I want to use a single Linux operating system on my personal computer and have been moving toward that setup for the past few months. I rarely play Windows-only games, and I do not depend heavily on professional graphic-design software. However, I still need proctoring software and the actual Microsoft Office applications—not LibreOffice or other replacements. Are there reliable ways to run these on Linux, or would I need to keep Windows available?
4 Answers
Microsoft 365 in a browser can handle many normal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, but it is not identical to the full desktop suite. If the web versions are not enough and alternatives are ruled out, keeping Windows or using macOS is the simpler solution.
Linux can cover most of the rest of your use case, but needing two specific Windows-dependent applications changes the recommendation. Consider dual-booting or keeping a small Windows virtual machine rather than forcing every program to run natively on Linux.
Proctoring depends entirely on the school or testing provider. Ask them whether Linux is officially supported before switching. Browser-based systems may work, but webcam, microphone, screen-sharing, browser extensions, and desktop-monitoring requirements can cause problems. If they support Linux only under an X11 session, you may need to choose X11 instead of Wayland for the exam.
If you specifically require the desktop versions of Microsoft Office, Linux may not be a practical fit. The dependable options are the Microsoft 365 web apps, a Windows virtual machine, dual-booting, or using another computer. Compatibility with installed Office versions through Wine is inconsistent, especially with activation and newer Microsoft 365 releases.
Older Office releases sometimes worked through compatibility layers, but newer activation systems and cloud features make that unreliable. I would not depend on it for important work.