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?

  • oaklandnative@lemmy.world
    12·
    4 months ago

    Lots of firmware and driver updater programs seem to require Windows or Mac and I can’t get them to run with wine. For example, I need Win to update the firmware on my car stereo and my 8bitdo game controllers. I also need it to run the tax software my CPA uses.

    • d3Xt3rM
      8·
      4 months ago

      I don’t know about car stereos, but at least for 8bitdo controllers, you can update the firmware via fwupd. And if the firmware isn’t available on LVFS, you can download the blob install it manually using fwupd: https://ladis.cloud/blog/posts/firmware-update-8bitdo.html

      I did this for my 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth controller, and it worked great.

    • CubitOom@infosec.pubEnglish
      2·
      4 months ago

      Yeah needed it for my monitor. I didn’t want to figure out USB passthrough so I just installed Windows on a > 50,000 powered on hours HDD and booted from that. Then once I was done I put it about as far away as I could from my PC.

      • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
        3·
        4 months ago

        USB passthough is a single click for future reference. Just make sure you install virtio from the fedora project for windows VMs