How do y'all deal with programs not supported on Linux?

Depends on the program.

• Games: Proton works well 99% of the time.
• Office: I use LibreOffice as much as possible. At work, I use the Web version of MS Office; it doesn't have all features of the desktop version but it's good enough for my use case.
• Media editing (music, image, video): GIMP, Krita, Kdenlive and Ardour are more than enough for my personal use.

In general, I would recommend trying the Linux alternative, and if it's not good enough, use a Windows VM or dual-boot. If you spend 90% of your time in Photoshop or any other professional software without a Linux version or feature-complete alternative, you should stay on Windows, and maybe use Linux only when you're not working.

Unless you have very specialized requirements (and quite possibly you do) the solution is usually to unhook yourself from thinking of needing specific programs and to instead focus on needing to perform specific tasks. (Then finding the Linux way to perform that task.)

Barring that, the codeweavers suggestion is a good one. I used it in my early days when I thought I couldn't live without particular pieces of Windows software and although that was several years ago, even then it was pretty good about being able to easily run arbitrary Windows software. IMO it's cheap enough to be worth the investment.

If you truly have bespoke requirements that just can't be satisfied by either of the above, staying on Windows may legitimately be your best option.

More generally - if you decide to take this step, expect to have to learn to use a computer substantially differently than you have in the past. It's not harder; in many ways it's easier. But if you are very experienced and comfortable with Windows, a lot of concepts are going to feel foreign to you. Tackle one task at a time and your experiences will build upon each other. Go into it expecting to have to learn, and you'll do fine. Bizarrely I find the least tech-savvy folks sometimes have the easiest time transitioning.

Use an alternative, or

Use Wine/Proton, or

Use a web app if it exists, or

Run Windows in a VM.

For me, the first 3 options covers 99.9% of my usage. It's been a long time since I had to worry about installing Windows in a VM.

But to be fair, my requirements to use Windows software are very limited and non-critical. If:

A lot of programs I work with very often are Windows-exclusive

...then I would certainly consider keeping a Windows laptop around. Right tool for the job and all that.

Well you can't really use something not useful to you. Yes Linux is very nice but at the end of the day you gotta use the thing that gets the job done.

You're no more stuck with Windows than a Mac user is stuck on a Mac.

If they are Windows exclusive then your best bet is to simply run Windows in a virtual machine inside Linux and run the applications from there.

I switched to Linux from Windows 3.11 because Microsoft software didn't do what it was supposed to.

My method is that I don't even know what's available for Windows, so I don't miss it at all. The opposite isn't true though, and time spent in a Microsoft environment can quickly become painful.

My only regular contact with Windows is the Steam partition which hasn't been used for quite some time. I have a laptop that has a small win11 partition that I boot every now and then to see what they're up to these days.

However, in the end, the only real answer is that if you really need a piece of software, you just run whatever system that supports it. It's not a religion, you use whatever is convenient for you at a given time.

Can you give us specific examples of the programs you use, and what you use them for?

When I needed Windows for a piece of software, I ran Windows on another computer. Later I got into a position where I didn't need to use that software. 😁

My approach has been to slowly learn how to play to the strengths of Linux and not pine after anything on Windows because ultimately I've gained a lot more than I've lost.

The one piece of software I haven't been able to avoid keeping around is Sigma Studio, so I have a 10 year old shit top for running it, but it also runs in a VM if I need it. Thankfully I only need to use it once or twice a year.

If you rely on multiple pieces of software for important everyday activities and they aren't usable in wine or a VM, you probably have no choice but to use the operating system that is the best vehicle for those tools. Doesn't stop you from also using linux for other stuff, but I can understand how that's not the same as going all in.

Libre Office completely takes care of my Office needs.

Any company that doesn't support Linux doesn't deserve my patronage.

I'd say make a wholehearted attempt to try open alternatives even if you stay on Windows for the time being. I had been doing so for a few years before I even considered Linux and by the time I finally did switch the transition was a lot smoother.

That being said I've been surprised by how much stuff actually does run under WINE!

We ignore them, mostly. You cannot miss what you don't know.

There are plenty of options however to access software not available natively. Both VMs and Remote Desktop solution work for a wide range applications. Web-based solution can be as good as desktop programs.

So many casual applications are now either web-based or on your (not FOSS) phone, so for my personal use the thought of using Windows has never crossed my mind. Professionally, I resort to remote Windows or a Mac.

1. Use alternative that is FLOSS
2. Use alternative in the browser
3. Try WINE/Proton
4. Use Windows VM
5. Use dedicated Windows machine

Web apps (for MS Office/Teams), Wine (mostly for games and random apps), and for everything else, an optimized Tiny11 Core VM + WinApps for seamless windows/integration with Linux. My Tiny11 only uses 0-1% CPU and 600MB RAM on idle so I've got no issues running it in the background, besides it takes only a couple of seconds to launch, if I wanted to start it on demand.

