However, much software has already been recompiled. It’s not a way to run existing Linux software on Windows - the software will have to be recompiled. You could even try using VirtualBox’s seamless mode or VMware’s unity mode to run Linux applications directly on your desktop - they’ll be running in the virtual machine, but their windows will be present on your Windows desktop instead of trapped in a single virtual machine window.Ĭygwin is a collection of tools that offer a Linux-like environment on Windows.

Xubuntu uses Xfce, which is much more lightweight. Ubuntu’s default Unity desktop uses 3D effects and the desktop interface doesn’t perform as smoothly in a virtual machine as past desktops did. If you’re installing Ubuntu in a virtual machine, you may want to try installing an Ubuntu derivative like Xubuntu instead. Everything but demanding games and advanced 3D effects should work just fine, but you likely won’t want to use those, anyway. When you need to boot up your Linux system, you can do it in a window on your desktop - no need for rebooting and leaving all your Windows programs behind.

How to install linux on windows