So, all the times we have written about platform applications for another platform, it was with regards to the availability of Windows software for the Linux platform.
What if you want to run Linux software on Windows? Afterall, there are certain features that are peculiar to Linux and sometimes, Unix-like platforms.
Read Also: 4 Ways to Play Retro Games on Linux
There are several ways to work with Linux software (including software and commands) within a Windows environment and today we will go through the most reliable ways.
1. Virtual Machines
This is the quickest and most reliable way to run Linux software on Windows because you will be running the complete OS within your Windows installation with access to everything that you have to offer. Your only limitation will be your machine’s hardware.
There are a handful of efficient virtual machine software that you can try with the most common and free solution being VirtualBox.
2. coLinux
coLinux stands for Cooperative Linux and it is a program that enables you to natively run Linux on Windows and other Operating Systems.
It is a port of the Linux kernel and its code allows it to run alongside another OS without the need for emulation.
3. Windows Subsystem for Linux and Bash
Microsoft collaborated with Canonical in 2016 to provide a reliable version of Bash for Windows. It is capable of running our favourite Linux commands and tools like nano, grep, and ssh.
What’s even cooler is that Bash on Windows can be activated easily.
4. Remote Access
You probably didn’t see this point coming because it isn’t exactly running Linux software on Windows, but imagine that you already have a Linux machine that you can plug into, perform your tasks, and move on. Remotely accessing desktops has been a tech skill for almost as long as cool networking options have existed.
The most common methods include Virtual Network Computing (VNC), Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), and of course, Secure Shell (SSH).
RDP ships with Windows 10 but you will need to install xrdp on the Linux machines you will be remotely accessing. VNC requires a number of dependencies and SSH is a command-line tool you can use with an app like PuTTY or KiTTY.
So, assuming there aren’t cross-platform software versions of Linux apps for you to use, you can always try any of the above methods.
The more you work with any if not all of the listed options, the more experience you gather and you will know which one works best for you and you’ll be able to share your experience with us.
Are there any methods of running Linux software and tools on Windows that I have left out? Tell me about them in the comments section below.
Recently, I actually put a new Windows system together. That in and of itself is not unusual, but this system is for me. The Windows Subsystem for Linux and Bash had me so curious that I got an Ebay laptop with good specs for running Windows 10 and went to work.
The first thing I learned is that you can still get the free upgrade to 10. I own a legal copy of Windows 7 Pro and Microsoft allowed me to cash in on the free upgrade. (for the third time, I might add) Even better, I have Windows 7 installed right next to 10 and everything is activated. I thought the free upgrade ended a couple years ago. What’s more, it’s easier now than when it was first introduced and it allows for a ton of options. You can even get an upgrade to Pro or Ultimate for a significant discount, depending.
The second, is that Microsoft has refined Windows 10 quite a bit since I walked away from Windows almost four years ago. They allow removal or disabling of much more now than they did but it doesn’t go far enough. I despise bloat and there remains plenty. Not as much as OEM versions but enough.
After using Linux exclusively during that time I became somewhat spoiled because Windows feels sluggish, in comparison. My workstation system runs openSuSE Krypton. Plasma matches Windows 10 in features and eye candy. My openSuSE rig has the same i7 processor but only 8 gigs of RAM compared to 16 for Windows 10. Plasma smokes, Windows 10 doesn’t. I will do some optimizing on Windows and it will help but it isn’t going to touch Plasma, or any of my Linux boxes and it never will. Windows is just a resource hog and that is all there is to that.
While, I have not yet had the chance to fully explore these new capabilities Windows now has, what I have seen is pretty alright. My belief in Microsoft’s sincerity in embracing Linux is a little stronger. The Powershell would have been great back when I was in IT. Much more powerful than the standard command prompt.
I am still somewhat skeptical but Microsoft’s recent move to open source 60,000 patents went a long way to quell some of that skepticism. They will take a major financial hit as a result of that move and in doing so they are helping to protect Linux from potential lawsuits.
The move was both friendly and seriously cool, as well as one that developers working on Linux and Android platforms surely welcome. I was not aware Microsoft had so many patents involving Linux.
The Linux friendly additions to Windows are rather significant and there are more on the way. I am both surprised and encouraged by what I am seeing and it may well lead to some cool possibilities. Cross-platform interoperability is one. Lots of potential going on.
I still do not see a return to significant Windows use, for my part but I will be checking out these new features. Windows 10 is impressive in some ways. I say that because I am still a computer geek and I love tech. Windows 10 is the most Linux like because of its scalability, if nothing else. Like Linux it can tailored to work on just about anything.
I look forward to what may come. Linux becomes more impressive as does FOSS. So many open source applications now rival or surpass proprietary developments that it blows me away. Yet, Wallapatta still does not have a Linux version! What’s up with that, Martins? Well, I can run it on my new Windows box until they do! Another excellent article.
Wow!
If I may ask, do you work with computers for a living or are your computing skills a result of your passion (and maybe hobby) alone?
Hi, consider adding http://cmder.net/ + Chocolatey packages (e.g. Open SSH). I can use majority of Linux commands in Cmder without WSL easily. SSH, nano, curl, wget, find….literally almost everything.
Not to steal the thunder of @ Amaro Vita (see first comment), whose comment is outstanding–AND absolutely the best solution– but an amplification/suggestion…
Anyone running Linux is, at minimum, somewhat ahead of the technical-competence curve, even if they run Windows almost exclusively.
Dual-booting a Linux distribution these days is simpler than
using almostany other solution needed to ‘get’ Linux and Windows on the same machine. Then one has a ‘real’ Linux OS, with never a worry about ‘virtual’ hardware or software.Most Linux distros worth their salt offer a dual-boot option at installation, Check it out. The last time I did this it took all of twenty minutes to install Linux Mint 18.2 alongside Windows 7 (and please, Windows fanboys: no comments as to my choice of Windows. Stay focused.).
I now have two excellent OSs, and I never worry about things possibly not working because of not being run “natively’.
The much better way is to install Linux.
Sometimes running Linux instead of Windows is not an option.
amarovita what