Official Software Updates

C64 OS is under active and on-going development.
Get the latest software updates here.


C64 Archiver and Installer.


C64 Archiver, Installer and CAR Files

C64 Archiver is an Application for C64 OS that creates archive files that contain C64 files, including all CBM FS metadata, and also retains their structure in nested subdirectories. The archive files produced are called CAR files.

CAR files are the standard way of distributing C64 OS software, but can also be used to distribute regular C64 software and other resource files too. Read the C64 Archiver and Installer guide to learn more about how to use these tools and how to install system updates.

Install Updates in the Correct Order

Software updates must be installed in the correct order! There is no check to make sure that what you're installing is appropriate for updating your current version.

  1. Check your current version number. (Utilities Menu → Settings → About)
  2. Install the appropriate update for that version first.
  3. Reboot. (Options Menu → Quit to BASIC → Load and run C64 OS again.)
  4. Repeat from step 1, if there are additional updates to be installed.

RECOMMENDED: Make a backup of your system directory in case something goes wrong, like an unexpected power outage in the middle of updating an important file.

System Updates

System updates will be added here as they become available.

Filename Release Date Required Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
1.03.update.car 2023-01-16 1.02 1.03 90 KB, 356 blocks 3349e5ca

This release includes some new core features. Mainly, the ability to mount Disk Images in File Manager, and mouse wheel support with new MicroMys mouse driver.

New Features

  • New Checksum Utility (CRC8, CRC16, CRC32 on selected file.)
  • New crc32 tool (//os/c64tools/:crc32 computes true CRC32.)
  • New MicroMys mouse driver (port 1.)
  • Mouse wheel support in all Toolkit scroll views.
  • New Mount Utility (mounts disk images to SD2IEC non-boot partitions.)
  • 13 new sample desktop backdrops.

cksum number: 2630579159 See: C64 Archiver and Installer → Versions and Upgrades.
Filename Release Date Required Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
1.02.update.car 2023-01-16 1.01 1.02 4 KB, 14 blocks 42022f62

This release is very small, it only updates the Installer Utility. It fixes a critical bug that prevented Installer from reliably extracting files with filenames longer than 14 characters.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixes an issue that prevented Installer Utility from updating files with names longer than 14 characters.
  • Fixes an issue copying the note from a CAR file from the Installer Utililty to the clipboard.

cksum number: 1791257261 See: C64 Archiver and Installer → Versions and Upgrades.
Filename Release Date Required Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
1.01.update.car 2022-11-20 1.0 1.01 53 KB, 209 blocks 70a2acfc

New Features

  • bootsect.128 in //os/c64tools/ allows C128 mode to autoboot C64 OS.
  • Added 4 new desktop backdrops: home, door, joystick inv, and settings.
  • Added the default desktop 5 backdrop to the backdrops directory.
  • Added 1351 mouse driver for port 2.

cksum number: 1531689060 See: C64 Archiver and Installer → Versions and Upgrades.

Other Software Releases

Other C64 OS software releases will be added here as they become available.

Filename Release Date C64 OS Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
cgfxsamples1.car 2023-05-06 1.04+ 1.0 1525 KB, 6149 blocks 893e1057

CGFX Samples, Set #1, Includes

  • 6 x Commodore Grafix sample files for use in Image Viewer
  • 1 x 3D Koala, Matrix Image
Filename Release Date C64 OS Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
petsciibots.car 2023-05-06 1.04+ 1.0 231 KB, 931 blocks f8897bbc

PETSCII Bots, Includes

  • Over 2400 Small PETSCII Bots, 5x7 characters
  • 14 x Big PETSCII Bots, 12x16 characters
  • 1 x Original CSDB release README file
Filename Release Date C64 OS Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
backdrops1.car 2023-01-09 1.0+ 1.0 59 KB, 231 blocks acad6174

Backdrops Set #1, Includes

  • 56 x Backdrop samples for use in App Launcher
  • screenedit and savescreen tools


Last modified: May 12, 2023