A quick search on Google for tutorials regarding Linux and Windows interoperability, will reveal a lot of guides on how to install (emulate) Windows on a virtual machine inside Linux or how to migrate from Windows to Linux or how to dual boot Windows and Linux, but what I was really looking for was a way to run Windows and Linux at the same time, on the same machine; sharing the same desktop, working with the applications from both operating systems at the same time, without having a virtual machine window open or God knows what else.
So, does your business require for you to work on both operating systems? Why having two monitors, two computers when you can have Windows and Linux running on a single computer like they were born together? Imagine you can open Microsoft Word, write some text and then copy/paste this text in a Linux application, or you can share files between the two OSes or probably you're a web designer and you have to test your websites on both operating systems: wouldn't this be a life saver? Well, today I am happy to announce you that all this is possible and it will take about 30 minutes to setup everything in order to have Windows and Linux running at the same time on your computer and to share all the applications from these operating systems without hassle.
I've tested this guide on a Ubuntu machine with KDE as the default desktop environment and with Windows XP SP2. I am sure that this tutorial will work flawlessly on any other Linux system out there. Take a look at some screenshots:
Install necessary software:
You have to install two applications:
· VMware Server · rdesktop
But before you install these application, it's a very good idea to get a serial number for VMware Server software. The serial number is FREE of charge and it will not expire. To get yours, click on the following link:
Fill up the form and you'll receive a serial number immediately after you click on the submit button. Note the serial number somewhere because you'll need it later.
· If you are a Debian/Ubuntu user open up Synaptic Package manager (System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager for GNOME users and KMenu -> System -> Synaptic Package Manager for KDE users), search for vmware-server and rdesktop and install them.
· If you are a Fedora/openSuse/Mandriva user, open the default package manager, search for vmware-server and rdesktop and install them.
IMPORTANT: The VMware Server installation will ask you for the serial number, so paste the 20 digit code you have received earlier, otherwise the installation will fail.
Prepare VMware Server to run Windows
The VMware Server application will be installed in the System Tools category, so open it from Applications -> System Tools -> VMware Server Console if you are a GNOME user or from KMenu -> System -> More applications -> VMware Server Console if you are a KDE user. When it starts, it will ask you to select the host that you want to connect to. So:
1. Select Local host and click the 'Connect' button. 2. Click the 'Create a new virtual machine' button. 3. On the new window, click Next. 4. Select Typical and click Next. 5. Then select Windows XP Professional from the drop down list and click Next. 6. Give your virtual machine a name and click Next 7. Select "Use network address translation (NAT)" and click Next 8. And on the last step, click Finish.
It will take a few minutes until the virtual machine is created. When it's done, insert the Windows XP Professional CD in your optical drive and power on the virtual machine. The CD will be detected and the Windows installation will start. I guess I don't have to explain you how to install Windows.
Setup Windows
When the Windows installation is over you must do a few little tricks:
1. Go to Start -> Control Panel, click the "Switch to Classic View" on the left side and then double click on the System icon. Go to the Remote tab and check the second box, where it says "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer". Click Apply and close the window. 2. Go to Start -> Run, type regedit and hit enter. The Registry Editor will open, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Policies -> Explorer, right click on the right side, select New -> DWORD Value, name it NoDesktop, double click on it and set the Value data to 1 instead of 0. Click OK and restart Windows. 3. Go to Start -> Control Panel, double click the "User Accounts" icon, click on your username and then on "Create a password" link. Create the password and close the "User Accounts" window. 4. Still in Control Panel, double click the "Network Connections" icon, click the "Local Area Connection" icon and in the left side you will see on the Details area the IP address of this virtual machine. Note the IP address somewhere because you'll need it later. 5. Download SeamlessRDP software from here and extract it in C: (make sure it creates a folder called seamlessrdp). 6. Release the mouse from the virtual machine by pressing CTRL+ALT keys at the same time, go to VM -> Install VMware Tools. An installer window will appear in your Windows machine, follow the steps to install VMware tools application. When finished, a reboot will be required.
When you get back to Windows, log off and close the VMware Server Console window.
