use windows programs in linux?

Question

im thinking about getting linux for my old pc i dont know witch 1 yet anyway....I want to duel boot it so i can use windows or linux at start up i know i can use windows programs like photoshop with Wine on linux but will i need to re install them eating up HD space or can i use them from the HD because i allready have them installed on the windows side of things and will i be able to get all my files like Music and Movies and so on using linux even tho i originaly put them on using windows what im asking is can i run linux and still have accses to all or most of my windows stuff ps im using windows xp thanks

Answer 1

To use programs in Linux via Wine you will have to install them again using Wine, so yes it will eat up your hard dive space in your Linux partition.



You should be able to still get access to any files located in the Windows partition directly from linux, but you won't be able to run any programs installed only on Widows.



Have you tried using a live CD for the linux distro you intend using, you should be able to view the files in your Windows partition directly from within linux.



The other option you have is to use Linux in a virtual environment using virtualbox or VMware player. That way you can run both operating systems at the same time.

Answer 2

Everyone is partly right, but no one is really telling you the whole story.



Some programs require registry entries to operate. Those must be reinstalled from wine in linux or they will not run. You can symlink to the original Windows install directory if you really want to, but if you have enough hard drive space I would not bother.



Some programs require DLLs and OCX and other files, usually found in the Windows/System32 directories, or syswow64, etc. Those don't need to be reinstalled from wine in linux, but you will have to find the files they need and copy them to the wine prefix directory. You can symlink to the original install directory and they should run just fine.



Some programs do not require either of the above, and will run just fine from wine in linux WITHOUT being reinstalled.



So the answer is that not every program is the same - some require missing files, some require installation, and some will run as-is.



Generally speaking the more complex Windows programs will require installation. Many simpler programs, mostly games and utilities, will run just fine as-is, no reinstallation required.



Check the wine application database (http://appdb.winehq.org/) to find out how compatible your favorite Windows programs are with wine/linux. Some work great, some have limitations, some have serious limitations, and some won't work at all.



Some versions of photoshop work great, some work so-so, some don't work at all. Look here:



http://appdb.winehq.org/appview.php?appId=17



From linux you will be able to access ALL of your files on Windows partitions, including movies and music.

Answer 3

When I corrupted my windows 7, and I couldn't access my windows, I installed Ubuntu, a linux operating system. They were on the same HDD and of course, it was partitioned. I was still able to access files that I had saved using windows. I think that you should be able to, as long as the hard drive is there and connected to it. Just look around using the linux file explorer and you will eventually find an overview of the entire Hard Drive. I was glad I could access it and saved everything I wanted before throwing it away. Hope I helped. In short: YOU CAN. ALSO, other answerers think you're asking how to boot those programs, and you already know to use wine.

Answer 4

you can run windows exe files on Linux. Depending on what distro you are running you can use several different virtual boxes. I use virtual box downloaded free from the ubuntu software management. It will help you set up exactly what you need to do. What you need is an installation disk (windows) because you will be setting up a windows environment (OS) within Virtualbox. Then basically, anytime you want to run a windows program, you will open the virtualbox, boot up the windows within linux and use the programs that you installed in windows. Its called a virtual environment and basically all runs in a separate windows that hovers over your linux desktop. Its a great tool!

Answer 5

You won't be able to run Windows programs installed on your Windows partition while running Linux, WINE or no WINE.

Answer 6

Just search and download a software called 'wine'.

It can run windows apps on Linux PC's.