5 Best ways to Run linux OS on Windows

Linux is one of the most powerful operating systems available today. It is so because it provides
numerous applications that gives amazing functionality which windows softwares can not simply
do , but we all have our own reasons to use windows as our main operating system But how if
you get to run the linux application on your windows OS ? Several Tricks for using linux
applications on windows.

1. Wubi
Wubi is an official installer for Windows users that allows Ubuntu to be installed and
uninstalled in a safe, easy way as any other Windows application.
Wubi installs the latest stable release of Ubuntu on your Windows system.
Wubi does not work on any new PC with the Windows 8 logo or using UEFI firmware.
Use a 64-bit version of Ubuntu, installed directly to its own partition instead.
Downloading and Installation of Wubi :
Download Wubi from the Ubuntu Windows Installer Download page; this will provide
you the latest version. You can download other versions of the Ubuntu from pages
on releases.ubuntu.com look for wubi.exe at the bottom of the page.
Installation :
-> Run Wubi.
-> Insert a password for the new account, adjust the disk space and click on install
button
-> The installation process from this point on is fully automatic.
-> The installation files (approximately 700MB) will be downloaded and checked.
-> Now you will be asked to reboot your system.
-> Do so and select Ubuntu at the boot screen. The installation will continue for more 10
to 15 minutes and the system will reboot again.
-> Now select Ubuntu at the boot screen and start using it.

2. Cygwin

Cygwin provides many tools that gives look and feeling of linux system interface on your
windows machine.
Downloading and Installation of Cygwin :
I. For 32-bit versions of Windows:
Run setup-x86.exe of Cygwin package for 32-bit windows. The signature for setup-
x86.exe can be used to verify the validity of this binary using this public key.
II. For 64-bit versions of Windows: Run setup-x86_64.exe of Cygwin package for 64-bit
windows.
The signature for setup-x86_64.exe can be used to verify the validity of binary
using this public key.
-> On the first time, setup.exe does not install every package only base packages of
Cygwin distribution will be installed.
-> You can control what you want to install by Clicking on categories and packages in
the setup.exe.
-> If you Click on Default field next to the All category, it will install every Cygwin
package but this could be of hundreds of MBs. I recommend you to select only those
Packages which you actually need.

3. Ulteo Virtual Desktop

Ulteo Open Virtual Desktop is an Open Source virtual desktop. It works in both a
Windows and Linux environment. By using Virtual Desktop, you just have to run the
application you wish to use from the Ulteo panel and its window will seem like any other
Windows application.
Installation of Ulteo Open Virtual Desktop: The Ulteo Open Virtual Desktop is very
easy and fast to install. Here I am providing you the link to its official site. Follow the
steps and get installation in a few minutes only.
-> Download The Ulteo Open Virtual Desktop.
-> Read the Installation Guide and follow instructions to complete installation.

4. AndLinux
AndLinux is a Ubuntu Linux operating system that can run in Windows based systems
i.e. 2000, XP, 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7( 32-bit versions only). AndLinux uses
coLinux as its core which is confuses many people. coLinux is a port of the Linux kernel
on Windows. This is like running Linux in a virtual machine. AndLinux is not just for
development and it runs almost all Linux applications without any need of modification.
Downloading and Installation of AndLinux:
There are instructions given at the official website along with the screen shots
about Installation .
You can Download Andlinux Latest Version From Here.
After installation completes you will get some right-click context menus in Windows to
open files in Linux applications.

5. By Installing Linux Virtually
You can also install a complete version of linux on your windows operating system by
using softwares like Vmware ,Virtual Box , Xen Hypervisor , QEMU etc. The best part is
that all of above are freewares and are easily available on internet. These allows you to
install any of the Linux version portably on your machine without any need to Uninstall
your previous OS.
You can simply power on and power off Linux whenever you need while using windows.
Advantage of using such virtual software is that it doesnt require a fixed space for
operating system in your systems memory , neither in RAM or HDD. It is loaded only
when it is running while rest of the time it is kept out of memory.