Hey everyone! I just installed CachyOS on my PC after trying out a few other distros like Kubuntu and Mint. Most of my work is done through browser-based applications, so I'm not too concerned about the OS for that. However, I rely heavily on Microsoft Office—especially Outlook—because I prefer the desktop apps over the web versions. Since I'm paying for Office 365, I'd like to stick with it. Is there any way to run Microsoft Office and OneDrive sync on CachyOS without having to switch back to Windows?
4 Answers
To be totally honest, if you want full compatibility with Microsoft Office, a Windows virtual machine is your best bet. You might also consider dual-booting if you still need Windows. I kept Windows on my laptop just to ensure I could run MS Office when needed, since alternatives on Linux don’t always cut it for the more complex features. If you can work around it using the web versions, that's a great option too!
Totally agree! Virtual machines can really save the day.
I've heard of people running Windows apps on Linux by using a Windows container. It's pretty cool because it allows apps like Excel and Word to run as if they were native Linux applications. Your buddy might be using something called WinApps, which might be worth checking out.
Just remember, switching from Windows to Linux means you may have to adapt your workflow. It's less about just running Windows apps on Linux and more about finding alternatives that fit your needs.
There’s also a free option called ONLYOFFICE that works pretty well if you need a desktop alternative. It may cover most of your needs without having to stick with MS Office.
I’ve been running a Windows VM for years without any issues, mainly because there's that one program I can’t let go of. VirtualBox is a fantastic start for beginners!