How Do I Run Windows Software On Linux?

I hope you figured this one out by now!! There are a few solutions. 1) install Windows in a Virtual environment. You need the install discs, it's not that difficult, and once Windows is installed you're away. VirtualBox is in some repositories, or you can download the latest version off the net; I've had some success with it. The downsides are 1) it's a virtual environment, so you're running 2 operating systems at once. If your PC smokes up on one, it surely won't like 2. 2) Some programs (games) have security systems that won't install in a virtual environment. You won't be able to fix this. Another option is WINE. Wine is an emulator, where the program tries to form a "shell" around the program and convert any calls to the OS from their Windows form to a Linux counterpart. It's surprisingly good, although often a bit behind; I'm not sure where it is with regard to Win 7 programs. Third option is to change to a Linux equivalent. From experience, you'll end up going down this track eventually- once you get used to the freedom in Linux there's no going back to the "you can't do that" approach of other operating systems. With your particular situation, try using ClamAV (in the repositories) to clean your Windows install- you might get lucky. See, there are two ways to run Windows app/programs on Linux Os. either go for WINE or go for CorssOver. If u want to run them FREE, then go for WINE (download and install it as root bu8t run wincfg as general user). This SW is totally free and easy to install. If u go with cost, then consider CrossOver. Of-course CrossOver is more reliable than WINE, but it is not free. See below the two URLs: For wine: http://www.winehq.org/ For CrossOver: http://www.codeweavers.com/products/