thank you. Is it compatible with all windows applications, ie publisher, word, etc?
There are two ways to deal with this:
First, you can run Windows within a virtual machine (either VMWare or Oracle Virtualbox). That works for almost anything.
In many cases, you can install applications directly in Linux using Wine. Here is a database of applications that have been tested. Don't get me wrong: Wine is not a panacea, but it does work in many cases. You can check what kind of testing has been done on your specific software using the link above.
Personally, when I absolutely have to use Windows software, I use a VM (through Oracle Virtualbox). Just easier in my case. If you don't have robust hardware, a VM may not be an option.
Also, there are perfectly good Linux alternatives to many of the paid software packages.
Having said that, I consider this to be a fault with software publishers rather than a fault with Linux. There is, admittedly, a cost of developing software to work with a different operating system. However, when I see software publishers taking the expense to make software that works both with Windows and Mac, I can't see the justification to not go the extra 2% and look at compatibility for Linux. Maybe at some point.
if you want to run windows programs in a virtual machine, You’ll need to install your windows version in virtualbox- or whatever one you choose- you’ll need to have the ISO for windows to install it to a VM (virtual machine)- IF you have windows 10 preinstalled, I ‘think’ you can download a windows 10 ISO and install it into hte virtual machine using your preinstalled key- but I’m not sure on that- I know you can run windows 10 without registering it but you will just lose the ability to personalize it some- but it’s no big deal- the personalizations that are crippled aren’t that bad, and the small watermark they put on down by the clock can be over-ridden
If you have a retail version Cd of windows 7 or 8 or 10, then you only need to install that CD to the virtual machine and use that key but not many folks have retail versions- most computers come with preinstalled windows nowadays-
you’ll have to dig into it a little bit- but it’s not overly hard to get a VM up and running