virtualization.
AR OS is a great choice for anyone who wants to experience the nostalgia and functionality of AmigaOS without spending a fortune. It is also a great choice for anyone who wants to try a different and fun operating system that is not based on Windows, Linux, or Mac OS.
So, what are you waiting for? Download AR OS today and see for yourself what it can do for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions and answers about AR OS:
Is AR OS legal?
Yes, AR OS is legal. It does not use any code or resources from AmigaOS. It is an independent, portable, and free project that aims at being compatible with AmigaOS at the API level. It is licensed under the AROS Public License (APL), which is similar to the Mozilla Public License (MPL).
Is AR OS safe?
Yes, AR OS is safe. It does not contain any viruses, malware, spyware, or adware. It does not collect or transmit any personal or sensitive data. It does not require any registration or activation. However, as with any software, you should always download AR OS from trusted sources and scan it with an antivirus program before installing it.
Is AR OS stable?
AR OS is stable enough for everyday use, but it is not perfect. It may have some bugs, glitches, or compatibility issues with some hardware or software. It may also crash or freeze occasionally. You should always backup your data before using AR OS and report any problems to the developers or the community.
Is AR OS updated?
Yes, AR OS is updated regularly by the developers and the community. You can download the nightly builds of AR OS from the official website, which are updated versions of AR OS with the latest features and bug fixes. However, these builds are not stable and may contain errors or glitches. You can also download the stable releases of AR OS from the distribution websites, which are updated less frequently but are more reliable.
Is AR OS supported?
Yes, AR OS is supported by the developers and the community. You can find help and support on the official website, the forums, the mailing lists, the IRC channel, or the social media pages of AR OS. You can also find documentation, tutorials, guides, tips, tricks, and FAQs on these platforms. You can also contribute to AR OS by reporting bugs, suggesting features, testing applications, writing code, creating artwork, donating money, or spreading the word. 44f88ac181