Keep the computer you love. Leave the problems behind.
If your computer works fine but Windows is dropping support for it, you don't need a new computer. You need a new operating system. Battleship OS runs on the hardware you already have, keeps your files safe, and comes with everything you need to get work done.
If you run a business, your team just needs their programs to work and their data to be secure. Battleship OS does that without subscription fees or forced updates that break things.
And if you've never installed an operating system before, that's completely fine. This page walks you through the whole thing. Almost anyone can do it.
About 4 GB — you'll need a decent internet connection
By downloading, you agree to our End-User License Agreement.
A USB drive with at least 8 GB of space. Anything on the drive will be erased during this process, so use one you don't need or copy your files off it first.
A free program called balenaEtcher to prepare the USB drive. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download it and install it like any other program.
This lets you run Battleship OS directly from the USB drive. Your computer stays exactly the way it is. Nothing gets installed, nothing gets changed, nothing gets deleted. When you're done, you shut down, pull out the USB, and your computer goes right back to normal.
Prepare the USB drive. Open balenaEtcher. You'll see three steps: select the file you downloaded, select your USB drive, and click Flash. Wait for it to finish. That's it — your USB drive is ready.
Start your computer from the USB drive. This is the part that trips people up, but it's simple once you know the trick. Plug the USB drive into your computer, then restart it (or turn it on if it's off). As soon as the screen goes dark and before your operating system starts loading, you need to press a specific key to tell the computer to start from the USB instead of its hard drive.
The key is different for every brand of computer. Here are the most common ones:
If yours isn't listed, try F12 first. If that doesn't work, try F2, Esc, or Del. You can also search for your computer's brand and model plus "boot menu key."
You might need to press the key a few times quickly. If you miss it and your normal operating system starts loading, just restart and try again. There's no penalty for getting it wrong.
Pick the USB drive from the list. A menu will appear with a list of drives. Choose the one that mentions USB or shows your USB drive's brand name. Battleship OS will start loading.
If you've tried it from USB and you're ready to make it permanent, you can install Battleship OS on your computer's hard drive.
Start by booting from USB using the steps above. Once you're in Battleship OS, you'll see an icon on the desktop that says Install Battleship OS. Click it.
The installer will ask you a few things: your language, your timezone, and what to do with your hard drive. You have two choices:
Replace your current operating system. This erases everything on the drive and installs Battleship OS as your only operating system. This is the simplest option if you're starting fresh or using a computer you want to dedicate to Battleship OS.
Install alongside your current operating system. This shrinks your existing operating system's space and puts Battleship OS next to it. Every time you start your computer, you'll get to choose which one to use.
The installer also offers full-disk encryption, which protects your data if your computer is ever lost or stolen. We recommend turning it on. You'll pick a password that you'll enter each time you start your computer.
Installation takes about 10 to 20 minutes. When it's done, remove the USB drive and restart. Battleship OS will greet you with a short setup wizard, and then you're home.
The boot menu key isn't doing anything. Some computers need you to press the key repeatedly right as the computer starts, not just once. Try tapping it quickly over and over as soon as you press the power button.
The USB drive doesn't show up in the boot menu. Your computer might have a security feature called Secure Boot that blocks it. You'll need to turn it off — it takes about 30 seconds. We have a complete walkthrough with step-by-step instructions.
The screen looks weird or doesn't load. Some graphics cards need extra configuration. Try selecting "Safe Graphics Mode" from the boot menu if you see that option.