ArcaOS is…
…Arca Noae’s OS/2-based operating system
…targeted specifically at booting, installing, and running on modern PC hardware
…fully supported by Arca Noae’s team of engineers and developers
…an upgrade path for customers currently using OS/2 or eComStation
ArcaOS is not just a repackaged, re-branded OS/2 Warp distribution. ArcaOS has undergone significant enhancements to address long-outstanding issues with prior OS/2 distributions, as well as to ensure its compatibility with the widest range of modern hardware available. Many portions of the OS have been completely rewritten to more fully leverage the power and performance of modern PCs. This isn’t your grandfather’s OS/2.
ArcaOS 5.1 is the first ever release of an OS/2-based operating system with the ability to boot from modern UEFI-based systems, with or without the assistance of a Compatibility Support Module (CSM). ArcaOS 5.1 includes Secure Boot certificates which may be imported into the system keystore to allow trusted booting either when ArcaOS is the only OS installed or when it is installed alongside another OS (where Secure Boot may have already been enabled).
ArcaOS 5.1 is able to install to and (under UEFI) boot from GPT disk layouts. Device capacity limitations from previous OS/2-based releases are no longer an issue or ArcaOS 5.1. Need to install to a 16TB SSD? No problem.
ArcaOS runs…
…OS/2 applications (32-bit and 16-bit)
…16-bit Windows applications
…DOS applications
…ported Linux applications
…select 32-bit Windows applications
…Java applications
…Qt3, 4, 5, and 6 applications
…REXX applications
…much more…
Yes, essentially everything that you were able to run under IBM’s OS/2 installs and runs on ArcaOS.
Do you have a custom written OS/2 application? Favorite, classic OS/2 productivity, word processing, spreadsheet, or graphics applications? OS/2, Windows 3.1, or DOS games? ArcaOS runs all of those just like OS/2 Warp 4, only better. ArcaOS is more compatible with modern hardware, makes more efficient use of memory and system resources, and installs more easily than any other OS/2 distribution…ever. Really.
Do you have a system with 16, 32, or 64GB of RAM in it? Want your apps to really fly? Configure ArcaOS to utilize all memory above 4GB as a RAM disk, and at bootup, copy your most frequently used applications there. It’s like running your OS/2, Windows, DOS, REXX, Java, Qt, and ported Linux applications on air.
Visit our store to license your copy of ArcaOS today, view some screenshots, read some comments by others, or visit our wiki to learn more.
Have some quick questions? Check out our FAQ.
Want even more info? Create an account and subscribe to our blog for regular updates.