I've also got a portable SSD with a copy of Windows installed on it, just in case I need it for some firmware updates or something (although I'm on a Thinkpad so pretty much everything can be updated via LVFS, but I keep it around just in case + it's portable so there's no harm in having it around).

It would be easier if you told us specifically what programs you need that aren't supported.

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The same thing I’ve always done - booted another OS that works with that software. No need to artificially limit yourself.

Once upon a time I remember running Dos, windows, os2 warp, and linux on one hard drive. Those were the days…. Ya ya, I’m going back to my retirement home bedroom…

There are numerous ways to deal with it, depending on the specific application and use-case. For some, there's an open-source alternative that, while not 100% similar in every aspect imaginable, does offer basically the same functionality (LibreOffice for MS Office Suite, Thunderbird for various email clients, Firefox or just Chromium for Google Chrome). For others, you can use an emulator (WINE, for example). For games specifically, Steam offers an emulator that works for most games (Proton); in fact, all the games I've tried worked. Then, there's the very last option, which is using a virtual Windows machine within Linux. I mention it last because I honestly haven't found many cases where I absolutely needed to do this, and because the set-up is rather "involved", shall we say. But if you're using Adobe Suite stuff then, yeah, you basically got no choice there.

Would you mind listing some of the essential programs that you use so we can get a better idea what your workflow is?

I generally just avoid it, otherwise I use it on windows, I still use dual boot with windows and Linux, will probably stop after w10 stops getting security updates since I don't really care all that much about windows specific stuff

It would be nice if you say in the post which apps are those that hold you. People would be able to suggest solutions.

I either find an alternative or use it under Wine-GE

I already used open source programs on Windows. The programs I'm using to do all my work with are Krita, Blender 3D, Gimp, and Libre Office.

They either started out on Linux or support Linux natively, so switching to Linux didn't really change any of the programs I use. The biggest change is playing games, but Valve has made it very pain free.

Lots of Linux-only software too

Native>wine>pwa>VM

My win11 VM sits on my disk, most days it stays off. It starts in 30 seconds and I use remina to remote into it. It sucks that I lose 60gb of disk, but it's fast and everything just works.

We use Google docs at work so that's an easy win.

Outlook's Progressive web app is 99% awesome.

If you must and you have the hardware maybe run Windows in a VM just for those applications. You can even suspend the vm state to resume from where you were.

Without knowing the exact programs, you can only get general answers.

If there is no direct alternative program, you can change your workflow to use other programs. Or you can try to run those important programs in wine. Or i can run those in a terminal server, or via a windows vm. Or more lately many programs come in web versions that works for everyone.

I have used linux exclusivly on my daily driver for about 23ish years.i mostly work with the linux side of things. And the few windows things the company require i use web versions, or a windows vm.

What software are you using that is keeping you on windows?

FWIW, the last version of windows I've run was WinME circa 2001ish.. I've been on Linux since '99 or so. You can certainly get by for day to day stuff. The only thing holding you back is going to be pretty niche.

Depends. Steam and Proton handles most games and if not, I'll check Lutris. FWIW, some games like Doom and RollerCoaster Tycoon (the Sawyer, 2D era) have open-source remakes that work on modern machines.

For regular software, I will try it in WINE and if it provides a good enough experience for daily use, I'll keep it there. If it doesn't, for any reason, I'll stick it in a Windows VM. For instance, Exact Audio Copy will work fine in WINE provided you get .NET 3.5 installed for the MusicBrainz metadata plugin, but MusicBee has severe enough problems (font redirection problems, lag when scrolling, can't drag tabs) for me that I just use it in a virtual machine or another PC. (I actually have another rig I'm considering using as a "jukebox" machine, since I have macOS on it and use it for Apple Music, so I'm compartmentalising my music to one machine if that makes sense)

I'm not sure which programs you're using so hopefully something here can help but here's some stuff I've read/done:

• For MS Office, I believe you can just use it in your web browser or use LibreOffice as an alternative.
• If you use anything Adobe-based, you'll probably have to keep a Windows partition around or find an alternative. I haven't seen anything for running Adobe in WINE or WINE-based tools and I'm not sure if Adobe functions in a virtual machine or not.
• Most gaming-related issues can be dealt with via Proton (Steam's compatibility tool). I've successfully gotten just about every game I play to run in Proton, with the only issues being EA's launcher (the game still launches though).

If you have any specific programs that you have questions about, feel free to ask. Hope this helps!

