HamsterOS is a complete 32-bit desktop OS on a single 1.44 MB floppy
Article excerpt
HamsterOS is complete 32-bit desktop OS on a single 1.44 MB floppy. The current master image boots through a trimmed FreeDOS wrapper, launches the 32-bit HamsterOS kernel with HAMLOAD.EXE, and runs a real windowed desktop on 386/486-era hardware. It can install or upgrade a bootable ATA hard disk from the floppy boot menu while keeping […]
HamsterOS is complete 32-bit desktop OS on a single 1.44 MB floppy.
The current master image boots through a trimmed FreeDOS wrapper, launches the 32-bit HamsterOS kernel with HAMLOAD.EXE, and runs a real windowed desktop on 386/486-era hardware. It can install or upgrade a bootable ATA hard disk from the floppy boot menu while keeping C: as a real DOS disk that auto-launches HamsterOS.
Where the project stands
HamsterOS is well past the “can it boot” stage. The desktop shell, all built-in apps, games, storage toolchain, SoundBlaster audio, hard-disk install flow, VM86 DOS runner, dynamic drive layout, Trash, Device Manager, Help Viewer, HamsterWrite base, shared system fonts, and external driver model are implemented.
Recent work focused on VM86 trap-speed, shared fonts, dynamic ATA/CD drive validation, and the split low-memory arena. The current focus is SCSI support, real-hardware display validation, HamsterWrite document formats, installer polish, and stability before the public floppy image ships.
They are targeting November 2026 for completion. See the home page for details.
Via Hackaday.