| If you are a Mac or Linux user, there are certain | | | | installing Windows. |
| times when you might need to run Windows | | | | You will be able to boot up in Windows while in your |
| software. WineHQ will run Windows software fairly | | | | primary operating system. However, it will not be |
| well in Linux, but sometimes there is a need to have | | | | nearly as fast as if you chose to do a dual boot, |
| the full operating system for more robust applications. | | | | meaning booting in either Windows or your primary |
| In these situations, running Windows in a virtual | | | | operating system one at a time. On faster machines |
| machine is a great option. | | | | this will not matter as much. |
| First of all, you probably will not be able run your | | | | If you are using a laptop, you will drain the battery |
| OEM version of Windows in a virtual machine. This | | | | life much quick while using virtualization software. Do |
| means using the Windows operating system discs | | | | not expect long battery life if working on the |
| that you might have that from another computer. | | | | Windows side for longer periods of time as this will |
| The installation must be on the specific hardware it is | | | | take quite a bit of your computer's resources. |
| licensed to. Therefore, you will likely have to buy a | | | | The big advantage of using a virtual machine with |
| new version of Windows. | | | | Windows is that viruses and other malicious programs |
| You will also need to get a program like VirtualBox | | | | will not get onto your primary operating system. |
| that will allow you to install virtual machines on your | | | | Also, you can boot up the machine, use your |
| system. There are a few varieties of this type of | | | | Windows programs, and shut it off as needed |
| software so read up on which version you need for | | | | without having to reboot. |
| your specific purposes as there are positives and | | | | At times, Linux and Mac users might still have a need |
| negatives on each. Also, you can practice installing | | | | for Windows software. For those scenarios, it would |
| Linux virtual machines on your system to get a feel | | | | make sense to learn about virtualization and why it is |
| for how the virtual machine software works before | | | | a good option to use Windows with. |