You can run Windows apps in Linux without becoming a Linux wizard

Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash

I recall the moment I decided to use Linux. I had to do a presentation. Lo and behold, the blue screen of death. To say that I almost went dehydrated from the sweat would be putting it mildly. After that disaster, I was resolute. I wouldn’t use Windows again in my life.

I, like most Windows users, got tired of a system that doesn’t feel mine. A system increasingly bloated and intrusive (Looking at you, Recall). But as a student, I couldn’t afford to replace my laptop at the time with a Mac. So, I, as a good poor student, went to Linux. Like Romeo went to Juliet’s arms.

The most painful experience I had with Linux, like most people, was with software. Better known for a student as “How da heck do I get Microsoft Office to run here”.

At the time, you would have to be a power user, an almighty Wine wizard.

By the way, if you don’t know what Wine is… me neither. I just know two things about it:

1. You can run Windows with it, like an emulator.
2. Wine is not an emulator.

This story doesn’t end well for me. I had to go through the pain of replacing my entire stack with Linux-native solutions. But it doesn’t have to end badly for you.

Enter WinApps

WinApps is a software that allows you to run Windows apps in Linux almost natively. It uses Docker or Podman to create a sort of virtual machine and uses a protocol to run the software like if it were running directly in your OS.

It isn’t native. But it does feel like so.

Check WinApps here

[embed]GitHub - winapps-org/winapps: Run Windows apps such as Microsoft Office/Adobe in Linux… Run Windows apps such as Microsoft Office/Adobe in Linux (Ubuntu/Fedora) and GNOME/KDE as if they were a part of the…github.com

Don’t forget to throw it a ⭐️ if you find it useful.

Pros of WinApps

• No more going back and forward between you, GnomeBoxes, or God forbid, VirtualBox.
• No need to be a Wine super user.
• The user experience is great. You even get shortcuts to Windows apps.
• Is legal, btw.

Cons of WinApps

• It’s still a virtual machine of sorts. It consumes a lot of RAM. Which is not cheap these days.
• It has complexity to install.
• Passing it access to your video card is hard.

No more excuses

If your reason to avoid the switch was lock-down, well, that is no more. You can bring your apps into Linux now.

If you like Windows 11… You have a right to your bad taste.

Making the switch to Linux has never been easier. So, what are you waiting for?