Need to run Linux software within Windows?
Stuck using Microsoft’s operating system when you oughta jump into the terminal?
You have several options to enjoy a Linux environment and even run Linux software within Windows.
Bash and Windows Subsystem for Linux
Need a Linux environment within Windows?
In 2016, Microsoft teamed up with Canonical to create a working version of Bash that runs in Windows.
While it might look like “full Linux”, this isn’t necessarily the case.
It goes the other way, too: you might nowinstall Windows PowerShell in Linux!
Fortunately, there is an alternative: virtualization!
For those who use Linux regularly, having a Linux virtual machine in Windows can bepreferable to dual booting.
There is also support for BSD and macOS.
If not, other solutions are open to you.
Here, software can be launched and the terminal accessed as you would expect.
Of these three potential solutions, RDP is probably the best option.
See our guide for all three methods ofremotely accessing Linux from Windowsfor more information.
Is the App Already Available for Windows?
Many apps that are released on Linux are also available on Windows.
As useful as all of these options are,dual booting Linux and Windows is more reliable.