Windows clones?

[Kulverstukas]

I am interested in existing windows clones, free or not.
I know there this ReactOS, which is shit actually. No no, it works, partially. Many things just doesn't work and that makes it unsuitable for anything really ... I am sure the developers are working hard to fix it up.
FreeDOS is another thing which is a complete clone of MS-DOS.

So are there any more Windows clones? Linux/Unix based systems doesn't count as clones, k?

[xor]

I doubt any that would be public release as Microsoft would be on their ass in no time.

[Kulverstukas]

Then how come ReactOS hasn't been killed since 1998? I've read that MS sued them once for using some MS's reversed code... they managed to get up somehow.
MS is probably isn't worrying too much about it now because that system is very incomplete.

[Axon]

http://zorin-os.com/


Also check.


http://evilzone.org/operating-system/ylmf-os-3-0/

[Kulverstukas]

Both are Linux-based bro. Not compatible with windows binaries...

[Axon]

Linux/Unix based systems doesn't count as clones, k?

Didn't pay attention to this line ? I've searched the web and I've found none. As far as I know there is no windows clone other than ReactOS

[xor]

Windows binaries are in PE format. If you want to find an operating system that runs those then search for that.

The closest you're going to get is WINE.

[Kulverstukas]

Sucks... Man I sure wish ReactOS was as bad-ass as Winblows systems... I can see really big potential once it gets to a stable and usable phase. It's not like Microsoft invented the PE format and copyrighted the whole code... not according to the Wikipedia article:

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Microsoft migrated to the PE format with the introduction of the Windows NT 3.1 operating system.

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It has also historically been used by a number of other operating systems, including SkyOS and BeOS R3.
MS might be on their ass claiming they copy code and shit, but how will they prove this without publishing their own code for comparison?

I hear ReactOS has came to a slow process because they lack of skilled developers, but they came this far... too far to stop it now. I mean they have a half working system and it's blazing fast! (for booting anyway).[/code]

[techb]

It's not really an OS, but it is a windows live cd kinda. You might be able to do something with it, idk. It's called BartPE.

[Kulverstukas]

Hiren's Boot CD has the same stuff and even more... mini linux and mini windows with many tools.
But that is not what I was asking

[Z3R0]

NIST has a download page for the Federal Desktop Core Configuration of Windows XP SP2 virtual hard disks. They also have virtual hard disks for Vista and Windows 7. You can't use it as a standalone operating system, but you can at least use it in virtualbox/vmware for testing it out. You'll have to scroll about half-way down the page to get to the zip's for it, but anyway here's the link:

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http://nvd.nist.gov/fdcc/download_fdcc.cfm
For reference:

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http://www.offensive-security.com/metasploit-unleashed/Windows_XP_SP2_Setup
BTW it's free to download.