There are several options to run Windows programs on other operating systems and vice versa. Hardware has improved to where it is now possible to share resources with another separate OS running “virtually” on top of your current OS. Windows 7 and Linux).īefore you attempt to install a dual- or multi-boot environment, you might want to try out one of the software solutions that run alternative software in a separate “virtual environments.” Multi-OS: running more than a single operating system (OS) on a computer (i.e.Dual boot: running more than a single version of the same operating system (i.e.What if you could run your games in a Windows environment and work in the operating system of your choice? This page discusses the options for doing that. Possible uses include running older programs for research or gaming. scanners or proprietary legacy hardware). Drivers for legacy hardware are unavailable (e.g.Windows users want to experiment with Linux, but need to retain Windows.IT staff may need to be able to simultaneously work with several versions of Windows.Web designers want to view their sites in various OSs using native browsers.Gamers don't want to endanger their business installation.You can reduce the space dedicated to hardware in your working environment.There are many reasons for running either a dual-boot or multi-OS computer: Virtual Environments | Dual Boot | Multi-OSs | Partitions | File SystemsĪ lot of this information is disappearing because computers have become faster and cheaper so people can afford to have more than a single computer to run various operating systems (OSs). The information on this page includes references to obsolete and seldom-used versions of operating systems.

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