Linux

6162 readers

157 users here now

A community for everything relating to the GNU/Linux operating system

Also check out:

Original icon base courtesy of lewing@isc.tamu.edu and The GIMP

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

Ategon@programming.dev

anzo@programming.dev

dwraf_of_ignorance@programming.dev

How to minimize pain of Windows in work environment? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by someacnt@sh.itjust.works to c/linux@programming.dev

77 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hello all! I began working today, where the work is closely related to programming. Despite this, the work computer is set up as Windows (eww). I want to look for work-arounds, as installing linux on a work machine is a no-go.

I wonder, what is the way to minimize pain from having to use windows? Either that, or a way to maximize work done on linux-like stuffs. A linux server is given for us, and I think I can install WSL. Any recommendations on this setup?

Especially, I miss the virtual desktop feature, is there any way to use it? Is there a way I can run compositor through WSL? Also, should I install Pop! OS for the feature, or is it available on e.g. Ubuntu (default WSL)?

Sorry to ask a non-exclusively-linux question, but I think, hopefully, many linux people have experience to give me pointers what to do with a windows work environment.

EDIT: The Windows is Windows 10.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] FizzyOrange@programming.dev 5 points 2 days ago

Well, seeing as I only just installed Windows 11 I actually do need to do those, so here goes:

Try to configure a printer.

Windows button -> "add printer" -> Click "Add a printer or scanner" -> Click "Add Device" -> Oh my god it actually found my shitty wifi printer immediately! -> Click Add -> Jesus it actually worked quickly and without any issues. I'm actually blown away by this. It's never worked anywhere close to this smoothly on Linux, Windows 10 or even Mac.

Try to configure a network adapter.

Well I don't really need to do this but let's imagine I want to set a static IP.

Windows button -> "net..." ok it wants to show me Settings but it did show me "View Network Connections" for a second too, which based on my experience of Windows 10 is a better bet... -> Right click -> Properties -> TCP/IPv4 -> Properties... Ok everything here appears to be absolutely identical to Windows 10.

Try to configure graphics settings.

Hmm I do want to know what refresh rate I'm using. IIRC in Windows 10 this was always most easily available by right clicking the desktop (yeah it's not like Windows 10 was exactly consistent).

Right click -> Display settings -> Ok this isn't what I remember from Windows 7 & maybe 10.

Can't see refresh rate, but there is "Advanced display", oh it actually says "Display information, refresh rate" in the subtitle. 100 Hz great.

Try to organise the start menu to make it even remotely useable.

The start menu wasn't really usable in Windows 10 either. This is certainly an improvement at least - no shitty links to OneDrive or whatever to remove (in the IoT edition at least). The only thing I had to do here was move it to the left instead of the centre, which was fortunately easy.

Try to uninstall a store app for all users without having to use undocumented powershell incantations.

IoT edition doesn't actually have the Windows Store.