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this post was submitted on 05 Oct 2026
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I installed from inside vmware before, with the linux drive mounted natively, then removed the windows drive.
This feels wrong but I don't know why. It just feels like it would break somewhere. I've never given a vm its own physical drive though.
When my freebsd home server died I just put it's disks into my gaming rig and connected them to a VM and it booted with no hassle. It will work for linux too, unless you have architecture differences or some whacky secure boot setup, or highly customized kernel or something.
It's honestly genius and idk why I hadn't considered that it could be done until now
Passing physical drives through to a VM is the only way I install Windows anymore, that way it can't fuck up my boot order or EFI partition, since I use Linux daily. Can't wait for the day I don't need Windows, alas, medical device update software often requires Windows/Mac, and passing the USB through to a VM doesn't work.
I'm pretty sure past dual boot woes and originally learning Linux, when I was confused about efi/uefi or the boot process altogether, is what's getting to me. Most of my VM use is from that time, transitioning to bare metal.
Hopefully one day we can get actual parity in niches like what you need without porting every little thing, and I know I've had devices with firmware updates requiring windows that I probably ignored. Gaming has already come so far though, so maybe there's hope!