Can you install Microsoft (word, power point and such) on Linux?
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 at
19:39
I want to change to linux and was wondering if I could use Microsoft office on it? if not then is it possible? and how?
thanks alot!
Tagged with: Linux • Microsoft • microsoft office
Filed under: Microsoft
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You can. First install WINE from http://www.winehq.org/ and then install Microsoft Office.
From what I’ve read, it is possible, but it’s not very stable. You can use Wine (a Windows compatibility layer) to do it, but don’t expect the later versions to work well.
Instead, I recommend you stick to OpenOffice. It’s a free, open source office application that feels almost like Office 2003 (without the blueness), and is able to open and create Microsoft Office documents and many more. It should be preinstalled on most Linux distributions, but if not, it’ll be in the repositories, or at http://www.openoffice.org .
Overall a Linux based platform can certainly perform most of the tasks equally as well as a Windows based platform using the likes of Ubuntu and its derivative distros. However Linux does have its limitations with some applications and in particular gaming. For example alongside Linux Mint I retain a partition with XP on to run specific applications which cannot be adapted through a Windows compatability layer such as Dreamweaver CS5, Office 2007 etc.
http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm
There is Wine which is a windows compatability layer
Installing and Using Wine on Ubuntu
http://psychocats.net/ubuntu/wine
A list of Windows apps. that work using Wine can be found on the Wine Application Database (AppDB)
http://appdb.winehq.org/
Wine will not run all windows applications and it should be considered somewhat of a compromise rather than an absolute solution
If you intend to run a number of Windows apps. then Dual Booting is the best way forward
Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning
http://psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi
Download Ubuntu Desktop Edition
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
You download the ISO. image of Ubuntu 10.10 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto
Ubuntu 10.10 as can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Boot without touching your Hard Drive
Download Ubuntu Desktop Edition (Windows installer standalone Download) no LiveCD needed
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/windows-installer
Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat) User Guide
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Maverick
I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 10 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 10.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled
Linux Mint has a similar installer called mint4win (mint4win works the same as the Ubuntu Windows installer so the instructions outlined above are almost identical)
You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win 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.
mint4win 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 Linux Mint LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the mint4win installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.
Once Linux Mint is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint
Linux Mint 10 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=67
Linux Mint 10 User Guide
http://linuxmint.com/rel_julia.php
Again Linux Mint 10 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Boot without touching your Hard Drive
LUg.