ReactOS 0.4.2 release and launch in VirtualBox

    The ReactOS project has announced the release of the new ReactOS 0.4.2 release . As expected, this happened three months after the previous release.

    Personally, I have been watching the ReactOS project for many years and every time I believe, hope and wait. I can finally devote a post to this new release, as according to my objective feelings, ReactOS began to possess the minimum acceptable functionality that allows you to take a serious look at this product. Today we look at what's new in the new ReactOS release , as well as how to install ReactOS in VirtualBox .

    ReactOS Team (August 16, 2016) announced the release of a new ReactOS 0.4.2 release on its blog. Developers try to release releases every three months.

    Major changes in ReactOS 0.4.2


    - corrections in the graphical shell and file explorer;
    - corrections and hacks of the file system;
    - corrections in the security subsystem;
    - improving the debugging mechanisms of the memory manager;
    - reducing the number of hard-coded parameters of system folders;
    - Improved network stack performance;
    - improved keyboard input and layout mechanisms;
    - Updated list of application manager packages;
    - increased compatibility of the logging system;
    - Added support for new file systems;
    - and a large list of closed bugs in the bugtracker.



    How to try?


    There are two ways to run ReactOS.

    1st method. Use the special image “ReactOS-0.4.2-live.iso”, with which you can run ReactOS on a real PC without installing it.

    2nd method. Use the installation image “ReactOS-0.4.2.iso”, with which you can perform a full installation on a real or virtual PC. I would highly recommend installing ReactOS on a virtual PC first, which we will do next.

    How to install ReactOS in VirtualBox?


    To get acquainted with ReactOS, we will install it on a virtual machine using VirtualBox.

    1. Install VirtualBox.
    Free download the and install VirtualBox for their OC.

    2. Create a virtual machine in VirtualBox for ReactOS.
    In VirtualBox, click on the “Create” button and use the wizard to create a virtual machine for ReactOS. We know that ReactOS is currently at the level of Windows XP / 2003 and has a 32-bit architecture.

    - OS type: Windows x32.



    - RAM: 640 MB (developers recommend a minimum of 1 GB).



    - HDD: 5GB (developers recommend a minimum of 2GB).



    3. Pre-configure the virtual machine for ReactOS.
    We go into the settings of the newly created virtual machine.

    - Turn on 2D and 3D acceleration.



    - Turn on the shared clipboard mode.



    - Set up “Shared Folders”. Pay attention to the presence of the “Auto Connect” checkbox.



    4. Mount the ISO-image and begin the installation.


    Download the installation image “ReactOS-0.4.2.iso” in advance.

    During the installation of ReactOS, a standard OS installation wizard appears, where we just click on the Next button and agree with everything.



    The virtual machine will restart several times.

    5. Install "guest OS add-ons".
    In VirtulBox, we activate the image of “guest OS add-ons” through the menu Devices> Connect disk image of additional guest OS.

    After that, using the “ReactOS Explorer”, we go to the mounted optical disk and install the “guest OS add-ons”, rebooting several times to activate the entire driver stack.



    Almost done, but I recommend doing one more step 6, which will help you, if necessary, roll back ReactOS to a saved state.

    6. Take a snapshot of the installed ReactOS.
    Close ReactOS and make sure all optical drives are removed. In VirtulBox, go to the “Snapshot” tab and click on the “Take a Snapshot” button.



    Now that's all.

    Fork OSGreentea


    The OSGreentea fork from ReactOS appeared this summer, and although OSGreentea has not yet released its first release, it has already begun to unite a group of Russian-speaking enthusiasts and create patches. And some of the best practices from OSGreentea have already hit ReactOS.

    Personally, it seems to me that the ReactOS developers took up the bug fixes in the UI much more lively after seeing the activity of the OSGreentea group, so we all benefit from this.

    A few related links:


    » ReactOS-0.4.2 installation image
    » ChangeLog-0.4.2
    » ReactOS-0.4.2 software testing table
    » Roadmap
    » ReactOS night builds
    » ReactOS official Russian chat

    Honestly , I did not think that I would write a post about ReactOS soon enough because the product has long been very raw and unstable, but much has changed and progress has been noticeable lately. However, the road ahead is still very long.

    I sincerely wish all who participate in this project strength, health and patience. Good luck to all!

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