As much as we love Linux, we all have to agree on Windows’s massive dominance in the industry. Due to being the most widely used operating system for personal computers for the last couple of decades, Microsoft Windows enjoys widespread usage in the business world. If you’re a Linux enthusiast but need to utilize Windows for your Job or academic purposes, you no longer need to be disappointed. There are powerful Linux emulators for Windows that allow you to run Linux programs seamlessly on your Windows machine without installing a fresh copy of your favorite distro.
Best Linux Emulators for Windows OS
Emulators are computer programs that enable users to run software developed for a specific system on another. However, the current state of the computer world is far from enjoyable when it comes to operating system emulators.
As Windows and Linux systems vary in design and implementation, it’s almost impossible to find an emulator that lets users run standalone Linux programs perfectly in Windows. Thus, we’ll mostly focus on “ways” you can run Linux software in Windows.
1. Cygwin
Cygwin is a powerful and innovative Linux simulator for Windows that allows users to run Linux software in Microsoft Windows by recompiling them on Windows. It is a robust POSIX-compatible environment with an extensive collection of GNU and Open Source tools for providing functions similar to many Linux systems.
Cygwin works on most x86 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows and is maintained regularly. It is among the best Linux emulators for Windows users who want up-to-date emulation solutions.
Features of Cygwin
- Cygwin doesn’t allow native Linux apps to run on Windows; instead, it provides a mechanism to rebuild them for Windows.
- It comes pre-packed with a robust runtime (cygwin1.dll) that directly offers solid POSIX API functionality inside Windows.
- An extensive collection of Linux and BSD programs have been ported to Cygwin, including the X Window System, K Desktop Environment, Apache, GNOME, and TeX.
- Cygwin allows running Linux shells, file and sys utilities, terminals, remote login, and file transfers, text processing, compression, and servers directly in Windows.
Get Cygwin
2. Hyper-V
Hyper-V, formerly known as Microsoft Windows Server Virtualization, is a robust hypervisor system that allows Windows users to run multiple operating systems in their systems. It can virtualize a substantial number of POSIX operating systems, including Linux and BSD variants.
Hyper-V will enable users to use their hardware better and run different operating systems virtually. You can run your favorite Linux applications using Hyper-V, given you have got the necessary Windows license.
Features of Hyper-V
- Hyper-V allows the guest Linux system to be isolated by using a dedicated virtual partition on the Windows machine.
- It offers a robust host resources protection mechanism that ensures the virtual Linux system doesn’t clog up your system resources.
- The PowerShell Direct feature allows sysadmins to effectively manage multiple guest OSs and directly send commands to the guest system.
- Hyper-V has native support for persistent memory, encrypted network virtualization, d.VMMQ, cloud backup, and several innovative administration tools.
Get Hyper-V
3. VirtualBox
Oracle VirtualBox is a free-hosted hypervisor that allows users to create x86 virtual machines. This cross-platform software is one of the easiest ways to achieve total Linux system emulation on your Windows PC.
You can install any of your favorite Linux distributions from inside an already installed and running Windows OS. Although many people don’t like virtual machines, if you want to set up a fully functional Linux guest OS, they are a solid bet.
Features of VirtualBox
- VirtualBox is developed using highly optimized C, C++, and x86 assembly code, significantly increasing performance.
- Oracle maintains the software well, frequently adding newer features accompanied by bug fixes.
- VirtualBox is a solid choice for powering resource-intensive cloud servers and software testing.
- The open-source nature of Oracle VirtualBox allows third-party developers to extend the functionality as per their requirements.
Get VirtualBox
4. andLinux
“andLinux” is a robust, modern-day Linux environment designed to run natively inside Microsoft Windows. It packs a complete Ubuntu system using coLinux as its kernel and Xming for the standard X server.
It is one of the most efficient Linux emulators for Windows since it requires no virtual machine to run Linux and performs well across all major Windows versions. Instead, andLinux implements operating system-level virtualization to achieve its end goal.
Features of andLinux
- andLinux allows users to utilize either the KDE or XFCE Linux desktop environment alongside Synaptic for package management and Nautilus as the file manager.
- It enables Windows users to run everyday Linux commands directly from Windows scripts using the andCmd.exe utility.
- The software is entirely open source and comes under the permissive GNU GPL license.
- andLinux supports a variety of Windows versions, including Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and 7, but it lacks 64-bit support.
Get andLinux
5. QEMU
QEMU is one of the most popular virtual machine emulators due to its support for an extensive range of hardware. It can emulate any architecture and helps you get up and running with a Linux system inside your Windows machine quickly. It can also be used as a Windows emulator inside the Linux System.
It is known for its substantial virtualization support that allows users to create virtual machines with almost native-level performance. The software is maintained regularly, and newer features and bug fixes are added monthly.
Features of QEMU
- It can save the current state of the Linux system as snapshots and can restore them for later usage.
- QEMU allows users to utilize their peripherals, including hard disks, CD drives, network cards, audio interfaces, and USB devices directly.
- QEMU is written in C and is faster than most of the Linux emulators for Windows.
- It sports the GNU GPL open source license, which allows users to tweak the emulator as required.
Get QEMU
6. VMware Workstation
VMware Workstation is one of the most prominent choices for selecting a virtual machine for Linux. It is a hosted hypervisor that allows 64-bit Windows users to set up and run Linux systems locally.
If you want professional-grade performance from your emulated Linux system, siding with VMware Workstation will be beneficial. The software comes with a premium price tag but offers a freemium alternative (Workstation Player), with some functionality being limited.
