Two different operating systems running concurrently.
Two different operating systems running concurrently.
I've checked my sources and it looks like running more than one OS on a single PC simultaneously is really tough without some very specific equipment or virtual environments. I’m not sure if it’s possible without special setups, and I’m frustrated because I need full performance on Ubuntu. There are certain applications, like NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 drivers that aren’t open source or work well, and Windows commands that feel messy. So my question is: how can we stubborn people manage to run Windows, Linux or other OS together on the same machine? It might be doable, but it could be really complicated or need extra hardware. If anyone has any ideas or resources online, I’d love to hear them.
Avoid relying solely on a virtual machine; instead, consider deploying both operating systems directly on the host machine.
Honestly? Most of me wants it finished since it hasn’t been done yet, while the other side understands that forcing two OSes onto one screen would likely backfire. Yes, I can adjust things if needed, but I usually thrive when everything is visible at once. This is why I dislike having to restart every time something on one OS isn’t working.
Other tools like unRAID and certain VMware solutions exist, though they aren't free. Some free alternatives may not perform well. Also, the latest Windows 10 Anniversary Update enables running Ubuntu and bash natively on Windows 10.
Which display would you prefer? If it's a desktop, you might consider adding a second screen or an ultra-wide model. For me, it's not an issue.
What else are you looking for? Fire bullets without a gun? Keep the bullet in your fingers and test if you can hit the primer with a sharp object? Virtual machines are ideal for this. Use your main OS as the foundation and another OS inside the VM. With vt-d, you can even route through a GPU to achieve nearly native speed inside the VM! If you need GPU power in Windows but want it in a VM, run Linux on your iGPU or another GPU and route through the 970. You don’t need separate monitors—just connect both and press the switch input button. If you prefer, you can also create bootable partitions that work in a VM, so you only need to restart to unlock full GPU performance. There are many VM-based solutions, and I’m sure there’s one that fits your requirements.
This won't fix the issue with two operating systems. If I needed more space, I would have three monitors already.
It's rare to find a completely perfect answer. Yes, you're right. I could manage it. But I emphasized no VMs for a specific reason—complexity. I'd prefer a highly intricate setup that functions perfectly once it's built, rather than something complicated to configure and maintain. 'By the way, who wants a simple solution? Not me, unfortunately.'