With various virtualization software available, such as VirtualBox, you can easily create and manage virtual machines. These tools create a virtual PC for these operating systems, enabling them to function alongside your Linux distribution.

To run a Linux virtual machine, follow the steps below.

Reasons to Choose a Virtual Machine over Dual Booting

You might be wondering whether or not it’s better to simply dual boot Linux and another operating system and switch between them. A virtual machine offers several advantages over dual booting for running multiple operating systems on your Linux machine.

Firstly, VMs allow you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously, eliminating the need for constant rebooting when switching between them. It’s more convenient and saves you time. The only bottleneck is your system resources—you’ll need a good enough PC to be able to handle both systems running at the same time.

Secondly, VMs provide better isolation between the host and guest operating systems, reducing potential risks and conflicts. Your primary OS remains safe, even if the secondary one faces issues.

Lastly, you can easily manage and configure VMs, making experimenting with different systems and modifications simpler. They’re isolated into virtual hard drive files, meaning you can create multiple environments to test from.

Choosing an Operating System to Use as a Virtual Machine in Linux

When running a virtual machine in Linux, you have a wide variety of operating systems to choose from. Here are a few popular choices:

• Windows: Windows is the most popular desktop operating system on the planet. If you’re not ready to switch from Windows to Linux entirely, you can run Windows in a virtual machine to continue to run your favorite apps.
• Ubuntu: This popular Linux distribution is user-friendly and great for beginners. It has a strong community and offers plenty of support.
• Linux Mint: Similar to Ubuntu, Mint is also an excellent choice for beginners to Linux. It’s highly customizable and known for offering a familiar Windows-like environment.
• Fedora: A cutting-edge distro, Fedora is known for incorporating the latest technologies and often serves as a testbed for new developments.
• Debian: Stability and reliability are Debian’s primary focus, making it an ideal choice for users who prioritize long-term support and consistent performance.
• openSUSE: Ideal for both beginners and experts, openSUSE provides a stable, balanced option with excellent community support.
• Pop!_OS: Created by System76, Pop!_OS offers a polished user experience optimized for productivity.

This isn’t an exhaustive list—you can run pretty much any operating system in a virtual machine, as long as there’s support for it. Some, like Windows and other Linux distributions, are easy to run. However, others like ChromeOS or macOS lack official support, making them a bit harder to set up.

How to Enable Virtualization on a PC

Before running a virtual machine in Linux, you need to enable virtualization on your PC. Virtualization allows your computer to run multiple operating systems simultaneously by creating virtual computers within your main system.

To enable virtualization on your PC, follow these steps.

1. First, restart your PC. As your computer restarts, press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings menu. The key to access the settings varies depending on your computer’s brand and model, but it’s usually F1, F2, F10, F12, or the Delete key.
2. In the BIOS or UEFI settings, search for the virtualization option. This option might be located under the Advanced, Configuration, or Security sections. It may also be called Intel Virtualization Technology, AMD-V or something similar, depending on your processor’s manufacturer.

3. Once you’ve located the virtualization setting, make sure to change its value to Enabled if it’s currently disabled.
4. After enabling virtualization, save your changes by selecting the Save and Exit option or pressing the corresponding key to save (usually F10).

Your computer will restart, and virtualization will now be enabled, allowing you to run virtual machines in Linux.

How to Install VirtualBox on a Linux PC

You can run a Linux virtual machine in a few different ways, but the easiest is to use VirtualBox. VirtualBox is a powerful and popular virtual machine platform that allows you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously. It’s also free and open source, although there is a free add-on extension pack that isn’t open source.

To install VirtualBox on a Linux PC, follow these steps.

1. If you’re running a Linux distribution that isn’t Ubuntu or Debian-based, download the latest version of Virtualbox from the Virtualbox website and install the file using your distribution’s package manager.

2. Otherwise, on Ubuntu or Debian-based distros, open a new terminal window on your Linux PC and run the sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade commands in your terminal. This will ensure your PC is up-to-date.