Try WINE. Raise issue with devs. Or just decide not to use it.

One of my computers has windows on one of the ssds because I have to use windows for work software once every week or so for about 20-30 minutes and there are a few other windows programs that I need to use occasionally.

Basically I use Windows for a couple of hours a month and Linux the rest of the time.

Dualboot. Use windows only with the things that need windows (ie CADs) and linux for everything else.

Depends on what you use. I've used Linux for 6 years and I've never needed any windows exclusive app. I still do have a laptop that's running windows for just in case. I literally only open it once a week or so to update it, that's it. For my use case, Linux has everything.

I try my best to look for open source alternatives. If a company does not support Linux, they don't deserve my support as someone who has only used linux for almost 5 years now. Luckily I am not dragged all the way up into many of these ecosystems which don't work on Linux

First start using ardour gimp inkscape libreoffice and blender on windows, then dual boot or use a VM to install Linux and start challenging yourself to use it for real stuff when you can. You may eventually realize you're using Linux much more than Windows, like when you boot into Windows and every time require a bunch of updates. Eventually your windows will be so out of date you remove it entirely or start using a windows vm.

I come across Windows-only apps very seldom, when it happens I run them in a VM. It's usually stuff like proprietary config app for a mouse or keyboard.

Wine/Proton can run a huge amount of Windows programs.

Honestly though I've just been using Linux for 8 or so years now and just find some other solution. For general computing it really isn't hard at all. Perhaps if you have some weird proprietary work software or absolutely need Adobe it could be an issue

A lot of programs I work with very often are Windows-exclusive, and alternatives supporting Linux are rare.

Consider mentioning the programs you work with. On a general note, Wine can be used to make Windows-software work on Linux. Bottles can be used to that effect as a front-end. Furthermore, for a more sophisticated solution; consider taking a look at CodeWeavers.

If you have to use a program that is windows only you have to use windows. I could move our entire company over to Linux if it wasn't for SOLIDWORKS been windows only.

Wine can be an option but I've found it very hit and miss on some of the more obscure windows only programs

In the past I've used virtual box (virtual machine) in seamless mode, so it looks just like a window in Linux. I can't remember why I stopped, I think it was down to licencing and oracle buying it.

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I either compile em or run Windows to use said "program".

...I mean... when the latter happens is always someone else's PC, so eh.

If I'm being totally honest, my primary use-case is gaming. I only have linux installed on my device, and if a game doesn't work, I simply play other things and hope it will eventually work.
Sometimes, with some effort, you can get windows programs to work using wine. For example, I was able to run Mod Organizer 2 to mod skyrim without issues. If that fails and your software won't work in wine, you could either find alternative native linux software or just dual-boot. I used to do that to play VR games in windows 10 since I've had issues running them in linux. Another option is to run a windows Virtual Machine whenever you need whatever software you can't get working, but there's pretty bad performance limitations unless you can get hardware passthrough working.

Depends on what you do. I take care of this .Net 4.2 backend project which is not compatible with Linux in any safe way. For years I used windows and tbf I enjoyed it, but I am back to Linux and I use a VM with Windows on it to run the project on Rider. I have a setup which allows me to use the backend in this VM and the front-end, database and all rest is native on Linux. It works well for me with the downside of RAM usage, but I designed this laptop with this kind of use case in my from the very beginning so 64GB of RAM I have enough room to run the VM and everything else I need and steel have a snappy environment. I like it better this way, Linux has evolved so much in the past years I am honestly very impressed.

write my own

Virtual machine or Bottles. If neither can help then I just take the L

For Visual Studio Enterprise, Adobe PDF editing, native Office apps, SSMS, and RDP thin clients, I use a Windows VM.

Are they like proprietary business programs? What programs can't run on Linux even though WINE?

CrossOver is also made by CodeWeavers, but includes paid support as well. Maybe it might suit your use case?

https://www.codeweavers.com/crossover

My advice is segregatting work and personal environment, your company's computer isn't safe for general usage.

About stuff you use for yourself, don't focus on which program you want to use, but on the task you must accomplish, most software that is made to mimic a Windows workflow are not great, sometimes you think you need a msword alternative, but you just need to create a document, there's many ways to manipulate documents on linux that are so much better than text processors like word or libre/wps/only, and you will miss it by straight up looking for alternatives.

On Window's software are usually bound by a lot a comercial bullshit, they have to bloat to be able to be forever at development and pushing new versions, Linux usually follows into Unix philosophy, aiming for small high quality software that are easy to compose into a bigger workflow, even when not using cli tools that operate on text streams, a gui linux application usually work with standard formats, don't try to overlap features and are easy to replace if needed.