Final arrangements
Create a shortcut on your desktop in order to easily start Windows every time you need it. So, right click on the desktop, go to Create New -> Link to Application if you are a KDE user or Create Launcher if you are a GNOME user, name the shortcut, select a nice icon for it and paste the following code on the "Application/Command" field:
rdesktop -A -s 'c:seamlessrdpseamlessrdpshell.exe c:windowsexplorer.exe' Windows-IP-address -u your-Windows-username -p your-Windows-password
IMPORTANT: replace Windows-IP-address with the Windows IP address that you've noted earlier and the your-Windows-username and your-Windows-password with the username and password you've created in Windows
Example:
rdesktop -A -s 'c:seamlessrdpseamlessrdpshell.exe c:windowsexplorer.exe' 172.192.56.123 -u marius -p nestor
IMPORTANT: Make sure you disable any running firewall on your Linux machine.
Now double click the shortcut you've just created and the Windows taskbar should appear on your Linux desktop. Right click on it, uncheck 'Lock the Taskbar' option and drag it where you want. Now you can use Linux and Windows at the same time without hassle.
Share files between Windows and Linux
To share files between the two operating systems make sure you install Samba (server and client) on the Linux machine and on Windows all you have to do is to right click on a folder that you want to share with the Linux OS, go to Properties, Sharing tab and check the "Share this folder on the network" and "Allow network users to change my files" options. Now open Konqueror and type in the address bar:
smb://the Windows IP (replace 'the Windows IP' with the IP address from the Windows machine. e.g. smb://128.56.123.25)
Take a look at some videos that demonstrate the Windows/Linux interoperability:
This example demonstrates that I can copy/paste a text between Windows and Linux applications:
This example shows that I can run Compiz Fusion, Windows and Linux at the same time:
IMPORTANT: Remember that every time you restart your computer, the virtual machine that runs in background will close, so you'll have to open VMware Server Console and start the Windows machine before you can connect to it through the desktop shortcut.
SYMBIOSIS ? It WORKS !
Thank you for such detailed instructions on installing Windows XP via VMware software. Very neat indeed.Besides that, I find this symbiosis really useful for Linux newbies who are off to migrate to other OS like Linux.
NEVERTHELESS, I would need extra help here:
I'm running Debian/Kubuntu with KDE windows manager, Feisty Fawn and installed Windows XP Professionnal ( SP2 - long installation...) as a Virtual machine. I am simply unable to run the side by side setup - the one you show in youtube - when launching the shortcut on the Desktop.
Thus, I get the following error :
"Service '/home/linuxUser/Desktop/rdesktop -A -s 'c:seamlessrdpseamlessrdpshell.exe c:windowsexplorer.exe' 192.168.121.128 -u Windows user -p Windows password.desktop' is malformatted."
I believe I followed the Important Remarks, but I am rather uncertain as to how to disable any running firewall in Linux machine (if that is the problem ?). Any recommendations ?
Many thanks for your help.
Sekander
srao2000@bluewin.ch
PS. Am not quite sure whether this is the right place to post these remarks.
Comment #1.1 by: marius.nestor on 23 Jul 2007, 09:21 GMT
Hello and thank you for your comment!
I'm very sorry, but there was a problem with the code. Please check again the tutorial! The code should be ok now.
Feel free to post here if you encounter any more problems.
P.S.: Be aware that "Windows password.desktop" from the code you've posted must be replaced with the password from your Windows account.
I T A L L W O R K S N E A T & S M O O T H N O W
Greatly encourage new converted Linux users to read this outstanding tutorial.
Got KDE, Compiz fusion and the virtual machine with Win XP all running in symbiosis.
Hi , got it all working except for the last part. When I double click on the shortcut I created it opens up as a whole desktop and not a taskbar (in full resolution I might add). I did the regedit thing right (checked it 3 times). What do you think went wrong? Please help.
Comment #4.1 by: marius.nestor on 01 Aug 2007, 12:06 GMT
Hi!
Please check again if you have seamlessrdpshell.exe in a folder named seamlessrdp in C:/
I too am having the same problem. The .exe file is in the c:/seamlessrdp directory as you say in the instructions. All seems to work aprt from the fact that I get a windows instead of a toolbar.
