I had to test/fix something at work and I set up a Windows VM because it was a bug specific to Windows users. Once I was done, I thought, “Maybe I should keep this VM for something.” but I couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t a game (which probably wouldn’t work well in a VM anyway) or some super specific enterprise software I don’t really use.

I also am more familiar with the Apple ecosystem than the Microsoft one so maybe I’m just oblivious to what’s out there. Does anyone out there dual boot or use a VM for a non-game, non-niche industry Windows exclusive program?

  • andreas@lemmy.korfmann.xyz
    4·
    4 months ago

    For work I heavily rely on the Adobe creative suite (Photoshop and Premiere Pro specifically). I maintain Linux servers (and develop for them) and maintain Linux desktops at both home and for work, but the lack of any alternatives to Photoshop specifically has resulted in me still daily driving Windows (VMs really hamper workflow with regards to GPU passthrough and although I’ve successfully set up Looking Glass on my workstation in the past, running 2 gpus isn’t practical). Yes I’ve tried the alternatives and while Premiere Pro has usable alternatives, Photoshop does not. GIMP is incredible given that it is FOSS but the UI and feature set is almost unusable (for me at least).

    • Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works
      2·
      4 months ago

      I found photoGIMP helped a bit on the UI aspect, but it still does have a lot of weird quirks that are just easier on photoshop

  • Kabe@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    4 months ago

    Foobar2000.

    By far the best, most customizable local music player app ever. Plus it’s open source free.

  • RageAgainstTheRich@lemmy.world
    2·
    4 months ago

    Xbox app for game pass. But i would cancel that if i didnt also needed windows for Sunshine streaming. Linux REFUSES with everything its got, to make hardware acceleration work.

    Oh and geforce now, which is still since release broken on linux when using hardware acceleration since colors close to black are just black. So darker games do not work.

  • cygon@lemmy.world
    2·
    4 months ago

    I have a Windows VM that runs Visual Studio and a small number of developer tools so I can test my code on Windows. And another windows VM that runs Daz3D, Clip Studio Paint and the Epic Launcher (to download stuff from the Unreal Engine Marketplace).

    Sometimes I misuse either VM by creating a snapshot and installing Garmin Connect so I can update the music library on my watch :)

  • leopold@lemmy.kde.socialEnglish
    1·
    4 months ago

    yes, but I don’t use VMs or dual boot. I’ve been able to get everything I need working in Wine, which is a lot more seamless

  • spacebanana@lemmy.world
    1·
    4 months ago

    Except for video games, all software I use daily is open source and cross platform by now, but when college demanded for me to use Adobe software, I would boot my Win 10 VM. I also boot that VM to test if the software im developing works well on Windows. I also run my Logitech mouse software in a VM with USB passthrough.

    Besides games, I think the only Windows program I run with wine is a tool to extract the BGM from the official Touhou games.

    Before I had a 3DS, I would use a Windows tool on my VM to decrypt my totally legally acquired ROMs

  • naeap@sopuli.xyz
    1·
    4 months ago

    Some industry hardware stuff sadly …

    Datalogic DL.Code, Siemens TIA, etc.

    If someone has a solution I’m all up for it.
    Was some time ago, that I tried with wine, so maybe something has changed

  • Hellmo_luciferrari@lemm.ee
    1·
    4 months ago

    There are some programs I still use that are designed for Windows, but use cases are “niche” or at very least specialized:

    1. Guitar Pro 8 - Guitar Tab software

    2. Line 6 HX Edit - Helix Settings Editor

    3. Line 6 Powercab Edit - Amp Settings Editoe

    4. Line 6 Updater - Firmware Updater for Line 6 Products

    5. Steelseries GG - Configuration Software for Steelseries Peripherals

    6. Numerous VSTs and other Audio Plugins

    These are just what I remember I use off the top of my head.

    I do use Guitar Pro 8 with Wine, but the others won’t work through Wine. I did try to use the others with a Windows KVM through QEMU but I ultimately gave up and left one windows workstation because of my issues with my Nvidia RTX 3090.

  • CrabAndBroom@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1·
    4 months ago

    I run Scrivener, which is a writing software that’s only for Mac & Windows (well, there is a Linux version but it’s ancient), but I just run that through Wine rather than a VM. That’s about the only thing I haven’t found a good equivalent for on Linux though.

  • owatnext@lemmy.world
    1·
    4 months ago

    The only thing I need on Windows is the Adobe suite for my uni graphic design stuff. I could use GIMP, darktable, Krita, etc, but my lectures teach us how things work on the Adobe suite. I use FOSS when it is for personal stuff though.

  • thepiguy@lemmy.ml
    1·
    4 months ago

    Yeah. I use quite a few windows exclusive programs. I know it is a long list but can’t be helped. Good support and stability beats ideology and these apps provide me that. Here is the list:

    I hope this list is helpful to others as well ☺️