3. Next, install VirtualBox by running the sudo apt install virtualbox command in the terminal. This will begin the installation—press Y to confirm.

4. Once the installation is complete, you can launch VirtualBox from your distro’s apps list.

How to Create a Virtual Machine Using Virtualbox on a Linux PC

With VirtualBox installed, you can create and run virtual machines on your Linux PC.

1. Launch the VirtualBox application on your device via your distribution’s app menu. You’ll see the main interface where you can manage your virtual machines.
2. Click the New button in the top-left corner to start creating a new virtual machine.

3. This will open the Create Virtual Machine wizard. In the wizard, enter a name for your virtual machine and choose the desired operating system type and version from the drop-down menus. For example, if you want to create a Windows 11 virtual machine, choose Microsoft Windows as the operating system type and Windows11_64 as the version.

4. Next, you’ll need to allocate memory (RAM) for your virtual machine. Keep in mind that the more RAM you allocate, the better your virtual machine will perform. However, don’t allocate more RAM than your host system can handle. You can always change this later, if needed. Press Next to proceed.

5. After that, you will be prompted to create a virtual hard drive for your virtual machine. You can create a new virtual hard drive or use an existing one (in the VDI, VHD, or VMDK format). To create a new virtual hard drive, choose Create a virtual hard disk now and click Create. To use an existing virtual hard drive, choose Use an existing virtual hard disk file instead and click on the folder icon to locate and select the file.

6. Select the type of file (VDI, VHD, or VMDK) you want to use for the virtual hard drive, and then specify its size and location. Make sure to allocate enough space for your operating system to install. For instance, Windows 11 requires at least 64GB of space, but Linux distros can deal with much less. Press Next to continue.

7. You can choose to make the hard drive file a fixed size or use dynamic allocation, meaning that the file will grow as the data on your virtual machine grows. Select your preferred option and press Next.

8. Next, choose the location for the hard drive file and the size of the drive and press Create to proceed. Make sure to make the file big enough to handle the operating system you plan to install.

9. At this point, your virtual machine will now be listed in the main VirtualBox interface, but you’ll also need to make sure that the installation media for your operating system is accessible to the virtual machine in the Controller: IDE or Controller: SATA settings as a virtual disk drive. For instance, if you’ve downloaded a Linux distro, you’ll need to ensure the image file is selected so that the installation can begin when the VM first runs.
10. To do this, select your virtual machine and press Settings.

11. In the Settings window, select Storage and select the Empty virtual DVD drive.
12. Press the DVD icon in the top-right, then select Choose a disk file to select a virtual image containing your installation media. If you’re installing Windows, for instance, you can download this from the Microsoft website.

13. Press OK to save your settings.

14. To start your virtual machine, select it in the list and click the Start button at the top of the window. The virtual machine will boot up and display the chosen operating system.

Once you’ve first booted up your PC, the installation process will begin for your operating system. You’ll need to follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process—this may take some time to complete.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you should have a fully functional virtual machine running in VirtualBox on your Linux PC.

Running a Linux Virtual Machine

Thanks to software like VirtualBox, running a virtual machine on your Linux PC is easy. If you can’t quite give up Windows, or you want to try out another Linux distribution like Linux Mint or Ubuntu, this is a good (and faster) alternative to dual booting on your PC.

If VirtualBox isn’t for you, you may find better luck trying an alternative like VMWare instead. You can always stick with VirtualBox and try it in reverse to run Linux on a Windows PC instead.

However, not everyone is prepared to make the switch from Windows. This is where Linux emulators for Windows come into the picture, offering the benefits of Linux without departing from your Windows comfort zone.

In this article, we’ll look into some of the best Linux emulators for Windows users looking to sample the Linux experience without fully committing to it.

First Thing’s First: These Are Not Emulators

We know that you typed the term “Linux Emulator” into the search engine of your choice to get here, but the truth is that none of the software packages we’re going to discuss in this article are actually examples of Linux emulation.

