Benefit of Ventoy/Vhd for Windows vs Dualbooting? or VM
from Dil@is.hardlywork.ing to linux@lemmy.ml on 23 Feb 2025 21:18
https://is.hardlywork.ing/post/35588

What are the differences between the implementations? Does booting from a vhd using ventoy (external ssd not usb) let me avoid losing a partition to windows?

#linux

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Xanza@lemm.ee on 23 Feb 2025 21:26 next collapse

Virtualizing your *nix setup is the way to go if you’re too weak to let go of Windows permanently (lol).

Windows is destructive and every time there’s a major update it will eat the bootloader and remove any *nix entries. Using virtualization removes that problem at the cost of performance.

enemenemu@lemm.ee on 23 Feb 2025 21:30 next collapse

I’d virtualize windows. For me, it’s way more important to have a good host

Xanza@lemm.ee on 23 Feb 2025 21:41 collapse

Can’t say I agree.

*nix virtualizes way better than Windows. You’ll get better overall performance by virtualizing *nix and using Windows on bare metal.

catloaf@lemm.ee on 23 Feb 2025 21:59 next collapse

Why do you say that? I’ve run plenty of both and haven’t really had trouble with one or the other.

clmbmb@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 24 Feb 2025 07:21 collapse

I’ve usually seen the opposite: running Linux inside a VM on Windows is slower than running Windows in a VM on Linux.

just_another_person@lemmy.world on 23 Feb 2025 22:51 next collapse

Not if you have a modern BIOS

Xanza@lemm.ee on 24 Feb 2025 18:29 collapse

I can’t even venture to guess what this statement even means as there’s no truth to it whatsoever…

Dil@is.hardlywork.ing on 24 Feb 2025 00:21 next collapse

Theres always a chance something I need doesnt support linux, imo its smart to have a backup, I just dont want to waste unnecessary space or want to deal with partitions for windows since they give me a lot of issues trying to shrink them. I saw vhds with usb method mentioned on lemmy a few times and it seemed like a way to avoid partitions since you can have a 1tb whd, with 10gb on it on a 100gb harddrive, so Im assuming you can avoid having to lose hella space to a windows install you might never use, instead only as much as it actually takes up.

Xanza@lemm.ee on 24 Feb 2025 18:28 collapse

imo its smart to have a backup

You can virtualize 90% of most Windows applications from within Linux using Bottles. It’s not really as big of an issue as you make it out to be–unless there’s something you need that can’t be virtualized.

Dil@is.hardlywork.ing on 24 Feb 2025 21:38 collapse

I can do it so why not, why not have peace of mind about that 10% storage is cheap and os is free

ScientifficDoggo@lemmy.zip on 24 Feb 2025 05:29 collapse

This is NOT the way to get people to switch. (Lol)

Xanza@lemm.ee on 24 Feb 2025 18:26 collapse

Where did I say that I was trying to get anyone to switch?

HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com on 23 Feb 2025 23:02 next collapse

If you have your older maching around I recomend putting linux on it. You will see how fast it runs on the old hardware and pretty soon you will not be ablet to wait get it on the new hardware.

Dil@is.hardlywork.ing on 24 Feb 2025 00:17 collapse

I just want windows in case I need it for specific software or apps for whatever reason, Im not sure how a vhd boot off ventoy works, im trying to avoid wasting a partition on a windows install that will rarely be used

sylver_dragon@lemmy.world on 23 Feb 2025 23:10 collapse

It depends on what your goals are.

  • Ventoy is good for having an alternate OS on a Thumbdrive. Even with a USB 3 device, you may encounter I/O blocking and find this isn’t suitable as a “daily driver” OS. However,. for booting something like Tails or Windows/Linux for OS specific hardware/applications, it can be a good solution.
  • Dualbooting is a good way to “test drive” an alternate OS and also have a way to fallback to the other OS if you regularly need access to some software which only runs on that OS. This is likely to have better performance than the USB/Ventoy setup at the cost of Windows fucking up the bootloader config from time to time.
  • Windows/Linux with a Linux/Windows VM is useful when you know what OS you want to run on a day to day basis, but have some reason to reach into the other OS on occasion and aren’t too worried about performance and hardware access in the alternate OS.

Ultimately, it’s going to come down to what you are trying to do and why you want to run multiple Operating Systems. For example, my main system is running Linux. But, I want the ability to run Windows malware in a controlled sandbox (not a euphemism, I work in cybersecurity and lab some stuff for fun). So, I have KVM setup to run Virtual Machines, including Windows.

For another example, prior to making the switch to Linux, I had Windows as my primary OS and booted Linux on a USB stick (not Ventoy, but close enough). This let me gain confidence that I would be able to make the jump.

I don’t have a good example for dual booting. Maybe something like a SteamDeck where you want a stable, functional OS most of the time; but, have some games which will only run in Windows.

Dil@is.hardlywork.ing on 24 Feb 2025 00:22 next collapse

I want a backup persistent windows, but I dont want it taking up 128gb when im only using like 70gb, I thought vhd were a way to avoid this and have an install I can keep on my ssd or move to my usb with ventoy eith ease and launch if I need windows

Dil@is.hardlywork.ing on 24 Feb 2025 00:23 next collapse

My issue right now is having to give up a lot of size for partition when theres a good chance I never need to open windows again, just in case if I need to it can update and install what I need

Dil@is.hardlywork.ing on 25 Feb 2025 05:00 collapse

Noticed that kvm is only based on what size the drive grows to and you arent losing the drive space if you dont end up using it, going for that with winapps