Linux System Archives

Winsage

October 27, 2025

6 exciting and niche OS projects that are quietly growing as users leave Windows

More individuals are dissatisfied with Windows due to updates, telemetry, and restrictive design choices, especially with the end of life for Windows 10 approaching. This has led to a subtle migration towards niche operating systems. Zorin OS is a user-friendly Linux distribution designed for newcomers, featuring a familiar interface that mimics Windows and macOS, and is powered by Ubuntu for stability. It includes Zorin Connect for synchronizing notifications and emphasizes security and privacy. Haiku is a lightweight operating system that serves as a successor to BeOS, focusing on speed and simplicity, built entirely from scratch for a snappy user experience. SerenityOS is an independent project created from the ground up, featuring a nostalgic aesthetic and a complete desktop environment, with a focus on usability and craftsmanship. Ultramarine Linux is a Fedora-based distribution that simplifies open-source software for users, offering multimedia codecs and multiple desktop environments for a comprehensive experience. Vanilla OS introduces a modern approach to Linux with immutability, protecting core system files and allowing independent application management to enhance stability. ReactOS aims to recreate the Windows experience using open-source code, focusing on compatibility with Windows applications and drivers while fostering a community around its development.

Winsage

September 30, 2025

I tried running Windows apps on Linux with Wine, but virtualization is still better

In recent explorations of running Windows applications on Linux, various solutions were tested, including WinApps, WinBoat, and Wine. Wine translates Windows API calls into POSIX calls in real time, allowing for lower overhead and improved performance, particularly with older applications. Successful installations included Winaero Tweaker, portable versions of Photofiltre 7 and Textroom, and Adobe Photoshop CS6, which had minor visual glitches but functional core features. DoubleKiller effectively identified duplicate files on Linux. The gaming experience with the Windows version of Re-Volt was positive, while attempts to install Microsoft Office 2016 were unsuccessful without an activation key. Modern applications faced significant challenges; Wine struggled with Adobe Creative Cloud, Affinity Photo 2, and Microsoft 365, while WPS Office had installation issues. The Wine team noted that newer applications are less likely to succeed due to complex UIs. In contrast, WinApps provided better support for more applications, despite performance trade-offs. The author expressed a preference for WinApps for modern applications and highlighted the superiority of native Linux apps for seamless functionality.

Winsage

September 14, 2025

This free and open-source app runs any Windows app on Linux with ease

WinBoat is a free and open-source application designed to run Windows environments on Linux using Docker. It operates as a lightweight, containerized tool that allows the Windows OS to run as a virtual machine within a Docker container, avoiding the resource demands of traditional virtual machines. To set up WinBoat, users need at least 4GB of RAM, 2 CPU threads, 32GB of storage, virtualization enabled, Docker and Docker Compose v2 installed, FreeRDP for access, and loaded iptables and iptable_net modules. The installation process involves downloading the latest release, launching it via the terminal, and creating a Windows instance through an intuitive GUI. WinBoat provides a prebuilt image for immediate use, allowing for customizable resource allocation and isolated application execution. However, familiarity with Docker is necessary, and it may not be suitable for running modern, GPU-intensive games.

Winsage

August 22, 2025

IGEL benefits from seismic VMware and Windows 10 shifts

IGEL Technology, founded in 2001, initially specialized in thin clients but has shifted towards software solutions that protect endpoints with a read-only operating system, reducing the attack surface by up to 95 percent. Each endpoint operates statelessly, retaining no memory of past interactions, and is managed through a unified portal that integrates with various vendors like Zscaler and CrowdStrike. IGEL's solutions allow for the integration of endpoints in operational technology environments without introducing additional security vulnerabilities, effectively replacing EDR systems with over 120 integrations. The company aims to extend the lifespan of endpoints from 3-5 years to 6-8 years, providing significant cost savings and addressing the challenges posed by the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11. IGEL's approach enhances security while offering flexibility in application delivery options, although it does not eliminate all cyber threats.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

I found a file-transferring app that works between Android and Linux – and it’s free to use

Packet is a tool that allows users to transfer files from a Pop!_OS Linux desktop to an Android device over the same wireless network. It works with Quick Share and requires a Linux distribution with Flatpak support, an Android device with Nearby Share enabled, and sudo privileges on the Linux machine. The installation involves executing a command in the terminal, toggling the Static Network Port option to 'On', and ensuring port 9300 is open on the firewall. Files received on the Linux desktop are stored in the ~/Downloads folder, which can be customized.