Rather, they’re mostly examples of “virtualization” technology with some examples of “compatibility layers”. Virtualization is where a virtual computer (the guest system) is emulated on a real computer (the host system) so that you can run another (or even the same) operating system on the virtual machine, separated from the host system.

However, Linux emulation isn’t really what people are looking for when searching for “Linux Emulators”. Instead, they want to run a Linux system from within another OS, such as Windows. Virtual Machines are the best way to do that, and so that’s what we’re covering here. To that end, we’ll be using the term “Linux Emulator” in this article, but you should be aware that this is a technically inaccurate way to describe this software.

Before diving into the world of Linux virtualization, it’s essential to understand why you might want to use this technology. A VM is a software application that replicates the Linux environment on your Windows system, allowing you to run Linux applications and command-line tools without actually installing a full-fledged Linux operating system. It acts as a bridge, combining the benefits of both worlds: the powerful and flexible nature of Linux, and the familiar and user-friendly Windows environment.

There are several reasons why one might want to use a Linux emulator:

• Exploration: Curiosity may have you itching to explore the world of Linux without leaving Windows. A Linux emulator is the perfect way to dip your toes into the world of open-source operating systems and learn the ins and outs of the dreaded terminal that’s so beloved by hardcore Linux users.
• Compatibility: While the front end of the computer world might be Windows (and, to an increasing degree, macOS), Linux rules the roost behind the scenes. So if you’re getting into the backroom technology world as a system admin or you want to develop Linux software, an emulator lets you do that with ease.
• Education and Skill Development: Learning Linux is more valuable than ever, especially if you’re in the tech industry. Using a Linux emulator can help you learn and hone your Linux skills, making you a more versatile and marketable professional.

A Linux emulator is a flexible, low-commitment, and cost-efficient way to expand your computing experience and broaden your horizons. Before you take your first step with a Linux emulator, here are some of the best Linux emulators to get you started.

1. VirtualBox: The Open-Source Juggernaut

VirtualBox, a widely-adopted open-source virtualization software package, lets you run multiple operating systems, such as Linux, as virtual machines on Windows computers. It accommodates an extensive range of Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, and Linux Mint.

VirtualBox has excellent and seamless integration with USB devices, letting you use peripherals like printers, scanners, and webcams without any hassle. Additionally, VirtualBox also supports Intel’s hardware-assisted virtualization technology, making it a top choice for users with compatible CPUs.

2. VMware Workstation Player: The Feature-Loaded Virtualizer

VMware Workstation Player is another formidable virtualization software that facilitates running Linux operating systems on Windows computers. It offers broad compatibility with Linux distributions, USB devices, and 3D graphics acceleration for Windows hosts.

3. QEMU: The Swift and Adaptable Emulator

QEMU (Quick Emulator) is an agile, open-source emulator and virtualizer supporting various guest OS options, including Linux, BSD, and macOS. Compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS hosts. QEMU can emulate different CPU architectures, making it a prime choice for users interested in exploring various hardware configurations, particularly for development uses.

4. Hyper-V: Microsoft’s Native Hypervisor

Microsoft’s Hyper-V, a native hypervisor that can be activated in “Pro” or better versions of the Windows OS, empowers users to run virtual machines directly on their Windows computers. Primarily targeting Windows Server environments, Hyper-V is also accessible on Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions.

Hyper-V accommodates various Linux distributions as guest operating systems, with integration services that boost performance and offer superior hardware compatibility. However, Hyper-V’s Linux support doesn’t quite measure up to other options on this list, and certain features may not be available for all Linux distributions.

5. Cygwin: The POSIX-Compatible Powerhouse

Cygwin diverges from traditional emulators or virtualization software by providing a POSIX-compatible environment within Windows. This enables users to run Linux applications and command-line tools directly on their Windows system, making it perfect for users mainly requiring access to Linux command-line utilities or specific Linux applications without setting up a full virtual machine.

