# Icaros Desktop

> Amiga-like operating system for PCs

**Wikidata**: [Q11710920](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11710920)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/icaros-desktop

## Summary
Icaros Desktop is an Amiga-like operating system designed for standard PCs, built upon the open-source AROS Research Operating System. Its name officially changed from VmwAROS to Icaros Desktop in March 2009.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** An operating system and open-source software.
- **Foundation:** Based directly on the AROS Research Operating System (inception: 1995).
- **Version 1.1 Released:** On March 27, 2009.
- **Name Evolution:** Officially known as VmwAROS from its inception until March 27, 2009, when it became Icaros Desktop.
- **Primary Website:** `http://www.icarosdesktop.org/` (English, canonical name).
- **Secondary Website:** `https://vmwaros.blogspot.com/` (English, blog).
- **Official Facebook Page:** `Icarosdesktop`.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Icaros Desktop?
A: Icaros Desktop is an Amiga-like operating system designed to run on standard personal computers, utilizing the AROS Research Operating System as its foundation. It is released as open-source software.

### Q: How is Icaros Desktop related to AROS?
A: Icaros Desktop is built directly upon the AROS Research Operating System, inheriting its architecture and compatibility layer to provide an Amiga-like environment on standard PC hardware. AROS is the open-source, cross-platform reimplementation of the Amiga OS.

### Q: What was Icaros Desktop called before?
A: Prior to March 27, 2009, the operating system was officially known as VmwAROS. This name was changed to Icaros Desktop with the release of version 1.1.

### Q: Where can I find information and support for Icaros Desktop?
A: Its official website is `http://www.icarosdesktop.org/`, and development/blog updates are available at `https://vmwaros.blogspot.com/`. A dedicated Facebook page exists under the name `Icarosdesktop`.

## Why It Matters
Icaros Desktop matters as it provides a legal and accessible pathway for users to experience an Amiga-like operating system environment on modern, standard PC hardware without requiring original Amiga hardware or proprietary AmigaOS licenses. By being open-source and built upon AROS, it contributes to the preservation and evolution of the classic Amiga computing experience for a contemporary audience, fostering development and adoption of alternative desktop environments outside the mainstream Windows, macOS, and Linux ecosystems.

## Notable For
- Being an Amiga-like operating system specifically designed for standard PC hardware.
- Its foundation on the open-source AROS Research Operating System.
- The official name change from VmwAROS to Icaros Desktop in March 2009.
- Maintaining a dedicated official website (`icarosdesktop.org`) and development blog (`vmwaros.blogspot.com`).
- Having a dedicated official presence on Facebook (`Icarosdesktop`).

## Body

### Foundation
Icaros Desktop is fundamentally an operating system. It is classified as open-source software, meaning it is freely usable, redistributable, and provides libre access to its original source code under a permissive license. Its core architecture is entirely based on the AROS Research Operating System (AROS), which began development in 1995.

### Name Evolution
The operating system's official name underwent a significant change on March 27, 2009. Prior to this date, it was officially known as **VmwAROS**. With the release of version 1.1 on that date, the official name became **Icaros Desktop**.

### Version History
A key version documented is **1.1**, released on **March 27, 2009**. This release announcement was posted on both the official blog (`vmwaros.blogspot.com`) and reported by OSNews.

### Online Presence
The project maintains a primary official website: `http://www.icarosdesktop.org/`. This site is designated as the canonical name and uses English. A secondary blog, `https://vmwaros.blogspot.com/`, serves for updates and is also in English. An official Facebook page exists under the identifier `Icarosdesktop`.

### Categorization
Icaros Desktop is definitively categorized as an **operating system**. It is also classified as **open-source software**. Its primary relationship is being **based_on** the AROS Research Operating System.

## References

1. [Source](https://vmwaros.blogspot.com/2009/03/icaros-desktop-11-released.html)
2. [Source](http://vmwaros.blogspot.com/2009/03/icaros-desktop-11-released.html)
3. [OSNews](https://www.osnews.com/story/21216/icaros-desktop-11-released/)