Rgds Ken
Comment #6 by: dj_bridges on 14 Aug 2007, 12:14 GMT
I just tried the system and nothing happens (not even an error message) when I click on the desktop link. I have checked through everything a number of times, but can't see where I am going wrong.
One question though - does XP need to be XP pro?
Comment #6.1 by: marius.nestor on 15 Aug 2007, 06:17 GMT
Hello!
Yes, XP Pro. On Home Edition it will NOT work!
Comment #6.2 by: dj_bridges on 20 Aug 2007, 10:12 GMT
Marius,
Thanks for your reply. I have now successfully installed with XP pro and the link works, but as the other users said, I get a full desktop rather than just the taskbar. I have checked the regedit keys and the extracted seamlessrdpshell files etc. Any idea what might be wrong?
Comment #6.3 by: dj_bridges on 20 Aug 2007, 10:39 GMT
I take it all back - set-up a new user account and went through the whole process and this time it worked very smoothly!
Thanks for writing this great How-to!!!
Comment #6.4 by: marius.nestor on 20 Aug 2007, 10:42 GMT
I'm glad you solved the problem :)
You're welcome!
Comment #7 by: antreasg3 on 21 Aug 2007, 16:42 GMT
hey, tanks for the tutu, but i've a problem. I can install everything like you said but when i click on the icon with we created, just open a window with the taskbar, not only the taskbar, so, i can't share the same desktop. What i do wrong?
Cumps
PS: Sorry the English, i'm a portuguese kid with 13 years old..
Comment #8.1 by: marius.nestor on 01 Oct 2007, 09:29 GMT
Hello Ricas!
It could be a problem from the Windows registry (see the Setup Windows part on the guide). Anyway, I suggest to wait a few days for a new guide about Windows/Linux Symbiosis ... a lot easier than this one.
Comment #8.2 by: Ricas13 on 01 Oct 2007, 23:51 GMT
hi marius.nestor.
I think that i´ve foud the problem.
And this solution can be apply to the same problem for another users.
The solution is: in vm, go to control panel, users accounts, ensure that Use the Welcome Screen and Fast User Switching are both checked. Click OK.
I found this on the internet, i apply the changes, tried again, and voila!!! Its done!!
If this solutions is correct please add it to the how to..
Well, sorry again about the english, and thaks for the how to...
After working on this for a bit this morning I realized that the errors I was getting was in the format of the shortcut. It appears that the instructions don't have the necessary backslashes for Windows to understand the command. When I changed the command to:
rdesktop -A -s 'c:seamlessrdpseamlessrdpshell.exe c:windowsexplorer.exe' Windows-IP-address -u your-Windows-username -p your-Windows-password
Everything worked as mentioned. Just thought I'd throw that out there!
Comment #9.1 by: jazzplr on 31 Oct 2007, 14:42 GMT
It looks like backslashes aren't showing up on here. Maybe it's only my system. Replace *'s with backslashes:
rdesktop -A -s 'c:*seamlessrdp*seamlessrdpshell.exe c:*windows*explorer.exe' Windows-IP-address -u your-Windows-username -p your-Windows-password
Comment #9.2 by: marius.nestor on 31 Oct 2007, 14:45 GMT
Hi!
No, it's not your system.... I fixed the code!
Have fun!
Comment #9.3 by: jazzplr on 05 Nov 2007, 17:31 GMT
Thanks! Don't forget the backslash between windows and explorer.exe though.
Comment #9.4 by: marius.nestor on 05 Nov 2007, 18:02 GMT
Thanks for the great howto marius!
Have you tested it with KDE 4?
Although everything was installed smoothly, when I ran the script, a toolbar appears, which however does not have any buttons, or the "Start" menu. It is just a blue ribbon, with no icons on it. Also, no mouse activity seams to work on the toolbar...
Any ideas?
Thank you again!
This looks great. I am curious though, if you need to disable the firewall, what kind of security do you have with the internet? Do you need a firewall in Windows running? Is it possible to change the settings in the Linux firewall so everything will work while the firewall is running?