Cygwin boasts a rich package manager, allowing users to install various Linux applications, libraries, and utilities. While it doesn’t offer full Linux desktop environments like GNOME or KDE, it does support X Window System applications and desktop environments such as XFCE, enabling users to run graphical Linux apps on their Windows host. However, you’ll have to add a few packages to Cygwin (e.g. Cygwin/X) to get graphical apps running.

6. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux): Microsoft’s Linux Bridge

WSL, a Microsoft creation, is an exceptional option for running Linux applications and command-line utilities directly on a Windows system. Unlike Cygwin, WSL facilitates running native Linux executable files by implementing a compatibility layer between the Windows kernel and the Linux kernel.

WSL accommodates multiple Linux distros, including Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora, which can be installed directly from the Microsoft Store. Although it doesn’t provide full Linux desktop environments, it boasts compatibility with various command-line tools, programming languages, and server applications. If you’re comfortable with Windows Powershell, you can quickly spool up all sorts of Linux goodness in minutes.

With the introduction of WSL 2, Microsoft has implemented a lightweight virtual machine (rather than a compatibility layer) that enhances performance, compatibility, and resource usage. Furthermore, WSL 2 supports Docker and Kubernetes, making it an appealing option for developers and IT professionals alike.

Beyond Virtualization

When it comes to experiencing the world of Linux on your Windows machine, virtualization software is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a vast array of methods you can use to try Linux without taking the full plunge. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Dual Booting: One of the go-to ways to experience Linux while keeping your Windows setup intact is dual booting. Think of it like partitioning your hard drive into separate rooms, one for Windows, one for Linux. Every time you fire up your computer, you get to pick which room to enter. Dual booting gives you a closer encounter with Linux, tapping into your hardware’s full potential. That said, setting up and maintaining a dual boot system can feel like juggling chainsaws sometimes, particularly if you often swap between the two operating systems.

Live CDs or USBs: If you’re not ready to tinker with your hard drive, why not boot Linux from a live CD or USB? Several Linux distributions, including the likes of Ubuntu, Fedora, and Linux Mint, offer these live versions. You get to test the waters, exploring Linux, trying out apps and getting a feel for the whole thing without making any lasting changes to your computer. Do remember though, a live environment might feel a bit sluggish compared to a full installation, given it runs entirely off the CD or USB without fully leveraging your computer’s resources. Additionally, any changes you make to the live OS are lost when you reboot, so it’s not a permanent solution.

Portable Linux: Portable Linux versions allow you to carry an entire operating system right in your pocket, on a USB stick. That’s right, imagine having the power of Linux at your fingertips, anywhere, anytime!

Several Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Puppy Linux, offer portable versions. The process is as straightforward as downloading the Linux distro of your choice, loading it onto a USB stick using tools like Rufus or UNetbootin, and voila! You’ve got yourself a mobile Linux workstation.

A portable Linux OS doesn’t wipe your changes when the session ends. It’s just like having Linux installed on an internal hard drive, except running from a USB device like a flash drive.

KDE Plasma is known for its modern, customizable interface and rich set of applications that can cater to different types of users. By installing KDE Plasma on your Linux Mint system, you’ll have access to an elegant and powerful desktop that can be tailored to your preferences, while still enjoying the stability of Linux Mint.

Before Installing KDE Plasma Desktop on Linux Mint

Before you can install the KDE Plasma desktop on Linux Mint, you’ll need to update Linux Mint and import the KDE Backport PPAs (or Personal Package Archives) that are required for the installation.

Update Linux Mint

Keeping your Linux Mint system up-to-date is important for ensuring stability and compatibility with new software. With that in mind, make sure to update your Linux Mint installation before you install KDE Plasma.

To update your Linux Mint system:

1. Open a new terminal window.
2. Type sudo apt update and press Enter.

3. After the update is complete, type sudo apt upgrade and press Enter. If prompted, confirm by pressing Y and Enter to install any updates.

