Windows alternative: The ReactOS system integrates NT6 functionality

The open source operating system ReactOS has reached a new milestone. With the implementation of the first NT6 system call, compatibility with Windows Vista comes one step closer. However, the function does not currently have any effect.

Milestone for ReactOS

The development team of the free operating system ReactOS has integrated a system call from the NT6 architecture into its own kernel for the first time. This brings us closer to the goal of achieving compatibility with Windows Vista and newer versions. The new code currently has no noticeable effects for users. The project has been working on an open-source alternative to Microsoft Windows for around 30 years. The aim is to provide native support for Windows drivers and executable files. So far, development has focused on the architecture of Windows NT 5.2, the basis of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

First “step” to Vista

Like the team about X.com ReactOS announced that in addition to NT6 processor functions in the NTDLL library, the update also contains the first NT6 system call. This is the NtGetCurrentProcessorNumberEx function, which determines the number of the logical processor on which a process is running. The call currently has no practical use. The developers describe the implementation as the beginning of the transition. For comparison: After Windows XP, Microsoft needed around five years to release Windows Vista.

Complex development

NT6 refers to the system architecture that was introduced with Windows Vista and also underlies Windows 7 and Windows 8. System calls are interfaces through which programs request services from the operating system kernel. Replicating without access to the source code is done using reverse engineering and is considered complex. It will probably be a while before ReactOS can run software that requires Windows Vista. The start of NT6 development has taken place, further functions must follow. The developers recently demonstrated progress based on older architecture with a “Half-Life” launch.