Alternatively one can use Microsoft Visual C++ (MSVC) version 2010+. Building with MSVC is covered here: https://www.reactos.org/wiki/Building_with_MSVC
### Binaries
To build ReactOS you must use run `configure` script in the directory you want to have builds. Choose `configure.cmd` or `configure.sh` depending on your system. Then run `ninja <modulename>` to build a module you want or just `ninja` to build all modules.
### Bootable images
To build a bootable CD image run `ninja bootcd` from the
build directory. This will create a CD image with a filename `bootcd.iso`.
See ["Building ReactOS"](http://www.reactos.org/wiki/Building_ReactOS) for more details.
## Installing
ReactOS can only be installed on a machine that has a FAT16 or FAT32 partition
as the active (bootable) partition. The partition on which ReactOS is to be
installed (which may or may not be the bootable partition) must also be
formatted as FAT16 or FAT32. ReactOS Setup can format the partitions if
needed.
To install ReactOS from the bootable CD distribution, extract the archive
contents. Then burn the CD image, boot from it, and follow instructions.
See ["Installing ReactOS"](https://www.reactos.org/wiki/Installing_ReactOS) Wiki page or [INSTALL](INSTALL) for more details.
## Testing
If you discover a bug in ReactOS search on JIRA first - it might be reported already. If not report the bug providing logs and as many information as possible.
See ["File Bugs"](https://www.reactos.org/wiki/File_Bugs) for a guide.
__NOTE:__ The bug tracker is _not_ for discussions. Please use `#reactos` Freenode IRC channel or our [forum](https://reactos.org/forum).
## More information
ReactOS is a Free and Open Source operating system based on the Windows architecture,
providing support for existing applications and drivers, and an alternative to the current dominant consumer operating system.
It is not another wrapper built on Linux, like WINE. It does not attempt or plan to compete with WINE; in fact, the user-mode part of ReactOS is almost entirely WINE-based and our two teams have cooperated closely in the past.
ReactOS is also not "yet another OS". It does not attempt to be a third player like any other alternative OS out there. People are not meant to uninstall Linux and use ReactOS instead; ReactOS is a replacement for Windows users who want a Windows replacement that behaves just like Windows.
More information is available at: https://www.reactos.org.
Also see the [media\doc](/media/doc/) subdirectory for some sparse notes.
## Who is responsible
Active devs are listed as members of [GitHub organization](https://github.com/orgs/reactos/people).
The main development is done on [GitHub](https://github.com/reactos/reactos). We have an [alternative mirror](https://git.reactos.org/) in case GitHub is down.
