If you like experimenting with different operating systems, fear trying new programs might crash your PC, or need a separate system to run some programs, a virtual machine (VM) can be quite useful. This is why you should keep several VMs at hand and use them regularly.
Why use VMs?
There are many practical reasons to start using VMs. First, you don't have to worry about breaking anything if you only have one system. Do you want to try installing that risky system? Let's start the VM and see the results! Likewise, if you have software or files that you don't want running on your main machine.
VMs are extremely easy to set up, and once created, you can save them in the state you like and restore them later with just a few clicks. If you have a spare PC or laptop, you can even start a server to run a VM for access from anywhere in the world.
The only thing to worry about is the system resources needed to run one operating system on top of another. However, everything will be fine if you have a modern PC. For better understanding, the author runs all the VMs mentioned below on an MSI GL65 Leopard laptop, which has an i5-9300H, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD storage, and GTX 1650Ti. This laptop is now 4 years old and still easily handles two VMs at the same time.
What can you do with your VM?
Another big advantage of using a VM is that you can try out multiple operating systems without changing bootloader settings or dual-booting the system. You can set up these 4 VMs on a Windows machine for testing.
VM Ubuntu
This is a standard Linux VM that can be used for everything from software testing to website development. Programmers often prefer to work on Linux rather than Windows. Running an Ubuntu VM alongside a Windows machine allows you to use the software on multiple operating systems.
For example, if you're working on a website, you can create graphics in Photoshop or Illustrator and drag and drop them into your Linux website without having to restart your computer to switch operating systems. It really helps speed up the workflow. Since you have other virtual machines on multiple operating systems, you can also test the compatibility of any software or website working across multiple operating systems and browsers.
Another place where the Ubuntu virtual machine is useful is in hardware-related work. While you can easily work with hardware devices like an Arduino or ESP32 on a Windows machine, there should also be a clear separation between development and day-to-day use situations.
Ubuntu should be chosen because it is one of the most popular Linux distributions and is widely compatible with everything from 3D printing programs to IDEs to coding small development boards. However, you are free to experiment with other Linux versions. You can also use Linux Mint – this is a pretty good alternative to Ubuntu.
VM Kali Linux
If you are passionate about network security or network security in general, having Kali Linux will allow you to use security tools and analyze malware samples. This functionality in the VM makes accessing the operating system extremely easy and removes the learning curve.
Many people often use Kali Linux VM to analyze malware samples, run regular network security tests on their Wi-Fi network, and sometimes even “prank” their friends. You'll find plenty of networking and security tools pre-installed with Kali, and more can be found with a simple Google search. Just be careful what you're doing. According to Kali Linux's motto – the quieter you are, the more you can hear.
VM Windows
Windows virtual machines are mainly for testing shady software you're researching or writing about, that you don't want running on your main Windows installation. It also allows testing Windows settings or features that you want to understand better before introducing them into your workflow on the server.
Another use you might find for your Windows virtual machine is to run old games. Old games don't work well on modern operating systems, especially Windows 11. A Windows XP virtual machine lets you play games from your childhood without having to worry about downloading shaders and/or Third-party software to run old games without hassle.
Performance may vary depending on the virtualization software you use. If you use VirtualBox, make sure to install VirtualBox Guest Additions to run applications in seamless mode.
VM MacOS
Launching a macOS or “Hackintosh” virtual machine is difficult, but it helps people access the operating system that would otherwise require a dedicated device. You'll have macOS with just a few clicks whenever you need to access Apple services or macOS-specific software.
In addition, this VM is also a gateway for you to learn Swift and develop macOS in general. Creating software for Apple requires an Apple device, and if you're someone who tries to carry as little tech as possible, VM allows you to have multiple computers in one.
You should have a VM handy!
Whether you want to try out a new operating system, program in Linux while keeping Windows handy for other programs, play games on your Mac, or simply test software, being able to start a Completely different machines with just a few clicks are extremely convenient.
Besides, you can do all of this without breaking anything on your main system. Even if you mess something up on the VM, you can still get it back up and running with just a few clicks, as long as you've backed it up. Having a VM handy with the operating system of your choice gives you endless options for testing things out or creating a workflow that best suits your preferences without being limited by the operating system or capabilities. software compatibility.
