The project minc (minc is not cygwin) is a minimalistic nucleus and toolset based on MinGW, allowing Windows users to run typical OpenBSD utilities similar to how the Cygwin package enables the use of GNU utilities on Windows. Once MINC is installed, users can experience an environment that closely simulates OpenBSD on Windows, with performance approaching native execution. The project’s code is written in SI and is distributed under the BSD license. It is compatible with Windows versions from XP to 11.
The environment in MINC corresponds to the release of OpenBSD 6.1 and includes various program sets:
- Standard utilities like LS, DU, PS, DF, FIND, GREP, AWK, MKDIR, ChMOD, Chown, WC, Top, and Diff.
- Text editors VI and Nano, along with programs similar to Less and Hexedit.
- Archives Unzip, Gzip, Bzip2, and XZ.
- Network utilities Route, ifConfig, Ping, FTP, SSH, SCP, Telnet, WGET, Curl, Lynx, Mutt, and Bitchx.
- Development tools including VIM, GIT, and IMAGEMAGICK.
- In the future, server applications like Apache HTTPD, Sendmail, and SSHD will be added.
Noteworthy features include integration with Visual Studio Code for using MINC as a terminal. The installation process involves a graphical installer, allowing users to select additional application sets beyond the basic systemic environment. MINC functions properly alongside antivirus software like Windows Defender and Kaspersky Anti-Virus.
