Operating system optimized for VMware and remote Windows desktop setup
Operating system optimized for VMware and remote Windows desktop setup
You have a Windows laptop that has been compromised and needs a full reset. Switching to Linux seems like a good idea, especially with the growing community support. As a beginner, starting with a straightforward distro would be wise, and choosing one with strong community backing could help. You mentioned a VMware setup, but I’m checking if Linux offers similar remote access options. For your games—NFS MW and UG2—there are Linux alternatives, though compatibility can vary. Your needs for RDP and gaming might require specific configurations. It’s worth exploring lightweight distros or ones tailored for gaming if you want to stick with Windows titles.
Relies on the specific distribution you choose. It supports many common ones. On Linux, the setup requirements are minimal—just a VMware graphics driver and basic drivers for peripherals. For command-line tasks, OpenSSH is sufficient. On Linux platforms, alternatives like Anydesk or Teamviewer are available. For Windows compatibility, consider Wine or Proton (Proton is recommended). Wine acts as a bridge for running Windows apps on Linux, while Proton focuses on improving gaming performance. Wine isn't a full emulation but a compatibility layer, so lag can occur, particularly with DirectX games. Native Linux titles also work well. Avoid Windows apps; engage with the GNU/Linux community for better experience. If you have a GPU from Nvidia, consider Ubuntu or Linux Mint. I prefer Ubuntu over Linux Mint due to its more appealing GNOME desktop.
Because you're entering with a cold start, it's wise to reinstall Windows temporarily and explore Linux on a machine you can rely on for productivity. The desktop experience won't match Windows' polish, but it offers a solid alternative. Focus on servers initially, then use Linux for personal projects. Ubuntu is an excellent starting point due to its accessibility and extensive documentation. Variants like Ubuntu MATE, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and Linux Mint all provide similar functionality with different default interfaces. Download the latest Long Term Support (LTS) release to ensure stability for several years—subsequent versions only receive six months of updates. Broadcom supports VMWare Workstation on Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat, and SUSE Linux. Numerous RDP clients are available for Linux, making it feasible to run Windows games via Proton compatibility layers. Once comfortable, you can transition to a more customized setup.
For many Steam titles it’s incredibly straightforward. The main challenge usually comes from anti-cheat systems in multiplayer games. Most single-player purchases I’ve made recently have been just click install or click play. Of course, some games may not work at all, but with Steam it’s often quite simple.
The common Virtual Machine Manager supports most third-party virtual machines, including VMWare. RDP clients are available in Linux for a long time, with some servers supporting them as well. You can refer to the "does this game work on linux" resource for guidance. Essentially, you install Steam, turn on compatibility settings, and proceed to install or play. Troubles with specific games often appear in the database’s user reports for solutions. Three major changes are worth noting: package managers, desktop environments, and root privileges. A package manager serves as the central source for all your software, acting like a digital storefront—similar to Microsoft Store but more robust. You can manage installations and removals easily, ensuring you can experiment without permanent effects. Your desktop environment (DE) defines the interface for interacting with your system; options range from KDE for a Windows-like feel to other choices. If you need to switch between Windows and Linux professionally, root access is essential. The terms "root," "su," and "sudo" describe different levels of administrative privileges, helping you navigate Linux’s security model with more confidence.
For high-performance gaming, avoid using VMware, Hyper-V and similar virtual machines. Proxmox might work partially, but I'm uncertain. The main issue will likely be the GPU. We don't know the laptop's specifications. If you need to run Linux, consider creating a slim partition for it and set it up as dual boot. This should improve performance significantly.
I'm not disputing the game performance on Linux, but I'm saying games won't run well or at all in a VM. It really depends on the type of VM you're using. Proxmox uses KVM/LXC, Qemu with KVM allows hardware pass-through, while VMware and Virtual Box rely on a different hypervisor.
I wouldn't play games inside a virtual machine—they'd need native Linux, and the VM would just host a Windows version of my diagnostic software for one of my cars.
Generally, most Linux distributions work well with Windows. Configuring them varies—some are simpler than others. It doesn't matter much.