> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Redox OS: A Rust-Based Open Source Alternative to Linux And BSD - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/redox-os/ - Published: 2024-10-10T04:30:28.000Z - Updated: 2024-10-11T04:03:56.000Z - Description: Let's take a sneak peek at this interesting operating system — Redox OS. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: First Look, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 [Unix-like](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix-like?ref=itsfoss.com) operating systems are a popular choice in today's time thanks to their reliable capabilities like multitasking, portability, hierarchical file systems, and, of course, the command-line interface. You are most likely using one yourself, if you are on Linux, BSD, or even macOS, for that matter. But, those are the most popular/established ones. How about a newcomer that's been making big strides in terms of development? Redox OS is **a highly scalable microkernel-powered operating system** that supports a diverse set of hardware and is open-source. The principal engineer from System 76, **Jeremy Soller**, is the creator of Redox OS. 🚧 Redox OS is still under-development, using it for testing purposes is nice. Daily use, on the other hand, is a more adventurous affair. ## Redox OS: Overview ⭐ ![a screenshot of redox os running on a laptop](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/10/Redox_OS_a.jpg) Offered under the Redox OS [nonprofit corporation](https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/nonprofit?ref=itsfoss.com) (*based out of Colorado*), **the operating system and the Redox microkernel have been built from the ground up using the Rust** programming language. If you didn't know, a [microkernel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microkernel?ref=itsfoss.com) is a minimal architecture where most system services are implemented as user-level processes, resulting in a more secure and stable experience when compared to [monolithic kernels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monolithic%5Fkernel?ref=itsfoss.com). In the case of Linux, it uses a monolithic kernel. Redox OS **is source-compatible with POSIX**, allowing it to run many Linux/BSD applications without the need for a port. It also **supports a wide range of CPU architectures** like [*x86-64*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86-64?ref=itsfoss.com), [*i686*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P6%5F%28microarchitecture%29?ref=itsfoss.com), and [*ARM64*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AArch64?ref=itsfoss.com). (*potential for a future RISC-V port, maybe?*) Some **key features** of Redox OS include: - **Highly Modular** - **Rust-based Drivers** - **Licensed under** [**MIT**](https://opensource.org/license/mit?ref=itsfoss.com) - **ZFS-inspired Filesystem** 📋 The name for Redox OS has been derived from the [chemical reaction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox?ref=itsfoss.com) that causes rust. ## Initial Impressions 👨‍💻 I ran the latest demo image of Redox OS on my [Dell G15 G5530](https://www.dell.com/en-in/shop/gaming-and-games/g15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5530-laptop?ref=itsfoss.com) laptop by flashing the live ISO on an external SSD. On boot, I was asked to select a screen resolution, and after confirming that, the initialization process began. ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/10/Redox_OS_b.jpg) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/10/Redox_OS_c.jpg) ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/10/Redox_OS_d.jpg) Redox OS's initialization process. After it was complete, a lock screen showed up, asking me to login. I left the password field blank and logged into Redox OS. When I tried using my external keyboard and mouse, they didn't seem to register any input. As it turns out, **Redox OS doesn't have support for USB peripherals or storage**. The functionality is expected in a future release, which will also introduce support for game controllers. ![a screenshot of redox os running on a laptop with a wallpaper from nasa](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/10/Redox_OS_e.jpg) Wallpaper: [A Cosmic Tarantula](https://www.nasa.gov/universe/a-cosmic-tarantula-caught-by-nasas-webb/?ref=itsfoss.com) As for the desktop, it uses the [Orbital](https://orbitalde.github.io/?ref=itsfoss.com) desktop environment to provide a display server, window manager, and compositor, with the cool-looking wallpaper being sourced from [NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/universe/a-cosmic-tarantula-caught-by-nasas-webb/?ref=itsfoss.com). **Moving on to the applications**, there are **many pre-installed applications and games** like FFMPEG, RustPython, Periodic Table, Calculator, Sodium, Rusthello, and **some from** [**COSMIC**](https://itsfoss.com/pop-os-24-04-cosmic-alpha/) **too**, like Files, Terminal, and Text Editor. You can see some of those running in the video below. 0:00 /0:09 1× My [Neverball](https://neverball.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) skills on display. ☠️ During my experiment, **I noticed that some apps/games refused to launch**, or would get stuck in infinite loading. I think that might be due to a GPU driver issue. When using the super key, Redox OS shows many helpful keyboard shortcuts to help navigate around the operating system. There is a useful app launcher in the taskbar too, with “[pkg](https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/pkgutils?ref=itsfoss.com)” being the default package manager for Redox OS that hosts [many packages](https://static.redox-os.org/pkg/?ref=itsfoss.com). **To conclude my brief usage**, I will say this: Redox OS follows a fascinating approach to being an operating system, with a cutting-edge microkernel and a robust set of supporting packages that contribute to the experience. Even though I tested an early demo build, **Redox OS performed well on bare metal**, making me very optimistic about its future. On the other hand, when I tried testing it as a virtual machine using VirtualBox, it refused to function properly, even after I followed [the instructions](https://doc.redox-os.org/book/running-vm.html?ref=itsfoss.com). However, it is fine; development is still ongoing, and there is plenty of room for improvement. ## 📥 Get Redox OS You will find Redox OS releases on the [official website](https://www.redox-os.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) and on the [official index](https://static.redox-os.org/releases/?ref=itsfoss.com). The developers ensure that these channels are kept updated with fresh releases of the OS. The [tested hardware list](https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/redox/-/blob/master/HARDWARE.md?ref=itsfoss.com) is also worth a look. Even though my laptop was not on that list, it worked quite well. Your device should run Redox OS without being included in the list if it conforms to the [minimum requirements](https://www.redox-os.org/faq/?ref=itsfoss.com#:~:text=testers%20and%20developers.-,Which%20devices%20does%20Redox%20support%3F,-There%20are%20billions). [Redox OS](https://www.redox-os.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) If you feel lost, then the [Redox OS book](https://doc.redox-os.org/book/introduction.html?ref=itsfoss.com) is a handy resource. Similarly, those searching for the source code can head to the project's [GitLab](https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/?ref=itsfoss.com) instance, which hosts all the relevant files for the microkernel, OS, apps, and games. *💬 What do you think of Redox OS? Do you think it has the potential to be a popular operating system?* **Suggested Read** 📖 [The Future Is Here! Pop!\_OS’s Much Awaited COSMIC Desktop is Now Available for Alpha TestingCOSMIC Desktop debuts with insane customization options with Pop!\_OS 24.04 LTS!![](https://news.itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra![](https://news.itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/08/Cosmic-de-alpha.png)](https://itsfoss.com/pop-os-24-04-cosmic-alpha/)