I've been using Ubuntu for my virtual machines on Proxmox for a while, but as a longtime Microsoft fan, I'm getting really fed up with their recent direction—especially with all the bloatware and overpriced services like Co-Pilot and Xbox Game Pass. So, I'm planning to switch things up and dive into Arch Linux for a virtual machine to get used to the environment. Eventually, I'm hoping to migrate one of my PCs to either dual boot or be Linux-only, but I want to take it slow to avoid messing things up.
My main concern is my Xbox games and software that I rely on for work, like Microsoft Teams and Visual Studio for C# and C++ development. Some of these programs seem like they won't play nicely with Linux, and I need to figure out how to make them work. Dual booting seems like a fallback, but I'm hoping to find a way to use Linux full-time if possible, even with all the Microsoft software I'm tied to. Any tips on making this transition smoother?
4 Answers
Most Microsoft apps don't have good compatibility on Linux anymore. Teams isn't supported natively, but the web version should suffice. Unfortunately, Xbox Game Pass won't work directly on Linux, but you could stream from another device. VS Code is a great option; it works just fine on Arch. Honestly, dual booting might be your best bet if you're reliant on Windows software. You could also set up a Windows VM, but keep in mind that some games can have issues with anti-cheat measures that might lead to account bans.
Have you tried CrossOver? It's a paid solution but easier to set up than a full VM and might help with Teams and other MS programs. Just a heads up, Arch requires a lot of manual setup, so be ready for that. Dual booting is still your safest bet if you're using a lot of Windows software.
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check out CrossOver and see how it fits with my plans.
Dual booting is probably the best way to maintain access to Windows programs without too much hassle. I've been doing it for a while, and it keeps things straightforward.
Teams and Visual Studio Code should work well on Linux, and Unreal Engine is also compatible. However, Visual Studio itself won't work. If you absolutely need Windows-only software, a Windows VM or dual boot is probably the best route for you.
Yeah, I think dual booting or taking it slow with the migration is the way to go. I might start with a virtual machine and slowly transition my main desktop later.