Hey everyone! I'm exploring a pretty wild idea and would love your thoughts. I'm looking to transition away from Windows but still need access to certain applications, like AutoCAD, that probably won't run natively on Linux. My plan is to primarily use Linux but have Windows installed in a dual boot configuration. That's pretty standard, right? But here's the twist: I want to access the same Windows installation from a VM when I need to run specific apps, allowing for efficient resource management. I'm fine with dedicating a physical drive to this setup and using hardware passthrough to the VM, with GRUB set to auto-boot into Linux unless I specifically choose Windows. I know similar setups exist, but I'm worried about potential issues like hardware recognition and activation, especially since Windows may freak out seeing that it's moved between a VM and physical setup. Has anyone attempted something like this? I'm weighing all this before I reformat, but it sounds like an interesting thought exercise!
1 Answer
I've seen setups like this before, but honestly, it tends to get complicated. The biggest issue you might face is Windows treating each boot differently depending on whether it's in a VM or on hardware. This could mess with activation and cause a ton of "new hardware" prompts each time you switch. I’d suggest imaging your Windows install onto a virtual drive instead—it's a safer move that minimizes risks to your main OS. Also, keep in mind that crashing the VM could corrupt your filesystem on the real drive, so having backups is crucial. Good luck with your project, it's a tricky one!
Yeah, Windows activation could definitely be a headache! Best to play it safe and test the VM first before going all-in. Sounds like you'll be busy with that evening of tinkering ahead!