And about transition, i like the dual boot approach, have a linux partition, and use it for what you can do better on linux when you want to, as you get better with linux, you will be wanting to use window's less and less.

Sometimes customers want me to use a specific piece of software so I have a QEMU Windows installation I use.

You could always run Linux in a full screen VM. I do this from a Mac so I get some flexibility.

Alternatively, run Windows in a VM on Linux.

What programs do concern you?

I've made tough life decisions, including work-related ones.

Windows vm

to answer to question in the title, on top of what was already said: i just code them myself. of course, it doesn't work for everything, but for simple programs, i can write a script or a proper thing that does the specific task i need!

Ill do my usual name drop of zorin os linux distro. its maine thing is windows compatibility and comes with play on linux and wine preinstalled and setup. Also comes with many linux applications installed out of box. I think its the best shot for an easy move over but if it does not work that does not mean it can't be done but its gonna be a bit of work more than likely.

All my games work with Steam/Proton (thanks Value!) and I mainly use my desktop as a gaming PC. I do some bussiness stuff but LibreOffice will work. Or I also use Google Docs to do things--can be saved as Microsoft Office file types or PDF.

But you are right, if you need a Windows only program, then Windows is the only option. I had to update the firmware on my Xbox controller that I use with Steam to play my games. I had to wipe one of my laptops and put a copy of Windows on there to get this done. Another time there was a free Baldurs Gate game from Amazon games I could get, BUT you needed the Amazon Game app to get it. And it only ran on Windows. I put Windows on a laptop, download the free game, then moved it to my Linux Gaming PC. After adding it to Steam as a non Steam game, I was exploring dugeons with elves and dwarves.

It's still a Windows world, but IF enough gamers switch to Linux that could change. And Microsoft is only going to get worse with ads.

All the programs I use just run on linux, no really. VSCode runs on linux, I've used libre office for longer than I've used Linux (and it obviously runs on linux), all my faves run on linux through steam or lutris.

However, if there is a windows only program you wanna run on linux, you have a few options.

I'd just cross running it though wine out, it's really annoying to setup and my original success rate with it had been... Not great.

If your program isn't terribly graphically demanding, you might be able to run it via a windows virtual machine. It's not perfect but for lighter programs or visual studio, it works.

If your program is graphically demanding (e.g. Adobe suite, CorelDraw, Autocad, etc...) you're kinda out of luck and will have to dual boot... (Or loose your sanity trying to get them working through wine)

I personally only use Linux now for all my computers. I follow a philosophy for any software solutiom I need that goes like this:

1. Use a FOSS solution or,
2. Use a proprietary solution that has a native Linux build/browser version or,
3. Use a cracked/pirated version in Wine/Windows VM.

Personally, I am absolutely committed to no more Windows for my personal computing, I have been for years. That means that if I cannot do one of those three options in that order, I don't use that software/solution.

Unless you are doing a lot of specialized software work, those three options should have you covered. I'm curious what software you use that doesn't work with any of those 3 categories.

Advanced CAD/CAM stuff there isn't much in FOSS. Same with specialized Audio production work and advanced photo-manipulation. Specialized device support can be spotty too, but that varies wildly. Those are the only software categories off the top of my head that I know don't really have good FOSS solutions.

I shit my pants

You mostly don't because Linux desktop is kind of a "collective delusion". You either assume you'll be using alternatives that aren't compatible with your current applications and potentially deal with collaboration issues with users of such apps or stick with Windows.

If one lives in a bubble and doesn’t to collaborate with others then native Linux apps might work and might even deliver a decent workflow. Once collaboration with Windows/Mac users is required then it’s game over – the “alternatives” aren’t just up to it.

https://tadeubento.com/2023/linux-desktop-a-collective-delusion/

When it comes to distros I suggest you keep to Debian and use Flatpak to install software - this will give you a rock solid OS with all the latest version of the applications you might want to use. Flatpak apps can be installed from the GNOME Software "store" GUI which makes things really convenient.

Speaking about office, LibreOffice is great, however it isn't as good as people like to sell it. Take for instance this simple documented I created in MS Word, side-by-side, it can't even properly display a simple document with some headings and a few bullet points:

Things like that print screen and what is written on the article are the hard facts that people like to avoid and downvote, but it is what it is. Linux is great, but not in most desktop use case scenarios.

I don’t use Linux

Unfortunately alternatives for everything don’t exist. Adobe products, CAD and certain games just will not run under wine. I tried dual booting, but it became too much of a hassle to have to reboot my computer 4-5 times a day

wipe the linux partitions and get back to a life of convenience and productivity. until another 6 months have passed and I think "maybe this time..."