MenuetOS is an operating system with a monolithic preemptive, real-time kernel written in FASM assembly language. The system also includes video drivers. It runs on 64-bit and 32-bit x86 architecture computers. Its author is Ville M. Turjanmaa. It has a graphical desktop, games, and networking abilities (TCP/IP stack). One distinctive feature is that it fits on one floppy disk.

History

32-bit

MenuetOS was originally written for 32-bit x86 architectures and released under the GPL-2.0-only license, thus many of its applications are distributed under the GPL.

64-bit

The 64-bit MenuetOS, often referred to as Menuet 64, remains a platform for learning 64-bit assembly language programming. The 64-bit Menuet is distributed without charge for personal and educational use only, but without the source code, and the license includes a clause that prohibits disassembly. Write support is only possible to USB connected devices.

As of version 1.49.60, MenuetOS can be booted on UEFI machines as well using Easyboot.

Distributions

32-bit

  • Menuet32
  • GridWorks "EZ" distribution (comprehensive 32-bit archive packages) (CD/HD Boots)

64-bit

The 64-bit main distribution is now proprietary. Several distributions of the 32-bit GPL MenuetOS still exist, including translations in Russian, Chinese, Czech, and Serbian.

  • Menuet64

See also

  • KolibriOS - A free fork of MenuetOS 32-bit

References

  • David Chisnall (Jun 22, 2007) A Roundup of Free Operating Systems. MenuetOS, informIT

Bibliography

  • MenuetOS - 32bit-Betriebssystem auf einer Floppy, Der Standard, 12 May 2003
  • Eugenia Loli-Queru (5 Sep 2001) Interview With Ville Turjanmaa, the Creator of MenuetOS, OSNews
  • Ville M. Turjanmaa (December 1, 2001) The Menuet Operating System. Packing a lot of punch into a small package, Dr. Dobb's
  • MenuetOS64 homepage
  • MenuetOS32 homepage
  • MenuetOS compared to AtheOS and SkyOS (2002)
  • an interview with Ville Turjanmaa and Madis Kalme, two of the MenuetOS developers (2009)

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