Features of VMware Workstation
- VMware Workstation lets users choose from a ready-made set of Linux virtual machines for Windows directly.
- The VMware Workstation Player is a free version that does not require users to pay but is limited.
- VMware Workstation comes with out-of-the-box support for OpenGL and supports up to 3 GB of shared video memory.
- This Linux simulator for Windows has in-built support for DirectX 10.1, 4K resolution, Wayland, SSH, and Virtual networks alongside other modern-day features.
Get VMware Workstation
7. Multi Emulator Super System (MESS)
The Multi Emulator Super System, known widely as MESS, is one of Windows’s oldest yet most versatile Linux emulators. It can emulate over a thousand different guest systems on various hardware. The software is currently maintained by the developers of MAME, an innovative console emulator for Linux. Its extreme accuracy makes MESS stand apart from a plethora of everyday Linux Tools for Windows.
Features of Multi Emulator Super System
- MESS is not only a Linux emulator but also a universal solution for almost every one of your emulation goals.
- The development team behind the project identifies ‘portability’ as one of its cornerstones, and the emulator thus runs on a wide range of host systems.
- It has become an official part of the MAME project, and its functionalities have been integrated.
- The software is open-source and thus requires no permission to modify the emulator.
Get MESS
8. JPC
JPC is a modern and lightweight Java-based emulator that can be used for emulating Linux systems on a variety of systems, including Windows. It is an x86 emulator that can be run on any system with the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed.
This open-source Linux emulator was developed at the University of Oxford and came under the free GNU GPL license. Although the software runs smoothly on older hardware, emulation speed can be much slower for many applications.
Features of JPC
- The software is highly portable due to its Java heritage and runs on every major platform.
- JPC allows users to take snapshots of the guest Linux system and load them for later usage.
- The software ships with an integrated debugger that makes finding bugs much easier than most Linux emulators for Windows.
- JPC comes with in-built support for network cards and can emulate PC audio very effectively.
Get JPC
9. Wubi
Wubi (Windows-based Ubuntu Installer) is an incredibly lightweight and innovative system utility that allows users to run Linux on Windows without re-partitioning the whole drive. If you’re looking for services enabling you to install Ubuntu from within Windows and choose which OS to use during boot time, Wubi allows doing this precisely.
Although it became quite popular among Linux enthusiasts, the developers have discontinued Wubi, citing a lack of commercial potential. However, you can still use it in Windows.
Features of Wubi
- Wubi is exceptionally lightweight and weighs only 2.3 MB.
- It comes with the GNU GPL license, which allows users to modify the software.
- Wubi allows users to select their desktop environments as per their requirements and is very user-friendly.
- Users can uninstall Ubuntu installed using Wubi like any other Windows software.
Get Wubi
10. TopologiLinux
TopologiLinux is another powerful open source software that empowers Windows users to enjoy all the benefits of a robust Linux system. What makes TopologiLinux stand apart from conventional Linux emulators for Windows is that it isn’t an actual emulator itself.
Instead, it is a fully functional Linux distribution designed to be installed inside an existing Windows machine. It currently runs under Windows 2000, XP, and Vista editions but lacks support for recent editions.
Features of TopologiLinux
- TopologiLinux utilizes coLinux to run on Windows, a software that allows parallel executions of both the Linux and Windows NT kernels.
- This Linux distribution doesn’t require additional partitioning of the host Windows system and can create hard disk image files on either NTFS or FAT partitions.
- It ships with a free GNU GPL license that allows software modification and redistribution with a simple credit.
- TopologiLinux supports multiple Linux desktop environments, including GNOME, KDE, and XFCE.
Get TopologiLinux
11. Bochs
Bochs is a simple yet effective hypervisor system that can emulate full-fledged Linux environments inside conventional Windows computers. The program is written using the C++ programming language, thus making the software extraordinarily accurate and lightning-fast.
It can emulate a wide range of system architectures, including the x86-64 Intel and AMD processors used in most current Linux systems. The software, however, is prone to frequent system crashes when the guest system runs resource-heavy applications.
Features of Bochs
- The software is designed carefully and can emulate various systems, including Linux, DOS, or Microsoft Windows.
- Bochs C++ codebase makes it one of the most portable Linux emulators for Windows and can even be compiled for the early 386 CPUs.
- It can emulate most Unix workstations like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, Manjaro, and standard BSD counterparts.
- This GNU GPL-licensed software is entirely free and requires merely a simple credit for modification.
Get Bochs
12. JSLinux
JSLinux offers one of the fanciest ways of running an adequately performing Linux system directly from Windows. It is an excellent piece of software written by the famous open-source developer Fabrice Bellard. JSLinux provides a ready-made Linux system that can be accessed online from anywhere. This makes it a viable solution for users with access to fast network connections and looking to use Linux on the go.
Features of JSLinux
- It is developed using a JavaScript stack and can also be used to test JS applications or benchmark them.
- It currently offers six different Linux environments and provides console and X-Window-based interfaces.
- Users can connect to the worldwide network using any of these Linux environments and use them for online applications.
- JSLinux requires no installation or such and is thus among the most resource-friendly Linux Tools for Windows.
Get JSLinux
13. Cooperative Linux (coLinux)
Cooperative Linux is one of Windows’s most innovative and robust Linux Tools. Virtualization software allows Microsoft Windows users to run both Windows and Linux distributions synchronously.
coLinux utilizes the shared kernel technology and provides a mechanism that enables both the Windows NT and Linux kernels to run concurrently. What makes coLinux different from regular Linux emulators for Windows is that the guest system has full control over the host system’s resources.
Features of coLinux
- coLinux comes with pre-built support for every major Linux desktop, including Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Gentoo.