Winsage

May 21, 2025

Microsoft finally open-sources (most of) Windows Subsystem for Linux

Microsoft has open-sourced its Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) code, announced during the Build 2025 developer conference. WSL allows users to run Linux distributions natively on Windows, facilitating integration between Linux tools and the Windows environment. Since its introduction in 2016, WSL has become essential for developers needing Linux utilities without leaving Windows. As of the 2024 StackOverflow developer survey, 16.8% of programmers use WSL, surpassing traditional Linux distributions. The initial version, WSL 1, had performance limitations, but WSL 2 introduced a full Linux kernel in a lightweight virtual machine, improving compatibility and performance. The majority of WSL's codebase is now available on GitHub under the MIT License, including key command-line tools and Linux-side daemons. Some components remain closed source, but the move reflects a significant shift in Microsoft's open-source collaboration approach. Users can access various Linux distributions on WSL, including Fedora, Debian, openSUSE, and Ubuntu.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft makes the Windows Subsystem for Linux open source after almost a decade of development

Microsoft has announced that the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is now open source, marking a significant milestone in its development. The company has closed issue #1 on its GitHub issue tracker, which asked if WSL would be open source since April 6, 2016. WSL allows Windows users to run Linux distributions alongside their operating system and has evolved from WSL 1, which used a pico process provider, to WSL 2, which introduced a dedicated Linux kernel and various enhancements such as GPU support, graphical applications, and systemd support. In 2021, WSL was decoupled from the Windows codebase and made available via the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 users. Future updates will further refine the installation process for Linux distributions.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Windows 11 leak hints at a new UI designed for gaming handhelds

Microsoft is tailoring Windows 11 for the handheld gaming market by exploring a dedicated game mode for portable devices. The latest preview build includes references to a gaming-centric interface that allows users to select their preferred system layout at startup, featuring a fullscreen experience with customizable home apps and shortcuts. Users can activate this mode through OS settings, establishing it as the default interface. The build includes options like “Boot into the full screen experience at device startup” and “Choose your full screen experience,” resembling Steam’s Big Picture mode. These changes may also be integrated into a rumored Xbox handheld, potentially leading to a Windows 11 device rather than a standalone portable Xbox. The new features are linked to the existing Game Bar, which provides essential gaming functionalities. This shift towards a dedicated UI for handheld devices is seen as necessary, as Windows has historically prioritized keyboard and mouse interactions. The evolution could position Windows handhelds as a compelling option for gamers, especially in light of competition from Valve's SteamOS.

Winsage

February 23, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: super-fast file managers for Windows 11, faster Edge, new builds, and more

Microsoft Edge has received performance improvements, particularly for lower-end devices, with the latest version 132 enhancing the user interface. Alternatives to File Explorer for Windows 10 and 11, such as File Pilot, are emerging. Support for Windows 95 has ended in a widely-used application, and Microsoft has released several updates for the Windows Insider Program, including new builds for Windows 11 and 10. The Snipping Tool app has been updated to include a cropping tool for easier editing of screen recordings. Microsoft clarified that a feature to keep Microsoft Accounts always signed in will not be implemented at this time. Additionally, a significant update patched high-severity vulnerabilities in Edge, and the Edge Add-ons website has been revamped. Finalwire's AIDA64 has dropped support for Windows 95, 98, and Me. Battery Flyout has been updated to generate detailed battery reports. Xbox and PC Game Pass subscribers can expect new game releases in February 2025, including titles like Avowed and EA Sports F1 24. Sea of Thieves has introduced new content in Season 15, and GTA V on PC will receive an upgrade on March 4. Xbox consoles can now support external hard drives larger than 16TB. The GeForce NOW streaming service has added new titles to its library.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

Easily Run Windows Apps on Linux Using These Tools

Running Windows applications on Linux can be done using tools like Wine, which is a compatibility layer allowing Windows programs to run without a full Windows installation. Users can utilize Wine through command-line or GUI wrappers such as PlayOnLinux, Bottles, Heroic Launcher, and Lutris. To install Windows applications like Notepad++ using Bottles, users can install Bottles via Flatpak, create a new bottle for the application, and run the installer from within Bottles. For more control, users can install Wine via the command line and execute Windows executables directly. The winecfg command allows users to adjust settings, and Winetricks can be used to install necessary components for certain applications. Virtualization software, such as VirtualBox and VMware Player, can be used to create a virtual Windows environment on Linux, which is beneficial for resource-intensive applications. For gaming, tools like Proton and Lutris can facilitate running Windows games on Linux, with Proton being optimized for Steam. Users can also run a Windows virtual machine for gaming, though it may require more resources. Checking for native Linux versions of games is recommended before using compatibility layers or virtualization.