STEP ASIDE OS
Download edition
$25 USD
Download Step Aside OS and make your own start-up USB drive.
- The complete operating system
- Individual keys for the included proprietary tools
- You supply a USB drive of 16 GB or more
Experimental desktop · practical tools
Your computer.
Your choice.
Step Aside OS is a complete desktop operating system for people leaving Windows, with its own practical tools built in. Start it from a USB drive, try it, and install it when you are ready.
Step Aside OS is not on sale yet. This page shows the current version and the planned offer.
What is inside
Useful tools, already in place.
Each tool is marked In 1.3 when it is in the current version, or Planned when it is not there yet.
- In 1.3
SnapRec
Record sound from your computer or microphone, with noise clean-up.
- In 1.3
SnapEQ
An equalizer and volume boost for everything you play, one click from the top bar. Raise boost gradually: it can get loud.
- In 1.3
SnapTemp and Resource Watch
Show processor temperature, processor load and memory use in the top bar when enabled.
- In 1.3
Tweaker and Control Center
Switch tools on and off and adjust browser settings from one place. Each tweak is explained before you apply it and can be switched back.
- In 1.3
Windows Programs
Open a Windows
.exeor.msifile and Step Aside OS sets it up with Wine. Some Windows programs work and some do not. - In 1.3
Matrix Map
A start page for your browser with your shortcuts and notes.
- In 1.3
Recovery
A guided way to copy files off a computer that will not start. It reads the old drive without changing it. Not every file on every drive can be recovered.
- In 1.3
Your own desktop
A dock you can rearrange and resize, a top bar that shows what you choose, and the version in view unless you hide it.
- In 1.3
Update, Try or Install
Three plain choices on the first screen. Supported updates keep your files, settings and programs.
Planned additions
- Planned
Chat reader for Claude
Reads replies aloud in your browser.
- Planned
Post reader for X
Reads posts aloud in your browser.
- Planned
YouTube transcript saver
Saves a video's captions as text you can keep.
Planned tools are not in version 1.3. They work with other companies' websites, need your own account where those sites require one, and do not include any subscription to those services.
Two ways to get it
One price. Every listed tool.
Both editions are planned to include the same software bundle, with individual keys for the included proprietary tools and no extra unlock charges. The base system and safety tools remain available without activation.
Prepared USB edition
$50 USD
The same software on a prepared USB thumb drive. The $50 price includes the thumb drive and shipping.
- The complete operating system
- Individual keys for the included proprietary tools
- Written and fully read back before it ships
No payment is taken on this website yet. The $50 USB edition includes the thumb drive and shipping, with no separate shipping charge. Any applicable sales tax will be shown before you pay. The final tool list and terms will be published here before sales open.
How it works
Start from the drive. Choose what happens.
- Get the driveMake one from the download, or receive the prepared USB drive.
- Start from itPlug it in, restart the computer and pick the USB drive in the start-up menu.
- ChooseTry without installing, or choose Install or a supported Update. Read the disk-change warnings before applying changes.
- Enter your keysPlanned: one step adds the keys that unlock your Step Aside tools.
TryUse Step Aside OS from the drive without installing. Programs you add while trying are gone after a restart.
InstallPut a complete new Step Aside OS on the computer. The installer explains each step before anything is erased. Back up first.
UpdateBring a Step Aside OS that is already installed up to the new version, keeping your files, settings and programs. Release notes name the versions each update supports.
Updates
Install once. Updates come from this website.
New versions will be downloaded from this website. You will not need to buy another USB drive for an update. An update you have already downloaded is designed to install without an internet connection.
Supported updates keep your personal files, settings and installed programs. Keep a current backup before any system update.
We keep improving reliability and features. Release notes will say what has shipped. Future features and dates are not promised.
Release status
- Version
- 1.3
- Status
- Experimental. Not on sale yet and no public download yet.
- Download
- Not available yet.
- SHA-256
published with the download
When a download opens it will appear here with its checksum, so you can confirm your copy is complete.
Before you buy
Experimental means there are limits.
Step Aside OS is experimental software. Expect bugs, and expect that some computers and some programs will not work with it.
- For 64-bit PCs. A list of tested computers will be published before sales open.
- Back up your files before you install or update any operating system.
- Windows programs run through Wine with your normal permissions. Their folders are not a security barrier, and not every Windows program runs.
- Version 1.3 has been checked in virtual machines. Checks on real laptops are still under way.
Planned sale terms: no change-of-mind refunds after delivery. If your download fails or your drive arrives faulty, we put it right. This does not limit any rights the law gives you.
What the keys do, and do not do
The planned keys will unlock proprietary Step Aside tools. How keys move to a reinstalled or replacement computer will be published before sales open.
Keys will never stop your computer starting, block your files, switch off Recovery or hold back security updates.
The open-source software inside, including Ubuntu, GNOME and Wine, keeps its own licences. Your rights under those licences stay exactly as they are.
Download edition
Making your own start-up USB drive
- Use a USB drive of 16 GB or more. Everything on it will be erased.
- Check that the SHA-256 of your download matches the one on this page, for example with
sha256sum stepaside-*.iso. - Write the file to the drive with a disk-imaging tool such as balenaEtcher, GNOME Disks (“Restore Disk Image”) or Rufus on Windows. Pick the USB drive carefully.
- Restart the computer and choose the USB drive in the start-up menu.
- Choose Try to look around without installing.
Questions
Straight answers.
Can I buy it now?
Not yet. This page shows version 1.3 and the planned offer. Sales open when buying, delivery and keys all work from start to finish.
Does the $50 USB price include shipping?
Yes. The $50 price includes the prepared thumb drive and shipping. There is no separate shipping charge. Any applicable sales tax will be shown before payment.
Will I pay again to unlock each tool?
No. Both planned editions include individual keys for the included proprietary tools, with no extra unlock charges. The base system and safety tools remain available without activation.
Will my Windows programs work?
Some will. Wine runs many Windows programs, but not all, and it depends on the exact program and version. Try yours with the Try choice before you install.
Will it work on my computer?
It is made for 64-bit PCs and builds on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS for hardware support. The safest check is to start from the drive and choose Try: Wi-Fi, sound and the screen can all be tested before anything is installed.
How do updates arrive?
From this website. Supported updates keep your files, settings and installed programs, and release notes name the versions each update supports.
Can the software be copied or cracked?
The planned key system will verify signed purchase entitlements for individual proprietary tools. It is not enforced in version 1.3. Keys cannot guarantee that software will never be shared or modified.
What support is included?
Support terms will be published here before sales open.