- Users need to install X-Window servers in their Windows systems to be able to run graphical software.
- coLinux allows the guest Linux system to emulate ethernet connections using TAP, PCAP, NDIS, and SLiRP.
- The software runs on most Windows systems flawlessly but, as of now, lacks support for 64-bit systems.
Get coLinux
14. bhyve
bhyve is a simple, lightweight, yet capable x86 emulator that can aid your everyday Linux emulation. It is a robust hypervisor solution that offers a comprehensive set of modern-day features to facilitate Linux emulation from Windows systems. If you want to run both Linux and Windows but do not want to install resource-heavy virtual machines, then bhyve is a pretty viable solution for you.
Features of bhyve
- bhyve was initially developed for FreeBSD and was later ported to other major systems, including Windows.
- It can run the most popular Linux distributions, such as RHEL, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, and Ubuntu, without trouble.
- bhyve supports UEFI, Hyper-V, and OmniOS out of the box and can effectively manipulate AHCI devices.
- The open-source development nature of bhyve means developers can modify or extend the program in any way they like.
Get bhyve
15. Parallels Workstation
Parallels Workstation is a full-fledged hypervisor that allows users to create efficient Linux virtual machines inside regular Windows systems. It offers robust functionalities, including full system emulation, and can emulate video and network adapters alongside hard drive adapters.
Parallels Workstation can also easily virtualize 64-bit processors with NX and AES-NI instructions. Although the product is discontinued for Windows and Linux, they still work like they used to.
Features of Parallels Workstation
- Parallels Workstation comes with pre-built pass-through drivers for parallel ports and USB devices.
- It supports VGA and SVGA graphics cards with VESA VBE 3.0 and a maximum of 256 MB video ram.
- Parallels support up to 16 SATA devices and four IDE devices with a USB 2.0 controller.
Get Parallels Workstation
Ending Thoughts
As you might’ve noticed, there are very few genuine Linux emulators for Windows available. Since it is complex to pack entire Linux runtimes in software intended for another system, most Linux users will find them using one Linux tool for Windows mentioned above.
Our editors have highlighted every plausible Linux emulation method available under the Windows system. We were also pretty surprised by some solutions like JSLinux! Hopefully, you got the insights you sought; keep your eyes here for more Linux tech talks.
Компонент WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux или Подсистема Windows для Linux) появился в Windows 10 и с тех пор постоянно развивается. Одна из новых возможностей, которую кто-то из пользователей мог пропустить — возможность простого и удобного запуска программ Linux с GUI прямо в ОС Windows.
В этом материале — пример быстрой установки всего необходимого и запуска приложений с графическим интерфейсом в Windows 11 и 10 и дополнительная информация, которая может оказаться полезной.
Установка WSL, дистрибутива Linux и приложений
Установить WSL и нужный дистрибутив можно разными способами:
- Включив необходимые компоненты в дополнительных компонентах Windows и загрузив дистрибутив в Microsoft Store (подробнее).
- Почти автоматически в командной строке.
Далее будет рассмотрен второй вариант, как более быстрый в контексте рассматриваемой темы.
Для установки WSL и конкретного дистрибутива Linux достаточно выполнить следующие шаги:
- Запустите командную строку от имени администратора, введите команду
wsl --install
и нажмите Enter, дождитесь завершения выполнения команды.
- Перезагрузите компьютер и снова зайдите в командную строку. Если на первом шаге была также произведена установка Ubuntu (в некоторых версиях Windows устанавливается автоматически), завершите установку с помощью
wsl --install Ubuntu
В процессе потребуется задать имя пользователя и пароль.
- Если требуется другой дистрибутив или автоматическая установка не выполнялась, по порядку введите команды (первая покажет список доступных дистрибутивов, во второй укажите имя дистрибутива из левого столбца):
wsl --list --online wsl --install NAME
Готово, дистрибутив установлен, а поддержка графического интерфейса приложений в WSL текущих версий включается автоматически (ранее этого можно было добиться лишь обходными путями, по умолчанию приложения работали только в режиме терминала), переходим к установке приложений:
- Введите команду
sudo apt-get update
также можно использовать apt вместо apt-get. Дождитесь обновления репозиториев.
- Для установки приложения по его имени введите команду
sudo apt-get install ИМЯ_ПРИЛОЖЕНИЯ -y
- Приложение будет установлено и появится в меню «Пуск» Windows (в папке соответствующего дистрибутива), откуда его можно будет запустить:
- Тем же способом можно установить и другие необходимые приложения, а для их удаления используйте команду
sudo apt-get remove ИМЯ_ПРИЛОЖЕНИЯ
Результат: приложения Linux с графическим интерфейсом исправно работают прямо в Windows:
Делают это со звуком, ускорением графики OpenGl, пробросом локальных дисков.
При желании вы даже можете установить менеджер пакетов с графическим интерфейсом (своего рода «магазин приложений»). Например, мне удалось добиться вполне исправной работы Gnome Software:
- Устанавливаем с помощью команды в WSL
sudo apt install gnome-software -y
- Изменяем свойства ярлыка, добавленного в меню «Пуск» (правый клик по ярлыку в меню Пуск — перейти к расположению файла — открыть свойства ярлыка), заменив поле объект на (пример для Ubuntu)
"C:\Program Files\WSL\wslg.exe" -d Ubuntu -u root sudo gnome-software
Подобным же способом можно «заставить» запускаться от имени суперпользователя с ярлыков Windows и другие программы.
