Summary
Sometimes on Linux you need a working instance of Windows just to do a quick task that can only be done in Microsoft’s operating system. If you want to make that process as speedy as possible, check out Quickemu.
Meet Quickemu
Quickemuis a command-line program that uses scripts to automate the process of downloading, setting up, and optimizing a virtual machine on your Linux or Mac device. If you haven’t guessed by its name, ituses the QEMU emulator and virtualizeron the backend, and that’s what will be running when Quickemu launches your VM.
All Quickemu is doing is automating the installation and initialization. It configures everything for you; there’s no need to worry about managing virtualized components. You just choose the operating system you want, and after the scripts do their job, you can start working in it.
You’re also not limited to Windows desktops. Quickemu automates the setup of hundreds of operating systems, including Windows Server, macOS,Ubuntu, Fedora, andFreeBSD.
Installing Quickemu
First, you’ll need to install Quickemu. At the time of writing, its availability in common repositories is limited, but you can check theofficial installation instructionsfor updates.
On Linux
Quickemu is easiest to install when you’re on Ubuntu or Debian. On any Debian derivative, you can download the latestDEB packagefromthe Quickemu release page, then use this command to install it:
On Ubuntu and its derivatives, you’re able to instead add the QuickemuPPAto your repositories:
Then use this command to update your repos and install Quickemu:
Quickemu is also available inthe AUR, so Arch users can install it using yay:
If you’re using a different Linux distro or don’t want to use the AUR, seeQuickemu’s guide to installing from source.
In macOS, you can install Quickemu and its dependenciesusing Homebrew:
You’re now ready to start using Quickemu commands.
To get Windows, you first need to download Windows 10 orWindows 11 ISO image. You could go get that image yourself, but Quickemu automates this for you with a single “quickget” command. You just need to name the version you want.
For example, I’llget the latest Windows 10 ISOwith this command:
If everything went according to plan, you’ll see a message saying the download was successful, and you’ll be returned to the command line.
Command 2: Run Your Virtual Machine
Now it’s time to launch your VM. All you need to know is the name of the configuration file (with a .conf extension) that Quickemu created, which it tells you after the installation. In my case, it was “windows-10.conf”
You might get a few odd-looking screens at first, but just wait while the application does its work. Soon you should see a Windows initialization screen.
Follow the prompts to agree to terms, and Quickemu will take care of the rest of the installation. Soon you’ll arrive on your Windows desktop.
Play around with it, and when you’re done, shut it down like you normally shut down Windows. In the future just reuse that command to launch it. You could evencreate an aliasto make launching your VM even faster:
Then you’d just need to typewindowsinto your terminal and you’ll be cruising Microsoft-style in no time.
Start Exploring VMs
Quickemu can do a lot more, including downloading specific editions. For example, Quickemu by default downloads the “English International” edition of Windows 10, but you can get the US edition with this command:
You can also get your preferred version of macOS (though you should refer toQuickemu’s full guide to macOS VMsbecause they can be a bit tricky):
Older point versions of Linux distros are also available. To get Ubuntu 22.04, for example:
You’re now off to the races getting handy virtual machines running on your Linux device faster than you can say “Wine is not an emulator.”
