Very much related question —
I’m thinking of building myself a new computer and I’d like to install Linux as the base OS. If at some point I decide I need to do something in Windows, I would expect to install a Virtual Machine and install and run Windows from the VM. It just seems like the best way to distance myself from anything Windows-related.
I’m rather rusty on building and installing SW at this level. Although I think Linux first and Windows in a VM is the way to go, I wonder if I have it backwards? Anyone know?
“I’m thinking of building myself a new computer ...”
First thanks to the others that replied to my question.
I’m thinking of “having built” rather than “building”. I like the idea of a virtual machine running both.
I’m tangled up in a project that uses an embedded ARM processor and peripherals and haven’t got the brainpower to deal with PC issues at the same time.
Unless you’re building a server, you will want to stay with Windows 11, and I say this as a Linux guy.
The reason is that windows comes with Windows Services for Linux (WSL) which runs Linux as an app on your Windows system.
You can get the Ubuntu app for free from the Windows App store.
You will also need the free VxXsrv X Server app if you intend to launch any windows from your Linux app.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/vcxsrv/
With the VcXsrv, the Linux app runs just like a full blown Linux OS EXCEPT that there is no Linux windows manager. I launch all my linux apps from the command line, so that’s not a problem for me.
ChatGPT says you can install a Linux Windows manager, but you would need a PC capable of basically running Linux as a virtual guest.
Here is what ChatGPT says about it.
Yes, it is possible to run a Linux window manager in Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2). However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. WSL2 is a command-line interface (CLI) environment. To run a window manager, you will need to install an X server on the Windows side, such as VcXsrv or X410. This will allow you to display Linux graphical applications on the Windows desktop.
2. To run a window manager, you will need to install a desktop environment on the Linux side. This can be done by installing a Linux distribution that includes a desktop environment, such as Ubuntu Desktop, or by manually installing a desktop environment like GNOME, KDE, or XFCE.
3. Running a window manager in WSL2 can be resource-intensive and may impact the performance of other applications running on your Windows system. You may need to adjust the memory and CPU allocation for the WSL2 instance to ensure smooth operation.
Once you have installed an X server on the Windows side and a desktop environment on the Linux side, you can start the X server and launch the window manager from within the Linux environment. Note that not all window managers may work well in WSL2 due to differences in the underlying system architecture and resources.
If you “may” use windows you are on the right track. If you will use windows, especially more frequently also maybe consider a dual-boot solution. Either way these are not permanent decisions and can be redone later if needed. Just remember to backup those files!