- Пользуемся для установки, обновления и удаления приложений Linux прямо в Windows, в графическом интерфейсе:
Подробная техническая информация о том, как именно работают Linux-приложения с GUI доступна на GitHub проекта WSLg, с помощью которого реализована соответствующая функциональность.
Время на прочтение6 мин
Количество просмотров25K
Операционная система Linux похоже в очередной раз пытается ворваться в жизнь российского пользователя. И многим Windows-пользователям хочешь – не хочешь приходится пытаться ужиться с данной операционной системой. Можно много говорить о том, что это все придирки, что операционные системы сейчас как близнецы, что проблемы с «пересаживанием» пользователя на Linux выдумки тех, кто его не разу не видел, но… Лучше всего приучать постепенно и дать пользователю возможность попробовать операционную систему «в деле» до того, как вы ее ему поставите.
Я буду вести повествование с точки зрения преподавателя, которому необходимо перейти на отечественный дистрибутив (в моем случае это будет один из школьных дистрибутивов семейства Альт). Это будет интересный вызов еще и с той точки зрения, что известные дистрибутивы имеют больше информации о своем использовании, а данный дистрибутив хоть и похож на остальные Linux, но имеет свои «самобытные» черты и особенности.
LiveCD (точнее LiveUSB)
Самый простой способ, но не лучший. Вы записываете установочный образ дистрибутива на USB-носитель и получаете также возможность запустить дистрибутив в Live-формате. Дистрибутив будет разворачиваться прямо с USB в память вашего компьютера, не меняя ничего на его дисках. В обычном LiveCD режиме вы получаете систему с «предзаданным» набором ПО и настроек, где все ваши изменения и данные будут уничтожены после завершения текущего сеанса. Чисто «на посмотреть». Да, можно загрузиться в режиме «LiveCD с поддержкой сеансов», но ваши возможности также будут ограничены объемом USB-диска и доустановка ПО (а тем более обновление системы до актуальной версии) вызовут проблемы, если вообще будет возможна.
Сперва вам необходимо будет скачать и установить специализированный софт (я использовал программу от авторов дистрибутива ALT Media Writer) для создания USB‑диска. Далее вставляете в ПК «флешку» подходящего объема (я взял на 16 гигов, чтобы использовать режим сохранения сеансов) и запускаете программу. Затем вам нужно будет, нажав на три точки, выбрать нужный дистрибутив и затем просто нажав на кнопку Создать Live USB. После скачивания дистрибутива вам останется нажать на кнопку Записать на диск и загрузиться с созданного загрузочного USB-носителя.
VirtualBox
Следующий вариант предсказуем: виртуальная машина. Скачиваем и устанавливаем VirtualBox. Скачиваем дистрибутив операционной системы. Далее создаем новую виртуальную машину, куда подключаем скачанный iso-образ и ставим типа ОС Linux, а Версию Linux 2.6/3.x/4.x/5.x (64-bit).
После выделяем необходимое количество ОЗУ и числа ядер процессора для виртуальной машины (рекомендую поставить на максимум зеленой зоны параметров) и создаем новый виртуальный жесткий диск. Для нашей ОС лучше установить объем в 60 Гб. Меньше будут проблемы с автоматическим разбиением, а больше вы скорее всего не заполните при тестировании.
Запускаем виртуальную машину и учимся устанавливать операционную систему Linux по инструкции. Здесь рекомендую выбрать на шаге Подготовка диска метод установки «Использовать неразмеченное пространство», а на шаге Установка системы не выбирать «Среда KDE5», если у вас ПК с 4 Гб ОЗУ или менее. Остальные пункты тут по желанию, например учителям 1–10 классов школ будет достаточно выбрать «Начальная школа» и «Средняя школа».
После установки вы загрузитесь в Linux и можете спокойно его «пробовать», не боясь сломать вашу Windows. Вы также можете пробросить в операционную систему подключенные к компьютеру через USB-порты устройства и есть шанс, что они там тоже заработают. Единственное что придется поколдовать с разными настройками. Ну и доступ к файловой системе «носителя» виртуалки вам придется реализовывать через Общие папки. Также можно забыть про полноценное 3D-ускорение, не говоря уже об ML.
Hyper-V
Если у вас Windows Pro версий 8 и старше (лучше, конечно, 10 или 11), то вы можете использовать «родную» виртуализацию от Microsoft. Это даст вам большую скорость работы и лучшую интеграцию с Windows. Для начала вам нужно будет добавить компоненты Hyper-V в вашу систему (Настройки – Приложения – Дополнительные компоненты – Hyper-V).
После вам нужно будет запустить Диспетчер Hyper-V и создать виртуальную машину через пункт Создать. Выбираем первое поколение ОС, объем ОЗУ виртуалки равный четверти объема ОЗУ на вашем компьютере, виртуальный жесткий диск на 60 Гб и подключаем iso-образ дистрибутива Linux. Затем подключаемся к созданной виртуалке, запускаем ее и устанавливаем Linux….
Вот тут меня лично ждал облом, так как я столкнулся с проблемой black screen и на рабочем ПК, так и не смог ничего увидеть. Виртуальная машина работала, но vmconnect не хотел к ней подключаться. Провозившись пару дней, перерыв кучу сайтов, перепробовав разные советы от настройки прав до смены порта подключения, я плюнул на эту затею (я грешу на видеокарту Radeon 6500 XT, у которой просто нет нужных блоков для кодинга/декодинга) и попробовал все сделать на ноутбуке. Только вот там стоит Win 10 Home, под которую нет Hyper-V.
Но мир не без добрых людей, и вуаля, у меня виртуалка с линукс, только в очень печальной конфигурации с 1 Гб ОЗУ. XFCE на ней работает, хоть и чуть тормознуто. В вашем случае, очень надеюсь, все пройдет более гладко.