Your system is now up-to-date.

Importing KDE Backport PPAs

The latest version of KDE Plasma and its applications may require you to add certain backport PPA repositories to your system. Kubuntu Backports and Kubuntu-PPA/Backports-extra are both essential repositories that provide access to new versions of KDE packages.

To import KDE Backport PPAs:

1. Open a new terminal window.
2. Type sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports and press Enter.

3. Update your package list with the newly added repositories by typing sudo apt update and pressing Enter.

The required KDE Backport PPAs are now added to your system, and you’re ready to proceed with the installation of the KDE Plasma desktop on Linux Mint.

Installing KDE Plasma Desktop on Linux Mint

Once you’ve updated your Linux Mint system and added the necessary KDE PPA’s, you’ll be able to begin the KDE Plasma installation.

You have three options to choose from. You can install kde-plasma-desktop, which is the minimal installation required for KDE Plasma. Alternatively, you could choose kde-standard, which includes a number of KDE applications, wallpapers, and more.

For an even more comprehensive KDE experience, you can use kde-full, which includes even more applications and functionality.

To install KDE Plasma on Linux Mint:

1. Open a new terminal window.
2. Next, choose your preferred KDE package:
3. To install the minimum KDE package, type sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop and press Enter.
4. To install KDE Plasma with some standard applications, type sudo apt install kde-standard and press Enter.
5. To install KDE with all default applications, type sudo apt install kde-full and press Enter.

6. When prompted, press Y and Enter to proceed with the installation.
7. During the installation, Linux Mint will ask you to choose which display manager to use. This is a critical linux component that allows you to sign in to your PC, so it’s important to choose this carefully. KDE Plasma is packed with the SDDM display manager as standard, so select this for the standard KDE experience, but you can choose to use LightDM or another manager instead.

8. Follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the process. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer.
9. After the restart is complete, you should be able to select the KDE Plasma desktop environment at the login screen. The appearance of this menu will vary, depending on the display manager you selected to use, but make sure to choose Plasma before signing in.

You can now begin to enjoy the KDE Plasma desktop experience on Linux Mint.

Configuring KDE Plasma Desktop on Linux Mint

Once you’ve installed the KDE Plasma desktop on Linux Mint, you may want to configure it to your liking. Here are some basic steps to get started.

• Change the desktop wallpaper: KDE Plasma comes with built-in desktop wallpapers that you can choose from. To change the theme and other on-screen settings, right-click on the desktop and select Configure Desktop. In the settings window, select Wallpaper, then choose a new photo from the options provided (or upload your own).

• Add widgets: KDE Plasma Desktop allows you to add widgets to your desktop, such as a clock or weather widget. To add a widget, right-click on the desktop and select Add Widgets, then choose the widget you want to add and drag it to the desktop.

• Configure the default panel: The default panel is the bar at the bottom of the desktop that contains the application launcher, task manager, and system tray. To configure the panel, right-click on it and select Edit Panel.
  

• Change themes, icons, window behavior, and more: You can also make further changes to KDE on your Linux Mint installation via the System Settings menu. From here, you can customise your KDE experience on Linux Mint by setting a new theme, changing how windows behave, changing icons, fonts, and cursors, and more.

Managing Your Linux Mint PC

Installing KDE Plasma Desktop on Linux Mint presents an alternative, feature-rich desktop experience. By following the steps above, you can configure your Linux Mint PC to use KDE with ease, but you can also consider switching to another Linux distribution, if you’d prefer to do so.

Had trouble with the installation and want to start again? You could always try reinstalling Linux Mint from scratch without losing your data. There’s also the possibility of dual-booting Linux Mint and Windows—just be sure to partition your hard drive carefully before you do so.

This article guides you through various methods to integrate OneDrive with your Linux environment. With these methods, you can access and manage your OneDrive files seamlessly within your Linux file systems.

