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6 Best Linux Emulators for Windows

But the truth is they're not really emulators

Written by: Sydney Butler

Posted on: July 5th, 2023 in: Linux Tips, Windows 11

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Linux, the open-source operating system
darling, has long captivated the hearts of Daily Email Newsletter
developers, programmers, and tech
enthusiasts alike. Its versatility and Enter your email and hit enter ►
Table of Contents stability present a tantalizing alternative
to Windows.
· First Thing’s First:
These Are Not
Emulators
However, not everyone is prepared to
make the switch from Windows. This is ADVERTISEMENT

· 1. VirtualBox: The
where Linux emulators for Windows
Open-Source
Juggernaut come into the picture, offering the benefits Trending Articles
of Linux without departing from your
· 2. VMware
Windows comfort zone.

1
Workstation Player: Microsoft Teams
The Feature-Loaded
Installation Failed?
Here’s How to Fix It
Virtualizer

· 3. QEMU: The Swift

2
How to Change
and Adaptable Windows Desktop
Emulator Icons and Recycle Bin

· 4. Hyper-V:

3
Microsoft’s Native How to Fix a
Windows Update
Hypervisor
Error 0xc1900223
· 5. Cygwin: The

4
POSIX-Compatible How to Add or
Powerhouse Subtract Dates in
Excel
· 6. WSL (Windows
Subsystem for
How to Turn Off

5
Linux): Microsoft’s
Windows
Linux Bridge
Authentication for
Chrome
· Beyond
Virtualization

6
In this article, we’ll look into some of the best Linux emulators for Windows users How to Print Excel
Worksheets with
looking to sample the Linux experience without fully committing to it.
Gridlines

First Thing’s First: These Are Not Emulators

7
How to Insert Arrows
in Microsoft Word
We know that you typed the term “Linux Emulator” into the search engine of your choice Documents
to get here, but the truth is that none of the software packages we’re going to discuss in
this article are actually examples of Linux emulation. How to Stop Microsoft

Rather, they’re mostly examples of “virtualization” technology with some examples of

“compatibility layers”. Virtualization is where a virtual computer (the guest system) is
8 Edge Running in the
Background When
Closed

emulated on a real computer (the host system) so that you can run another (or even the
same) operating system on the virtual machine, separated from the host system. ADVERTISEMENT

However, Linux emulation isn’t really what people are looking for when searching for
“Linux Emulators”. Instead, they want to run a Linux system from within another OS,
Recent Articles
such as Windows. Virtual Machines are the best way to do that, and so that’s what we’re
covering here. To that end, we’ll be using the term “Linux Emulator” in this article, but Bluetooth Disconnecting in
Windows? These 14 Fixes
you should be aware that this is a technically inaccurate way to describe this software. Can Help
ADVERTISEMENT
Microsoft Teams
Installation Failed? Here’s
Before diving into the world of Linux virtualization, it’s essential to understand why you
How to Fix It
might want to use this technology. A VM is a software application that replicates the
Linux environment on your Windows system, allowing you to run Linux applications How to Change Windows
and command-line tools without actually installing a full-fledged Linux operating Desktop Icons and Recycle
Bin
system. It acts as a bridge, combining the benefits of both worlds: the powerful and
flexible nature of Linux, and the familiar and user-friendly Windows environment. How to Fix a Windows
Update Error 0xc1900223
There are several reasons why one might want to use a Linux emulator:

Exploration: Curiosity may have you itching to explore the world of Linux without
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leaving Windows. A Linux emulator is the perfect way to dip your toes into the world of
open-source operating systems and learn the ins and outs of the dreaded terminal that’s
so beloved by hardcore Linux users.
Compatibility: While the front end of the computer world might be Windows (and, to an
increasing degree, macOS), Linux rules the roost behind the scenes. So if you’re getting
into the backroom technology world as a system admin or you want to develop Linux
software, an emulator lets you do that with ease.
Education and Skill Development: Learning Linux is more valuable than ever, especially
if you’re in the tech industry. Using a Linux emulator can help you learn and hone your
Linux skills, making you a more versatile and marketable professional.

A Linux emulator is a flexible, low-commitment, and cost-efficient way to expand your

computing experience and broaden your horizons. Before you take your first step with a
Linux emulator, here are some of the best Linux emulators to get you started.

1. VirtualBox: The Open-Source Juggernaut

VirtualBox, a widely-adopted open-source virtualization software package, lets you run

multiple operating systems, such as Linux, as virtual machines on Windows computers.
It accommodates an extensive range of Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian,
and Linux Mint.

VirtualBox has excellent and seamless integration with USB devices, letting you use
peripherals like printers, scanners, and webcams without any hassle. Additionally,
VirtualBox also supports Intel’s hardware-assisted virtualization technology, making it a
top choice for users with compatible CPUs.

