What If My System Can’t Run the Software I Need?
At OxCIN, researchers often encounter situations where their computer runs Operating System A, but the software they need only supports Systems B, C, or D.
A typical example is needing to run FSL, which is designed for Linux and MacOS, on a Windows machine.
There's a simple solution: install a virtual system that supports the software — a process known as virtualisation.
This guide will start by showing you how to run FSL on Windows with WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux).
After that, we’ll walk you through more general virtualisation options for running other operating systems when WSL isn't suitable.
Running FSL on Windows with WSL
That’s it — you're ready to use FSL!
Note: WSL has its own file system. If you download files in Windows, you'll need to move them into WSL before accessing them from there.
Running Virtual Machines (VMs) with virtualisation software
Sometimes WSL does not help. For example, you may want to run windows software (e.g. IDEA programming if you are a Physicist or Presentation development if you are an Applications researcher) with a linux laptop.
What software do I need?
On Intel/AMD CPU devices we recommend the use of Virtual Box. If you wish to install and use the Virtual Box extensions (which add support for USB 2/3, encrypted VM amongst other non-essential features) then you may only do so if you are using this software in the context of the University's educational program (i.e. you must not use it for commercial purposes).
On ARM devices (Apple M1/2), options include UTM and the commercial software offerings Parallels, VMware Fusion 13 (Virtual Box is available in a preview release). These can only virtualise ARM operating systems, so at present are limited to Linux OSes. Windows on ARM is an official option with Parallels only at present (March 2023), although other virtualisers will add this as an official option shortly. This version of Windows supports the running of most Intel software via an in-built emulator, however some features (such as 3D graphics) and Windows Subsystem for Linux are not available.
UTM can emulate other platforms, so you may be able to run Intel/AMD OSes.
Note: With UTM, if you are using the FMRIB VPN service (FortiClient SSL) then you may find the default networking options do not work. Shut down the VM and then in the VM settings change the networking mode to 'Emulated VLAN'.
What can I run in the VM software
Before you can run the program you want you will need to obtain or create a VM. Some software is available pre-packaged in a VM, for example Freesurfer.
Other software will need you to create a VM and install an OS within it:
- For University owned macOS computers the Microsoft Campus agreement allows us to install Windows OSes within a VM under the site-license at no cost to yourself, e-mail the OxCIN IT team to arrange installation.
- Personally owned computers of staff members are entitled to upgrade through the Campus agreement by purchasing a Work at Home license from IT Services' Microsoft Store. NB You must destroy this VM when you leave the University.
- Students are not entitled to copies of Microsoft software under the Campus agreement, so you will have to purchase your own copy of Windows if you wish to use your own computer.
- Linux is freely available.
- Apple computers are entitled to run up to two VMs running macOS.
A few final points
- 3D graphics support may be incomplete/slow.
- Presentation timings will not be accurate. You should only be using this for developing an experiment, the actual runs should be carried out on a native Windows install.
- Make sure you have enough RAM to run both the VM and your host OS efficiently. Allow at least 8GB for your host OS and 4GB for your guest (for Linux)/8GB for Windows 11. Consequently if you intend to run virtualisation software on a laptop you should aim to have a minimum of 16GB of RAM in the machine.