Can You Use OneDrive on Linux?

Yes, you can access and use OneDrive on Linux in a few different ways. While there isn’t an official OneDrive client for Linux, several unofficial alternatives are available.

For instance, you can use an open-source, unofficial OneDrive client for Linux or a command-line tool like rclone instead. You can also access your OneDrive files quickly from your web browser.

Remember that these are unofficial solutions; your experience might vary depending on the tool and your Linux distribution. Regardless, these options allow you to integrate OneDrive into your Linux workflow.

Using the Unofficial OneDrive Client for Linux

The unofficial OneDrive client for Linux allows you to access and use OneDrive on Linux systems. Please note that this unofficial client isn’t supported by Microsoft in any way—you’ll need to use it at your own risk.

While it’s not officially supported, the OneDrive client for Linux is a free, open-source, and well-maintained option for Linux users to use.

Installing the Unofficial OneDrive Client for Linux

Follow these steps to download and install the Unofficial OneDrive client for Linux on a Debian or Ubuntu-based Linux system. Other distributions may need to follow different instructions.

1. Open the terminal on your Linux PC.
2. Type the following into the terminal to add the correct repository and repository keys to install the necessary packages:
   wget -qO – https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/npreining:/debian-ubuntu-onedrive/xUbuntu_22.10/Release.key | gpg –dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/obs-onedrive.gpg > /dev/null
3. Once that command successfully runs, run this command: echo “deb [arch=$(dpkg –print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/obs-onedrive.gpg] https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/npreining:/debian-ubuntu-onedrive/xUbuntu_22.10/ ./” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/onedrive.list

4. Update your package manager by typing sudo apt update and wait for it to complete.
5. Once your package manager is updated, run sudo apt install —no-install-recommends —no-install-suggests ldc onedrive in the terminal and wait for it to complete.

6. If you run into a libphobos2-ldc-shared100 dependency error during installation, run wget http://launchpadlibrarian.net/619487666/libphobos2-ldc-shared100_1.30.0-1_amd64.deb && sudo dpkg -i /libphobos2-ldc-shared100_1.30.0-1_amd64.deb to resolve it first, then repeat the sudo apt install command.

Configuring and Using the Client

At this point, you should have successfully installed the unofficial Linux OneDrive client. You’ll need to configure it next to access your files.

1. To run the client for the first time and generate the default configuration file, type onedrive into the terminal.
2. You’ll be prompted to visit a Microsoft URL to authenticate and grant access to your OneDrive account. Open the URL in a web browser, sign in with your Microsoft credentials, and grant the necessary permissions.

3. After granting permissions, you’ll see a blank page—copy the URL, paste it back into the terminal, and press the Enter key.

4. The client will alert you if you were successful. To start synchronisation, type onedrive –synchronize into the terminal. This should start synchronizing your OneDrive files to a local folder (~/OneDrive by default). You’ll need to allow time for this process to complete.
5. If you want the client to run in the background, type and run onedrive –monitor from your terminal.

For more information on the client’s features and settings, you can refer to the official documentation for the client on GitHub.

How to Access OneDrive on Linux Using Rclone

rclone is a powerful, open-source terminal tool for synchronizing and transferring files across local or remote systems on a Linux PC. By using rclone, you can set up your Linux PC to allow access to your OneDrive storage.

To use rclone with OneDrive on Linux, follow these steps.

1. To get started, download and install Rclone on your Linux system. You can find the installation instructions for your specific distribution on the rclone website or type sudo -v ; curl https://rclone.org/install.sh | sudo bash into the terminal to quickly install it instead.

2. Once Rclone is installed, type rclone config into the terminal to initiate the configuration process.
3. When prompted, select the n key to create a new remote, and then enter a name for your OneDrive remote (such as onedrive).

4. Next, locate the number for Microsoft OneDrive as the storage provider (typically 31), type it in, and press Enter to confirm.