Минусы у данного метода тоже есть: доступ к данным физического жесткого диска требует его отключения от основной системы (или придется расшаривать папки по сети) и работа с подключенными USB-устройствами возможна только в Расширенном сеансе и выборе второго поколения ОС при установке. У меня это на ноутбуке с данным дистрибутивом не получилось.
WSL2
Третий вариант позволяет больше «пощупать» внутренности и софт Linux, чем ее графическое окружение. В данном случае мы сделаем виртуалку через Windows Linux Subsytem. При этом мы сможем запускать все приложения нативно из меню Пуск, получать доступ к терминалу Linux прямо из терминала Windows, а также получать прямой доступ как к файловой системе Linux, так и к Windows в обоих направлениях. Плюс будет идти трансляция 3D-запросов графики от Linux в Windows, преобразуя в запросы DirectX и мы даже сможем выполнять вычисления на GPU.
Звучит заманчиво, но как это сделать. WSL вы сейчас можете установить из Microsoft Store, но вот дистрибутивы там ограничены популярными. Но и это можно поправить. Вот пошаговая инструкция:
1. В Hyper-V создаем виртуальную машину, но в настройках ставим объем виртуального диска 30 Гб и в Параметрах ВМ отключаем создание контрольных точек.
2. Ставим дистрибутив линукс, но на этапе Подготовка диска выбираем «Подготовить разделы вручную» и создаем единственный раздел на 30 Гб с монтированием в корень ( / ).
3. Ничего не выбираем из дополнительных пакетов, ставим как есть.
4. После установки необходимо будет загрузиться в дистрибутив, запустить Терминал, переключиться на root (su -) и прописать конфигурацию, чтобы включить использование systemd в WSL
echo -e “[boot]\nsystemd=true” >> /etc/wsl.conf
5. Завершить работу в виртуальной машине и скопировать файл виртуального диска VHDХ (он обычно находится в подпапке Virtual Hard Disk) куда-нибудь в другое место, чтобы подключить его к WSL. Главное не забудьте, что этот диск будет «разбухать» в процессе работы, поэтому копируйте его на носитель с достаточным свободным местом.
6. После этого можете удалить Hyper-V с вашего компьютера, убрав соответствующие галочки (см. ранее, как мы его ставили). WSL работает без установки его компонентов.
7. Подключаем наш виртуальный диск с Линукс к WSL
wsl --import-in-place ALTEDU10 <путь до вашего образа VHDX>
8. Проверяем, что дистрибутив добавился командой wsl -l (у меня стоит параллельно еще Ubuntu)
Дистрибутивы подсистемы Windows для Linux:
Ubuntu-20.04 (по умолчанию)
ALTEDU10
9. Пробуем запустить командой wsl -d ALTEDU10
Если все сделано правильно, то дистрибутив загрузится в командную строку и вы сможете с ним работать, как с обычным Linux. Более того, все ваши физические диски уже буду примонтированы в /mnt, устройства с компьютера будут доступны и в Linux, как и будет работать буфер обмена.
Если у вас до этого не было дистрибутивов Linux, то установленный дистрибутив встанет дистрибутивом по умолчанию и для его запуска достаточно будет набрать в консоли wsl.
Из замеченных минусов: дистрибутив загружается в root пользователя и слетает системная локаль. Второе лечится добавлением в конец файла .bashrc в каталоге /root следующей команды
export LANG=ru_RU.UTF-8
а первое переключением на пользователя командой
su - <имя пользователя>
Можно еще повозиться, настроить sudo для пользователя или вообще заморочиться входом в пользователя в режиме консоли, но мне хватает и такого режима. Может быть позже.
Linux-система получается полноценной, приложения, требующие X-сервер работают, система обновляется и это тот вариант, когда вам нужно попробовать те же серверные компоненты или посмотреть Linux-приложения, или получить доступ к каким-то языкам программирования, но в Linux.
Далее можно уйти в сторону контейнеризации или попробовать другие виртуальные машины, но это выходит за рамки моего повествования.
Если эта публикация вас вдохновила и вы хотите поддержать автора — не стесняйтесь нажать на кнопку
We know that we all love using Linux but we can’t deny the fact that Windows has a huge dominance in the industry. Today, it’s used a lot in the business world. Well, if you are a Linux/Unix enthusiast but need to utilize Windows for a job or any other academic purpose then you are in a lot of luck. We bring you the 10 best Linux emulators for Windows through which you can run Ubuntu or Kali on Windows without installing the full distro. Doesn’t that sound awesome?
Why use Linux Emulators in the first place
For all those who do not know, emulators are programs through which users can run software developed for a specific system on another. When it comes to these emulators, the current state of the system is far from being enjoyable.
As both Windows and Linux systems differ in design and implementation, it is not possible to find one that allows users to run standalone programs in Windows perfectly. We shall have our focus on how one can run this software in Windows.
Hyper-V – A Solid Solution
This was previously known as Microsoft Windows Server Virtualization and is a robust hypervisor system through which users of Windows can run the different OS in their system. With this virtualize a substantial number of POSIX operating systems including BSD and other variants.
With this users can make the best use of their hardware and run virtually run a different OS. Moreover, also run your favorite apps using this as long as you have the required Windows license.
What features it brings:
- It comes with native support for good memory, encrypted network virtualization, d.VMMQ, cloud backup, and many other administration tools.
- It carries a direct feature that allows sysadmins to manage different guest operating systems and sends commands to the guest system directly.
