After 4 years of using Fedora KDE as my main OS with 0 issues or drawbacks, my workplace is now requiring all computers to be on Windows 11. Any suggestions to make the transition back more bearable?
My dissapointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined :(
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Ask your IT to install Virtualbox (or vmware if that’s what you have) and go on using Linux inside a VM.
That’s what I did. I don’t do absolutely everything on Linux because, for example, using MS Office directly on the PC instead of the web version in the VM is much more practical, but I do most things.
Edit: to add: work PC is provided by the company, not my own.
If they’re a Microsoft shop you’d have better luck asking for hyperv
You can use many KDE apps (konsole, dolphin, kate), and may be able to enable WSL. Look at powershell 7 and windows terminal, winget for a package manager.
Uh. My condolences. Do they also force you to use the software installed on Windows? Otherwise you could just image Fedora and run it in a virtual machine inside of Windows 11. Technically, I guess that’d fulfill the requirement with Windows 11 on the computer… Just that you don’t use it for more than log in, start the Linux VM and expand it full-screen.
Don’t run an unsanctioned VM on your work PC. Good way to get fired.
What if you do the reverse?
Good luck getting an admin to register your Windows VM with Active Directory.
Yes, that will be an issue. I guess not a technical one, Linux is perfectly able to fetch a token and connect to network shares etc. Not sure how that works with Email and the modern cloud office stuff. But likely, the IT department will have to enforce that policy as well. That’s why I asked if OP has to use software on Windows (11)… Otherwise, if it worked 4 years without issues… maybe there is no issue with Active Directory…
Thanks for the info guys, good stuff!
Those of you who are telling me to look for a new workplace over an OS change are a bit crazy though lol. It’s not quite that bad.
Clearly I was not the first with that call to action.
But seriously, Windows is awful. I’ve had to use it lately, and it’s comically bad. Like the OS shows me ads! Wtf!? In Fahrenheit 451, it describes the billboards as longer so you can read them while driving fast on the highway, and I feel like the ads Windows shows are basically a similar type of dystopian. And like, now you can disable more with menus, but then the disable option is like buried somewhere hard to find.
And as soon as you get an update all their shit is turned back on, and re-enabled, and edge (🤮) is back on the taskbar… I hate microsoft so, so much.
There are programs that control your internet access and if you use one of those programs to say, block almost every windows service, a lot of problems go away.
I didn’t do it because windows sucks but it is a nice benefit. Edge auto opens? Cool, it fails because it’s barred from internet access. Ads? But no internet so no ads.
Also deals with auto updates from companies that need to fuck off. I guess that’s still windows.
Think about it the other way around; you could use Linux on your work pc for the time being and your workplace was fine with that? that’s awesome. it’s a bummer things changed, but… that’s corporate life, bro.
Switch workplace.
There are countless ways to bypass that (e.g. https://docs.linuxserver.io/images/docker-webtop/ running on a server) but honestly if a workplace does not value your expertise to hone your own tools, they don’t really value you as an employee.
@ISolox Don’t let them take your freedom to use linux at your home. Use for them, and send the thek to hell after the work.
Oh I’m using Fedora KDE on my home system already. Issue is I’m unable to sign into email or basically anything that uses my work’s SSO due to it requiring the device to be entra enrolled :(
Since my work involves sensors, I set up a continuous testing setup on a raspberry pi and got its IP whitelisted. I ssh into it when something is annoying to do in the Windows laptop.
What is the reasoning there?
WSL?
Well, why? Compliance? ISO certification requirement? Any chance of providing the requirements to Linux?
Leave it at the office.
The reason being is to control all devices using active directory/MDM. Linux doesn’t have enterprise level device, security group policy management Be a good pleb and bend over if you want to pay your next mortgage or rent installment. Lol
Sure it does, you can even join Linux to the domain. It’s probably more that setting up tooling to manage it is not worth it when only one person is using Linux.
Just use the shovel your boss gives you. Back to your own preferences once you clock out.
Meh, does “the boss” pay you to use a shovel or to dig stuff up?
It’s obvious OP is going to be miserable and less productive on Windows, it’s not to their employer’s benefit for that to happen.
Boss has different people for different functions within the company. A monoculture is more susceptible to systematic flaws, but it is also less expensive to maintain. It is not OPs place to decide how the company manages is computing facilities, so if WSL or Cygwin are not accepable compromises (OP and company have to both agree) then OP has to decide whether they are willing to go along with Windows or find another job.
Something to talk about during the exit interview anyway.
You assume a whole lot of thought and strategy from “the boss” :)
I dont disagree though, fundamentally.
At workplace, use whatever OS and tools allowed by company policy.
At home, use whatever OS and tools you like.
At least that is how I’m managing it.
Yeah exactly. Although it’s also totally understandable that OP is unhappy with their decision. At the end of the day any reasonably large workplace just wants all their IT to be as manageable as possible, which means as uniform as possible in hardware and OS. But using windows for many jobs just kinda sucks.
Use VMs. Depending on their setup/requirements depends on which OS can be in the VM.
