Booting and installation
Does Ashington OS replace Windows?
No. It is designed to run temporarily from USB. Choosing it from the startup menu does not intentionally install over Windows.
Will the computer automatically start from the USB?
Some computers do; many require the one-time startup menu. The exact key and wording depend on the manufacturer.
Can it work if the internal drive is missing?
Yes, if the rest of the computer can boot from USB. File recovery from an absent drive is of course not possible.
Files and recovery
Can Ashington OS recover every lost file?
No. It is initially designed to copy files that remain readable. Deleted, encrypted, overwritten, severely corrupted or physically damaged data may require other tools or professional recovery.
Why is the internal drive opened read-only?
Read-only access helps reduce accidental changes to the source while you inspect and copy files. It is an important safeguard, though no access to failing hardware can be declared risk-free.
Why must I use a separate destination drive?
Writing recovered files back to the same physical device could overwrite data that has not yet been copied and increases risk if that device is failing.
Can it unlock BitLocker?
Only with the proper recovery key or authorized method. Ashington OS is not intended to bypass encryption.
What if the drive clicks or keeps disappearing?
Stop. Those symptoms may indicate physical failure. Repeated attempts can worsen some failures; consider professional recovery.
Web and privacy
Are files uploaded when I use UR Viewer Web?
UR Viewer Web’s application code loads in the browser, and selected files are processed locally rather than uploaded to a UR Suite server. Normal network behavior still applies when loading the site itself.
Will my browser history and passwords remain?
Ashington OS is intended as a temporary environment. Unless a persistence feature is explicitly enabled, session data may disappear at shutdown. Sign out of sensitive accounts before leaving.
Can Ashington OS remove website CAPTCHAs?
No. A CAPTCHA is controlled by the website or its security provider. Ashington OS can avoid unnecessary launch behavior, but cannot override another service’s verification requirements.
Older computers and Remote Desktop
Will it make every old computer fast?
No. A clean environment can reduce some overhead, but it cannot replace insufficient memory, failing hardware or an unsupported processor.
Can I connect to any Windows PC?
The host must support incoming Remote Desktop, have it enabled, be powered on and be reachable. Windows Home commonly does not support acting as a built-in RDP host.
Is Ashington OS a full replacement for Windows or macOS?
No. It is a focused rescue and reuse workspace. It is not intended to reproduce every application, driver or permanent desktop workflow of a full operating system.