guideXOS
The original C#/AOT desktop operating-system project, with Legacy BIOS and UEFI boot editions under one guideXOS branch.
Desktop Operating-System Experience
guideXOS is the original guideXOS desktop OS branch, written in C#/AOT and focused on a visible, usable operating-system experience. It keeps desktop UI, applications, and OS experimentation front and center while continuing low-level bring-up work.
- Original guideXOS C#/AOT branch
- Desktop shell, applications, and GUI-first identity
- Managed-language operating-system experimentation
- Legacy BIOS and UEFI boot editions of the same project
- Ongoing debugging and bring-up work without deprecating the desktop path
One desktop OS branch with two closely related boot editions
Boot Editions: Legacy BIOS and UEFI
Legacy BIOS and UEFI are not separate major projects. They are two boot editions of guideXOS, and the major difference today is the boot environment rather than the identity of the OS itself.
- Legacy BIOS is currently the more stable and demo-friendly edition
- UEFI is currently unstable and primarily useful for bring-up and firmware debugging
- Both editions remain part of the same guideXOS desktop project
- Desktop behavior and project goals stay closely aligned across both editions
- UEFI work remains important for future boot capability
Same guideXOS branch, different boot environments
Edition Comparison
| Edition | Boot path | Stability | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy BIOS | BIOS / legacy boot | More stable | Demos, screenshots, and general guideXOS testing |
| UEFI | UEFI boot | Unstable / bring-up | Developer testing, firmware debugging, and future boot work |
The Legacy BIOS and UEFI editions are nearly identical at the OS and project level. The major difference is the boot environment. The UEFI edition is currently unstable and should be treated as an experimental bring-up target.
Legacy BIOS is the safer demo path today
Why guideXOS still matters
guideXOS is still the desktop-facing heart of the guideXOS ecosystem. It remains the place to explore the original GUI OS direction, applications, screenshots, and managed-code OS design.
- Desktop environment and application experience stay front and center
- C#/AOT remains part of the project identity
- Legacy BIOS and UEFI work can progress without splitting the project into separate brands
- guideXOS Server is a sibling branch, not a replacement label for the UEFI edition
- The guideXOS ecosystem can grow in multiple directions without retiring the original desktop OS
guideXOS Server is related, but it is not just guideXOS UEFI
Continue with the branch that fits your goal
Start with guideXOS if you want the desktop OS experience and the original C#/AOT direction. Move to guideXOS Server when you want the newer multi-architecture systems-platform branch.
- guideXOS: desktop OS demos, screenshots, and C#/AOT experimentation
- guideXOS Server: source builds, QEMU, UEFI, and multi-architecture platform work
- guideXOS Hypervisor: experimental emulation and virtualization research
The guideXOS ecosystem now has clearly separated sibling branches
Ready to Explore guideXOS?
Start with the guideXOS wiki, then compare it with the Server and Hypervisor branches when you are ready
Open guideXOS Wiki View Downloads