Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aero7 Windows?

No. Aero7 is an independent Arch Linux-based operating system with KDE Plasma 6 and an Aero-inspired interface. It does not contain a licensed copy of Microsoft Windows.

Can I install Beta 1 on a real PC?

Yes. Beta 1 supports guarded physical installation on x86-64 UEFI systems using non-removable SATA, NVMe, or MMC storage. Disable Secure Boot, use AHCI instead of RAID On/Intel RST, and keep a verified backup. Beta software and partition changes can still cause data loss.

Can it dual boot or keep my files?

Beta 1 can preserve existing GPT partitions by installing into unallocated space, replace one selected partition, or shrink NTFS and use the released space. This is not a backup: partitioning can still cause data loss, and encryption and free-form manual partitioning remain unavailable.

Why is Upgrade greyed out?

It communicates the familiar installer structure while making the Beta 1 capability honest: only clean custom installation is implemented.

Does installation need internet access?

The published Beta 1 image needs internet access. Beta 2 has two planned media variants: the smaller online ISO needs a stable connection throughout package installation, while the recommended offline ISO embeds the complete package set and installs without internet. Both retain the configured repositories for normal updates after setup. The Beta 2 images are not public until their remaining release gates pass.

Why did the VM boot into setup again?

The virtual disk must be first in UEFI boot order and the DVD second. Follow the fix in Troubleshooting.

Is WinXplorer included?

No. Aero Dolphin, shown as File Explorer, is the supported default. The WinXplorer package remains optional and is intentionally excluded from the ISO.

Why does the second boot ask for my password?

That is expected. Only the first desktop handoff uses temporary autologin. A self-disabling cleanup timer removes it so later boots use normal SDDM authentication.

Where are installer logs?

Press Alt+F2 for the recovery console and follow Recovery and Logs.

Can I build it myself?

Yes, if you are an experienced Arch Linux developer. See Building the ISO and review Credits and Licensing before sharing the result.