5. For client id and client secret, leave blank and press Enter.
6. Choose your authentication region for OneDrive (typically by pressing 1 and hitting enter), then choose n to use the typical setup process to authenticate.

7. When prompted, press Y to open a web browser to sign in. Enter your OneDrive account details and authorize Rclone to access your OneDrive account and storage by following the on-screen instructions.

8. After the configuration is complete, close the browser and return to the terminal.
9. Choose your OneDrive configuration—typically 1 for standard OneDrive access. Press the Enter key to continue.

10. Choose your OneDrive ID from the options provided, typically by pressing 1 and hitting the Enter key.

11. Press y again to confirm.

12. At this point, the configuration should be complete. Press Y to confirm again and make it your default configuration.

13. Press q to exit the configuration tool. You can use the rclone command to interact with your OneDrive files. For instance, to list the contents of your OneDrive account, run the command rclone ls onedrive: in your terminal.

14. To download a file from your OneDrive account, run the command rclone copy onedrive:/path/to/file /path/to/local/directory in the terminal. Replace the /path/to paths with the file location and the location where you’d like to save the file on your local PC.
15. To upload a file to your OneDrive account, run the command rclone copy /path/to/local/file onedrive:/path/to/remote/directory. Replace the /path/to paths with the file location and location in your OneDrive storage that you’d like to upload the file to.

16. You can also use the rclone sync command to synchronize all of the files between your OneDrive account and your local Linux filesystem. For example, to synchronize all files in your OneDrive account to a local directory called ~/onedrive, run the command rclone sync onedrive: ~/onedrive.
17. To synchronize a specific directory in your OneDrive account to a local directory, run the command rclone sync onedrive:/path/to/remote/directory /path/to/local/directory and replace the /path/to paths with the correct remote and local directories.

How to Access OneDrive on Linux Using Your Web Browser

Don’t want to install any additional software? You can quickly access your OneDrive files from a Linux PC using your web browser.

To do this, visit the OneDrive website and sign in with your Microsoft account. Once you sign in, you’ll see your OneDrive storage with folders and files. You’ll be able to download files, upload new ones, remove entire files or folders, or create new Office files directly and add them to your OneDrive storage.

You can also share your files with others by selecting the file and pressing the Share button.

Remember that changes made to files and documents on the OneDrive website will be synchronized with any other devices connected to your Microsoft account.

Managing Your Linux Files

Using OneDrive on Linux can be achieved using one of the tools above (or by using the OneDrive website). Although Microsoft doesn’t offer a native OneDrive application for Linux, these alternatives provide a similar experience.

Worried about your files? Remember to keep your file backups automated, ensuring your data stays secure and up to date. Be mindful of potential OneDrive sync issues that could arise, and always double-check your settings if you run into problems.

Despite this challenge, there are ways to make this essential software accessible for Linux users. Several workarounds are available to Linux users that make it possible to access and use Microsoft Office applications.

Using Wine to Install Microsoft Office on Linux

Wine is a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows applications on Linux. You can use Wine to install and use Microsoft Office on your Linux PC. It’s supported by most major Linux distributions, but you’ll need to set it up first.

A word of warning, however. Wine isn’t a simple or bug-free method for running Windows-only applications. Not every version of Office will work with it, and not every feature will work correctly (or at all).

If you can’t run Office this way, you’ll need to try another method instead.

1. First, you need to install Wine on your Linux system. Most Linux distributions have Wine available in their software repositories. For example, on Ubuntu, you can open the Ubuntu Software Center, search for Wine, and install the Wine package.

2. You can also install Wine from the Linux terminal. For instance, on Ubuntu and Debian systems, you can use this command to install it on your PC: sudo apt install wine winetricks.

3. Once Wine is installed, check the Wine AppDB to see the compatibility status for the Microsoft Office version that you plan to install. The AppDB will provide valuable information about any potential issues or workarounds that you’ll need to consider for your specific Office version.

