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How I virtualized my Windows 11 PC using Disk2vhd and VirtualBox
Winsage
December 26, 2024

How I virtualized my Windows 11 PC using Disk2vhd and VirtualBox

Virtualization technology allows users to create a virtualized instance of their primary operating system using tools like Disk2vhd and VirtualBox. Disk2vhd is a free utility that converts storage drives into .vhd files for Physical to Virtual migration of Windows 11. The process involves downloading Disk2vhd, running it with administrator privileges, selecting drives, and creating the .vhd file while disabling the Use vhdx and Prepare for use in virtual PC options, but enabling Use Volume Shadow Copy for external drives. To deploy a virtual machine in VirtualBox, users must ensure CPU virtualization is enabled in the BIOS, install VirtualBox, and create a new VM by specifying its name, storage folder, type as Microsoft Windows, and version as Windows 11 (64-bit). Users then allocate memory and processors, select the option to use an existing virtual hard disk, browse for the .vhd file, and finish the setup. Once the VM is deployed, it should boot into the Windows 11 environment. If it loads the recovery environment, users can follow prompts to repair the system. However, running Windows 11 in a VM may lead to performance issues unless the host system has a high-end processor and sufficient RAM and CPU cores allocated. This project allows experimentation with the daily driver without risking its integrity.
Easily Run Windows Apps on Linux Using These Tools
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.
BlueStacks Air is a new Android emulator that natively runs mobile games on Mac
BetaBeacon
December 16, 2024

BlueStacks Air is a new Android emulator that natively runs mobile games on Mac

BlueStacks Systems has released BlueStacks Air, a specialized version of the BlueStacks App Player emulator designed for Apple Silicon-powered Mac devices. This new emulator is optimized for Apple's M-series chips, promising swift performance and responsive gameplay for an authentic Android gaming experience on Mac.
4 things you can do to turn your Windows 11 machine into a home server
Winsage
December 16, 2024

4 things you can do to turn your Windows 11 machine into a home server

Windows 11 can be transformed into a self-hosting and experimentation workstation through various methods: 1. Configure Storage Spaces and Network Shares: Windows 11 can serve as a basic file-sharing and backup server by adjusting network and file-sharing settings. Storage Spaces allows users to combine multiple drives into mirror and parity pools for enhanced storage resilience. 2. Run Type-2 Hypervisors: Users can deploy virtual machines using Type-2 hypervisors like VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Pro on Windows 11, enabling exploration of home server concepts. 3. Enable Hyper-V: Hyper-V can be enabled on Windows 11, including the Home version, providing enhanced performance for virtual machines, although a powerful PC is required. 4. Set Up Docker Desktop: Docker Desktop allows for the deployment of containerized applications on Windows 11, which are less resource-intensive than traditional virtual machines. Proper configuration of Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) can improve compatibility and performance. Windows 11 has limitations such as higher resource consumption compared to Linux, prevalent security vulnerabilities, and frequent update issues, but it can still be utilized for setting up a home server.
Here's how you can set up Docker Desktop on your Windows 11 PC
Winsage
December 10, 2024

Here’s how you can set up Docker Desktop on your Windows 11 PC

Docker containers are a solution for self-hosting Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) services on local hardware, known for their lightweight design and extensive library of app images. Setting up Docker on Linux is straightforward, while Windows 11 users need to use WSL2 or Hyper-V, which can be complex for beginners. To enable virtualization for Docker Desktop on Windows 11, users must access the BIOS and enable CPU virtualization settings. For optimal performance, WSL2 is recommended as the backend. Users should download Docker Desktop, select the WSL2 option, and follow the setup instructions, including downloading the Ubuntu WSL app from the Microsoft Store. After setup, users can explore and run images within Docker containers. If Docker Desktop does not start containers, users can refresh the WSL integration in the settings. Type-2 hypervisors like VirtualBox can also be used to run Docker containers through virtual machines.
5 cool things to do with virtual machines on Windows 11
Winsage
November 22, 2024

5 cool things to do with virtual machines on Windows 11

Windows 11 simplifies the setup of virtual machines (VMs) using Hyper-V or Oracle's VirtualBox, allowing users to quickly establish VMs for various purposes. Users can run legacy applications and games that struggle on modern systems by utilizing older operating systems like Windows XP or Windows 7, or using DOSBox for very old games. VMs enable users to operate multiple operating systems simultaneously, catering to different needs such as programming or graphic design. They can also help maintain privacy against workplace monitoring by isolating personal activities from employer-mandated tracking software. Additionally, VMs allow users to safely explore potentially harmful software for cybersecurity purposes, although caution is advised due to the risk of sophisticated malware escaping the VM. Backing up an entire operating system within a VM is straightforward, involving the management of files like virtual disk images and configuration files, but users should be aware of legal considerations regarding sharing or duplicating VMs.
Microsoft's official Windows 11 virtual machines are no longer available
Winsage
October 24, 2024

Microsoft’s official Windows 11 virtual machines are no longer available

Microsoft's official virtual machines for the Windows 11 Development Environment are currently unavailable for download as of October 23, 2024, due to expiration and activation issues. Users with operational environments will face activation problems, as these virtual machines do not support activation via product keys, resulting in a black desktop background and shutdown every hour for expired versions. The last update for these virtual machines was in July 2024, based on Windows 11 build 22621.3880. The Windows 11 Development Environment was offered in four configurations: Hyper-V, Parallels for Mac, VirtualBox, and VMware, and included tools such as Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition, .NET Desktop, Azure, Windows App SDK for C#, Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 with Ubuntu, Windows Terminal, and Developer mode.
Kernel shellcode persistence technique in APT attacks and SAS CTF challenge
Winsage
October 18, 2024

Kernel shellcode persistence technique in APT attacks and SAS CTF challenge

On May 18, 2024, Kaspersky’s Global Research & Analysis Team conducted the qualifying round of the SAS Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, which involved over 800 teams addressing cybersecurity challenges. One significant challenge highlighted a security vulnerability in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 systems, allowing kernel shellcode to be concealed in the system registry and executed during boot. This vulnerability is linked to an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-4398. Despite the end of security updates for Windows 7 in early 2020, the flaw was known to be only partially addressed, with exploitation evidence dating back to 2018. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems from NT 4.0 through Windows 7, allowing kernel shellcode to persist and execute at boot. Attackers exploit it through stack buffer overflows in the "dxgmms1.sys" and "dxgkrnl.sys" drivers using the RtlQueryRegistryValues function. In the CTF challenge, participants analyzed registry hives to identify a crash source, set up debugging for blue screen events, and examined a keylogger payload. The final competition of the SAS CTF will take place in Bali from October 22-25, 2024.
VirtualBox 7.1.2 is out with performance improvements for Windows VMs and more
Winsage
September 29, 2024

VirtualBox 7.1.2 is out with performance improvements for Windows VMs and more

Oracle has released VirtualBox version 7.1.2, a maintenance update focusing on user experience improvements and technical fixes. Key enhancements include a multi-window layout, resolution of virtual machine management issues, customizable remote display security, and a more stable macOS/Arm UI. Technical fixes address NAT performance on Windows hosts, DHCP issues for certain guest configurations, enablement of 3D acceleration for ARM-based VMs, improvements in state management, UEFI Secure Boot querying, and SDK enhancements. VirtualBox 7.1.2 is available for free download and supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris.
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