Various platforms, single machine, no virtual environment needed.
Various platforms, single machine, no virtual environment needed.
I’m away for a while and only have my Linux laptop. It works well on desktop, but some programs need Windows to run. I’ve tried Wine, but it lacks essential Windows frameworks. I have a Windows XP or Vista key—can you know if there’s a way to install Windows so I can boot into either OS? I prefer the performance of Windows for gaming apps and want full capability. Also, is it possible to get free Windows 7/8/10 with my XP/Vista key? Thanks!
Windows XP and Vista won’t be available anymore. There’s no free legal option to fulfill your request. You can install Windows 10 and leave it unactivated—it will function fully, though you’ll see a water mark on the screen. Search for “Microsoft.com Windows 10 ISO” to obtain the installation media directly from Microsoft.
What you're looking for, is referring to as "Dual Booting". Here's a random guide I pulled off the web: http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vista_...alled.htm/ You may wish to find a guide more specific to what version of Linux you're already running, plus whether you'd prefer XP or Vista (The guide is for Linux + Vista, with Linux already installed). There's a separate guide by the same website for the reverse process (Linux + Vista, with Vista already installed). And no. There is no way to get Windows 7, 8/8.1, or 10 for free using an XP or Vista key. You could of course pirate any version of Windows you want, but I personally never pirate my OS. Windows is quite useful, and worth the price of the valid key purchased from an authorized reseller. Linux is of course free for those who don't want to pay for Windows.
Windows 7 and Vista have many similarities, sharing a common foundation. This core structure is often referred to as a kernel.
Use Windows 10 without activation, but be aware of the watermark and fixed desktop image.