What is PonyOS?

PonyOS is a hobby Unix-like operating system, designed for ponies like you!

Is PonyOS a Linux distribution?

No! PonyOS uses its own kernel, built from scratch.

Screenshots

What's New in 9.0?

PonyOS 9.0 is a modern OS for the era of the Web!

• 64-bit ARM architecture! - Even if ponies don't have arms.
• A web browser! - PonyOS now ships with the latest version of Netsurf!

Downloads

Available from Github!

Building from Scratch

To build PonyOS from scratch, we recommend using the upstream pre-assembled Docker build image.

Git Repository

PonyOS is developed through Github. You can find our repository at klange/ponyos.

FAQ

Does PonyOS work on real hardware?

This ARM64 release can probably boot on a Rapsberry Pi 4, but won't be very usable.

What happened to the x86-64 builds?

Ugh, fine, you can have a PC CD release, but it won't have Netsurf.

Is this really not a Linux distro?

Over a decade later and people still don't believe us! PonyOS is not a Linux distribution - it's also not a BSD, or a Hurd, or a Minix, or a Solaris!

Does PonyOS come with a compiler?

PonyOS 9.0 does not include a compiler on the live installation, as it significantly increases the size of the disk image. You can use the package manager to install the build-essential package and get a full GCC toolchain.

Kuroko, a dynamic programming language with familiar syntax, is included on the live images.

Can I put this on a bootable USB drive?

Probably, but see "Does PonyOS work on real hardware?" above. Directly copying the ISO to a USB stick should work (eg., using dd).

How do I move windows?

You can drag them by their title bars or hold Alt and then click and drag anywhere.

How do I change the display resolution?

In VirtualBox and VMware the display should automatically resize to fit the host window. For QEMU, use the set-resolution utility.

Does PonyOS support networking?

Yes! PonyOS 9.0 even ships with a web browser!

I started an application and it doesn't have a title bar, how do I exit it?

Alt+F4.

How do I install PonyOS?

At the moment, PonyOS is only offered as a live image with no installation option, for your safety.

Can I upgrade from an earlier release of PonyOS?

No. Please use the latest live release image of PonyOS 9.0.

What are people saying about PonyOS?

you have gone too far this time you fucking pony fags....

Anon, from /prog/

I just can't not believe these guys are sick fucks. Either way, getting to run vim in your shitty furry pedo OS is an accomplishment I must recognize. Fuck this shit.

Another Anon, from /prog/

NO

Mourcore, from reddit's r/technology

This is gonna buck up my computer so bad.

mybronyalter-ego, from reddit's r/mylittlepony

Thanks, but no thanks.

Nessphoro, from osdev.org

Oh… Oh god… Make it stop

@frozendevil

Copyright 2013-2026 K Lange
PonyOS is based on ToaruOS, which is free software released under the terms of the NCSA/University of Illinois license.
PonyOS contains software from third parties under several other licenses, which may be found in the Help Browser application within the OS.
PonyOS is a work of parody, and its fair use of characters and other intellectual property of Hasbro, Inc. is protected by copyright laws of the United States as well as international treaties and conventions.
PonyOS is not endorsed by or affiliated with Hasbro, Inc.
Happy April Fools Day 2026!