Are there any Windows-exclusive programs you use?

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?

dario ,

Besides video games, I need no Windows software at all. So far I have successfully played every single game I wanted to play, hundreds of them, ranging from small independent titles to AAA features without resorting to Windows. While I am aware that online play can be a problem on GNU/Linux, I don't do online gaming. Sometimes, especially in the past, I may have to come up with some serious tinkering to enjoy a flawless experience, but ultimately I have never failed to run a Windows game on GNU/Linux as if it was a native title.

tiredofsametab , (edited )

notepad++ with textfx edit, textfx tools, and hex editor. I've tried a lot of other things and it is still my favorite.
I don't actually use it for coding, but I often have to futz with files received from customers/QA or test data that I create.

I have mac for work and have been mostly hating BBedit. I keep meaning to try Cate and I guess the folks that made Atom just released something new.

Edit: just remembered: I did try Cate but had really weird UI issues using any dark themes (menus, etc. all became unreadable) and gave up.

thepiguy ,

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 ☺️

dario ,

Underrated comment.

CrabAndBroom ,

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.

cyborganism ,

I've been a Linux user for a long time. I started to use a lot of open source free software alternatives because of this, and most of them had Windows binaries.

But I always had a dual boot system only for gaming purposes.

So... I can't think of any software other than games that's educated la Windows only.

eugenia ,
@eugenia@lemmy.ml avatar

I use an old copy of Photoshop CS5 via VMWare and Windows 10 installed in it. Unfortunately the Gimp doesn't have adjustment layers and the Selective Color feature. I can't live without these two features, I need them on each and every scan of my paintings to fix colors.

limelight79 ,

I have a Windows computer in the basement to run one program: The virtual cycling platform Zwift.

But someone made a docker image for it, so even that is tenuous. I fired it up on the Linux system I'm typing this on, and it worked fine.

I'm not very familiar with Docker and the like, though. What if the person that created it decides he's no longer interested in maintaining it?

ResoluteCatnap ,

Don't worry. The chances of zwift having major updates and breaking anything is small.

I'm mostly joking, but they've been around for a decade and not a ton of progress to show for it

limelight79 ,

They broke the coffee break with last week's update.... Sigh.

Overall I really like zwift, but sometimes I just want to slap them. Like the newer teleport feature for the robopacers. Great idea. But if you look at the menu in the app, the groups are highest power to lowest power, but then within the groups, it's low to high. What were they thinking?!

cygon ,

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 :)

utopiah ,

QFIL aka Qualcomm Flash Image Loader but only because the rooting of my XR headset (Lynx) https://lynx.miraheze.org/wiki/Rooting_Process relies on it.

I've done it successfully so now I understand a bit better how it works. I could try to use instead https://github.com/bkerler/edl which looks even more complete and reproducible.

signofzeta ,

I use Scrivener for writing. Aside from one or two minor display bugs, it works great on WINE. Switch the UI to GNOME’s Cantrell font and it blends in fairly nicely.

mvirts ,

Anyone using ReactOS for this?

leopold ,

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

acockworkorange ,

SketchUp. Can't get it to work on Wine.

BradleyUffner ,

I haven't been able to get Vectric Aspire to work yet, even under wine. It's used to layout tool paths for CNC operations, so it may be a little on the niche side, but it's pretty popular.

fruitycoder ,

Gamepass

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