Running Linux and Windows at the same time
- Thread starter Daniel-_-
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- Mar 16, 2013
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Virtual machine does that easily. I do it routinely.
Win8 or Win7 as the host running on the primary (left) screen, and a VM of Linux, WinXP or other, running full screen on the right screen.
Or, the other way around Linux as the host, and WinSomething as the VM.
Currently, I'm using Oracle's VirtualBox. Very seamless.
Win8 or Win7 as the host running on the primary (left) screen, and a VM of Linux, WinXP or other, running full screen on the right screen.
Or, the other way around Linux as the host, and WinSomething as the VM.
Currently, I'm using Oracle's VirtualBox. Very seamless.
Yes, you can. Virtualbox and some other programs allow you to convert your PC in two or more "virtual machines". See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VirtualBox
In this way you can run different OSs at the same time, e.g. for trying them. I personally used it once to try different flavours of Linux. Also used it to run XP as guest OS under Linux. Woks pretty well and is free.
- Mar 16, 2013
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Currently, I have 3 OS's running simultaneously. Win8Pro (host) and LinuxMint and WinXP as VM's. If I cared to, I could crank up the other one, WinServer 2012. All can interact with each other and with the outside world.
VirtualBox, VMWare, Hyper-V...all do this easily.
- Mar 16, 2013
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I don't have a video link on how to do it, but here is a screenshot of my current screens...Win8Pro (the host) on the left monitor, and LinuxMint and Win XP (2 VM's) on the right monitor.
The VirtualBox runs in a standard windowed mode. Maximize it to your secondary monitor, and you're good to go.
Go get VirtualBox, create a new VM, and play around. You'll figure it out. Just be sure you have enough ram to devote to each VM and enough left over for the host. Here, I'm giving 2GB to each VM.
- Mar 16, 2013
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No prob. I have 16gb as well, and running the Win8 host, Linux, WinXP, and WinServer2012 VMs all at the same time still leaves 5.5gb free.
The VMs run almost exactly like a different hardware box.
If you use Microsoft's Hyper-V, be aware that it is much more locked down as in passing data between, and does not pass audio from the VM out to the host hardware.
But for home use, the majors are all free. Try them and see what you like. VirtualBox, VMWare, Hyper-V.
Ok thanks, I have a couple more questions, by the way. How would I go about moving my cursor from one OS to the other? Is it the same as just sliding it across the monitors as usual?
Also, about the clipboard (CTRL+C / CTRL+V), would I be able to use it cross-OS or are they only used within their OS? Thanks for the help.
Also, about the clipboard (CTRL+C / CTRL+V), would I be able to use it cross-OS or are they only used within their OS? Thanks for the help.
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,445
- 17,910
- 184,590
Speaking for Oracle VirtuaLBox:
Yes...just move the mouse over the VM window (whether full screen or not), and click. You are now operating the other OS.
Moving data....for some reason I can't Copy/Paste, even though I have that turned on in Settings for that VM. But a shared folder works well.
Install Guest Additions, set up a Shared Folder. Drop data into that folder, and it is then available in the other OS. In either direction.
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