Can Microsoft Windows-compatible softwares be used in Linux?
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 at
05:16
I’m currently using Microsoft Windows, however I’m interested for a change to Linux. But can I still use back my programs that I’ve been using in Microsoft Windows?
Tagged with: Linux • Microsoft • microsoft windows
Filed under: Microsoft
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Some of them can be used in Linux by using Wine.
You may need to find replacement to any Windows application in Linux.
MS Office => OpenOffice.org
Photoshop => The GIMP
Corel and other vector image manipulation => Inkscape
Messenger / Chat => Pidgin
Audio / Video Player => There are many such as VLC, MPlayer, Xine, etc
Internet Browser => Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Konqueror, etc
Maybe you want to try a Linux Live-CD/DVD first before fully using Linux
The Live-CD/DVD can be used without installing just as you have Linux installed on your harddrive
Knoppix => http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/
Ubuntu Live => http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
No.
No. The programs have been built for windows and therefore won’t work on an OS like Linux. However there is a project called Wine which attempts to make windows programs run on Linux. If you really want to switch, check their website to see if the programs you want to use are compatible http://www.winehq.org/
Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows using Wubi without partitioning
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi
You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.
Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.
Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 10.04 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.
Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu
Ubuntu 10.04 Download
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) User Guide
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Lucid
Linux Mint 9 which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed
Linux Mint 9 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52
Linux Mint 9 User Guide Download pdf.
http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.php
Ubuntu 10.04 and Linux Mint 9 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive
Also you can try out as many different Linux distros. as you like on LiveCD until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)
http://distrowatch.com/
Major Linux Distributions
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
LUg.