2. VMware Workstation Player: The Feature-

Loaded Virtualizer
VMware Workstation Player is another formidable virtualization software that facilitates
running Linux operating systems on Windows computers. It offers broad compatibility
with Linux distributions, USB devices, and 3D graphics acceleration for Windows hosts.

3. QEMU: The Swift and Adaptable Emulator

QEMU (Quick Emulator) is an agile, open-source emulator and virtualizer supporting

various guest OS options, including Linux, BSD, and macOS. Compatible with Windows,
Linux, and macOS hosts. QEMU can emulate different CPU architectures, making it a
prime choice for users interested in exploring various hardware configurations,
particularly for development uses.

4. Hyper-V: Microsoft’s Native Hypervisor

Microsoft’s Hyper-V, a native hypervisor that can be activated in “Pro” or better versions
of the Windows OS, empowers users to run virtual machines directly on their Windows
computers. Primarily targeting Windows Server environments, Hyper-V is also
accessible on Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions.

Hyper-V accommodates various Linux distributions as guest operating systems, with

integration services that boost performance and offer superior hardware compatibility.
However, Hyper-V’s Linux support doesn’t quite measure up to other options on this list,
and certain features may not be available for all Linux distributions.

5. Cygwin: The POSIX-Compatible Powerhouse

Cygwin diverges from traditional emulators or virtualization software by providing a
POSIX-compatible environment within Windows. This enables users to run Linux
applications and command-line tools directly on their Windows system, making it
perfect for users mainly requiring access to Linux command-line utilities or specific
Linux applications without setting up a full virtual machine.

Cygwin boasts a rich package manager, allowing users to install various Linux
applications, libraries, and utilities. While it doesn’t offer full Linux desktop
environments like GNOME or KDE, it does support X Window System applications and
desktop environments such as XFCE, enabling users to run graphical Linux apps on their
Windows host. However, you’ll have to add a few packages to Cygwin (e.g. Cygwin/X) to
get graphical apps running.

6. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux):

Microsoft’s Linux Bridge

WSL, a Microsoft creation, is an exceptional option for running Linux applications and
command-line utilities directly on a Windows system. Unlike Cygwin, WSL facilitates
running native Linux executable files by implementing a compatibility layer between the
Windows kernel and the Linux kernel.

WSL accommodates multiple Linux distros, including Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora, which
can be installed directly from the Microsoft Store. Although it doesn’t provide full Linux
desktop environments, it boasts compatibility with various command-line tools,
programming languages, and server applications. If you’re comfortable with Windows
Powershell, you can quickly spool up all sorts of Linux goodness in minutes.

With the introduction of WSL 2, Microsoft has implemented a lightweight virtual

machine (rather than a compatibility layer) that enhances performance, compatibility,
and resource usage. Furthermore, WSL 2 supports Docker and Kubernetes, making it an
appealing option for developers and IT professionals alike.

Beyond Virtualization
When it comes to experiencing the world of Linux on your Windows machine,
virtualization software is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a vast array of methods you
can use to try Linux without taking the full plunge. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Dual Booting: One of the go-to ways to experience Linux while keeping your Windows
setup intact is dual booting. Think of it like partitioning your hard drive into separate
rooms, one for Windows, one for Linux. Every time you fire up your computer, you get to
pick which room to enter. Dual booting gives you a closer encounter with Linux, tapping
into your hardware’s full potential. That said, setting up and maintaining a dual boot
system can feel like juggling chainsaws sometimes, particularly if you often swap
between the two operating systems.

Live CDs or USBs: If you’re not ready to tinker with your hard drive, why not boot Linux
from a live CD or USB? Several Linux distributions, including the likes of Ubuntu, Fedora,
and Linux Mint, offer these live versions. You get to test the waters, exploring Linux,
trying out apps and getting a feel for the whole thing without making any lasting
changes to your computer. Do remember though, a live environment might feel a bit
sluggish compared to a full installation, given it runs entirely off the CD or USB without
fully leveraging your computer’s resources. Additionally, any changes you make to the
live OS are lost when you reboot, so it’s not a permanent solution.

Portable Linux: Portable Linux versions allow you to carry an entire operating system
right in your pocket, on a USB stick. That’s right, imagine having the power of Linux at
your fingertips, anywhere, anytime!

Several Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Puppy Linux, offer portable
versions. The process is as straightforward as downloading the Linux distro of your
choice, loading it onto a USB stick using tools like Rufus or UNetbootin, and voila! You’ve
got yourself a mobile Linux workstation.

A portable Linux OS doesn’t wipe your changes when the session ends. It’s just like
having Linux installed on an internal hard drive, except running from a USB device like a
flash drive.

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Sydney Butler is a social scientist and technology fanatic who tries to understand how
people and technology coexist. He has two decades of experience as a freelance
computer technician and more than a decade as a technologies researcher and
instructor. Sydney has been a professional technology writer for more than five years
and covers topics such as VR, Gaming, Cyber security and Transhumanism. Read
Sydney's Full Bio

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