Least intrusive way to run Linux inside Windows 7

[Taz]

On my home PC I want to be able to boot up Linux OS inside a virtual machine. I definitely don't want any dual boot stuff so no boot loaders - it's taken me long enough getting rid of GRUB on my work laptop!

My main OS is Windows 7 which I really like. However, I still want to run Linux every now and then to try things out (eg. shell scripts). What is the least instrusive way of having a Linux OS boot up in a virtual machine running under Windows 7? I don't think I can use VMware Player as that won't let me create a virtual image of an OS (unless i'm mistaken). I know I can use a Live CD but this may not let me customise the Linux OS.

[jimbo90210us]

I think you can use ubuntu and wubi to install inside windows. That may or my not boot inside windows it's a long time since I used that (when it first came out).

[Output]

On my home PC I want to be able to boot up Linux OS inside a virtual machine. I definitely don't want any dual boot stuff so no boot loaders - it's taken me long enough getting rid of GRUB on my work laptop!

My main OS is Windows 7 which I really like. However, I still want to run Linux every now and then to try things out (eg. shell scripts). What is the least instrusive way of having a Linux OS boot up in a virtual machine running under Windows 7? I don't think I can use VMware Player as that won't let me create a virtual image of an OS (unless i'm mistaken). I know I can use a Live CD but this may not let me customise the Linux OS.

Virtualbox should suit your needs (and it's also free).

http://www.virtualbox.org

[arbitrabbit]

You can run it within VirtualBox, which is a free virtualization solution and runs Linux extremely well

You can even find some pre built linux images for Virtual box here, here and here

[CaptainCrash]

I don't think I can use VMware Player as that won't let me create a virtual image of an OS (unless i'm mistaken). I know I can use a Live CD but this may not let me customise the Linux OS.

The latest version of VMware Player does in fact allow you to create your own virtual machines, but it's a bit feature-limited compared with VirtualBox (and of course the full VMware Workstation).

It's another option to consider though, and there are loads of precompiled VMware Linux VMs if you search around the intertubes, eg here (might save some time if you plan to experiment with a selection of distros).

[peterb]

Some distros (certainly Knoppix dopes) allows you to but from a live CD, and store system environments and customisations, /home and so on a USB stick, which is reloaded during the boot process. While probably not as flexible as a VM solution, it might be simpler, and be sufficient for your requirement.

[lodore]

go for virtualbox.
wmware products have services running all the time. virtualbox doesnt.

[aidanjt]

On my home PC I want to be able to boot up Linux OS inside a virtual machine. I definitely don't want any dual boot stuff so no boot loaders - it's taken me long enough getting rid of GRUB on my work laptop!

My main OS is Windows 7 which I really like. However, I still want to run Linux every now and then to try things out (eg. shell scripts). What is the least instrusive way of having a Linux OS boot up in a virtual machine running under Windows 7? I don't think I can use VMware Player as that won't let me create a virtual image of an OS (unless i'm mistaken). I know I can use a Live CD but this may not let me customise the Linux OS.

VMware Player does now allow you to create virtual machines, but it isn't as anywhere near as powerful as Workstation, and its frontend is clearly designed for the casual user. VirtualBox is also quite good.

[Zsev]

Even less intrusive than virtualbox? Get a VPS ! A local provider would be www.xensmart.co.uk or www.rapidswitch.com (remember to search around for discount coupons though)
It'll force you to learn linux much faster as well when you have to do everything in ssh, unless you install a desktop environment + remote into it.