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WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

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161–170 of 188 posts

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#161
post #6

This system works by launching an official Windows image in Docker and then making an RDP connection to it. There are a couple of others too now like WinBoat What all of them avoid mentioning is that the images were intended by Microsoft for test and development purposes on Windows and the license clearly states you need a valid Windows license to use them: https://hub.docker.com/r/microsoft/windows#license I wonder…

Is this a new thing? That windows docker images can run a UI? It's been a while since I looked at them (we're talking 2017-2018?), but back then, one was limited to CLI/Server apps without any windows graphical interface.

I'm wondering when it changed? (or perhaps I missed something back then)

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#162
post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most things work great. There are some niche things that do not work so well. Example: SteamVR,Vive VR Hub, some AntiCheat for games.

SteamVR works ok, but last I checked it still performs worse than on Windows. If you are feeling adventurous, you can try a FOSS VR stack [1]. It works for Steam games running Proton and when it works it provides better performance. I had some troubles with it, sometimes you need to switch versions or you get some artifacts in games, or some games just don't work at all. Good thing is, switching between FOSS and Stea…

Regarding FOSS VR stack, Unfortunately, WiVRn doesn't support Vive Focus Vision.

SteamVR for Linux requires DRM leasing to function and many Linux distros, well... window managers/compositors do not support this. But yes it can work.

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most laptops have included Windows 10 or 11 licenses, which are valid for this use

Last time i checked a Windows 10 and 11 license does not permit running Windows in a virtualized environment. That could have changed by now.

You’re running it on the same fuckin machine you were originally licensed to run it on!

This is an ethics question, not a phrasing question.

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#164

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Windows implementation of RDP is actually very good. You get a degree of responsiveness that is unachievable with neither Linux RDP implementation or any other product (maybe barring Parsec, that also doesn’t allow for Linux hosts). I know that RDP doesn’t work for gaming, but for anything else (even for CAD), it’s the best thing barring direct access to the machine (or, Parsec).

wait is it viable to run CAD (specifically autocad/revit) in any of these? It's the last thing keeping me on Windows

I love your username.

Willing to chat origin?

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Windows implementation of RDP is actually very good. You get a degree of responsiveness that is unachievable with neither Linux RDP implementation or any other product (maybe barring Parsec, that also doesn’t allow for Linux hosts). I know that RDP doesn’t work for gaming, but for anything else (even for CAD), it’s the best thing barring direct access to the machine (or, Parsec).

wait is it viable to run CAD (specifically autocad/revit) in any of these? It's the last thing keeping me on Windows

I know this isn't the question you asked, but FreeCAD has made great strides.

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#166
post #43

So essentially the WSL in reverse? I'm kind of surprised you can "run Windows" in a Docker container at all. Isn't the fundamental restriction of Docker that all containers share the same (linux) kernel? Is there a way for docker to inject a "translation layer" somehow that makes it look like an NT kernel for the Windows processes?

Just for completeness sake, you can do native docker on windows on a windows host

Just no cross Kernel Linux on Windows (Unless passing over WSL) or Windows On Linux (Unless you virtualize in other ways and use that)

https://hub.docker.com/r/microsoft/windows#:~:text=How%20to%...

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#167
post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To pass through a GPU - you'd need an extra GPU then..?

Also, the last time I checked, many GPUs explicitly detect + block this because they want you to pay for more expensive datacenter versions of the hardware. Did something change?

A number of intel consumer CPUs support SR-IOV. The iGPU splits out to 7 "virtual functions" or pci devices to map to a VM. On latest Core Ultra's you need a 2x5 model.

- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000... - https://github.com/strongtz/i915-sriov-dkms

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> UI is sluggish You absolutely need to pass through a GPU so that DWM.exe is properly accelerated; otherwise, it falls back to the software-accelerated WARP and the performance tanks to ~15 FPS. It doesn't need to be anything powerful; if you have an idle integrated card that you aren't using on the Linux host because you only interact with it through a Web server or SSH (for instance, Proxmox), then pass that throu…

To pass through a GPU - you'd need an extra GPU then..?

or a GPU that supports virtualization

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#169
post #7

Parallels coherence mode in MacOS is similar.

I really liked using parallels, but when I got my apple silicon MacBook it was too much headache trying to get apps to compile on ARM. I meant to look into x86 VMs but it was experimental last I looked.

Re: WinApps: Run Windows apps as if they were a part of the native Linux OS

#170
post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

then it would be illegal to use hyper-v, since windows is then run under a hypervisor.

The FPP license does allow local vm access. But if u access it remotely then u need a SA or VDA license. If this thread is legit: https://community.spiceworks.com/t/whats-wrong-or-not-legal-...

RDP on the same system isn't remote access though.
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