4. Next, download the Microsoft Office installer or otherwise obtain it from a reliable source. This could be either a physical disc or a digital download. If you run into issues, you may need to try the 32-bit version of Office, rather than the 64-bit version.
5. Once you have the installation files, you’ll need to create a new Wine prefix and set the Windows architecture and Wine instance location for the Microsoft Office installation. This will ensure the installation doesn’t conflict with other Wine applications on your system. To do this, open the Linux terminal and enter the following commands in sequence:
   
   export WINEARCH=win32
   mkdir ~/.msoffice
   export WINEPREFIX=~/.msoffice
   wineboot -i
   winetricks cmd corefonts msxml6 riched20 gdiplus

6. Next, navigate to the folder containing the Microsoft Office installation files, and then run the installer using Wine by entering the following command in the terminal: wine setup.exe or wine officesetup.exe (depending on your installer files). This will launch the Microsoft Office installation wizard.

7. Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the installation—you may have to wait for some time while the installer finishes. You can check the progress of the installation by pressing the Office system icon in the top-right. A pop-up box will appear in the bottom-right corner with the current installation percentage.

8. Once the installation is complete, you can locate the installed Microsoft Office applications in the ~/.msoffice/drive_c/Program Files/Microsoft Office folder.
9. To run an Office application like Word, use the wine command followed by the application’s executable file from the terminal, such as wine ~/.msoffice/drive_c/Program\ Files/Microsoft\ Office/Office16/WINWORD.EXE

At this point, you should have successfully installed Microsoft Office on Linux using Wine. If you have any issues, make sure to check the Wine AppDB page for any specific issues or fixes that relate to your version of Microsoft Office.

How to Access Microsoft Office Online on Linux

If you can’t run Wine on your Linux PC, there’s an alternative—using your web browser to access Office apps like Word from the Office website. Microsoft Office Online also integrates seamlessly with cloud storage services like OneDrive and SharePoint, making it easy to store your files and collaborate with others.

Office Online can be an excellent alternative to other cloud-based office solutions such as Google Docs, especially for those who are already familiar with Microsoft Office’s interface and functionalities. However, you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription to fully access all Office functionality online.

To get started, open the Microsoft Office website from your Linux PC. Next, sign in with an existing Microsoft account. If you have an existing Microsoft 365 subscription, make sure to sign in with the correct account.

Once you’re logged in, you’ll see the main dashboard displaying various web-based Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. Select the Office application you want to use from the list provided on the left.

At this point, you’re free to start using the Microsoft Office applications online. Any changes you make to a file will be saved automatically to your OneDrive cloud storage. The user experience is similar to the desktop versions of Microsoft Office, allowing you to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.

Using a Virtual Machine to Run Office on Linux

One way to run Microsoft Office on a Linux operating system is by using a virtual machine. This method involves creating a virtual environment that runs Windows alongside Linux. You can then install and use Microsoft Office as you would on a regular Windows computer.

You’ll need to install VirtualBox or VMWare (or another alternative) to do this. Once you’ve installed your VM software, you’ll then need to install Windows on your virtual machine, then install Office on it afterward.

Keep in mind that the performance of Office within a virtual machine may be affected by the available system resources. To ensure the best possible performance, make sure that your Linux system has enough system resources (such as RAM or CPU power) to support both the virtual machine and your native Linux OS without lag.

Using Microsoft Apps on Linux PCs

Using the steps above, you can quickly install or run Microsoft Office on a Linux PC. Whether it’s running it via Wine, opening Office from your browser, or powering up a VM, you’ll have options to access your most important Office files.

If you’re using Linux, however, you may prefer to ditch Microsoft entirely. There are a number of good Linux apps out there that can fill the gap, offering alternatives to popular Windows software. For instance, if you want to open up a Word document without Office, you could try OpenOffice or LibreOffice instead.

If you do decide to stick with Office, you may need to transfer your existing Office license over to ensure that it remains authenticated (and you don’t lose functionality in the process).