README.md

   1 # ReactOS Project
   2
   3 Current version: __0.4.6__
   4 ![ReactOS Logo](https://reactos.org/wiki/images/0/02/ReactOS_logo.png)
   5
   6 ## Quick Links
   7 - [Website](https://reactos.org)
   8 - [Wiki](https://reactos.org/wiki)
   9 - [Forum](https://reactos.org/forum)
  10 - [JIRA Bug Tracker](https://jira.reactos.org/issues)
  11 - [ReactOS Git mirror](https://git.reactos.org)
  12 - [Testman](https://reactos.org/testman/)
  13
  14 ## What is ReactOS?
  15
  16 ReactOS™ is an Open Source effort to develop a quality operating system that is
  17 compatible with applications and drivers written for the Microsoft® Windows™ NT
  18 family of operating systems (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Seven).
  19
  20 The ReactOS project, although currently focused on Windows Server 2003
  21 compatibility, is always keeping an eye toward compatibility with
  22 Windows Vista and future Windows NT releases.
  23
  24 The code of ReactOS is licensed under [GNU GPL 2.0+](https://spdx.org/licenses/GPL-2.0+.html).
  25
  26 ## Building
  27
  28 To build the system it is strongly advised to use the _ReactOS Build Environment
  29 (RosBE)._ Up-to-date versions for Windows and for Unix/GNU-Linux are available
  30 from our download page at: http://www.reactos.org/wiki/Build_Environment
  31
  32 Alternatively one can use Microsoft Visual C++ (MSVC) version 2010+. Building with MSVC is covered here: https://www.reactos.org/wiki/Building_with_MSVC
  33
  34 ### Binaries
  35
  36 To build ReactOS you must use run `configure` script in the directory you want to have builds. Choose `configure.cmd` or `configure.sh` depending on your system. Then run `ninja <modulename>` to build a module you want or just `ninja` to build all modules.
  37
  38 ### Bootable images
  39
  40 To build a bootable CD image run `ninja bootcd` from the
  41 build directory. This will create a CD image with a filename `bootcd.iso`.
  42
  43 See ["Building ReactOS"](http://www.reactos.org/wiki/Building_ReactOS) for more details.
  44
  45 ## Installing
  46
  47 ReactOS can only be installed on a machine that has a FAT16 or FAT32 partition
  48 as the active (bootable) partition. The partition on which ReactOS is to be
  49 installed (which may or may not be the bootable partition) must also be
  50 formatted as FAT16 or FAT32. ReactOS Setup can format the partitions if
  51 needed.
  52
  53 To install ReactOS from the bootable CD distribution, extract the archive
  54 contents. Then burn the CD image, boot from it, and follow instructions.
  55
  56 See ["Installing ReactOS"](https://www.reactos.org/wiki/Installing_ReactOS) Wiki page or [INSTALL](INSTALL) for more details.
  57
  58 ## Testing
  59
  60 If you discover a bug in ReactOS search on JIRA first - it might be reported already. If not report the bug providing logs and as many information as possible.
  61
  62 See ["File Bugs"](https://www.reactos.org/wiki/File_Bugs) for a guide.
  63
  64 __NOTE:__ The bug tracker is _not_ for discussions. Please use `#reactos` Freenode IRC channel or our [forum](https://reactos.org/forum).
  65
  66 ## More information
  67
  68 ReactOS is a Free and Open Source operating system based on the Windows architecture,
  69 providing support for existing applications and drivers, and an alternative to the current dominant consumer operating system.
  70
  71 It is not another wrapper built on Linux, like WINE. It does not attempt or plan to compete with WINE; in fact, the user-mode part of ReactOS is almost entirely WINE-based and our two teams have cooperated closely in the past.
  72
  73 ReactOS is also not "yet another OS". It does not attempt to be a third player like any other alternative OS out there. People are not meant to uninstall Linux and use ReactOS instead; ReactOS is a replacement for Windows users who want a Windows replacement that behaves just like Windows.
  74
  75 More information is available at: https://www.reactos.org.
  76
  77 Also see the [media\doc](/media/doc/) subdirectory for some sparse notes.
  78
  79 ## Who is responsible
  80
  81 Active devs are listed as members of [GitHub organization](https://github.com/orgs/reactos/people).
  82 Also see the [CREDITS](CREDITS) file for others.
  83
  84 ## Code mirrors
  85
  86 The main development is done on [GitHub](https://github.com/reactos/reactos). We have an [alternative mirror](https://git.reactos.org/) it case GitHub is down.
  87
  88 There is also an obsolete [SVN archive repository](https://svn.reactos.org/svn/reactos?view=revision) that is kept for historical purposes.