Six ways to run Windows software on Linux

First things first, why would you like to Run Windows software on Linux? The most obvious answers is – Software Licensing Cost. Apart from licensing, the stability and reliability of Linux can also be another reason.

You may also try to use alternative Linux software, however there can be a challenge if your critical business app runs on Windows only, and it does not support Linux. You can use Kingsoft or Libre Office instead of MS Office, but if your accounting package is on windows, you cannot change that. So the best way is to explore ways to run windows software on Linux.

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Six ways to run Windows software on Linux

I will go from the most economical option to the costliest one and then will conclude with the best one. Please note that in all the below cases you will need to buy Licenses for Windows application Software (eg MS office, if you use it), remember we are using Linux as OS, but you still have to pay for Windows License.

Use Wine (www.winhq.com)

Its a free utility, which you can install on any Linux, and then install windows software on the top of it. However the biggest disadvantage is that it requires very good knowledge of both operating systems (i.e. windows and Linux) as a platform. You need to have intricate knowledge about how OSes work. Also you need to have lots of time to invest in the R & D phase. Even after that, you cannot be 100% sure, whether things run 100% perfect.

This option is suitable if have lots of time to invest (eg: a college or academic project)

Use Remote Desktop (Windows Terminal Service)

You may use windows Server with Terminal services running, and then login using to that using Linux box. This is very easy to manage also, you have to configure all the software on Windows Server. There are two drawbacks, One is that graphical applications dont support TS and second is that you have to pay nearly 7,500/- per PC as CAL and TSCAL – or RDS license, Plus the server license and hardware cost.

This is suitable if you have regular office applications only, and you can afford to pay cost of more than 9000 per user as license fees.

Use Crossover (commercial wine)

Crossover is a PAID utility, which allows you to run many windows software on Linux. You can say its a commercial alternative to Wine. However, in this case also a complete Novice cannot use it very effectively, he will need good hand holding.  For using Crossover, you have to pay nearly 5,500/- per PC as initial cost and then Rs. 1600 as support for every year.

This is suitable if your team already knows Linux, and you want to run few windows apps. Also there is cost involved.

Use Dual Boot

This is dumbest thing that you could do. Here you install Linux and windows side by side. Here you still have to pay for Windows OS (Approx Rs. 11,000/- per PC). Another limitation is that you can run one OS at a time.

This is suitable for you, if you can run Linux all the time, but some days of the month you require some windows apps. Also there is License cost involved.

Use Virtual Desktop

This is better than using Dual Boot, in a sense because here you can use both OS simultaneously. Dual boot was more suitable in olden days, when PCs were less powerful. But now modern PC can easily host more than one OS simultaneously. However here also you have to pay for windows OS license fees. Apart from that setting up Virtual Desktops is not a very easy task.

This is suitable if you need to use both the OS simultaneously, Also there is OS License cost involved. Also this will require pretty descent hardware, which can be costly.

Use Enjay Tiguin (best option)

Enjay Tiguin is a Linux OS, which is supported by Enjay. This OS (and Enjay’s support Team) can help you run your windows Apps on Linux. For most of the people support for Linux is more important than to run windows software on Linux. If you want to choose between convenience and choice, and if you Select “choice”, then go for Tiguin. Tiguin already supports most widely used Accounting package in India – “Tally”. Also the best part is Enjay Tiguin has a Application Server also (and obviously there is no CAL/TACAL involved, since this is Linux). So you can use it as regular Terminal  Server replacing Windows Terminal server, since it support regular RDP protocol also.

This is best suitable if you need to have advantage of Free OS as well as great Support. At Rs. 2,000/- for desktop and 20,000 for Server, it is one of the most economical options to run Windows Software on Linux. Another advantage is that Tiguin is very light weight, and it can run on old existing hardware also.

BTW, Enjay also provides solution to migrate your custom windows software to Linux at an extra cost.