# ZimaOS Public Evaluation Program [![release][release-badge]][release] [![download][download-badge]][download] [![community][community-badge]][community] [](http://bit.ly/3J3P03Q) [](http://bit.ly/4mvPMoN)

Welcome to join the public evaluation program of ZimaOS. ZimaOS is evolved from CasaOS, and we have built a release version of ZimaOS for better hardware compatibility and update experience. It will perfectly adapt to the Zima series hardware and also be compatible with x86-64 systems with UEFI.

It is built using Buildroot and has stable OTA update functionality. Based on CasaOS, we have built a series of new applications. You can find the specific differences between it and CasaOS from the table below:

Discussion

This project is just for releasing test images, if you want to discuss related issues, feel free to go to our forum. Icewhale Community

Distribution Features

• Lightweight and memory-efficient
• Minimized I/O
• Over The Air (OTA) updates
• Offline updates
• Better disk management capabilities

Supported hardware

• ZimaBoard
• ZimaBoard2
• ZimaBlade
• ZimaCube
• Generic x86-64 (e.g. Intel NUC)

Getting Started

Installation

1. Preparation - Enable UEFI boot in BIOS/UEFI and disable Secure Boot. - Back up any important data on the target drive. The selected disk will be erased.

2. Download the image - Open Releases and download the installer image. - Pick the file named zimaos_XXXXX_installer.img (XXXXX varies by version).

3. Create the USB installer - Use Balena Etcher (Windows/macOS/Linux): https://etcher.balena.io/ - Steps: 1) Launch Etcher. 2) Select the downloaded *.img file. 3) Choose the target USB drive (verify the correct device). 4) Click Flash, wait for completion, then safely eject the USB drive.

4. Install ZimaOS - Insert the USB installer into the target device (Zima hardware or generic x86‑64 PC). - Open the BIOS/Boot Menu and boot from the USB device in UEFI mode. - Follow the on‑screen installer to select the target disk and confirm installation (this erases the disk). - When installation completes, reboot as prompted and remove the USB installer. - Boot from the installed disk (UEFI) to start ZimaOS and finish the initial setup.

ZimaOS.webm

Installation on Proxmox

Follow the link. Thanks @silycr for the tutorial!