Although Windows is not an open-source operating system, there are plenty of apps and software available out there for the OS that are of that nature and are very helpful. One such example is UniGetUI, which recently got a new update that makes it snappier and faster due to underlying code improvements.
Another such app is FlyOOBE, which allows users to bypass Windows 11 system requirements on unsupported PCs (recent updates let you update PCs with unsupported processors). It also allows customizing Windows with features like debloating that can make the OS feel lighter, something which can help on a low-spec PC.
The developer of the app, however, has warned recently that an unofficial mirror of the utility is now being hosted on a site not directly affiliated with the project. They write in a "SECURITY ALERT" section: "DO NOT DOWNLOAD FROM https://flyoobe.net/ This is an unofficial mirror and may host tampered or malicious builds. It has NO affiliation with me or this project’s official pages."
The author of FlyOOBE has added that the aforementioned website is best avoided, as the only official download spot for the app is its official GitHub repo. You can also follow Neowin"s software stories section as we make sure to link only to the authentic sources. This can be especially tricky, considering the authentic FlyOOBE app itself can still sometimes be flagged by anti-malware products.
Interestingly, the unofficial FlyOOBE website assures that the downloads from its website are completely safe and secure. In the FAQ section of the site, it writes:
Is FlyOOBE safe?
Yes, it is safe if you download it from our official site, but skipping checks can sometimes cause problems or stop some updates.
If you wish to download the latest version of the utility, you can do so from the link given below towards the bottom of the article. The release notes are given below, which include UI improvements and more:
-
Split the upgrade tool out
- FlyOOBE was tightly coupled with the upgrade/bypass tool Flyby11 (aka UpgradeOOBE). I’ve completely detached UpgradeOOBE (the Windows 10 → 11 migration assistant) from FlyOOBE
- FlyOOBE now focuses 100% on customizing Windows 11
- UpgradeOOBE (Flyby11) focuses only on upgrading to Windows 11 and runs as a standalone app
-
Modernization & polish
- The current release got a UI refresh and new features
- You can now pick a background image
- Brand-new App Settings view
- Improved update process
- Reinstall OOBE page renamed to Advanced
- Menu reorganized and simplified
-
UpgradeOOBE (Flyby11) specifics
- Fully standalone, does not require FlyOOBE (and vice versa)
- Depends only on CpuCheckNative.dll, which can be removed to allow upgrade attempts on unsupported CPUs (SSE4.2 still required in practice)
-
Under the hood
- Large-scale code refactors
- Prep work for more extensive OOBE pages
- UI and navigation tweaks to make things cleaner and more intuitive
You can view the release notes and download the app from GitHub here.