How to run MS Windows on Linux

Last updated Jun 23, 2017 594

You can use a technique called virtualization to run all versions of MS Windows as a guest operating system under any Linux distribution. There are both free and commercial software packages to achieve this result. In this tutorial, you will use the free and open-source software ” VirtualBox “, sponsored by Oracle. Commercial alternatives include ” VMWare “, which operates in a similar manner.

Requirement : VirtualBox, ISO or Windows CD

1.) Access the VirtualBox website download it and install it on your pc. Most versions of Linux include a package manager that makes this trivial task. For example, in Ubuntu and derivatives, click the ” System ” menu and select ” Administration ” and ” Synaptic Package Manager “. Click Search and type ” VirtualBox. ” Click the ” VirtualBox ” result and choose ” Make ” to start the installation.

2.) Click ” Apply “. Wait for automatic download and installation is complete. Depending on the speed of the Internet, it may take from a few seconds to an hour. Start VirtualBox and click the ” New ” button. This will start the New Virtual Machine Wizard. Enter the name for your virtual machine when prompted and select the version of Windows you want to install among the various available in the list that will appear. Click ” Continue.”

3.) Select the amount of base memory (RAM) to be set aside for Windows in the next dialog box (be careful not to overdo the assigned amount). VirtualBox will include a small graphic to suggest a reasonable amount for the system. Make, then, click ” Continue. ” Create a new virtual hard disk in the next dialog box.

4.) If the defaults are acceptable, click ” Continue. ” Select ” dynamically expanding storage “. This will ensure that Windows will occupy only the space required as needed to the actual files stored on your own dedicated virtual hard disk. At this point, click ” Done “.

5.) Insert your Windows installation disc (you can start it from your PC in ISO format, selecting it directly from VirtualBox). Click ” Start “. This will begin with the Windows installation process. When this process is finished, you will have a working copy of Windows running in a window on your Linux computer.

6.) After installing everything perfectly you can use VirtualBox with Windows almost as if this was the OS (Operating System) on your main PC, you will be able to surf the Internet and download files, watch video and anything you want to do; You can also connect devices in the USB ports of the PC and see the device (eg mouse) from the virtual window and use commonly.