What is BoringOS?

A simple answer to a simple question.

The short version.

Your computer has two parts: the physical stuff (screen, keyboard, mouse) and the software that makes it work.

Right now, that software is probably Windows.

BoringOS is different software. You put it on the same computer, and everything still works — but without the ads, the popups, the nagging, and the frustration.

That's it. Same computer. Different software. Better experience.

What does it look like?

When you turn on your computer, you see a clean desktop. There's a bar at the bottom with your apps. Click something to open it.

It looks different from Windows, but it works the same way. Point, click, done.

Desktop screenshot coming soon

What can I do with it?

Everything you do now.

Browse the internet

Google, Facebook, YouTube, Amazon, your bank — all of it works.

Check email

Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook — sign in and go.

Write documents

Open Word files. Edit them. Save them. Send them.

Use spreadsheets

Excel files open and work just fine.

Watch videos

YouTube, Netflix, home videos — they all play.

Look at photos

Your pictures. Your memories. They're all there.

Print things

Plug in your printer. It works.

Video calls

Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime alternatives — all work.

So what's actually different?

Not the things you do. The things you don't have to deal with anymore.

With Windows

  • Ads in the Start menu
  • "Sign in with Microsoft"
  • "Restart to update" (right now)
  • "Your PC doesn't meet requirements"
  • "Give Edge a chance"
  • Virus warnings and scans
  • Slower over time

With BoringOS

  • No ads. Anywhere.
  • No account required
  • Update when you choose
  • Works on older computers too
  • No nagging. Ever.
  • Doesn't get viruses
  • Stays fast

"Wait — do I have to get rid of Windows?"

Yes. BoringOS replaces Windows.

But think about it this way:

BoringOS is the same idea. You stop thinking about Windows. You just use your computer.

What you keep: Your files (copy them over), your keyboard, your mouse, your screen, your printer. All the physical stuff.

What goes away: The ads, the popups, the slowdowns, the forced updates, the Microsoft account prompts.

Common worries.

"What if I mess something up?"

The installation process is designed to be simple. Follow the steps, and it works. If something goes wrong, you can always reinstall Windows. Your computer won't be damaged.

"What if I can't figure it out?"

If you can check email, you can use BoringOS. It's designed for normal people, not computer experts.

"What if I need a program that only works on Windows?"

This is the one honest limitation. Some specialized software (certain work programs, some games) only runs on Windows. If you depend on something specific, check if it works first.

"Is this legal?"

Yes. Completely legal. BoringOS is free, open-source software that anyone can use.

"What's the catch?"

No catch. It's free because it's built by people who believe computers should work for you, not against you. No subscription. No trial period. Free forever.

"Is it hard to switch?"

No. Here's what it takes:

1

Download a file

Click a button. Save it to your computer.

2

Put it on a USB drive

We'll show you exactly how.

3

Restart and follow the prompts

Answer a few questions. Wait about 10 minutes. Done.

Total time: about 15-20 minutes, most of which is waiting.

See the step-by-step guide

The bottom line.

BoringOS is for people who just want their computer to work.

No ads. No popups. No "sign in to continue." No forced updates at the worst possible time.

You turn it on. You do your stuff. You turn it off.

That's what a computer should be.

Ready to try it?

Free. No account required. Takes about 15 minutes.

Download BoringOS Free

Want to see the full process first? →