Using Windows Virtual Machine for explicitly few programs (less than 2 ideally)

That goes for normal Windows.

Able to be shut off at any time (or wiped/remade completely)

Normal Windows

Ran in a VM for complete network security

How does running it in a VM improve network security?

If cracked, software can be ran in the VM completely offline

Normal Windows 1 more time.

All the things you can do in a VM you can do running Windows normally.

Man, you must be fun at parties.

• No dual boot needed, can use Linux exclusive programs and have data stored outside of the VM for easy access
• Able to take advantage of the performance improvements of using Linux as your daily driver compared to Windows (most notably lower memory usage)
• Not barred by Windows 11’s requirements (largely irrelevant for the software you want to use this with, but it’s a factor)

Also two things, since I’m confused on if you’re playing coy or are just in a contrarian mood:

• Yes, all of the functions inside the VM can be achieved with a standard Windows install. However, we are looking at this situation through the lens of a user who wants to use Linux with access to their Windows programs that throw roadblocks (AKA the original commenter of this comment train)

• Regarding network security, the advantage of not using Windows as your main operating system is that you have a stable, secure baseline, without any fears of unwanted telemetry or addons included in the package (such as copilot). You can debloat windows, but you can never be truly sure that those issues won’t return in the next update or are fully disabled. With a VM that’s not running… well, it’s not running. Not connected to the internet.

Any other suggestions for Windows 11 users that haven’t had to use it since 8? I want to kill as much of their garbage as possible, but I feel like I missed so much of their dastardly crap I could be missing something.

You can restrict access to your entire network.

Man you must recycle jokes at parties.

No dual boot needed, can use Linux exclusive programs and have data stored outside of the VM for easy access

Yes but if you dual boot there’s no VM needed LOL

I just can’t possibly comprehend why you would prefer that when dual booting is so much simpler…

Able to take advantage of the performance improvements of using Linux as your daily driver compared to Windows (most notably lower memory usage)

So you mean to tell me running Windows inside of Linux uses less RAM than just Windows? How does that work?

Not barred by Windows 11’s requirements

I mean you can get around that using Rufus easy enough (I’m told).

we are looking at this situation through the lens of a user who wants to use Linux with access to their Windows programs

But why?

the advantage of not using Windows as your main operating system is that you have a stable, secure baseline, without any fears of unwanted telemetry or addons

I’m not sure you understand how a VM works. There’s nothing about a VM that removes telemetry or add-ons from Windows…

And who said anything about a “main operating system”? Linux can still be your “main”.

…what? How are you going to do any modern day work on the host machine with no Internet access? Are you going to air gap your windows machine?

Yes but if you dual boot there’s no VM needed LOL

You want to reboot the entire system when you need to use a Windows only application? Instead of just opening up a VM?

Lol.

Lmao, even.

Whoever believes a single word that company says?

Like why are we as a society normalizing lying about everything? “Marketing”, “Public relations”, even “Politics”. All of which are ultimately pointless, as we don’t need to keep buying shit, think better of corporations, and argue about same three questions over and over again.

Which is to say, fuck Microsoft. And everything they do. Yes, EVERYTHING. Including the open-source stuff. We need to break down big companies into much smaller ones.

…after spending 2 weeks trying to figure out how to make it work? Yeah I’ll restart the computer in 2 minutes instead, thank you.

…what? How are you going to do work in the VM with no internet access?

I don’t give a flying fuck how they try to explain it. I don’t want AI driven anything.

Let people opt in to that crap. They have an app store, out it’s there.

Any other suggestions for Windows 11 users that haven’t had to use it since 8? I want to kill as much of their garbage as possible, but I feel like I missed so much of their dastardly crap I could be missing something.

You think making a VM takes two weeks? I’m pretty sure Microsoft provides images you can just pop into virtualbox, but it’s been a while since I used VMs.

Also if you need to use the windows software alongside your regular workflow (eg: reading info out of the windows software with your eyes and then typing into your IDE or terminal), rebooting the whole thing is going to suck.

Yeah, ever since I’ve never purchased a console (Only exception was a Wii and a 3DS, which I modded with homebrew and never connects to Nintendo’s servers), because they are completely unable to be audited. Personal computers (and certain smartphones) can.

You think making a VM takes two weeks?

I dunno, I spent several hours trying before I gave up.

eg: reading info out of the windows software with your eyes and then typing into your IDE or terminal

I can’t fathom a scenario where I would need to do that.

I don’t give a flying fuck how they try to explain it. I don’t want AI driven anything.

Let people opt in to that crap. They have an app store, out it’s there.

I’ve thought this for well over a decade. Probably longer but I’m not going to do the math. Why the fuck do we have anti monopoly laws if they’re never enforced anymore? Is it because they found loopholes? Especially with media conglomerates and horrors like Disney walking the land.