This Raspberry Pi OS is a nostalgic throwback to Windows XP

Linux Raspbian XP Professional brings a Start Menu, Libre Office, and more to your Raspberry Pi 4.

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What you need to know

If you’re missing the grassy fields and blue skies of Windows XP, you can put an operating system onto your Raspberry Pi 4 inspired by the classic Windows operating system (OS). The OS is called Linux Raspbian XP Professional, and it has a working Start Menu, search bar, and menus and icons inspired by Windows XP (via Tom’s Hardware). The Raspberry Pi 4 is the only Raspberry Pi model powerful enough to run the OS.

The OS is an XP overlay, so it can’t run Windows XP applications natively, but there are several emulators that let you use Windows apps on Raspbian. Linux Raspbian XP Professional has some emulation platforms preloaded, including BOX86.

ThePI LAB YouTube channelshowcases the OS and details some of its features.

If you want to run Windows applications on the OS, you can also use its built-in Windows 98 virtual machine. Alternatively, you can use Linux programs like the LibreOffice suite.

If you’re a fan of tinkering with Raspberry Pi devices and Windows, you can check out our guide onhow to install Windows 10 IoT Core onto a Raspberry Pi 3.

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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.