Does a "free" operating system exist that can run Windows software?

[Anonymous]

I've just read a message in this NG about Freedows. I also found
Alliance and ReactOS too.

Does anyone here know of an operating system that:
* is free
* can be loaded as easily as Windows
* uses a GUI without the need for for a command prompt
* can run Windows software as easily as Windows does

 

[Fran]

The closest you can get to that is Linux with Wine, which is pretty good by
now, but I don't think any system software would work undr it.

 

[Mark Warner]

I've just read a message in this NG about Freedows. I also found
Alliance and ReactOS too.

Does anyone here know of an operating system that:
* is free
* can be loaded as easily as Windows
* uses a GUI without the need for for a command prompt
* can run Windows software as easily as Windows does

SimplyMEPIS v3.4-3 will do everything except run Windows software.
(Which isn't necessary in 90% of cases.) IMO, this Linux distro is ready
for prime time.

 

[kcaj]

SimplyMEPIS v3.4-3 will do everything except run Windows software.
(Which isn't necessary in 90% of cases.) IMO, this Linux distro is ready
for prime time.

Mepis is good. My experience in Mepis Debian
using WINE will only load the most simple
Windows programs. I'm not the only one. You
can find payware to run Windows in Linux and
many say it works well. I think it's a waste of
time. Running Windows in Linux is not why you
chose Linux.