Best way to run Windows 8.X: In a virtual machine?
Traditionally, multi-booting has been the preferred approach for the coexistence of Linux and Windows. However, it seems that, with Windows 8.X, Microsoft has adopted more of a no-compromise approach, and for me, that means trash Windows 8: Disable the uefi thing in BIOS, swap the whole disk, start afresh with a 500GB SSD disk and get Knoppix up and running.
In my standard Knoppix remastering, I usually have some fairly recent version of VMware Workstation, and this is my preferred way to run Windows. Using 64 bits kernel and SSD, speed is no significant problem with Windows versions up to and including Win 7. I haven't yet tried Windows 8 this way, but it seems to me that it may by far be the best way to run Win 8.X at present.
All that hassle with modifications to get an open system up and running on a completely Windows-infested PC: Is it really worth it? And do you really need several terabytes of local storage on the PC? I use a cheap and simple NAS with 2x4 TB disks, and feel extremely relieved to focus on data in actual use on the PC. Leaving the storage issues to the storage expert.
What am I missing? What are the real great arguments for dual-booting with that 8.X-thing?
And I completely avoid all the Windows Version Blues this way. I am happily running Windows XP on hardware where it cannot possibly install - runs better than ever.
An update on things UEFI, Secure Boot & Win8 for your amusement.
.
You might recall I now have two identically configured Dell Inspirons
One a 2009 Win7 and the other a 2013 Win8 computer.
The Win7 has dual pentiums, a boot menu that allows selection of boot
medium, and a legacy boot method. It also has three USB ports, two of
which are USB2, and an SD/SDHC port which acts as a USB port. For quite
some time I've used the USB2 and SD/SDHC ports for Linux LiveUSB
operation with a collection of SDs, SDHCs and Cruzer USBs.
The Win8 has dual celerons, no boot menu-but a Windows-To-Go option
which recognizes a plugged-in USB to be favored as a boot medium.
It also has three USB ports, two of which are USB3, and an SD/SDHC port
that does not act as a USB port. In further addition, this computer
has Secure Boot as an option and the choice of Legacy or UEFI boot
support.
I had overestimated the difficulty in bringing a Knoppix 7.4 LiveUSB
to the Win8 computer, and underestimated its inherent capabilites of
dual cpus and USB3 speeds. Having de-selected Secure Boot, leaving UEFI
support enabled, and opting for Windows-To-Go treatment of things
attached to a USB3 port, my trusty Knoppix 7.4.2 Cruzer LiveUSB2
works quite well, thank you.
All this without my really comprehending UEFI or Windows-To-Go, and
still not requiring any knowledge of dual booting procedures, per se.
I'm not sure a 16 Gb USB3 Cruzer will make much difference but for
$11 it's worth a look.