Running Windows apps on Linux just changed forever, and I was one of the first to try it

The dream of replacing Windows with Linux has been shared by many, including the author, for a long time. The primary obstacle has been software compatibility. While the Wine compatibility layer is helpful, it fails to run the latest versions of software like Photoshop and Microsoft Office on PC, and virtualization without GPU passthrough is not suitable for resource-intensive applications.

This is changing thanks to LSW, a project by a close friend of the author's. LSW requires some context to understand its significance. Windows apps don't run natively on Linux, and many popular apps lack native packages for Linux users. Wine, a common solution, works well for games and older software but struggles with modern applications like Photoshop and Microsoft Office.

Another option is virtualization, but it suffers from performance issues and doesn't support hardware acceleration for demanding apps. Looking Glass, a solution enabling GPU passthrough for Windows virtual machines, addresses this problem but requires complex setup and compatibility issues with many laptops. LSW finally simplifies the process with GPU paravirtualization, allowing Windows VMs to pass instructions to the host operating system's GPU, supporting hardware acceleration on most hardware without complicated setup.

LSW is currently in early alpha stage, with limited testing and availability through the Arch User Repository (AUR) for Arch and its derivatives. The setup process involves providing a Windows ISO, trimming it for efficiency, selecting CPU cores, RAM, and storage, and customizing user account details. Once set up, the VM begins functioning, delivering a smooth and resource-efficient Windows experience on Linux.