Linux and Windows

Will Linux run Windows software?

 

Yes, using WINE (http://winehq.com)

Although I'm not going to say it'll run ALL windows apps, it'll run a fairly good amount.

If you want to run games, then check out cedega (http://transgaming.org)

Being a gamer, I've been able to completely switch to Gentoo linux. Windows users are missing out on a lot...

 

>>Will Linux run Windows software? << jerseydevil <<

Yes but you'll need a "translation layer" (also called "program loader") capable of running Windows programs / utilities/ plugins on Linux operating systems to be able to accomplish this.

Wine is a translation layer/program loader which is capable of running Windows applications on Linux and other POSIX compatible operating systems. It's an open source based freeware program which allows the operation of DOS and MS Windows programs (Windows 3.x and Win32 executables) on UNIX operating systems such as Linux as alternative is to dual-booting Windows and Linux on the same PC.

32-bit Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP applications run under Wine. You can find the long list of supported software here and a few Wine screenshots here in Wine's Screenshot Gallery.

I've heard great things in various forums about a shareware program aptly called: CrossOver Office which provides a set of APIs (application programming interfaces) that allow MS Windows programs to run directly (natively) on the GNU-Linux desktop. That basically means that computer users no longer have to purchase or license the MS Windows operating system in order to run many MS Windows applications [on Linux based machines].

CrossOver Office allows users to run Windows productivity applications in a distributed thin-client environment under Linux, without needing Microsoft Operating System licenses for each client machine. See: CrossOver Office Supported Applications Comes in two different versions: Standard $39.95 | Professional $69.95.

Good Luck!