Cheers, RJ
Comment #12.1 by: marius.nestor on 11 Feb 2008, 12:07 GMT
This is the best part, that no firewall is required in the Windows system as it runs inside Linux! Get it? :)
Ahh ok. so windows doesnt need a firewall. But because i'm a converted windows user, im stuck with the idea that i need a firewall. I like to keep my computer safe. I have read a document somewhere that Linus himself runs fairly strict firewall settings on all of his Linux computers.
Is there a way that the firewall in Linux could be setup so Windows runs happily inside Linux while the firewall is on?
Cheers, RJ
What sort of resources will this take up? Does it load the entire XP OS into memory (the same as if I was running a complete desktop) or only the applications resources? I imagine it takes more than running an app via wine, but I am curious as to how much.
Comment #16.1 by: Marius Nestor on 06 May 2008, 06:48 GMT
2 GB of RAM should be more than enough! Also, if you have a Core 2 Duo processor it will be much better.
Comment #17 by: Ajhayter on 22 May 2008, 19:15 GMT
I've got a question...actually a couple of questions...before I try this. I was recently encouraged to try Ubuntu Linux, and was convinced to try it. However, I've been using Windows since 3.1. Now, I use Windows XP Pro x64 Edition because I have more than 3.5 gigs of RAM. My first question is: Will this setup run on a 64-bit machine? If so....YAYS! Second, what are the required specs for a computer to even think about doing this? I've got a pretty decent rig, but this setup sounds like it requires a whopper of a computer. I'd really like to know, because I'd like to be able to run both Windows & Linux at the same time. The following are my specs:
Intel Core2Duo E8400 @ 3.0 GHz
4 GB of PC6400 RAM
ATI Radeon HD 4850 w/ 512 MB of DDR3 RAM
Primary HDD 160 GB
Secondary HDD 500 GB
Please note that I DON'T have a CD/DVD drive. I recently changed from AMD to Intel and the board that was bought for me doesn't have the IDE connection I need to use my current drive. Will I absolutely NEED a CD/DVD drive to install this? Or would I be able to run the installer from a virtual drive through Windows? Please let me know ASAP as I'm anxious to try Linux. Thanks ahead of time!
Comment #18.1 by: Marius Nestor on 26 Jan 2009, 07:23 GMT
Hello,
Will this setup run on a 64-bit machine? ----- Yes, that's my setup :)
What are the required specs for a computer to even think about doing this? ---- Your computer is waaaaaaay to good :) I have this setup on an E4300 @ 1.8 GHz / 3 GB PC3200 DDR2 and a quite old Nvidia 7300 GT
There are CD/DVD-ROMs with SATA connection now. And, no... you don't need a CD-ROM for this. Use an ISO image.
Comment #19 by: Ben Travers on 27 Feb 2009, 14:10 GMT
When setting up your PC to run windows and Linex with this system does it matter which one you install first?
for example the PC I am thinking of setting this up on is running windows XP proffessional, can I set Linex as the virtual machine, or do you have to have it the other way around and install Windows as the virtual? Or do you have to wipe your machine and start from scratch?
Sorry if this is a stupid question, I am new to all of this.
Thanks in advance,
Ben
Comment #19.1 by: Marius Nestor on 27 Feb 2009, 15:32 GMT
Hi Ben, if you already have an Windows XP Professional machine.. all you need to do is to install VirtualBox and run Linux in the virtual machine.
I have a problem with a Linux machine. Unfortunately the main software needed is working only under Linux Slackware 10.2 . Needles to say that today i need some aplications that run most on windows (have tried to trick them but with no success). So, i got to this tread as a solution.
Slackware almost has no desktop (in Ubuntu way of saying) or "Applications -> System Tools -> VMware Server Console...". Do you think i could still install windows on it?
I will need to automate the loging in so once fired up Linux a specific program under Windows to be launched as well (this means lanching the vitual server, loading the windows machine and starting up the software). Can you please advice how to do it?
Thanks.
P.S. Numele tau pare roman. :) Daca e asa, salutari din iasi
Comment #20.1 by: Marius Nestor on 03 Mar 2009, 08:35 GMT
Salut :)
As far as I know, there is no way to power on a virtual machine from the command-line...
Anyway, please try the new guide, with VirtualBox:
