10 Alternative PC Operating Systems You Can Install

Linux isnt the only alternative PC operating system out there. Some alternative operating
systems are developed by large corporations, while others are small projects worked on by
hobbyists.
We dont recommend you install most of these on your actual PC. If you want to play with
them, you may want to install a virtual machine program like VirtualBox or VMware Player
and give them a whirl.

Linux, FreeBSD, and More

RELATED ARTICLE

HTG Explains: Whats a Linux Distro and How Are They Different?
If youve heard anything at all about Linux, youve probably heard of Linux distributions often
shortened to Linux distros.... [Read Article]

No list of alternative PC operating systems could be complete without Linux. Its the
alternative PC operating system. Linux comes in many different flavors, known as Linux
distributions. Ubuntu and Mint are some of the most popular. If you want to install a nonWindows operating system on your PC and actually use it, you should probably pick Linux.

Linux is a Unix-like operating system, and there are other open-source operating systems
like FreeBSD out there. FreeBSD uses a different kernel, but it uses much of the same
software youd find on a typical Linux distributions. The experience of using FreeBSD on a
desktop PC will be pretty similar.

Chrome OS
RELATED ARTICLE

How To Run Chrome OS in VirtualBox and Try Out Chrome OS Before Buying a
Chromebook
With Googles new Chromebooks out at just $249, many people who once wrote them off as too
expensive for their... [Read Article]

Googles Chrome OS is built on the Linux kernel, but it replaces the desktop and user-level
software with a specialized desktop that can only run the Chrome browser and Chrome
apps.
Chrome OS isnt really a general-purpose PC operating system instead, its designed to
be preinstalled on specialized laptops, known as Chromebooks. However, there are ways to
install Chrome OS on your own PC.

SteamOS
RELATED ARTICLE

HTG Explains: What Exactly is a Steam Machine and Do I Want One?

Steam Machines, also known as Steamboxes, are Valves attempt at bringing PC gaming to the
living room. In a way,... [Read Article]

Valves SteamOS is currently in beta. Technically, Steam OS is just a Linux distribution and
includes much of the standard Linux software. However, SteamOS is being positioned as a
new PC gaming operating system. The old Linux desktop is there underneath, but the
computer boots to a Steam interface designed for living rooms.

In 2015, youll be able to buy PCs that come with SteamOS preinstalled, known as Steam
Machines. Valve will support you installing SteamOS on any PC you like its just not
anywhere near complete yet.

Android
RELATED ARTICLE

4 Ways to Run Android on Your PC and Make Your Own Dual OS System
Intel is now interested in pushing Dual OS PCs devices with both Windows 8 and Android on
them. But... [Read Article]

Android also uses the Linux kernel, but practically everything else on Android is very
different from typical Linux distributions. Originally designed for smartphones, you can now
get Android laptops and even desktops. Its no surprised that a variety of projects exist to
run Android on traditional PCs Intel even develops their own port of Android to PC
hardware. Its not an ideal operating system for your PC it still doesnt allow you to use
multiple apps at the same time but you could install it if you really wanted to.

Mac OS X
RELATED ARTICLE

The How-To Geek Guide to Hackintoshing Part 1: The Basics

Macs. The finest computers made by Apple, known for their simplicity and style, their Operating
System, and their price. If... [Read Article]

Apples Mac OS X is preinstalled on Macs, but Macs are now just another type of PC with
the same standard hardware inside. The only thing stopping you from installing Mac OS X
on a typical PC is Apples license agreement and the way they limit their software.Mac OS X
can run just fine on typical PCs if you can get around these restrictions.

Theres a thriving community of people building PCs that run Mac OS X known as
hackintoshes out there.

Haiku
BeOS was a lightweight PC operating system ported to the Intel x86 platform in 1998, but it
wasnt able to stand up to Microsofts Windows. Be Inc. eventually sued Microsoft, accusing
them of pressuring Hitachi and Compaq to not release BeOS hardware. Microsoft settled
out of court, paying $23.5 million to Be Inc. without admitting any guilt. Be Inc. was
eventually acquired by Palm Inc.
Haiku is an open-source reimplementation of BeOS thats currently in alpha. Its a snapshot
of what might have been if Microsoft hadnt used such ruthless business practices in the
90s.

eComStation
OS/2 was an operating system originally created by Microsoft and IBM. IBM continued
development after Microsoft left it and OS/2 competed with MS-DOS and the original
versions of Windows. Microsoft eventually won, but there are still old ATMs, PCs, and other
systems using OS/2. IBM once marketed this operating system as OS/2 Warp, so you may
know it by that name.
IBM no longer develops OS/2, but a company named Serenity Systems has the rights to
continue distributing it. They call their operating system eComStation. Its based on IBMs
OS/2 and adds additional applications, drivers, and other enhancements.
This is the only paid operating system on this list aside from Mac OS X. You can still
download a free demo CD to check it out.

ReactOS
ReactOS is a free, open-source reimplementation of the Windows NT architecture. In other
words, its an attempt to reimplement Windows as an open-source operating system thats
compatible with all Windows applications and drivers. ReactOS shares some code with the
Wine project, which allows you to run Windows applications on Linux or Mac OS X. Its not
based on Linux it wants to be an open-source operating system built just like Windows
NT. (Modern consumer versions of Windows have been built on Windows NT since
Windows XP.)
This operating system is considered alpha. Its current goal is to become compatible with
Windows Server 2003, so it has a long way to go.

Syllable
Syllable is an open-source operating system forked from AtheOS, which was originally
intended to be an AmigaOS clone. Its a lightweight operating system in the tradition of the
Amiga and BeOS, but built using many parts from the GNU project and Linux. Like some of
the other smaller operating systems here, it has only a handful of developers.

SkyOS
Unlike many of the other hobbyist operating systems here, SkyOS is proprietary and not
open-source. You originally had to pay for access so you could use development versions of
SkyOS on your own PC. Development on SkyOS ended in 2009, but the last beta version
was made available as a free download in 2013.