- It allows the isolation of the guest Linux system by using a virtual partition on the machine.
- It offers a robust host resources protection mechanism that makes sure the system does not clog any system resources.
Cygwin – Next-gen Emulation Features
This one is a powerful yet innovative simulator through which users can run it in Windows by recompiling it on Windows. This is a robust POSIX-compatible environment with a huge collection of GNU as well as open-source tools to provide functions that are similar to many other systems.
Now, it can work on most of the x86 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows and is regularly maintained. This is the best one for all those who wish to have up-to-date emulation solutions.
ALSO CHECK: Android Apps Emulator for Ubuntu and CentOS.
andLinux – Online Linux Emulator
This is a robust yet modern emulator to run within Windows systems. It carries a complete Ubuntu system by using coLinux as its Kernel and Xming for the standard X server.
This is an efficient one available on the list as it needs no virtual machine to run Linux and also performs well among major versions of Windows. Moreover, it is also used to implement OS-level virtualization to achieve its end goals.
What it brings:
- This one provides support for Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and 7 but lacks 64-bit support.
- It is open source.
- Comes under a GNU GPL license.
- With this run every day, Linux commands from Windows scripts by using and Cmd.exe utility.
VirtualBox – Stable x86 Hypervisor
This one allows all its users to create x86 virtual machines and also comes in free. On this, it is very easy to get total Linux system emulation on the Windows system.
From within an already installed and running operating system, one can get any of their favorite Linux distributions. Though many users are not big fans of virtual machines, to begin with, if you are looking to set up a Linux guest operating system with all functions then they are a solid bet.
What features it brings:
- It is developed by using C, C++ and x86 assembly code all resulting in a good performance.
- The software is maintained by Oracle in a good way, and new features without bugs are added.
- A good choice to power resource-intensive cloud servers as well as to test software.
RECOMMENDED: Most Stable Ubuntu Release for Home Use.
VMware Workstation Player – Locally Hosted Linux VMs
This one is a prominent choice for a virtual machine. It allows 64-bit users to set and run their system locally.
If you want professional-grade performance then this is the best choice. It has a premium price but provides a free alternative, which is Workstation Player with some limited functions.
What it brings:
- It has built-in support for DirectX 10.1, 4K resolution, Wayland, SSH as well as virtual networks.
- It supports OpenGL and also supports up to 3GB of shared video memory.
- Comes with a free version with limited features.
QEMU – Superfast Performance
This has a lot of popularity among users as it supports a huge range of software. It can emulate any kind of architecture and also helps the user run a Linux system within their machine quickly. Moreover, it can also be used as a Windows emulator within it.
This is best known for virtualization support through which users can create a virtual machine with the performance of a native level. The best thing is that it is maintained regularly and new features with bug fixes are added each month.
What features it brings:
- It saves snapshots of the current Linux system which can be later restored.
- This is written down in C and is fast as compared to other emulators.
- It provides support to GNU GPL open source license through which users can tweak the emulator as needed.
ALSO CHECK: Most Practical Linux Phones that don’t require an Emulator.
JPC – Offline Linux Emulator for Windows
This one is a modern yet lightweight emulator which is based on Java. It is used to emulate Linux on different systems including Windows. Moreover, this is an x86 emulator that can run on any system with an installed Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
It is open-source and was developed at Oxford University. It comes under a free GNU GPL license. Though it runs smoothly on older hardware however speed might be slow for many apps.
What features it brings:
- It is highly portable.
- Carries built-in support for network cards and efficiently emulates system audio.
- Take snapshots of the guest Linux system which can be loaded for some later use.
Wubi – Best Ubuntu Emulator
This is another one on the list which is light in weight and an innovative system. With this users can run Linux on Windows without even re-partitioning the complete drive. Moreover, users can also get Ubuntu from within Windows and select which operating system to use during boot time. It also lacks some commercial potential, many have stopped using it but it can still be used in Windows.
What features it brings:
- It only weighs 2.3 MB.
- Carries GNU GPL license.
- Choose a desktop environment as per requirement.
- User-friendly.
- Using this one can uninstall Ubuntu just like other Windows software.
ALSO CHECK: Manjaro vs Ubuntu for Programmers and Developers.
Multi Emulator Super System
This seems to be an old yet versatile emulator. This can emulate many guest systems on different hardware. For now, it is maintained by developers of MAME which is an innovative console emulator for Linux. The best thing about this one is its accuracy, which makes it different from all those mentioned on the list.
What features it brings:
- It is open-source.
- This is a universal solution for all emulation goals.
- It can run on a wide range of host systems.
- For now, it has become an official part of the project “MAME”.
JSLinux – Kali Linux emulator
This one is used to provide users with unique ways to run Linux systems directly from Windows. It was written down by Fabrice Bellard. The best thing about this one is that it provides users with a read-made system that can be accessed from the web. This is good for all those who have access to fast network connections and looking to use it on the go.
What features it brings:
- Needs no installation.
- Friendly user interface.
- It is developed by using a JavaScript stack.
- It is used to test or benchmark JS apps.
- It provides users with 6 different Linux environments.
- It provides both console and X-window-based interfaces.
ALSO CHECK: Choose the best Linux Distro for Hacking between ParrotOS and Kali.
Do you use any Linux Emulators on Windows
Emulators have indeed made our lives much easier because they let you enjoy the experience with a little hard work. This is where Ubuntu and Kali Linux emulators for Windows play a crucial role for those of us who are in the learning phase or just want to get to know the command-line without making huge sacrifices on the primary operating system.
The love for the Linux operating system is beyond words. However, the Windows operating system’s popularity makes it difficult for Linux to fully take over the OS world. Windows has a bigger platform of users due to the operational preferences it presents. It has advanced graphics that favor users who are Gamers. The Office Suite software package of Windows is on another level.
These accommodations continue to attract more individuals from both the business and academic world. Therefore, a Linux system’s technical preferences will always be in a tug of war with the graphical preferences of a Windows system. However, such differences do not imply that the two operating systems cannot co-exist peaceful. Thanks to Linux emulators fully functional in a Windows environment, you are legally allowed to be in a love triangle with these two operating systems.
Understanding Linux Emulators
The simplest definition of emulation is to project something on top of another thing. Therefore, a Linux emulator allows you to launch and use a Linux OS within a Windows OS environment. Think of it as running an operating system as a program feature within another operating system. Emulators let you run system-specific programs on a different program platform.
For example, since Linux and Windows have different designs and implementations, a Linux emulator would function as a safe house that prevents the two OS environments from colliding while concurrently executing their platform-based programs and services. Therefore, a Linux emulator acts as a peacemaker that forces the coexistence of two or more operating systems.
Why Linux Emulators?
An emulator gives you a comfortable transition if you want to migrate or plan to sharpen your skills in another operating system environment. Since Windows OS gained its popularity before Linux and its distros, an emulator lets you even the score. Your interest might be in cryptography, password cracking, system penetration testing, or advanced system administration.
However, your comfort might be in the ease-of-use of a Windows system. The functional navigation around a Linux distro, like Ubuntu Gnome, can be at your fingertips within a month through a Linux emulator.
Before we start looking at the Linux emulator alternatives at your disposal, the specs of the machine that currently has the Windows operating system is important. Before you configure an emulator on your Windows system, some specifications need to be in place. These specs apply to the hardware features of your machine.
Three specifications are important. They relate to the machine’s main memory or RAM, processor, and physical memory. The minimum requirements for the ideal performance of a Linux emulator are 4GB RAM, 250GB Hard Disk space, and a dual-core processor.
If your machine passes all the required checks, the final checkpoint is to find a Linux distro that you are comfortable with and want to test. You can consider an option from our compiled list of lightweight Linux distros.
10 Linux Emulator Options for Your Windows System
If you are using Windows 10, 8.1, or 8, consider the following Linux emulators options.
1. Virtual Box
Virtual Box Emulator
It is the most common emulator in the Linux community. Oracle is the proud host of this free hypervisor. Therefore, if you have Virtual Box installed on your windows system, its interface lets you create multiple virtual machines. These virtual machines are containers that hold the alternative operating systems you will want to emulate.
This emulator lets you run more than one Linux distro on the Windows OS environment. You do not need prior tech skills to configure Virtual Box. Its UI is simple enough, and within minutes, you can have a fully functional Linux OS up and running.
Since C and C++ programmable languages are responsible for optimizing this emulator, the performance it offers remains exceptional. The use of the X86 assembly code is also another underlying factor. Since Oracle is prompt to update this emulator, you will run into more new features and fewer bugs.
Virtual Box does not just cater to light Linux distros. It can even power some resource-concentrated Linux servers you might want to put to the test. The emulator also welcomes third-party applications with favorable optimization features. You can download it through its official site.
2. VMware Workstation
VMware Workstation Emulator
This emulator draws some functional similarity from Oracle’s Virtual Box. However, your Windows OS needs to be a 64-bit system. If you meet this system specification, the hypervisor will permit you to run various Linux distros on your Windows system locally. It comes as a free version and as a professional version.
However, the free version is not fully-fledged as the pro version. The pro version supports various top-notch features like gaming. Since, at this level, you may only want to make acquaintance with a Linux OS, VMware Workstation’s free version will cater to your basic needs. The emulator’s UI is also simplistic and clean.
Once you unpackage the emulator, you will find it already configured with Virtual Machines ready for your Linux distros. The free version comfortably accommodates 3GB of shared video memory and OpenGL. OpenGL lets you render vector graphics in 2D and 3D. However, the premium version offers more lucrative offers.
Other additional features include support for SSH, 4K resolution, DirectX 10.1, Wayland, and Virtual networks. You can download it through its official site.
3. QEMU
QEMU Emulator
Out of most emulators, QEMU stands out because of two profound features. Firstly, the hardware support it offers is extensive. Secondly, it can emulate architecture. Therefore, these traits label it as a stable application. Its support for GNU GPL is possible due to the C programming language that powered its creation.
The minimum system requirement for the stable performance of QEMU is programmable CPU power and sufficient RAM. The performance of this emulator is native-level due to the frequent updates it receives.
We can generalize the emulator’s features as wholesome. For instance, you might be working on a procedural application or service in a Linux system. If you need to take a break and resume your Linux activities later, you can save the Linux system’s state you are on as a snapshot.
Therefore, the next time you restart your emulator, you only need to re-launch the snapshot and continue with your Linux OS activities from where you left. Another exciting feature under QEMU is its support for peripherals. Therefore, you won’t have issues connecting network data cards, USB devices, hard drives, thumb drives, and audio drives. You can download it through its official site.
4. Hyper-V
Hyper-V Emulator
This emulator, also known as Windows Server Virtualization, is a Microsoft-developed application product. The power and robustness of this emulator make it ideal for emulating almost any operating system. Therefore, it not only runs Linux distros but also the likes of POSIX and BSD. Its hardware efficiency is as ideal as that of QEMU.
However, this emulator is RAM-hungry and will tend to consume most of your machine’s main memory. Using a machine with bigger RAM solves this issue.
The functional features of Hyper-V are also unique. The emulator creates and operates through an isolated virtual partition. It is where your Linux distros will reside. Therefore, it does not interfere with the configurations of your Windows OS environment. This feature makes the emulator more trustworthy and your system secure. It envelops a resource protection mechanism.
Your system resources are free from clog-ups and malware that might try to manipulator your OS environment configurations. Other support features include cloud backup, network virtualization, encryption, and PowerShell management of multiple guest OS. You can download it through its official site.
5. Cygwin
Cygwin Emulator
We cannot completely regard Cygwin as an emulator but the closest cousin to an emulator. Think o it as a simulator. This notion has something to do with how it operates. If you have Cygwin installed and configured on your Windows system and want to run a Linux app, it will recompile the Linux app to be functionally adaptable to the Windows environment.
It is an ideal option for Windows users with low CPU power or main memory. The infrastructure of Cygwin comes with open source tools and GNU collections compatible with your Linux distro choice. It also accommodates POSIX-compatible provisions. To use Cygwin, your Windows system can either be 32-bit or 64-bit.
Since it is POSIX-compatible, a POSIX API is a constituent of its pre-packed runtime. It is also packaged with large Linux and BSD tool collections like TeX, X Window System, Apache, K Desktop Environment, and GNOME. Cygwin also supports system utilities like remote logins, terminals, and also file execution. This execution is through an availed Linux shell. You can download it through its official site.
6. AndLinux
AndLinux Emulator
This emulator application warrants you the capability of operating a Linux environment on a Windows Operating System platform. Its design comes with a pre-installed Ubuntu distro. The Standard X server’s coLinuxkernel facilitates this pre-configuration. This statement alone speaks of the power and robustness of this emulator.
Moreover, its emulation schematics work perfectly without the need for implementing a virtual machine. Its outstanding performance attributes do not end here. It emulates Linux OS-level virtualization to maintain a smooth user experience.
The simulator makes use of two Linux desktop environments: KDE and XFCE. These environments facilitate the execution of Linux scripts hosted on Windows scripts through the command prompt. The Nautilus file manager and Synaptic package manager features are also present.
Since the emulator is under a GNU GPL license, you will be dealing with an open-source emulator. You can download it through its official site.
7. MESS (Multi Emulator Super System)
MESS EMulator
The popularity of MESS as a Linux emulator extends to the gamers’ domain. Since it is the oldest and most versatile, it can accommodate hundreds of guest systems like game consoles. MAME developers take credit for the maintenance of this emulator. It moreover stands out from the crowd of other emulators because of it’s operational accuracy.
Since it is open-source, it qualifies as a universal emulation solution. Therefore, you have the green light to tweak the emulator and make it better suited for your application preferences. Among this emulator’s gem features, portability is also a likable trait. You won’t face challenges trying to configure and work with it from multiple machines. You can download it through its official site.
8. TopologiLinux
TopologiLinux Emulator
TopologiLinux is another open-source Linux emulator software. It brings to the table a range of robust Linux experience for Windows users. You will fully reap the emulator’s benefits if you use old Windows OS versions like XP and Vista. It is because the module that runs the emulator, coLinux, favors low-level hardware specs. Therefore, recent Windows OS versions are out of their support.
The main feature that defines TopologiLinux is coLinux. This application module caters to Windows NT kernel and Linux kernel’s parallel execution. Therefore, your Windows system will not need an extra partition to emulate your Linux distros. Since it’s versioned under the GNU GPL license, you have the privilege of modifying the emulator. KDE, GNOME, and XFE have the full support of this emulator. You can access it through its official site.
9. Wubi
Wubi Emulator
Another partition-free emulator is Wubi. It will allow you to configure a Linux distro like Ubuntu on your Windows system without the need for repartitioning. First, you will install Wubi as a normal program on your Windows OS environment. Once Wubi is installed, launching it will create an installation environment for a distro like Ubuntu.
The next time you restart your machine, you will get a configured boot option that lets you choose which OS you want to launch. Regardless of its discontinued development status, Linux enthusiasts still find it appealing because of its dynamic potential and simplicity.
With only 2.4 MB in size, the emulator is incredibly lightweight. You have the freedom to modify it because the emulator is GNU GPL licensed. User freedom also extends to deciding which desktop environment to utilize. Uninstalling your Linux distro from Wubi will also get rid of it from the boot options menu. You can download it from its official site.
10. Parallels Workstations
Parallels Workstation Emulator
This emulator lets you configure and work with Linux Virtual machines within a Windows OS environment. A full system emulation is one of the robust features the emulator offers. Its emulation extends to most things hence the reference full-fledged hypervisor. Therefore, it can comfortably work with hard drive adapters and also video and network adapters. The emulator’s virtualization capability extends to AES-NI and NX 64 bit processors.
The main features of the emulator constitute pre-built drivers. They ensure that any USB device and the machine’s parallel ports are in complete sync with the available OS environments. The emulator supports VGA and SVGA graphics. VESA VBE 3.0 is the desired graphics spec. The emulator will comfortably host most Linux distros due to its supportive 256 MB video RAM.
However, such limits are not viable in the premium version as it can take up to four IDE devices in addition to 16 SATA devices. You can access it from its official site.
Final Thoughts
You might be a Windows OS pro user who wants a technical taste of the Linux system without completely migrating to its side. A Linux emulator is a viable option for you. It is the bridge that will slowly transition or prepare you to join the Linux world. You will get to learn, explore, and master the Linux tweaks while on your favorite Windows environment. Enjoy the Ins and Outs of a Linux System while on a Windows System. Think of it as killing two birds with a single stone.