In my persistence to fit Linux in my life, I’m curious if some “must have” Windows software will work better if I just ran a Windows VM within Linux.

None of the software I need to work is needed to work continuously. They are basically programs that I fire up when needed, for a few minutes, then exited.

Wine will install them, but not run them, so I’m hoping a VM is the answer as I’m not interested in dual-booting to run a few Windows programs occasionally.

  • lurch (he/him)@sh.itjust.works
    1·
    6 months ago

    VMs can be slow AF tho. Also, they use up a lot of disk space and RAM, because you have a whole ectra OS in there. But yeah, a lot of proprietary things work better in VMs with their native OS.

  • TheAgeOfSuperboredom@lemmy.ca
    0·
    6 months ago

    The software will likely work, but keep in mind that you’ll have to add VM startup time when you want to use the software. I have occasionally seen software behave strangely in a VM as well, so best to just try it.

    Can you share the software you went to use? Maybe there’s a good Linux alternative or someone knows how to get it working in wine.

    • bruce965@lemmy.ml
      0·
      6 months ago

      VM startup time can be skipped by saving state instead of shutting it down every time.

      I would say the worst issue using a VM is with programs that need the GPU (e.g. CAD softwares or games), and software with aggressive DRM.